The Colville examiner. [volume] (Colville, Wash.) 1907-1948, 1918-12-07
VOTE TO BACK
HEALTH OFFICER
BUSINESS MEN GATHER TO DIS
CUSS LOCAL INFLUENZA
SITUATION
To Stand Behind City Health Officer
in Enforcing Regulation for the
Suggested Quarantine

Forty-three business men and citi-
zens met at the courthouse Tuesday
evening to discuss the flu situation
in the city of Colville. After a dis
cussion which included the advisa-
bility of closing the schools, the
question Of closing other public
places, the exact condition of the
disease in Colville, the necessity for
more nurses and assistants, and the
need for more precaution, % of
those present voted to back DR.. j.
w. Henderson, city health officer, in
a ban which would put the lid on
tight.
"a ban," said DR.. Henderson, "is
for the benefit Of every one or the
injury of every one. If ban is
put on it must be enforced in order
to gain any results, and the city
health officer must have the people
behind him or it will be an expen-
sive matter to attempt to enforce
rulings"
The situation in regard to the
schools was explained by Supt. A. T.
Sutton, who stated that 47% of the
school enrolment was absent Tues
day, absences being due to the pupils
having influenza, or members of the
family having it, or parental fear
which kept the children at home.
Under such attendance conditions,
both the school board and teachers
were of the opinion it would be bet
ter to close. Mr.. Sutton made the
statement that from the information
he was able to obtain, 81 pupils ac-
tually had the disease.
Financially it was considered un-
wise to hold school when the attend
ance is SO small as to bring down
the state apportionment, which is
based on average attendance. 1t
was said that $4,000 would be lost
for every month there was no school.
The fact that the teachers unani-
mously agreed to make up at their
own expense ten days previously
lost, according to Mr.. Sutton, show
ed that when they urged the advisa-
bility of school closing at this time
it was not for selfish reasons. The
instructors feel that especially in the
grades it will be better from an edu-
cational standpoint to close.
That if the schools close, other
public places must do so in order
to bring any result, was the con-
sensus of opinion. DR.. Henderson
was asked by the chairman Of the
meeting, Mayor Sax, to outline the
plan which would be followed if a
ban were put on the city.
Ban to Be Tight
eff l put a ban on it will be a
tight one" declared the health Off
GER. In general, DR.. Henderson's
plan was to close the schools and
forbid the youngsters the streets
and alleys as gathering places; all
other public places would be closed
and stores and offices allowed but a
limited number of persons at time.
People would be required to use the
phone as much as possible in doing
business, and those on the streets
would be told to "keep moving"
DR.. Henderson said that there is
larger number of cases Of influenza
in the city now than at any previ-
GUS time. He stated that his records
would indicate that the disease did
not usually originate with children
of school age, and he did not think
the second outbreak was due to the
reopening of the schools. The damp
weather Of the last week seemed to
have the effect Of increasing the
number of cases. 1t was stated that
children have been known to go to
school with wet feet because they
could not afford to buy rubbers.
Various business men present were
called on for their suggestions as to
the course to be. followed. All ex-
pressed readiness to do anything
which would be best for the public
welfare, even though it should inter-
fere with holiday trade or business
in general.
Need for Nurses
"Those who are sick must be taken
care of said Health Officer Hender-
son, and Mayor Sax urged that those
who can give intelligent aid in. the
sick room or home register with the
physicians their willingness to help
stamp out the epidemic. A healthy
fear of the disease was thought nec-
essary, but not q morbid fear which