A Town Under Quarantine
Ten diphtheria cases, closed schools and churches, and a council backing its health officer as Newport tries to stop the outbreak.
But one new case of diphtheria has developed since the strict quarantine was established last Wednesday, an indication that the enforcement of the quarantine regulations has been productive of good results. There are ten cases in existence at this time, none of them in a serious condition.
The course of Health Officer Phillips in ordering the quarantine was approved by resolution of the council at its meeting Tuesday evening, and a continuance of the quarantine was ordered until further notice from the health officer. The schools will be closed for another week at least, and the ban on churches and all public gatherings will be continued.
During the past week the school house has been thoroughly disinfected, and it is believed that the spread of the contagion has been effectually checked.
““The schools will be closed for another week at least, and the ban on churches and all public gatherings will be continued.””
In 1909, closing schools and churches was Newport’s best tool against a contagious disease. The council’s vote to back its health officer is an early version of the same tension between public health authority and community life that reappeared in recent years.
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