About Us

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This project evolved out of a personal  interest I had in the Spanish Flu, after learning that my great-great  grandfather, Solomon Comora (above), died as the deadly second wave of the pandemic passed through New  York City, in October of 1918.  I am very grateful to the many experts who have advised me along the way and for those extraordinary individuals who have donated their valuable time to be interviewed for this program.  Our intention with this educational website is to create a dynamic resource for those who wish to learn more about influenza and the Spanish Flu.  Over time, we will be updating the website with additional interviews and materials. 

I have often wondered what it must have been like for those who lived during the time of the Spanish Flu pandemic.  I imagined their state of concern as they learned of the numbers of newly infected and rising death tolls within their neighborhoods.  I never believed that I would be witness to such an event, although each of the  experts I interviewed expressed concern that “what keeps them up at  night” is the thought of a novel virus (one for which we have little or  no immunity) emerging, leading to a global pandemic.  Of course today, as I enter the third week of social isolation with my family, as a result of the COVID-19 virus, I realize that their hyper-vigilance remains justified.

David Comora   March 29, 2020