1918 Pandemic-The Spanish Lady

WHEREAS, the 1918 influenza pandemic is recognized as one of the most devastating diseases in human history with an estimated 55 million deaths worldwide; and 

WHEREAS, more than 750,ooo Americans are estimated to have died during the pandemic, 50,000 of which were here in Pennsylvania. An estimated 100,000 Westmoreland County residents were infected by this disease and every family impacted in some way by this pandemic; and 

WHEREAS, on october 5, 1918, Mildred F. Sowash, a 17-year-old Greensburg resident, became the first or more than 2,200 Westmoreland County residents to die of this disease; and 

WHEREAS, more than 1,100 Westmoreland County children were orphaned due to the deaths of their parents during this time. To limit the impact of this disease, all church services were canceled, schools in Westmoreland County were closed; and closed for weeks, movie theaters, pool halls, dance halls, and all other places of public gatherings were closed; and 

WHEREAS, the citizens of Westmoreland County demonstrated an amazing resilience, strength of character and hope for the future to carry on through this difficult time. 

WHEREAS, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the 1918 influenze pandemic, Westmoreland County Community College and its community partners, including the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Excela Health, the Westmoreland County Federated library System, the Westmoreland County Historical Society, and the Balzar Mayer Historical Society has designated a month-long series of events commemorating this anniversary. 

THEREFORE, the Commissioners of Westmoreland County, Gina Cerilli, Ted Kopas, and Charles W. Anderson, do hereby declare October 2018 as "1918 Influenza Pandemic Remembrance Month." 

IN WITNESS THEREOF, we have hereunto set our hands and cause the Seal f the County to be affixed this 27th day of September, 2018.