Matthew K. Manning - Can You Survive the 1918 Flu Pandemic?: An Interactive History Adventure

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YOU are in the middle of the worst outbreak of 1918 threatens every person on the planet. Soldiers fighting in World War I have helped spread the disease. Soon everyone you know will be touched by it in some way. With the virus quickly traveling across the world, YOU must decide how to avoid it. Will you and your family make it through the pandemic alive?

Chapter One sets the scene. Then you choose which path to read. Follow the links at the bottom of each page as you read the stories. The decisions you make will change your outcome. After you finish one path, go back and read the others for new perspectives and more adventures. Use your device's back buttons or page navigation to jump back to your last choice.

It is 1918 and the world is at war. They call it the Great War, but in time it will be referred to as World War I.

While the war has raged for four years, the fighting still feels new to the United States. U.S. soldiers didnt enter the conflict until 1917.

U.S. troops are now training at military bases. But theyll soon be facing an enemy unlike any theyll face in Europe. At Fort Riley in Kansas, the deadly influenza virus is spreading.

No one is sure how the outbreak began. Scientists do know that influenza, or the flu, got its start in birds. While ducks and geese arent affected by the virus, it can be deadly for humans.

Normally, the flu cant be passed directly from birds to humans. But in 1918, its thought that an infected duck or goose flew over a pig farm and left its droppings in pig feed. The virus infected the pigs, mutated, and then passed on to a human.

Now, soldiers arent just getting sick in Kansas. Theyre being shipped out to France to fight in the war. What could have been a contained is now becoming a global pandemic.

As the disease spreads around the globe, theres no to stop it. Doctors at the time understand little about how the flu is passed from one person to another. The general public knows even less.

By May, the virus reaches Spain. Nearly eight million people in that country suffer from the flus effects. Although the disease likely started in the United States, Americans soon begin to incorrectly call the virus the Spanish Flu.

How are you going to manage in a world filled with disease? Will you be able to avoid getting sick? Your every choice might be the difference between surviving and adding to the flus growing death toll.

When you enter the apartment, you notice the smell first. Theres a rose scent in the air that youd forgotten about. Your mom must have put out her special soap in the bathroom. She only uses it when a guest is coming to visit. You havent been back home in Boston for months. You must seem like a guest to your own family.

Then you notice the framed newspaper on the wall. The headline reads Red Sox Are The Champions. The Sox won the World Series. You cant believe you missed it. At least you saw them in the 1916 World Series. Youre not too worried. Youre sure theyll win again soon. Its November of 1918 now, but youre already looking forward to spring and baseball season.

Youre home! your mother yells, running toward you from the hallway. I cant believe it!

Hey, ma, you say. She gives you a huge hug before you can say anything else. Youve never seen her move so fast in your life.

Oh, Im just so glad youre safe! she says. And that awful war is over.

Me, too, you say.

Youve only been back in the United States for a few days. It doesnt seem real. You feel like you could wake up tomorrow and be back in France. You spent so much time in the trenches, it feels strange to be home now.

Im sure youve got a lot of stories, but why dont you freshen up first? your mother suggests. Your father will be home soon, and Ive got a special meal planned.

I kinda made plans already, you say.

Plans? How could you have plans? asks your mother. Youre fresh off the boat!

I was going to take Mandi out to dinner, you say. I havent seen her yet, and I wanted it to be a surprise.

Shes not family, says your mother, as she turns to head to the kitchen. Tonight, you eat with us. You can see your girlfriend tomorrow.

Fiance, you correct her, as you follow her to the kitchen.

Even your sister is coming over, your mother continues. Her husband has been sick with that bug thats going around, so hes staying home.

She pauses and smiles at you, giving you a wink. Not that youll hear me complaining, she adds. Now go to your room and relax. Im cooking your favorite, the meatloaf with the little carrots.

You smile. You know she means well, and she makes the best meatloaf. You walk down the hall and open the door to your bedroom. The bed is made with fresh sheets. Everythings much cleaner than when you left last year.

You sit down on your bed and pull out your wallet. In it is your worn black and white photo of Mandi. A night on the town seems like a great homecoming. After all, youve been fighting the Great War. You should be able to spend your first night back in Boston how you want. Yet, you really hate to disappoint your mother.

Your mother does two things really well: cook meatloaf and give guilt trips. You know shed be very disappointed if you left. So, you decide to stay home for family dinner.

Look at you! says your father, when he comes home. He gives you a big hug and almost knocks you down in the process. Caroline, look whos home! he adds.

Behind your father is your sister, Caroline. She looks paler than you remember. Her nose is almost bright red. Shes bundled up in a huge coat. Youre surprised. Its November, but its actually a fairly warm evening. She hugs you before you can say anything.

Are you okay? you ask when she pulls away.

Im fine, she says, before suddenly sneezing right in your face.

You take a step back and wipe your face with your sleeve.

Okay, I might be a little sick, she says.

Shell be fine, says your mother as she walks into the hall. Its just that flu. The health himself says the worst is over. Whats his name Woodward? Its no big deal.

But it is a big deal, ma, you say as you all head into the living room. You wouldnt believe how many soldiers got sick from it.

You turn to Caroline. Its serious, sis, you say. You should be home in bed right now.

Montys got it too. Other than a fever and a stuffy head, hes fine, says Caroline.

Theyre right, says your father. It was bad for a bit, but they opened everything back up almost a month ago.

You remember the first time you saw the effects of influenza while you were in France. It was 90 degrees Fahrenheit that night. Yet six men in your division were complaining of chills. You remember lying in the trenches with your best friend, Stevie. He was barely awake. His face and lips were blue. You left to fix some scaffolding, but when you came back, he was dead.