History shows that people are willing to put up with severe restrictions on their personal freedom as long as they believe those restrictions have merit (i.e., will keep them safe or keep them alive). This was clearly demonstrated from 1918 -1920 as the pandemic known as "the Spanish flu" killed 50 million people worldwide. Until then, the United States had never seen such all-encompassing restrictions including closure of schools, churches, bars, and other businesses. Severe fines were imposed by "the influenza police" for coughing, sneezing, or even talking or playing outdoors. Initially everyone was told to wear masks to stop the spread of the influenza
