Face Masks and Flu Ordinances

Photograph of Seattle police officers wearing face masks during the influenza pandemic

Public health departments distributed gauze masks to be worn in public, and flu ordinances were put in place to prevent the spread. Those violating the ordinances, enforced by police officers, could be fined.

Newspaper ads promoting the importance of hand washing and mask wearing were also prevalent at the time. Some ads can be seen in this Time article.