The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1918-12-04

The community is very much dis
fturbed about the epidemic which pre-
walls more or less over the entire coun-
try. We refer to the Spanish infiu-
senza which has been reaping a great
harvest CT death in many localities
throughout the United States. This
community perhaps has, it's share of
cases although the fatalities are prob
ably less than in some other locali-
ties AS a general ruel the cases are
what might be termed light, although
the effects in some instan ces are not
easily overcome. Some time ago a
quarantine was put in force here and
it Ifs said that at the time it was taken
of there were quite as many cases in
the city, il not more, than when it was
put on, and the authorities We're not
correctly advised as to the situation.
One trouble has come from the physlc-
4 fans not reporting cases under treat
lnent. Not until the last few days has
there been anything like systematic
effort to report cases. On Sunday al
tcrnoon meeting Of prominent citi-
zens was called to talk over the situ-
alton and to decide upon plan OF &C
ton for dealing with the trouble. At
this meeting statements were made by
number of citizens but no action
was taken beyond requiring families
in which the disease has broken out
4 to have notice put up such as is1e-
auired in cases of scarlet fever and
other such diseases. 1t is said that
the physicians at the meeting reported
but 12 cases in the city, and it is now
\ stated that one physician had reported
twenty cases or more to the mayors
office but they had not been brought
10 his attention at the time Of the
meeing. This is a mistake. 1t will
mot do to say that full publicity will
sliniure trade, and business. We cannot
ieopardize the health of the commun-
s3ity in order to keep business prosper
35Cus, There are those who contend
that there is no more danger in keep
ing the public schools open than to
have them closed and the children
running upon the streets and exposing
themselves to extreme weather. It is
contended by some that in keeping
stores and Offices open there is less
danger to be apprehended than where
people congregate upon the streets
and mingle together in other places.
L IGyen the pool halls and movies are
able to show that they are justified in
keeping their places, open. We doubt
the arguments presented and believe
they are largely prompted by other
reasons than a purpose to sincerely
restrain the ravages of the epidemic.
4 We think the contagion is increased
''bv people collecting together whether
4 in one place or another and mingling
!. as they must in many places where
meetings are held We certainly have
no desire to interfere with business.
dDut we would insist that the health OF
the community is of more Importance
! than success in business. 1t does not
follow that because people repair to
the steTes to trade that they should ne
thrown in contact with each other IN
such a manner as to contract the dis
ease. but we endorse the action OF the
Des MONIES authorities in requiring
Deople to wear masks whenever they
enter a building where people are col
,1ected or public meetings are held.
This is very simple method and
should be enforced wherever it is pos
sihle to do SO. We have thought that
results might be obtained by closing
ali places as far as possible IN the city
drum tight. for say one week and re-
ouire people to stay in their homes
and avoid congregating at any place
unller penalty, but there are those who
insist that no good would corae from