New Britain herald., 1918-10-05
ND DECISION YET
 ID CLOSE THEATERS And-Spittjn6 Law Will Be Rigidly
 Enforced as Epidemic Measure 975 INFLUENZA CASES
Health Department Follows Policy of State Board, Which Does Not Fla vor General Closing Of Theatcrs and Schools

Up to noon today a total of 973 reported to the board of health. This number includes all that have been quarantined since the epidemic first began to sweep the city. As yet how ever, the health department has made no recommendation as to the closing of schools, theaters, churches or oth- CT public buildings, but the superin- tendent, pr. H. F. Moore, continues to advise the people of the city against undue hysteria and to take ali due precautions against the spread of the disease, by refraining from sneezing or coughing in the open. Owing to the illness of some members of the health department, and the absence of others, it is i'm possible for the superintendent to call a special meeting to take any ac- ton, but Chairman B. F. Gaffney of the school board has called a special meeting of his committee for o'clock this afternoon when the situa- ton will be thoroughly discussed.
 Children Are Least Affected.
 The superintendent of health, in preparing a report on the situation, has classified the cases whereby it is evident that there are fewer school children affected than others. Of 51 individual cases investigated it is found that there are A cases where the patient is between one and five years of age. Those between the ages of 5 and 20 years, which in cludes all those attending schools, number 184 while the larger major ity, 286 cases, are among people be- tween the ages of 20 and 72 years. There are 459 other cases that have not been investigated, making to- tai of 973 cases of influenza under quarantine. Previous to today's re- port there were 826 cases on record and of these only six had resulted fatally.
 In some quarters today it was said that the fact that there are only 1S4 children of school age affected with the influenza. while there are 330 who are not of the school age who are affected. may be taken as an argument against the closing of the schools. It may be, however, that owing to non- attendance of teachers and pupils it may be necessary to close the schools.
 It was also stated today that the Sac Council of Health, affiliated with the state board, is opposed to the clos ing of schools, theaters churches and other public places at this time, feel ing that conditions do not warrant such action. The local health depart ment is following the policies laid down by the state board
 Schools Seriously Affected
 The epidemic is seriously affecting the local schools, but in the opinion of medical men throughout the coun- try, and also in the opinion of the To- cal school board, it is an open ques- 1 ton as to whether or not is Is deslr- I able to close them. In the opinion of the many, the children may be better off attending school, where they will be in warm, but well venti- 1 lated rooms and under proper super vision, than they would be at home or running about the streets, subject to .colds and germs.
 The school board, however, is facing a serious question in the matter of car ing for the pupils in school as the list of teachers who are being stricken down by illness is increasing daily to an alarming extent. The report sub- mitted to the school board yesterday showed that there are already 42 teachers who are away from their class rooms because of illness. AS these 42 teachers are from the vari- Ous schools and grades it is very diff cult to double up in many cases. There are approximately 300 teachers engag'- cd in this city. Of the teachers i'll, i