The History of Masks Wearing and A Discussion On Addiction With Dr. Drew

Masks have been a source of controversy over a century during pandemics. Whether ego or plain rebellion is involved human attitudes remain the same today. The Flu Pandemic of 1918 in America was a source of proof. Anthony Mason of #CBS This Morning featured a news commentary entitled, #Mask Then & Now. “We took a look at the way masks were handled more than a century ago during the 1918 Flu Pandemic and we found some surprising similarities. In the fall of 1918 as Americans across the country were celebrating victory in World War I. The masks on returning troops showed we were losing another war against the so-called #Spanish flu. Even a century ago masks were controversial.”

Anthony Mason interviewed history professor Nancy Tomes of Stony Brook University. She explained, “Yes. And for so many of the same reasons they are today.“ Anthony asked Nancy, “At its worse in 1918 how bad did the pandemic get?” She responded as Nancy shook her head, “Really, really bad. We refer to it as the #Big One among historians of medicine. Mason brought out that, “Six hundred and seventy five thousand Americans would die. Nearly a third of them in a single month. The Red Cross spread the slogan ‘Wear a Mask, Save your Life’ and nurses began to make them for the public.”

Nancy Tomes showed two gauze masks that were used in 1918 pandemic in California. Anthony explained, “It was in the Oakland Museum,” where he met Andina an Associate Curator of this location. She showed the viewers a mask as Andin demonstrated and said, “They’re pretty transparent right. So it wasn’t an ideal material but it was definitely better than not wearing anything.” The same information applies today that any mask is better than nothing to protect ourselves and others during this pandemic.

There was a source of history shared regarding the location that played a major part in helping victims of this horrific disease. Anthony asked, “Back in 1918 this was one of the centers of the fight against the pandemic? Nancy responded, ‘Yes, indeed. This is the Henry Street Settlement and its founder Lillian Wald played a critical role in organizing the pandemic response in New York.’ Anthony continued by explaining, Masks were never officially mandated on the east coast.”

Historian Nancy Tomes explains, “But other health rules were often aggressively enforced. There were spitting raids even by the police. That was a definite effort to up the ante in prosecuting the so called Sanitary Infractions.“

Anthony Mason gave a brief source of history concerning the origin of this pandemic. “The US outbreak had started on a Kansas Army base. And the campaign to stop it was tied to the war effort. So wearing a mask became a patrotic gesture? Nancy said, ‘Yes. If you refused to wear a mask you could be called a slacker.’ Anthony then asked, What does that mean? She explained, ‘A slacker was not quite like a traitor but it was someone who was dragging their patriotic feet.’”

What location was the origin of mask wearing? Mason asked Andina this question, “San Franciso was the first to actually mandate masks? She reponded, ‘Yes. Ten percent of the population was infected in 1919.‘ Anthony continued, In just a day the San Franciso Chronicle reported that 100 people was charged with disturbing the peace for failing to wear a mask. Their sentence was 10 days in prison or a $5 dollar fine. About $80 dollars a day. Andina revealed, ‘Here in San Franciso there was an Anti Mask League that formed in January. So the Chairman was this woman Mrs. E.C. Harrington. She was a suffragist. She was a lawyer. She put out the call in th San Franciso Chronicle asking fellow citizens who objected to this mask mandate is really similar to the arguments now actually.”

Did politics become involved and what was the arguments concerning mask wearing? Mason explained, “They argued that the ordinance was unconstitutional and that mask had been proven effective. Some 200,000 people turned out for a rally at the Dreamland Skating Rink. Other cities would mandate masks including Denver, Seattle, Oakland, Sacramento and Phoenix. They were met with resistance too. One major difference, they wasn’t political then? Nancy agreed, ‘There was disagreements between the various politicians about which businesses should get closed down but the decision to mask or not to mask never became identified with a specific political party.’”

The differences and similarities regarding mask wearing can be acknowledged. Mason decribed it this way, “And although they were less effective than those used today according to Nancy Tomes masks did lower the number of deaths when coupled with other measures like #social distancing. And by the way in New York today like in 1918 The Henry Street Settlement where we were is still a hub for pandemic response delivering tens of thousands of masks and other resources to the community. And one other striking thing, Woodrow Wilson was president then. There was no real Federal response and it wasn’t expected but they did believe he also end up contracting the virus.”

There are so many similarities betw the pandemic in 1918 and the pandemic today. Our only hope today is Jehovah God’s Kingdom under the rulership of his son Jesus Christ. While on earth Jesus taught us about that kingdom that we pray for at Matthew 6:9,10 “You must pray, then, this way: “Our Father in the heavens, let your name be sanctified. Let your kingdom come. Let your will take place, as in heaven, also on earth.” There is no sickness in heaven and one day through God’s kingdom sickness will no longer exist. This is what my desire is for all mankind.

Years ago we were able to visit the television show #The View as audience members. Discussions about other celeberties such as Chris Brown were mentioned. #Whoopi Goldberg talked about a tattoo being on the neck of Brown that looked like Rhianna which he had abused physically. The show then took a serious turn with their discussion about addictions.

Sherri Shepherd was a host at the time. She started the interview by mentioning the reality television show Rehab With Dr. Drew which was still running at that time. She then went on to ask, why he was now dealing with regular people rather than just treating celebrities? #Dr. Drew explained how he has always wanted to treat ordinary people and personalities. He then emphasized the point that; "no one is different with addictions." Barbara Walters is also no longer with The View mentioned Dr.Drew's reality television show and how people appeared with severe addictions to both alcohol and drugs. "They are shown vomiting and having seizures and acting out in extreme anger. Does this help them that you show this?" Without hesitation, he explained that these people knew what they were getting into. "They have seen the show and they want treatment. They get royal class treatment. We treat them for as long as necessary." Dr. Pinksy then went on to explain that the people on his television show receive their treatment for free and many of these individuals have been there for more than six months, and he tries to see them on a daily basis. "I will continue to treat them as long as necessary," stated Dr. Drew.

#Barbara Walters continued to demonstrate genuine concern as she questioned Dr. Pinsky about the way people who are addicted, "go into rehab and three weeks later they are in or out?" He then explained the difficulty of withdrawals and how people do not fully understand that "It is about rebuilding these peoples lives. They have to start from zero. They have to contemplate that their work, their family and relationships must change and they have to rebuild it step by step." Sadly, then expressed how these individuals would have to start their lives over, almost from the stage of an infant or a young child. Treatment for addictions can be a year or more. Dr. Drew then acknowledged how an addict must stick with the program. If they don't, "It is akin to a diabetic not taking his insulin. What do you think will happen? They are going to die."

The very perceptive Elizabeth Hasselback who is also no longer with the show asked Dr. Drew the tough question which mentioned how the last two years celebrities were featured on his show such as, actor Jeff Conaway, Mike Starr, Rodney King, and reality star Joey Kovar. All of these individuals died from their addictions. It became apparent that this subject made Dr. Drew Pinsky, a little uncomfortable. He turned briefly looked at the pictures behind him and then explained how he wanted to cry for the loss of these individuals. Elizabeth then insisted that critics felt Dr. Drew did not do enough and that he had "failed these individuals. Do you keep that on your heart?" Once again and without hesitation he responded, "Yes. It weighs on me as much as my heart is lifted when someone like Tom Sizemore, who we struggled with for ten years." He struggled to become sober and is still presently sober. Dr. Drew said that Sizemore is now doing great. He has been inspired by the successes they have experienced. Although Dr. Drew was discouraged and his heart was broken by the addicts who did not survive because they were good people.

Joy Questions Dr. Drew about Heroin Addiction

The hilarious #Joy Behar, is still a host on The View took a severe turn when she asked Dr. Drew, why so many addicts were on heroin? He explained how heroin was the drug of choice for a lot of addicts. "Because of pills. They all start with pills. You are going to see that with some of the young people in the rehab show this year. They all start with pills, and they run out of money for the pills and the heroin is cheaper and they get higher more easily." Co-Host #Whoopi Goldberg, adamantly agreed with Dr. Drew that addicts use heroin to get high. Previously, it was alcohol and pot; now it is pills. Barbara Walters then asked Dr. Drew what type of pills were addicts taking? He explained how it was, #opiates and benzamides. Young people were getting these type of pills from their parents' medicine cabinet. "Every 19 minutes a young person die from an unintentional overdose. Some start appropriately from an orthopedic injury or dental procedure." Parents need to be observant of their children's habits during these type of procedures.

Sherri Shepherd, once again demonstrated concern about, "celebrities going through rehab recently such as Leeanne Rhymes?" She then described how some celebrities go into rehab for exhaustion and was that a good reason to go? "No. It is not. That is bad when people say that. The term rehab has been watered down to nothing. Someone like Leeann Rhymes should be commended for taking care of herself." Sherri, then explained how celebrities' careers could be affected if they talk about seeking psychiatric care. Dr. Drew emphasized how this should be a private issue and these people are stigmatized although we should treat celebrity addictions like any other person with a medical problem.

Barbara Walters focused her final question on the issue of marijuana. She asked Dr. Drew how he felt about it? "For some people it is serious. I have treated people many times, particularly for pot and alcohol. Pot is often the one that is most difficult to get off. It is tough." He then discussed how a study was revealed where there was "double risk of testicular cancer in marijuana abusers." Joy Baher wanted to know why that existed as Dr. Drew explained that he did not know.

Finally, Dr. Drew mentioned a program on HLN which individuals can call in. Parents will be able to talk about various issues such as addiction to pills by their children. He discussed how easy it is for young people to get pills. Parents need to be on top of this issue. Sherri explained how individuals could see the television show, Rehab With Dr. Drew, which premieres on VH1 and HLN weeknights.

Our visit to the set of The View was indeed impressive. To have the opportunity to see Whoopi, Barbara, Sherri, Joy, and Elizabeth in person was inspirational. It becomes obvious why this television program along with the hosts have won numerous awards such as the #Emmy. Good job ladies and may your success continue.

The Answer For Addictions

Before we left the studio, it was announced that #Prince, would be a guest the following week. Prince is now deceased. He was my spiritual brother, who realized that we do not have the answers to such problems as addictions. We look forward to that kingdom that Jesus taught us to pray for at Matthew 6:9 and 10 which says, "Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy 'kingdom' come. They will be done in earth, as it is in heaven." The Scofield Reference Bible Through this kingdom which will be ruled by Jehovah's son Jesus, such things as addictions to drugs, alcohol or pills will not exist. Many professionals have acknowledged that dependencies can be a sickness like any other medical problem. Regardless, of the issues we have with addictions today, that kingdom Jesus taught us to pray for will eliminate all these types of things. What a perfect time that will be.

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