When the first wave of the Spanish Flu hit the east coast of the USA during the spring of 1918, many health officials were convinced that the deadly disease would not reach the west coast. Then on September 24, a new arrival from Chicago, Edward Wagner, fell ill with the deadly flu.

By October, over 4,000 cases had been reported and on October 12, the San Francisco Board of Health issued a strong recommendation for all city residents to wear masks while in public. Long lines to buy face masks like this one on Montgomery became frighteningly common.

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