Today, I wrote about how Chicago responded to the 1918 Spanish Flu pandemic. The city had social distancing rules similar to what we've implemented now — and those guidelines saved lives and helped the city's economy bounce back.

https://blockclubchicago.org/2020/04/15/how-can-chicago-reopen-after-coronavirus-heres-how-we-did-it-after-1918s-spanish-flu/

Not quite a "fun fact," but the Spanish Flu killed my great-great grandpa, Walter Bauer, on Oct. 15, 1918. He was just 27 years old — the age I am now.

You can see him here with his family in front of an old Chicago two-flat. He left behind his wife and three young children.

His loss had a tremendous impact on his (our) family. It's generational.

His children and wife struggled without him — my great-great grandma ended up living in the projects, dying far too young while raising my grandpa.

I've thought of him often lately and how scary those days must have been in Chicago — and throughout the world.

At the same time, I've received bizarre emails from people downplaying the deaths from COVID.

Don't do this. Every life matters. Every life and loss has an impact.

My husband was only mildly sick with what we suspect was coronavirus a few weeks ago, yet even his minor illness terrified me.

My heart goes out to all those who have experienced a loss during this pandemic. Please do not downplay these tragedies. Remember the victims.