Memphis closed schools, canceled church to stop an epidemic – in 1920
Guest Columnist
G. Wayne Dowdy
Wayne Dowdy is the senior manager of the Memphis Public Libraries history department and author of "A Brief History of Memphis."
In the final tally, 3,097 Memphians suffered from the flu and 75 died. However, it is certain that quick action to curtail public gatherings, along with the enthusiastic consent of the citizenry, halted the spread of flu and saved many lives.
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