With all of the commentary about pandemics and
COVID-19, research revealed the serious amnesia Americans develop regarding the
multitude of diseases and infections ravaging the world. It seemed a good idea to explore these epidemics
and the impact upon Sherburne County.
Unfortunately, very little evidence exists about the pandemics and
epidemics in Sherburne County.
In the twentieth century, at least six epidemics can
be documented in Sherburne County.
Influenza raced through the county in 1918, 1957, and 1968. Lest we all
forget, the most recent Influenza Epidemic lasted from April of 2009 until
April of 2010. In the twelve months, there
were 60 million cases reported in the United States. Over 12,000 people died, 67 of them in Minnesota.
Polio, another epidemic, seemed to attack the young
children of the United States each year.
Until the late 1950s polio epidemics seriously threatened the population of
Minnesota at least three times after World War Two: in 1946, 1952, and
1953. A memory of the 1950s and testing
for the polio epidemic came to SHC recently: “I was tested with a spinal tap at
Sister Kenny. I was 6 and got lucky. Mine turned out to be rheumatic fever. I
can still remember going down a hallway to testing and seeing rooms filled with
iron lungs. All you could see of the patients was their head. It was terrifying
for a child of 6 who didn’t understand.” The Salk Polio vaccine
all but eliminated the disease after inoculation began in 1955.
Memories of any of the epidemics are scarce and
unique. This is why, in the coming weeks
the Sherburne History Center is working to collect memories of the COVID-19
epidemic and any other epidemic or health scares you might remember. As the COVID-19 quarantine extends, and you
are looking for something to do, consider writing your memories of this event
and sending them to the Sherburne History Center. We will collect these memories in our
archives to make them available to future historians.
Please consider helping us collect information about
this tragic, yet historic event. Send
your memories and thoughts to me, Mike Brubaker, at mbrubaker@sherburnehistorycenter.org
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