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To prevent infection, a typist wears a mask in New York in 1918. (US National Archives and Archives Administration)
In 1793, New York created its first health service in hopes of countering a yellow fever outbreak in Philadelphia. It was too little, too late: despite the best efforts of the first public health officials, a the yellow fever epidemic has reached the city, killing hundreds of New Yorkers and causing the escape of other people.
This would not be the last time the city was facing a generalized epidemic. "Germ City," a new exhibition at the New York City Museum, tells the story of the city's long history of microbes.
It is a couple of historical importance. Over the years, the metropolis has experienced various epidemics, ranging from yellow fever in the early nineteenth century to HIV / AIDS in the 1980s. Confronting these emergencies was not always easy: it involved professionals health officials, municipal officials and community leaders.
The exhibition is scheduled for the 100th anniversary of the influenza pandemic that swept the city in 1918, claiming 33,000 lives in the state of New York. This assessment was in fact a victory: the city had a lower death rate than its neighbors and officials used public health strategies such as a spit education campaign to prevent people from falling over. ill.
"Germ City" tells this story and others, but it does not stop there. Historical objects are displayed next to contemporary works of art dealing with social and political issues raised by the city's struggles against disease. The exhibition looks at the progress of treatment and the many quarantines and health problems of the city. Visitors can attend events such as a roundtable on disparity and epidemics – featuring a contextual influenza vaccination clinic – and a walking tour of the Ellis Island Hospital Zone.
We can not go to New York? The exhibition website features many exhibits at the museum.
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