Spanish Flu: History Via Art...

Dėjà vu? This public health poster was part of a government campaign in New South Wales to limit the spread of the deadly Spanish flu pandemic of 1918–19, in which about 12,000 Australians died, 6300 of them in New South Wales. Soldiers returning from World War I and infected people were quarantined, wearing masks in public places was made compulsory, schools were closed, and many public activities were banned or restricted.

This illustration, by children's illustrator and author May Gibbs (1877–1969), uses familiar characters from her children's books to encourage readers, especially children, to wear masks to reduce the spread of the deadly infection. Gibbs was one of the most popular children's writers of the time. Her characters, such as bush babies and banksia men, were inspired by the uniqueness of the Australian bush and appealed to adults as well as children.

Public health campaigns, before the age of radio and television, used the poster as an effective advertising medium. Government bodies made wide use of posters for various campaigns, including war service recruitment, public health and safety, and promotion of railway travel, but they were used most widely in public health campaigns.

George Santayana said it best, "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." Here's to staying well, following experts' advice, and doing our part to change history in the best way possible.

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