It's just over 100 years since Wagga was engulfed in one of the deadliest pandemics in history when the Spanish flu landed on Australia's shores.
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The devastation of the influenza virus took its toll on Wagga with about 450 cases being recorded and 32 lives lost as a result.
One Wagga family's pharmacy dynasty emerged as a result of the influenza epidemic in 1919.
Peter Gissing was the last family member to operate the business, but it was his grandfather Harry, a former Wagga mayor, who entrenched Gissing's Pharmacy in Wagga when the previous owner fell victim to the Spanish flu.
Serving in the Australian Medical Corps at Gallipoli and the Western Front, Harry returned to his family home in Sydney after the war.
Although Peter was only a few years old when his grandfather died, his love of history encouraged him to delve into Harry's past, which led him to publishing a book containing his grandfather's war diaries.
"I got to know a fair bit about him," Mr Gissing said.
"When he returned from the war to his family home in Sydney he was looking to get into business and the opportunity came up for him to come to Wagga to relieve at Sanderson's Pharmacy.
"Frank Sanderson died from the Spanish flu and Harry stayed on and purchased the business from Frank's widow."
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The reaction to the outbreak in 1919 shares many similarities with the current COVID pandemic, however Mr Gissing noted a few differences.
Much like the situation we experience today, wearing masks was mandatory, businesses closed, state borders closed, restrictions were eased when the virus seemed to be under control but returned and self-isolation and travel restrictions were also in place in a bid to halt the spread of infection.
"They were certainly aware back in 1919 that this was a contagious infection and aware of the spread and the need to clean and similar to today; to wear masks," Mr Gissing said.
"The big difference nowadays is that we are quicker to develop a vaccine and we can move a lot faster these days with much better communication outlets as there was hardly any radio and no televisions then.
"We didn't have air travel so there were no mass movements, but it did spread quickly, so it showed how serious the infection was.
"We did have vaccinations then but they weren't as effective as the ones we have now."
One big difference which has not been touted yet is that yellow flags were flown outside the homes of residents who had been infected with the Spanish Flu or those who were in isolation.
"There would've been some protests back then like the one we had on the weekend in Sydney but I don't think it was a big feature," Mr Gissing said.
"We're a bit more privacy conscious now but in terms of similarity, I think there were about 10,000 calls to Crime Stoppers with people dobbing in those who were at that protest on the weekend."
Mr Gissing suggested an alternative method of vaccinating to help take the strain off health clinics and vaccinating stations.
"There are a whole bunch of pharmacists able to dispense vaccinations and it's certainly a pity they haven't been brought in earlier, but I think it's because of the trouble getting and distributing vaccines," he said.
"I might be professionally biased but I think pharmacies would be more convenient and more accessible.
"It's now starting to happen in pharmacies in south west Sydney and others are sitting on the sidelines waiting to be called up to do it.
"The flu varies from season to season and there's lots of different viruses and they evolve over time.
"My worry would be that it will be the same with COVID if it evolves and the current vaccines are not as effective, maybe in a couple of years."
Gissing's Pharmacy lasted 86 years and was sold in 2005 after being in the Gissing family for three generations.
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