Neighbor News
The Boston Red Cross in the 1918-19 Influenza Pandemic: Vanguard Fighter or Rogue Chapter?, Saturday, October 17 at 2 pm at the Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library
During World War I, pandemic flu struck Boston and the local Red Cross went rogue. What is wise or a grave mistake? Explore with us!
In August 1918, when pandemic influenza first struck Boston, the local Red Cross chapter acted quickly to meet the emergency. But after the pandemic began spreading to other parts of the United States, Red Cross National Headquarters stepped in to call the shots—and the headstrong Boston chapter ignored or rejected these directives. Marian Moser-Jones, University of Maryland School of Public Health, will explore the Red Cross-led response to the 1918-1919 flu in Boston and New England, and will discuss whether the local officials acted wisely in charting their own course during this public health crisis. This program is free thanks to the generous sponsorship of the Ruby W. and LaVon P. Linn Foundation.
Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library
33 Marrett Road
Lexington, MA 02421
781-861-6559
programs@srmml.org