The Covid-19 pandemic is reshaping the globe in ways that feel both startling and unprecedented, stretching far beyond images of wildlife roaming city streets or home‑grown concerts on Instagram. As of this writing, roughly two million individuals worldwide have tested positive for the virus, and more than 125,000 lives have been lost,^[1] with forecasts soaring well past what we might label ‘manageable’. Moreover, the human toll extends to the countless millions who will feel the sting of the looming economic downturn, which—according to some analysts—could become the most severe recession since the Great Depression.^[2]

top 10 unsolved mysteries overview

10 Why Are Young, Fit People Dying, Too?

One of the most unsettling facets of the outbreak is the unexpectedly high death rate among older adults. This pattern creates a stealthy pathway for the virus: it can circulate under the radar among younger, healthier populations before it finally reaches the elderly, who are far more vulnerable. If early symptoms were more pronounced and easier to spot, the virus would struggle to slip past these older hosts unnoticed.

That said, youth and fitness do not grant absolute immunity. A noticeable number of younger individuals have also succumbed to severe outcomes, defying our current expectations of who should be at risk. This paradox fuels a larger puzzle about how the disease manifests so differently across age groups and fitness levels, a puzzle that scientists are racing to solve in order to better shield humanity from future, potentially deadlier, outbreaks.

9 Can We Infect Animals?

Even though we’ve identified the virus’s animal origins, the exact source remains a hot debate—candidates range from pangolins and bats to even poultry. Researchers are confident they’ll pinpoint the original reservoir once the human crisis eases.

The truly baffling twist is that the virus, after adapting to humans, appears to be jumping back to animals—a scenario no one had forecasted. A tiger at the Bronx Zoo, for example, tested positive for the human‑adapted strain, and several other zoo animals have shown similar signs. While most documented cases involve household pets, this marks the first confirmed instance of a wild animal contracting the virus, leaving scientists scratching their heads.

Our best hypothesis points to an asymptomatic zoo worker inadvertently transmitting the virus to the tiger. Yet, no other big cats have shown symptoms, suggesting a possible species‑specific susceptibility, or perhaps a chance occurrence that we have yet to fully understand.

8 We Still Don’t Understand Its Biology

Despite the pandemic striking wealthier nations most acutely—granting us a concentration of leading virologists and epidemiologists—the virus continues to evade a complete biological explanation. The structure of SARS‑CoV‑2, while recognizable as a spiky sphere designed to infiltrate cells, does not fully account for its astonishingly rapid spread compared to other relatively benign viruses that share similar spike proteins.

What truly sets the coronavirus family apart remains a mystery: why do certain members, like SARS‑CoV‑2, wreak such havoc on humans, while others cause only mild illness? Moreover, we still lack a clear picture of how this particular strain acquired the ability to infect humans so efficiently in the first place.

7 Its Evolution In Humans Is Still Poorly Understood

The virus’s biology offers clues, but a deeper question lingers: how did SARS‑CoV‑2 learn to infect humans so readily? Historically, coronaviruses have required a period of mutation before they could efficiently jump species. The original SARS virus, for instance, needed time to adapt before causing serious disease. In contrast, the current strain appeared ready to infect and cause severe illness right out of the gate, showing little genetic drift since the pandemic’s onset.

That does not mean the virus is static—mutations continue to arise, yet none have overtaken the original lineage in terms of prevalence. In essence, the virus already possesses the tools it needs to spread among humans without further major changes, at least for now.

6 People Are Testing Negative, And Then Positive

Clinicians worldwide are confronting a puzzling pattern: patients who initially tested negative for the virus later receive a positive result. This phenomenon challenges the reliability of our diagnostic tools and raises concerns about the virus’s behavior after apparent recovery.

While the virus can linger silently before symptoms emerge, most health systems already factor in a quarantine period before releasing patients. The World Health Organization—now under heavy criticism—once required two consecutive negative tests taken at least 24 hours apart before declaring a patient “recovered.” Yet, a growing number of those cleared individuals are testing positive again, with no clear explanation.

Some experts speculate that the virus may enter a dormant state within the host, only to reactivate later, while others propose reinfection from external sources, or even testing errors. This uncertainty undermines the assumption that recovered patients develop lasting immunity, prompting a re‑evaluation of what “recovery” truly means.

Top 10 Things You Need To Do To Prepare For The Coronavirus

5 The Carriers With No Symptoms At All

If you examine past pandemics, the secret weapon of the current virus isn’t sheer lethality or a blistering infection rate. Instead, it thrives on a stealthy advantage: many infected individuals experience little to no symptoms, allowing the disease to spread unchecked, outpacing even the deadliest historical outbreaks.

Scientists still grapple with quantifying the true number of silent carriers. Known hotspots and confirmed cases can’t fully explain the torrent of new infections. Those with mild coughs or runny noses often dismiss their condition as trivial, yet they may be the primary drivers behind the virus’s astonishingly rapid global expansion.

4 Why Are Children So Good At Fighting It?

It’s well‑established that Covid‑19 impacts people unevenly, with older adults bearing the brunt of severe outcomes—a trend usually attributed to weaker immune systems. However, the virus appears almost harmless to children, whose fatality numbers remain vanishingly small.

This paradox is perplexing because children typically lack the robust immunity seen in adults and are generally more susceptible to respiratory infections like the flu. Yet, they seem to possess an uncanny ability to fend off severe disease, a phenomenon that remains unexplained by current scientific models.

3 How Do Patients Recover?

We have a decent grasp of how many infections are cleared: the immune system typically generates antibodies that both eliminate the current virus and provide future protection. In diseases like influenza, these antibodies may wane over time, but they still leave a recognizable imprint.

Surprisingly, a notable subset of Covid‑19 survivors shows no detectable antibodies despite full clinical recovery. One Chinese study found that while most recovered patients produced the expected immune response, roughly 30 % displayed no measurable antibodies or related markers, leaving scientists puzzled about the mechanisms enabling their recovery.

2 The Invisible Line Of Transmission

Even with a surge of cases worldwide, epidemiologists can often trace infections back to identifiable sources—hospitals, crowded events, or known clusters—allowing targeted quarantines and contact‑tracing efforts.

Yet, baffling instances continue to surface where patients appear to contract the virus without any discernible exposure. For example, a toddler in Gujarat, India, died from Covid‑19 despite no reported cases in the entire district, and a man in California became the first American to test positive without any known contact with an infected individual.

1 How Does It Spread?

Governments worldwide have rolled out strict lockdowns, social‑distancing mandates, and other containment measures, all based on the premise that we understand the virus’s transmission routes. However, emerging research suggests we know far less than we believed.

The biggest enigma remains the exact pathways the virus exploits to move from person to person. Early assumptions limited spread to direct contact via droplets, but newer studies indicate the virus can linger airborne for extended periods, traveling beyond the reach of typical cough droplets. A notable case involved an entire choir becoming infected despite maintaining distance, pointing to aerosol transmission as a plausible route.

Top 10 Things You Need To Do To Prepare For The Coronavirus

I work at a value hotel in a region that hosts the Ark, the Creation Museum, the Cincinnati Reds, and other event venues. The area has been booming, with hotels popping up like mushrooms, and many locals saw the hotel industry as a fast‑track to career growth. Then the coronavirus hit, and everything changed. Below are the top 10 crazy realities of hotel life during the pandemic.

10 Hotels Are Essential, But Layoffs And Hour Cuts Are Still Happening

In the crazy age of the coronavirus, hotels have been deemed essential. But that doesn’t ensure smooth sailing for hotel companies or their employees. Although many essential services have seen a spike in demand, hotels haven’t participated in the surge as tourism is at a standstill all over the world.

Many hotels do not want to deal with increases in unemployment insurance. So they are trying first to cut the hours of their employees before laying people off.

However, bigger hotels are often faring so poorly—due to an apocalyptic loss in occupancy—that they have no choice but to lay off employees. Some establishments near Disney World are furloughing people left and right because the closing of the park has left some 1,000‑room hotels at only 1 percent occupancy. At that rate, they can hardly afford to keep the lights on, much less continue to pay all their employees.

As for Las Vegas, many resort hotels have shut down because a huge amount of their money comes from the casino business. This requires larger gatherings of people to be successful. More than anything, they are basically gaming spaces with a hotel attached. Without gaming resorts, there is no point in staying open.

9 Some Hotels Are Offering Special Home Office Rates For Daytime Stays

At least one hotel so far, Red Roof Inn, is offering a weekday special from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM to use their hotel rooms as a home office space. This offer is actually quite cheap, running at a little under $30 per day for your temporary office space. They even allow one other person and one pet.

Now this is half off most nightly rates for that type of hotel, but they’re probably not offering full amenities. Presumably, they don’t expect the guest to use the bed or the shower. No breakfast, either.

However, this is still quite inexpensive. Those who are searching for home office space might want to look into this or other hotels that may soon offer similar deals. To get away from it all and have your own work space for $30 dollars a day is fairly cheap, especially if the kids are home due to quarantine and you cannot concentrate long enough to finish your work.

8 Phones Have Been Ringing Off The Hook With Cancellation Calls

Once the number of COVID‑19 cases escalated sharply, gatherings started to be banned and hotels repeatedly received the worst kind of calls: cancellations. For the first several weeks of the COVID‑19 outbreak, the phones were ringing off the hook at my hotel. That was also true at many other establishments.

Everyone was getting cancellation calls for stays that ranged from only a few days in advance to those in late summer. Occupancy dropped like a stone overnight. The managers and owners of many hotels are now terrified that, at best, they will break even for the year. But that’s the rosy case and very unlikely to happen.

Many hotel employees are slightly traumatized at this point. Some have reached a point of weary resignation, knowing that most remaining calls will still be cancellations. We’re all just hoping that our hotels don’t have to close permanently and that we don’t have to look for new jobs.

There is also the worry of having your hours cut. Although the US Congress passed a stimulus package to help with unemployment benefits during the coronavirus pandemic, it can still be difficult to apply for and receive the money in a timely manner.

What do you do while you’re waiting? Very few places are hiring, especially part‑time workers.

7 Breakfast Services Are Suspended Or Greatly Limited At Most Hotels

As the COVID‑19 outbreak spiked significantly, one of the first things to change was how food was served. To comply with stay‑at‑home or shelter‑in‑place orders, restaurants closed their interior dining rooms. So you have to use delivery, curbside pickup, or drive‑through because gatherings of more than a few people are now banned.

This left a lot of hotels in a weird gray area. They are not sure if they are properly complying with the law or not. Most states did not say anything specific about hotel breakfasts one way or another, although some states were unclear about whether a breakfast “buffet” was acceptable.

As a result, some hotel managers wondered if continental breakfasts were still okay as long as only a few guests gathered at once. Meanwhile, some establishments have shut down these dining options entirely, even if they don’t serve any hot foods. It hasn’t helped that the authorities have not given much guidance or clarification on the issue.

Out of an abundance of caution, most hotels have suspended their breakfasts or are offering to‑go bags. If you need to visit a hotel for business or something, you should call them first to see if they still have any kind of breakfast options. That way, you’ll know if you need to plan ahead for the next morning.

6 People Are Trying To Get Rock‑Bottom Prices When Hotels Are Already Struggling

Many people know that travel has been suspended in most places, that people aren’t gathering, that a lot of vacation destinations are closed, and that most hotels are doing incredibly badly right now. In fact, they might continue to perform poorly for the rest of the year.

However, like all things business, a hotel isn’t a charity and guests don’t consider their business a charity, either. With all the people running out of money right now, those who do need a hotel are looking for rock‑bottom prices. This makes room sales super‑competitive.

Currently, some hotels are offering such low competitive rates that they risk losing money on their rooms because they are not receiving enough revenue to cover all the overhead. Some hotel owners believe that having a fuller house will look better to their creditors.

At the end of the day, though, any hotel that is selling out right now is barely breaking even and may even be operating at a small loss.

5 When Prices Go Down, Many Criminals Come To Stay

As we’ve mentioned, hotel prices have cratered. As a result, drug dealers, prostitutes, and other ne’er‑do‑wells see these rock‑bottom prices as a great opportunity to use hotels as the base of operations for their businesses. Many druggies who need a place to crash during a high are also tempted by the low prices.

If this wasn’t enough, many cities are now paying to put up homeless people in hotels during the pandemic. It would be great if they stayed inside, which is the whole point. However, many of these people are not self‑quarantining. Instead, they are getting into trouble.

The problem extends beyond housing the homeless. They still need money for food, and some are trying to score drugs. Others just have side hustles. They want to save money so that they won’t be homeless forever.

Although it is great to give the homeless a place to quarantine, they simply don’t have the resources to just stay inside hotel rooms for weeks. They certainly don’t have the distractions available to them that most of us have, except for TVs in their rooms.

To make matters worse, many homeless people have mental illnesses. Just giving them homes without providing the help they need may reveal or even cause larger issues.

4 Some Hotel Workers Have Made Themselves Paranoid Wrecks Over The Virus

Like anyone on the “front lines,” some hotel workers have made themselves paranoid wrecks over getting the virus. Before finally quitting, one of my coworkers was donning a new pair of gloves after every customer and wearing a mask when the CDC was still saying it wasn’t necessary (although we know better now). She was also scaring the guests, who were afraid that she was wearing a mask because she had the coronavirus.

Although you want to be careful to avoid getting the virus, it is also important to base your actions on common sense and not just paranoia. Wearing gloves can help, but you also need to wash your hands after you take them off. You can’t touch anything that’s potentially infected and then touch your face, or the gloves are useless.

They can easily give you a false sense of security. In addition, your paranoia can stress you out and lower your immune system. Although hotel workers clean constantly, wash our hands like crazy, and take a lot of precautions, there is a point at which your methods to sanitize become nonstop panic cleaning that just dries out your skin without any additional health benefits.

3 Business Is Almost Impossible To Predict Even Day To Day

As stated in the introduction, I work at a value hotel. Before the COVID‑19 pandemic, I could work the morning shift and predict how many guests we would have by the end of the day, give or take five individuals. That’s true even for hotels with lots of walk‑in visitors.

Even on days when we weren’t doing that well or when it was a slow time of year, business was usually predictable day to day. Once you know the flow of your business, you develop a sense for how things will go.

However, this pandemic has changed everything. Due to cancellations, the criminal element, people traveling at the last minute to get back to their places of origin, homeless people, and many other factors, the hotel business has become impossible to predict day to day or even hour to hour.

The value hotel where I work has about 115 rooms. Right now, we are filling about 20‑40 rooms a night. It is almost impossible to predict occupancy or which days will be better or worse.

2 Guests Are Much Chattier Because Everyone Wants To Talk About The Pandemic

You will get some chatty guests at a hotel, but most people just want to do their business and get on their way. However, the pandemic has changed all that. Customers and employees alike regularly commiserate about the virus.

In fact, regular guests who were never chatty are now talking much more. This virus has scared many of us. By discussing what’s going on, we have that human connection that can comfort some people and make them feel better.

Depending on the individual hotel employee, this can be either cathartic or stressful. Some like the chance to talk about the pandemic. Others are already hearing enough about it on the news and at work. These employees just wish they could forget about the virus for a few minutes.

Unfortunately, when you work in customer service, it is part of your job to chat people up and be sympathetic—even if you wish you could just ask them to please stop talking about the pandemic. You are already stressed out enough over it.

1 The Future Is Uncertain—No One Knows If Or When Things Will Be Normal Again

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, hotel owners and employees are nervous about the future of hotels. Many owners are convinced that this fiscal year is going to be a complete wash. Hitting breakeven is the new goal (if they can even manage it).

To make matters worse, no one is sure how bad this will be for the hotel industry in the long term. Yes, some hotels and motels will always exist because people need a place to stay. But others cater to guests who are visiting resorts and other attractions.

After the end of the pandemic, we may see a long‑term change in how people interact at events, in large crowds, and with other groups. The Internet is such a powerful tool that we may see more virtual entertainment come out of this. Possibly, only smaller groups will be allowed to congregate, even in resort towns.

Even if the law allows, things may never go back to “normal” if general attitudes change. This could be truly ruinous for the resort hotel industry as about 95‑99 percent of their business would be permanently gone.

Just like every situation involving the pandemic, we can only do our best as we wait to see what will happen. The world may not change that much in the long term. But it’s impossible to predict at this point, and the uncertainty can be frightening.

Top 10 Crazy Insights

These ten eye‑opening realities show how the hospitality world has been reshaped by the coronavirus, from staffing challenges to the unexpected ways guests are adapting.

It is no news that most governments are struggling to contain the COVID-19 pandemic. Things are no different with terrorists, who often act as the de facto authority in the regions they control. This piece dives into the top 10 ways these groups are reacting to the crisis, shedding light on surprising shifts in tactics and rhetoric.

Understanding the Top 10 Ways Terrorist Groups Are Reacting

10 Taliban Lifts Ban On Health Workers And Agrees To Cooperate With WHO

The Taliban, notorious for targeting medical personnel, has a grim record: in 2019 it murdered 51 health workers and injured 142 more, prompting the World Health Organization to shutter 192 clinics across Afghanistan.

Yet the relentless march of COVID‑19 has forced a strategic pivot. With 22 confirmed cases among Afghans and fears of a rapid surge, the insurgents realized they can’t afford to alienate the very doctors they once hunted.

A Taliban spokesperson announced a willingness to collaborate with the now‑embattled WHO and other international health bodies to purge the virus from Afghan soil.

Another official added that the group is already urging citizens to heed medical advice, threatening force against non‑compliant individuals, and even mulling a suspension of congregational prayers to curb transmission.

9 Islamic State Issues Travel Advisory To Terrorists Traveling To Europe

Not long ago, the Islamic State was actively urging its fighters to head to Europe for attacks. The pandemic’s devastation across the continent, however, prompted a sudden policy reversal.

ISIS now warns its operatives against traveling to Europe, citing health risks. Moreover, the group discourages those who had already set out from returning, not out of tactical restraint, but out of fear they could import the virus back to their strongholds.

8 Hezbollah Quarantines Its Leaders After They Contracted The Virus

Most of Hezbollah’s senior commanders have already tested positive for COVID‑19 after a meeting with an Iranian official—an encounter that exposed them to the contagion.

In addition to those confirmed cases, the organization placed its supreme leader, Hassan Nasrallah, under precautionary quarantine, even though he has not been officially diagnosed. The move reflects a “better safe than sorry” approach.

7 Mahan Air Continued Flying To China

Mahan Air, a civilian carrier often labeled a terror‑linked airline due to its ties with Iran’s IRGC, blatantly ignored a governmental ban on Iran‑China flights at the pandemic’s outset.

The airline finally halted the route only in March, two months after the prohibition was imposed, ferrying countless passengers—and the virus—into Iran during the critical window.

Iran now records one of the region’s highest infection and death rates, a toll amplified by Mahan Air’s continued service. The carrier even lost a pilot to COVID‑19, underscoring the human cost of its defiance.

6 Hamas Banned All Gatherings And Suspended Congregational Prayers

Governing the densely populated Gaza Strip, Hamas faced its first COVID‑19 cases in March when two men returned from a four‑day Islamic program in Pakistan.

In response, the group shut down weddings, restaurants, shops, and all public gatherings. It also halted funerals and suspended the usual congregational prayers.

Beyond internal restrictions, Hamas instituted quarantine protocols for thousands entering Gaza from neighboring territories, aiming to seal the enclave from further viral incursions.

5 Neo‑Nazis Plan To Use It As A Bioweapon

While most extremist outfits are scrambling to avoid infection, a fringe of “White Racially Motivated Violent Extremists” in the United States—essentially neo‑Nazi adherents—have plotted to weaponize COVID‑19.

According to DHS intercepts on Telegram, members discussed bottling contaminated saliva and spraying it in areas they deem “non‑white,” as well as contaminating door handles and elevator buttons in government buildings to infect officials.

Crucially, the group insists the plan will only proceed if they themselves contract the virus first, turning the pandemic into a twisted tactical lever.

4 The Turkistan Islamic Party Said It Is God’s Punishment To China

The Turkistan Islamic Party, an al‑Qaida‑linked outfit with roots in Syria and Afghanistan, released a video during the early COVID‑19 wave accusing the virus of being divine retribution against China.

The broadcast condemned Beijing for oppressing Muslim Uighurs, destroying mosques, burning Qur’ans, and raping women, while also chastising the Chinese populace for consuming wild animals.

The TIP’s spokesperson expressed a hope that the virus would devastate China, framing the pandemic as a moral verdict.

3 Al‑Shabab Commanders Held A Meeting To Discuss How To Prevent COVID‑19

Somalia, ranked 194th out of 195 on the Johns Hopkins Global Health Security Index, suffers from a woeful healthcare system, limited testing capacity, and hospitals that turn away patients.

Coupled with rampant poverty, overcrowded slums, and a cultural norm of hand‑shaking, the nation is primed for a catastrophic outbreak.

Al‑Shabab, the dominant insurgent group, has not issued a public statement, but its senior commanders convened privately to devise strategies for keeping the virus out of their controlled territories.

Analysts believe that, should the virus breach their strongholds, the group may reluctantly permit civilians to seek treatment in government‑held zones, despite its historical hostility toward health workers.

2 Palestinian Islamic Jihad Cancels Protests Over COVID‑19

The Palestinian Islamic Jihad, known for staging weekly anti‑Israel demonstrations, called off its annual “Great March of Return” this year due to the pandemic.

Instead of mass street rallies, the group urged residents to stay home, fly Palestinian flags, and burn Israeli ones from a distance. It also announced a one‑hour traffic halt, city‑wide sirens, and a low‑attendance news conference.

1 Islamic State Tells Members To Pray

In an unexpected move, the Islamic State urged its followers to pray against contracting COVID‑19 when the virus first made headlines in January.

The group also castigated the Chinese authorities for alleged opacity, claiming the true case and death counts far exceeded official figures, and accused Beijing of releasing “cured” patients back into the community.

Labeling the outbreak as divine punishment for China’s mistreatment of its Muslim minority, ISIS warned that the virus would soon spread internationally, prompting a call for believers to invoke prayers to keep it at bay.

When it comes to global health, the phrase “10 reasons next” pandemic is more a question of “when” than “if.” Experts agree that the odds of a fast‑spreading pathogen erupting somewhere on the planet within the next fifteen years are unsettlingly high. This article walks you through the ten ticking time‑bombs that could launch the next worldwide outbreak, each explained with a dash of humor and a heap of hard facts.

10 reasons next: The Looming Threat

10 Population Increase

Back in 1918, when the Spanish flu ravaged the globe, the world’s population was shy of two billion souls. That pandemic claimed roughly 2.5% of humanity – about 50 million lives. Fast‑forward to today, and we’re living on a planet teeming with 7.6 billion people. If a disease with the same mortality rate hit now, the death toll would skyrocket to an eye‑popping 190 million.

Higher population densities simply hand pathogens more opportunities to hop from host to host. Crowded city streets, packed subways, and tightly packed housing mean that germs have a shortcut to travel from one person to the next. The more bodies in a given space, the richer the buffet for microbes.

Over half of humanity now calls urban areas home, and that share is climbing. Big cities become hotbeds for communicable illnesses – think of the constant buzz of commuters bumping shoulders, the cramped apartments, and those sprawling slums where sanitation can be scarce. All these factors conspire to make disease spread faster than ever before.

9 Antibiotic Resistance

For seven decades, antibiotics have been humanity’s go‑to weapons against bacterial invaders. Yet, as we’ve leaned heavily on these drugs, bacteria have been quietly learning to dodge them. The result? A growing legion of antibiotic‑resistant superbugs that can turn once‑treatable infections into deadly, untreatable threats. Tom Frieden, former CDC director, warned in 2014 that antibiotic‑resistant bacteria could spark the next pandemic.

Carbapenem‑resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) sit at the top of the worry list. These bacteria shrug off carbapenems – the most potent class of antibiotics we have. The WHO’s recent list of twelve top‑priority resistant bugs places three carbapenem‑resistant strains in the “critical” bucket, while the rest show varying degrees of resistance. These pathogens cause illnesses ranging from pneumonia to bloodstream infections and even gonorrhea.

If we don’t curb this resistance wave, everyday infections could become death sentences. Unfortunately, big‑pharma isn’t racing to develop new antibiotics; the R&D costs are steep, and the market payoff is low because patients only need a short course of treatment. This economic mismatch leaves a dangerous gap in our medical arsenal.

8 Constant Flu Mutations

The flu virus is a master of disguise, constantly reshuffling its genetic deck. Experts point to it as a prime suspect for the next pandemic, but that knowledge alone can’t stop the inevitable.

Our best shield today is the seasonal flu shot, but even that is a bit of a gamble. Scientists must predict months ahead which strains will dominate, then manufacture a vaccine targeting those guesses. Effectiveness swings wildly: in the 2015‑2016 season, about half of vaccinated folks were protected, while the 2014‑2015 season saw a dismal 19% match.

Only a handful of flu strains dominate worldwide, yet dozens of hidden variants swirl beneath the surface, each tweaking its code annually. Some tweaks are minor, but even a tiny change can render the virus invisible to our immune defenses. When a mutation is dramatic enough, a brand‑new virus can emerge, as happened with the 1918 Spanish flu, igniting a pandemic.

7 Increased Travel

Modern travel is a marvel – jet‑setting across continents in less than a day. But that speed also hands pathogens a fast‑track ticket to every corner of the globe.

When travelers venture into unfamiliar territories, they can unintentionally ferry bacteria or viruses back home, exposing communities that have never seen those germs before. The 2014 Ebola crisis in West Africa was exacerbated because local health systems had never faced the virus, leaving populations defenseless.

Airplanes, hotels, bustling stations – these are the highways where germs mingle. A notorious example: a Chinese doctor infected with SARS checked into a Hong Kong hotel, spreading the virus to fellow guests who then boarded flights, seeding infections across thirty‑plus countries within five months. As global mobility keeps climbing, so does the risk of rapid, worldwide disease transmission.

6 Deforestation

About three‑quarters of emerging infectious diseases are zoonotic – they jump from animals to humans. When we slash forests, we force wildlife into closer contact with us, turning hidden reservoirs of pathogens into open threats.

The link between deforestation and disease isn’t new. In the late ’90s, researchers in Peru discovered that a malaria‑carrying mosquito in a cleared‑area bit humans almost 300 times more often than its forest‑dwelling counterpart. A 2010 Brazilian study found that chopping down just 4% of a forest spiked malaria cases by 50%. Even droughts, triggered by forest loss, push people to store water in open containers, creating perfect breeding grounds for mosquitoes and boosting Zika spread.

Beyond mosquitos, primates, bats, and rodents all harbor pathogens that can leap to humans once their habitats are disturbed. As long as we keep carving up the wild, we’ll keep inviting new, potentially pandemic‑level illnesses into our neighborhoods.

5 Research Risks

In 2014, scientists at the University of Wisconsin‑Madison used reverse genetics to resurrect a virus eerily similar to the 1918 Spanish flu, even tweaking it to become airborne – a hallmark of the deadliest pathogens.

Proponents argue that recreating such viruses is essential for understanding their danger and developing countermeasures. Critics, however, warn that the very act of engineering these super‑viruses poses a grave risk. Even the most secure labs can’t guarantee zero chance of accidental release, and some experts fear that a slip‑up could unleash a catastrophe far worse than any natural outbreak.

4 World Health Organization Response

When a stealthy, fast‑spreading disease starts its global trek, the speed and accuracy of the response can mean the difference between containment and catastrophe. The World Health Organization (WHO) is the chief watchdog tasked with sounding the alarm, yet its track record shows troubling delays.

Take the 2014 Ebola outbreak: the first cases emerged early in the year, but the WHO didn’t declare a public health emergency until August – a five‑month lag that experts say caused needless suffering and death. The organization faced heavy criticism, promising reforms to tighten its response times. Whether those promises hold up remains to be seen, but any future delay could prove disastrous.

3 Climate Change

Climate change isn’t just about melting ice caps; it also reshapes the landscape of disease. Warmer temperatures expand the habitats of disease‑carrying vectors like mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas, pushing illnesses such as malaria, Zika, and dengue into regions that were previously safe.

Mosquitoes thrive in heat, and as global temperatures rise, they spread into new territories, lengthening breeding seasons and increasing the number of bites that can transmit deadly pathogens. Likewise, ticks and fleas flourish in warmer climates, carrying threats like Crimean‑Congo hemorrhagic fever, typhus, and Lyme disease.

2 Bioterrorism

While nature can conjure pandemics, human hands can also unleash them deliberately. Bill Gates, a long‑time champion of global health, warned at a recent security conference that bioterrorism – the intentional release of viruses or bacteria – could kill millions.

The last half‑decade has seen a surge in this threat. Advances in molecular biology have lowered the barriers to creating biological weapons. Terrorist groups now have the know‑how to synthesize deadly agents like smallpox or engineer hyper‑contagious flu strains. Intelligence reports even suggest that ISIS has been experimenting with bioweapons in its Syrian and Iraqi strongholds.

1 Current Pandemic Potential

The H7N9 bird flu first made headlines in 2013 when two Chinese citizens died after exposure. Since then, China has faced yearly outbreaks, with the fifth wave (starting October 2016) becoming the most severe – surpassing the combined case count of the previous four waves and covering the broadest geographic area.

With a mortality rate hovering around 40%, the CDC designates H7N9 as the flu strain most likely to spark a pandemic. So far, human infections have been linked to live poultry markets, but the virus keeps mutating, edging closer to efficient human‑to‑human transmission.

Recent lab work using ferrets – the gold standard for studying flu spread to humans – showed that a highly pathogenic H7N9 strain could jump through airborne droplets, killing two of three healthy ferrets placed next to infected ones. This experiment underscores the virus’s potential to spread like wildfire among people.

Compounding the danger, there’s currently no effective vaccine for the newest H7N9 variants, leaving a massive gap in our defensive arsenal.

When you search for the top 10 images that showcase the brighter side of the coronavirus pandemic, you’ll discover a gallery of moments that remind us humanity can shine even in the darkest of times. From crystal‑clear Venetian canals to spontaneous applause from balconies, each picture tells a story of resilience, creativity, and solidarity.

11 Spanish Soldiers Helping An Old Lady

Spain pic.twitter.com/Ks9UsDuk59

— R?MIN N?SIBOV (@RaminNasibov) March 20, 2020

In a heart‑warming clip that spread across social media, Spanish soldiers were seen lending a hand to an elderly woman, helping her navigate the challenges posed by the lockdown. Their willingness to step out of uniform duties and provide personal assistance underscores the broader theme of public servants putting themselves on the front line of compassion during the crisis. The soldiers’ gentle gestures—opening doors, carrying groceries, offering a steady arm—showed that even in a pandemic, the spirit of service thrives.

Commentators have highlighted that these men and women, accustomed to protecting the nation in more conventional ways, are now protecting its most vulnerable citizens in a visibly humane fashion. Their actions remind us that behind every badge lies a person eager to help, and that the pandemic has revealed a new arena for heroism—one where a simple act of kindness can make a world of difference.

10 Clear Canals In Venice

While Italy wrestles with the surge of COVID‑19 cases, a surprising natural spectacle emerged in Venice: the city’s iconic canals turned a startlingly clear shade of blue as sediment settled to the bottom during the lockdown. Swans and even a few dolphins were spotted gliding through the newly pristine waters, offering a serene counterpoint to the anxiety gripping the nation.

Normally, the bustling traffic of gondolas and vaporettos churns up the silt, keeping the water perpetually murky. Yet, with the streets eerily quiet and boat traffic halted, the water’s clarity improved dramatically. Although city officials cautioned that clearer water does not automatically equal higher quality, the sight of shimmering canals provided a visual sigh of relief for residents and visitors scrolling through their feeds.

9 Penguin Field Trip

When Shedd Aquarium in Chicago shut its doors to the public, the staff didn’t let the creatures get bored. Instead, they organized an impromptu “field trip” for their resident penguins, allowing the tuxedoed birds to wander through other exhibition spaces and mingle with marine friends they’d never seen before.

Wellington the penguin was especially enthusiastic, darting toward the fish tanks, while Monte made a beeline for the dolphin exhibit. The aquarium promises to keep fans updated on these playful adventures via social media, turning a period of closure into a delightful behind‑the‑scenes series that lifts spirits worldwide.

8 Singing From Balconies

When Italy’s death toll climbed to its highest point, its citizens refused to let fear silence them. Across cities from Milan to Naples, people took to their balconies, belting out songs, clapping, and playing instruments in a spontaneous, city‑wide concert that echoed through the streets.

The movement quickly spread to Spain, where neighbors gathered at windows, offering standing ovations to exhausted healthcare workers. Social media challenges encouraged everyone to join the chorus, turning isolated homes into a massive, uplifting choir that reminded the world that music can bridge distance and heal hearts.

7 SA Supermarket Chain Accommodates Pensioners

In South Africa, panic‑buying threatened to overwhelm supermarkets as the virus reached the nation’s borders. To calm the frenzy, the Pick n Pay chain introduced a dedicated hour each Wednesday, opening its doors an hour earlier exclusively for shoppers aged 65 and over.

This initiative gave seniors a quieter, safer window to stock up on essentials, reducing their exposure to crowded aisles. The move was praised as a thoughtful response to a vulnerable demographic, showcasing how businesses can adapt quickly to protect the most at‑risk members of society.

6 Mega Stars Offering Free Streaming Concerts

With homes becoming the new front‑line, musicians turned their living rooms into stages. On March 16, Coldplay’s Chris Martin streamed an intimate mini‑concert from his kitchen, sparking a wave of virtual performances from artists like John Legend, Pink, and Shawn Mendes.

These free, online shows gave fans a much‑needed escape, proving that creativity can thrive even when venues are shut. The collective effort of these mega‑stars transformed lockdown boredom into a global concert series, uniting listeners across time zones with shared melodies.

5 Pollution Lifts As Quarantines Are Implemented

Within a month of China’s strict lockdowns, satellite data revealed a dramatic drop in air pollution over major cities. NASA researcher Fei Liu described the phenomenon as the first time he’d witnessed such a rapid, large‑scale improvement in air quality linked to a single event.

Carbon‑dioxide emissions fell by roughly 25 % between early February and early March as coal consumption plummeted. While experts expect pollution to climb again post‑pandemic, the temporary return of clear blue skies offered a hopeful glimpse of what a cleaner future could look like.

4 Christmas In March

When social distancing hit in March 2020, Briton Lane Grindle sparked a whimsical trend: reviving Christmas lights to brighten neighborhoods while families stayed safely inside their cars. The idea caught fire, and countless households flicked their festive bulbs back on, turning streets into glittering wonderlands.

The Hallmark Channel jumped on board, airing a marathon of holiday movies titled “We Need A Little Christmas” from March 20‑22. The unexpected yuletide cheer reminded everyone that tradition can be reshaped to fit new realities, spreading joy when it was needed most.

3 Support Signs

In Cornwall, Becky Wass invented a simple yet powerful postcard template that reads, “Hello! If you are self‑isolating, I can help,” leaving space for phone numbers and requests. The design spread rapidly across social platforms, encouraging neighbors to offer assistance with groceries, medication, or a friendly chat.

Across the UK, many households began hanging large banners proclaiming their willingness to support nearby residents. These grassroots gestures turned isolated living into a community‑wide safety net, proving that a few kind words can spark a cascade of collective care.

2 Jennifer Haller Takes One For The World

On March 18, Jennifer Haller became the first human worldwide to receive a potential COVID‑19 vaccine candidate. Volunteering for the trial, she expressed excitement and pride, viewing her participation as a tangible way to combat the global sense of helplessness.

The trial involves 45 volunteers receiving two injections spaced 28 days apart, with 35 research institutions collaborating to evaluate safety and efficacy. Haller’s bravery highlights the essential role ordinary citizens play in accelerating scientific breakthroughs during a crisis.

1 Christ The Redeemer Statue Lights Up In Solidarity

On March 18, Brazil’s iconic Christ the Redeemer statue illuminated its towering figure with the flags of nations battling COVID‑19, projecting messages of hope and prayers in multiple languages. The light show served as a global beacon of solidarity, urging people worldwide to unite in prayer and support.

Below the statue, a solemn Mass was celebrated, and the hashtag #praytogether rippled across social feeds. The dazzling display reminded viewers that, even when separated by distance, shared faith and compassion can shine brighter than any pandemic.

Why These Top 10 Images Matter

Each snapshot in this collection captures a unique facet of humanity’s response to an unprecedented crisis. By spotlighting moments of kindness, creativity, and collective action, the top 10 images not only document history but also inspire hope for a brighter post‑pandemic world.

Spanish flu, the deadliest pandemic of the 20th century, struck the world in a series of waves, and left between 50 and 100 million people dead in its wake. It may have appeared in the trenches of World War I in Europe as early as 1916, according to some researchers. It first appeared in the United States in the spring of 1918. Numerous contending theories of its source of origin continue to be debated. Some say it began in the United States, some say in Europe, and still others argue it originated in Asia. There is no debate over its impact, though, with one-third of the world’s population contracting the disease during its peak in 1918-19. It continued to appear well into 1920, though with significantly less impact.

Differing from other forms of influenza, the virus had a significant impact on young, otherwise healthy adults, who usually had stronger immune systems. It struck the wealthy and the poor. Franklin Delano Roosevelt contracted the illness. The King of Spain nearly died of it. A young nurse in Toronto, Amelia Earhart, contracted the disease, which damaged her sinuses to the point surgery was required. The scars left her with sinus problems for the rest of her life. In the United States, 675,000 Americans died from the flu, most of them during the deadly second wave in 1918. That year American average life expectancy dropped by 12 years as a result of the flu. Here are 10 facts about the Spanish flu pandemic at the end of the First World War…

10. Nobody knows for certain where it originated

While there is some disagreement among scholars over the place of origin, the consensus is that Spanish flu did not originate in Spain. When the pandemic spread rapidly across Europe in 1918, wartime censorship conditions affected most news reports. Censorship did not apply to neutral Spain. News reports of the flu’s virulence there appeared in newspapers and magazines, with references to “this Spanish flu.” The name stuck. Reports of the disease in Spain increased substantially when King Alphonso XIII contracted the flu in the spring of 1918. Ironically, as reports of the King’s illness and being near death for several days increased references to the Spanish flu in Western newspapers, the Spanish referred to the disease as the French flu.

Since the pandemic (and in part during it), China, Great Britain, the United States, and France, as well as Russia, have all been suggested as the disease’s starting point. The first case in the United States appeared in March 1918, at a Kansas army post. More recently, researchers identified potential cases as early as 1916, at army receiving and marshaling stations in France. Another earlier outbreak occurred at a British Army base in Aldershot in the early spring of 1917. The UK staging camp at Etapes, in northern France, saw 100,000 troops go through daily, either returning from the front or on their way to it, in densely crowded conditions. Hundreds exhibited symptoms of the pandemic flu during the spring and fall of 1917, a fact later identified by army pathologists.

9. More American soldiers died of Spanish flu than in combat during World War One

Americans were stunned at the casualties suffered by their troops during the First World War, though in comparison to the European combatants they were low. Mobilization placed 4.7 million American men in uniform. Of those, about 320,000 became ill and recovered, or suffered wounds in combat from which they survived. 116,516 American troops and sailors died during the war. Combat deaths totaled 53,402. The rest — 63,114 — died of disease, with most of the deaths occurring from the Spanish flu in the camps in the United States, in Europe, and in ships bound for Europe. Once such ship was a former German liner. In 1917 the United States converted the German steamship Vaterland, interned in New York, into a troopship, renamed USS Leviathan.

On September 29, 1918, Leviathan departed New York for the French port of Brest, carrying 9,000 American doughboys, and a crew of 2,000 sailors (one of the sailors was a young New Yorker named Humphrey Bogart). Spanish flu appeared in the ship during the crossing. When Leviathan arrived at Brest it carried 2,000 men already diagnosed with the Spanish flu, which wreaked havoc in the crowded conditions aboard, and overwhelmed the ship’s medical facilities and personnel. 80 men died during the crossing, many more after landing ashore in France, during the height of the pandemic. A similar outbreak occurred on the ship’s return voyage to the United States.

8. It affected the Treaty of Versailles

The combat during World War One came to an end via an armistice, which began at 11 a.m. on the 11th day of November, the 11th month of the year, 1918. Many issues of the war remained unresolved. The leaders of the Allied nations agreed to meet in Paris in early 1919 to discuss the issues facing Europe. Woodrow Wilson, then President of the United States, went to Europe to join the discussions, present his famous 14 Points, and to argue for the establishment of the League of Nations. He favored more lenient terms for Germany than those proposed by the leaders of France, Italy, and Great Britain. Wilson intended to use American prestige to obtain less punitive measures against the Germans, especially in the form of reparations.

During the negotiations for the treaty, which took place in Paris rather than the Palace of Versailles for which it was named, Wilson came down with the Spanish flu. Several members of his entourage suffered through the flu during the voyage to France. Wilson’s illness was covered up, though he became severely ill in Paris, unable to attend multiple sessions of the negotiations. His physician, Navy Admiral Cary Grayson, wrote of the President as “violently sick.” When Wilson did partially recover and returned to the negotiations, several participants wrote of his lack of attention, fatigue, and listlessness. He failed to ease the reparations imposed by the Allies on the Germans, and the resulting Treaty of Versailles created conditions in Germany that led to the rise of Adolf Hitler and the war which followed the War to End All Wars.

7. The federal government did little regarding the flu’s impact

In the United States, the federal government did relatively little to combat the Spanish flu, other than issue advisories telling Americans of the dangers presented by the illness. Congress adjourned in the fall of 1918, with the second wave of the pandemic at its peak. The Supreme Court did the same. The United States Public Health Service, then an agency within the Department of the Treasury, issued posters warning against spitting on sidewalks. It also advised workers to walk to work, which seems strange to modern eyes, until one considers that most commuting at the time involved streetcars or railroads. It also warned Americans to avoid becoming over-fatigued.

Before Woodrow Wilson went to Europe, Edith (the President’s wife) sent 1,000 roses to young women serving in the war effort in the District of Columbia, who were sickened by the flu. That was about the extent of the federal effort. Battling the effects of the pandemic, the lost work hours, burying the dead, and combating the spread of the disease was left in the hands of local governments, which responded in varying ways across the country. Some imposed severe restrictions on movement, crowds, and schools, easing them as the pandemic passed through their communities. Others continued to promote large gatherings to support Liberty Bond drives, including a parade in Philadelphia after which thousands died in the city from the rapid spread of influenza which ensued.

6. Some cities made wearing masks mandatory, with criminal penalties

The first wave of Spanish flu in America occurred in the spring of 1918. Compared to what came in the second wave it was mild. The second wave came in September 1918, in the Eastern cities, and gradually moved westward. San Francisco escaped the first wave, and its Chief of the Board of Health, Dr. William Hassler, assured citizens of the city the second wave would not affect them. On September 24, a recent arrival from Chicago became ill with the flu. By mid-October over 4,000 cases were in the city. That month the city passed an ordinance making the wearing of gauze masks mandatory, with Hassler touting them as 99% effective in stopping the spread of the flu between persons.

In truth, the masks were likely of little benefit, and on November 21, 1918,  the city rescinded the order to wear them. Several other cities issued similar orders, with varying degrees of punishments for violators. In San Francisco, violators went to jail. The city suffered 2,122 deaths during the lethal second wave. The third wave struck in December, and lasted through the winter, raising the death toll in San Francisco to over 3,500 out of a population of about half a million. Nearby Oakland was similarly hit. Oakland also enacted an ordinance requiring masks, virulently opposed by the city’s tobacco store owners. One such owner designed a mask with a flap over the mouth, allowing smokers to enjoy their cigars, cigarettes, and pipes while remaining in compliance with the law.

5. The 1918 baseball season was shortened, though not because of the flu

Major League Baseball shortened its season in 1918 in response to the American war effort. The last game of the regular season was played on September 2, 1918. Teams played just over 120 games that year. When the season ended, the second wave of Spanish flu was underway on the East coast. The league champions, the Boston Red Sox of the American League and the National League’s Chicago Cubs, met in the World Series. Public health officials in both cities argued against playing the World Series due to the crowds gathering during the course of an epidemic, but baseball went ahead. Boston’s only concession to the flu came in an agreement to play in Fenway Park, rather than in the larger Braves Field, where they had played in the preceding World Series.

During the World Series a young Red Sox pitcher started two games, winning both, despite suffering from the flu at the time. He started in the outfield in the other four games. His name was George Herman Ruth. Throughout the games he lay down between innings, weakened by the fever and body aches symptomatic of the flu. Some of his teammates assumed Ruth was simply suffering from a bad hangover, a common problem of ballplayers of the day. But throughout the series, Ruth was notably absent between games, even spending time on the train to Chicago in his sleeper, rather than consorting with teammates. The Red Sox won the series four games to two. It was the only World Series in history played entirely in September. That winter, Ruth was sent to the Yankees.

4. Franklin Roosevelt contracted the flu while returning from France

Franklin Delano Roosevelt served as Assistant Secretary of the Navy in the Wilson Administration, and in that capacity went to Europe in 1918. His mission included the coordination of naval activities against the German U-boat threat, and arranging for convoying and port facilities used by US Navy ships. In September 1918 he returned to the United States aboard USS Leviathan. Upon arrival FDR was carried off the ship on a stretcher, having contracted the flu either in France or, what is more likely, aboard the ship. Leviathan’s crew had been exposed to and ravaged by the flu on several voyages. FDR returned to the United States deathly ill, and required several weeks convalescence at his family’s Hyde Park home before resuming his duties.

FDR’s illness and its severity are often overlooked, largely because of his being later stricken with polio, which left his legs paralyzed. His flu is often described as a mild illness, though he left Leviathan with double pneumonia, high fever, and debilitating weakness. His distant cousin, former President Teddy Roosevelt, who had encouraged him to go to Europe, wrote him during his convalescence. “We are deeply concerned about your sickness, and trust you will soon be well,” wrote the former President, adding that, “We are very proud of you.” Had FDR not survived the flu, which killed so many Americans who went to Europe in 1918, the remainder of the 20th century would have been very different indeed.

3. The flu’s second wave was its deadliest by far

The second wave of influenza in 1918 swept across Western Europe and the United States from September through the end of the year and into January. It was the deadliest of the three main waves of the pandemic. In Philadelphia, America’s hardest hit city, about 16,000 died after city leaders refused to cancel a parade scheduled to promote the sale of Liberty Bonds. Cincinnati closed schools and businesses, shut down streetcars, and ordered the wearing of masks. For a time it closed all restaurants, though it allowed saloons to remain open. At one point in November, believing the worst to have passed, the city reopened businesses and schools. Within days the death rate skyrocketed, forcing the city to shut down again. Over 1,700 Cincinnatians succumbed to the flu in the fall of 1918.

Sailors at the Great Lakes Naval Training Center brought the flu to Chicago. In September Chicago’s Health Commissioner announced the flu was under control. At the end of the month there were fewer than 300 cases reported in the city. By mid-October the city reported 1,200 new cases per day. Chicago shut down schools, businesses, banned public gatherings, closed parks, and requested for churches to curtail services. Chicago reported over 38,000 cases of influenza, and 13,000 cases of pneumonia attributed to the flu, before restrictions were lifted in mid-November. One restriction imposed, vigorously opposed by conservative newspapers and businesses, had been the banning of smoking on streetcars and elevated trains. The Chicago Tribune opposed the ban and referred to the Health Commissioner who imposed it as “his highness.”

2. Authorities in Philadelphia announced the flu was no worse than seasonal flu and held a parade to sell war bonds

In mid-September 1918, influenza was present in all the major Eastern cities of the United States, with Boston suffering the highest number of cases. Philadelphia had seen some cases of the flu, though health officials in the city regarded it lightly. The city’s Health Commissioner, Wilmer Krusen, a political appointee, ignored the pleas of doctors and public health experts to ban large public gatherings. Krusen announced the flu was no worse than any seasonal flu, despite the evidence presented by other cities. The Health Commissioner warned the people of Philadelphia to be careful, covering their faces when they coughed or sneezed, and allowed the city’s scheduled Liberty Bonds parade to take place on September 28, a patriotic spectacle attended by an estimated 200,000 people.

By the middle of November, over 12,000 Philadelphians had died of influenza. The city’s morgue, designed to hold 36 bodies, was obviously overwhelmed, and bodies were stored in the city wherever space was found. A streetcar manufacturing company was hired to build simple wooden boxes to serve as coffins. In the tenements, whole families were stricken and died, undiscovered for weeks. Only three days after the parade, every hospital bed in the city was filled. Over 500,000 cases of the highly contagious flu struck Philadelphia before the end of the year. The final death count was over 16,000. In contrast to Philadelphia, the city of Milwaukee, which imposed the most stringent social distancing laws in the nation, also saw the lowest death rate of any city in the United States.

1. A third of the world’s population contracted the flu during the pandemic

The 1918-20 influenza pandemic, the worst of the 20th century, caused at least 50 million deaths, and probably as many as 100 million across the globe. In remote Tahiti, 10% of the population died. In British ruled India more than 13 million citizens died, with some estimates ranging up to 17 million. German Samoa lost 22% of its population. American Samoa imposed a blockade, and escaped the pandemic unscathed. Brazil’s 300,000 dead included its President, Rodrigues Alves. In the United States over a quarter of the population contracted the flu during one of its several waves. Official death counts usually cite 675,000 American deaths, though some estimates include deaths on Indian Reservations and in Alaskan communities, and elevate the count to 850,000.

Bacterial pneumonia, a complication brought on by the flu, served as the primary killer. When the flu returned for its third wave in the late winter and early spring of 1919, rates of death were comparatively low. Sporadic outbreaks continued in the fall of 1919 and the winter of 1919-20. As the 1920s began the pandemic faded from memory, and remained largely forgotten until the coronavirus pandemic restored it to public attention. All the weapons used to control the spread of coronavirus — distancing, closing of schools, banning large crowds and gatherings, shutting down businesses, and others — were deployed against the Spanish flu. History shows that those communities which deployed them most stringently, throughout the first and second waves, were most successful saving lives.