| 1918 (Spanish Influenza & World War I) | 2020 (COVID-19 Pandemic) | |
| Deaths (USA) | ~550,000** | 70,000* (projected) |
| As % of population | 0.5% | 0.01%* |
| Most affected: | young adults (strong immune systems)*** | elderly & pre-existing conditions (immunocompromised) |
| First Case (USA) | January 1918 | January 2020 |
**National Library of Medicine (PMC2740912)
***National Library of Medicine (PMC340389)
These figures are not an attempt to dismiss the seriousness of the current pandemic. Rather, they are to provide context to the only *other* time the B.A.A. truly had to think outside the box to preserve the Patriots Day tradition.
In 1918 the tie-in’s and justification were easy… a military relay would honor both the revolutionary history, and the ongoing national war effort. Looking at it now with the benefit of hindsight – it made perfect sense.
Can you imagine how differently the history of the Boston Marathon would have progressed, had there not been *something* on Patriots Day 1918? The Curse of the Bambino may not have been the only lingering ‘what if’ for Boston’s sports faithful!
With the benefit of hindsight, how will the B.A.A, Boston, and the global running community look at this years event? Why not make the Boston Marathon a point of pride, resilience and togetherness once again?