The Manual on Viruses

The mask resistency
Local governments rolled out initiatives to try to stop
its spread. These varied by region, and included closing
schools and places of public amusement, enforcing
“no-spitting” ordinances, encouraging people to use handkerchiefs
or disposable tissues and requiring people to
wear masks in public.
Mask-wearing ordinances mainly popped up in the western
states, and it appears most people complied with them.
Their issue had less to do with the science behind them,
and more to do with personal comfort. The nation was
still fighting in World War I, and officials framed anti-flu
measures as a way to protect the troops from the deadly
outbreak.
Other early flu precautions involved gargling saltwater,
eating oranges and—at least for one set of parents—warning
people not to kiss their baby. These remain good
ideas, but even for those who already practice healthy flu
season habits, the CDC emphasizes that getting an annual
vaccination is one of the best ways to prevent the flu.
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