The Pittsburgh Daily POST reported this on December 13, 1918: Branding Influenza Mask as ‘fake’ splits Health Conference. Fake news today. Fake news then. The article detailed how the Health Commissioner of Detroit, James Inches, said that the use of masks and the closures of businesses was “pure fake” and harmful. The convention seemed mired in the mud of masks, and by the end of the day two factions formed: The pro mask and pro closing, and the anti mask and anti closing.
The fight over masks did not stop with Dr. Inches.
But the masks were winning. In October, the Wilkes Barre TIMES LEADER reported that Chicago was the latest to adopt a law to wear them.
