Taking a Lesson From the Pandemic of 1918.

As you know, I live in Alaska, out in the region called “The Bush”. My village is one plane trip away from Anchorage and at least one other air hub.

Beginning tomorrow, no more passenger planes will fly out here unless there is a medical emergency. Otherwise, I am basically stuck here till May 1st. This is in reaction to the current pandemic and comes out of the memory of the Influenza infection of 1918.

Back in the pandemic of 1918, villages in Alaska ended up going one of two ways. Villages either kept people out (they did well) or they allowed people in and many inhabitants died. The elders are one generation away from those who lived through it and they remember the stories their parents and grandparents shared.

At least one village during the Iditarod moved the check point from the town to outside away from the village so no one would infect them. The Iditarod cut back on those helping to decrease the chance of the Coronavirus spreading out here. The first case came during March. In less than a week, it went from one case to over 20 with more being diagnosed every day.

In response to the cases in Alaska, quite a few villages have shut down passenger service in and out of the village. No one wants to see the coronavirus spread into areas with no real medical service. No one wants to see it in Alaska so this move is being made to protect people.

Right now, the reported cases run from Juneau and Ketchikan up to Fairbanks, towns either on the road system or on the inland passage. Most villages began a self-isolation policy as soon as cases popped up in Alaska. If you left the village during spring break and came back, you were expected to self-isolate but the fear still remained that someone might bring in the virus.

This fear and the fear of the past lead to the current move. Even the state of Alaska became one of the first states to mandate a 14 day quarantine for anyone flying in. When people fly in, they are expected to fill out a document letting the state know where they will be isolating themselves. They even added some teeth to the restriction by placing a fine of up to $25,000 and/or up to 1 year in jail.

The good thing is that planes can still bring cargo into the villages so everyone will get food and supplies and the unloading will be done in such a way as to minimize contact between the incoming planes and workers here. Everything is set up for minimal contact, even at the school when they begin handing out meals and work.

I will continue to do what I need to do, hunker down, and figure out if I’ll be able to travel this summer or will stay here. I feel much more secure here than I would in my regular place in Fairbanks. Let me know what you think, I’d love to hear.