The 90% Project: 100 years since another deadly flu, we've moved on from cough syrup

This memorial at Waikumete Cemetery, in Auckland, honours the victims of the 1918 influenza epidemic which killed 8573 New Zealanders.

One hundred years ago this week, the Spanish flu reared its ugly head again in another wave.

Our World War I troops had helped bring it home.

One imagines it incubated and spread quite nicely on the troop ships. A little like Covid-19 aboard the Ruby Princess, anchored in Napier last year.

After decimating towns like Dannevirke in 1918-19, back it came in 1921.

This time though, in the Pacific Islands.

The Hawke's Bay Herald Tribune reported:

"Beware influenza! None of us will forget the dreaded influenza epidemic of 1918 and the recent cables telling that influenza in its most severe has broken out in Tonga.

''Prevention is better than cure, the utmost care must be taken. At the first sign of the flu go to bed immediately and do not get out for any reason.

''Take Bonningtons Irish Moss as a safe and sure remedy of immense value in the last epidemic. Family bottle 2/6 everywhere.''

It would seem self isolation was in vogue in 1918-21, but no sign of a vaccine.

They pinned their hopes on Bonnington's Irish Moss.

No doubt, anti-Bonnington Irish Moss propagandists railed against the cough syrup, with stories of death, blindness, deformed limbs and madness.

In some ways, little has changed in a century.

The 1918 recommended treatment for Spanish flu can be bought for $8.55 from Pak'nSave.

Not once, has Jacinda Ardern or Ashley Bloomfield directed us to Bonnington's Irish Moss, in the fight against Covid.

It is a good cough suppressant. That is all.

One hundred years since we were urged to drink a cough syrup to ward off a deadly flu, we have moved on.

We now have a vaccine.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is yet to direct New Zealanders to Bonnington's Irish Moss. Photo / NZME

A year ago, we didn't. Our 2020 outbreak goals and lockdown experiences were different.

In 2021, we know that lockdown levels and the vaccine combine to slow Covid-19.

And experts believe that if 90 per cent (ideally more) of us are fully vaccinated, the new normal of life unimpinged by Covid is more easily achievable.

That's why NZME - the parent company of the Hawke's Bay Today and NZ Herald - started The 90 % Campaign.

It's a collective goal for our team of 5 million and we have the ability to share that message across our multiple media platforms.

The Ministry of Health is aware of 90 % and supportive of encouraging people to get vaccinated.

Those who are anti-vaccination are entitled to their opinion.
As we are ours.

Covid-19 evolves, and we need to keep evolving too.

Anti-vaxxers are entitled to their views, and protests.
And should they become hoarse with all that shouting, there is always Bonnington's Irish Moss, $8.55 at Pak'nSave.