Laurier researchers comparing polio epidemic to COVID-19 pandemic
A team of student researchers at Wilfrid Laurier University's Brantford campus have completed a study comparing polio to COVID-19.
Polio, a viral disease, sparked an epidemic worldwide.
“Really big outbreaks in the 30s, 40s and 50s, and it particularly targeted young people whose immune systems were not so strong,” said Tarah Brookfield, associate professor of History and Children and Youth Studies at Wilfrid Laurier University.
The research group interviewed 10 residents in Brantford ranging in age from 72 to 93.
Brantford resident Andrew Harris is one of the people who were involved in the study.
He was around six years old in the 1950s and living in Manitoba when a classmate of his didn’t come back to school for the better part of a year after being diagnosed with polio.
“When he came back, he had a severe limp as a result of the polio because of the paralysis,” Harris said.
Researchers said there are a lot of similarities between the two diseases.
“Similar to COVID, polio was asymptomatic. So approximately 70 per cent of the people who got it didn’t know they had it,” said Brookfield.
Harris said he also noticed many similar aspects after living through both crises.
“The fear, the anxiety and the reluctance. There was pushback back then too,” said Harris.
Researchers said there weren’t as many polio cases as there have been COVID-19 cases.
“Cases in the thousands, not the hundreds of thousands,” said Tyler Britz, a research student.
The polio vaccine took a long time to develop as medicine wasn't as advanced 70 years ago.
“I was part of the experimental group that got the initial needles. Those three needles, plus a booster,” Harris said, recalling being part of the test trials when he was a young boy.
When the vaccine was developed in the 1950s, many Canadian children were immunized fast.
“All kids in Brant and Brant County, they all got vaccinated on the same day,” said Britz.
Another similar aspect was the public health tactics used in both cases. Those with polio were forced to quarantine. Residents were also asked to do their due diligence and be safe around others.
“Don’t touch water, don’t drink water out of the fountain at school, don’t go in the swimming pool,” Harris said.
While fear and uncertainty plagued both the polio epidemic and COVID-19 pandemic, Harris said he is optimistic.
“It’s on its way out,” he said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Canada recognizes housing as a human right. Few provinces have followed suit
As more Canadians find themselves struggling to afford or find housing, the country's smallest province is the only one that can point to legislation recognizing housing as a human right.
'Violation': CSIS had officer investigated after she reported a superior raped her
A CSIS officer's allegations that she was raped repeatedly by a superior in agency vehicles set off a harassment inquiry, but also triggered an investigation into her that concluded the alleged attacks were a “misuse” of agency vehicles by the woman.
What to know about avian influenza in dairy cows and the risk to humans
Why is H5N1, or bird flu, a concern, how does it spread, and is there a vaccine? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about avian influenza.
Pro-plastic lobbyist presence at UN talks is 'troubling,' say advocates
Environmentalist groups are sounding the alarm about a steep increase in the number of pro-plastic lobbyists at the UN pollution talks taking place this week.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.