Columbus Health Officer Dr. Louis Kahn, concurring with Columbus School Superintendent C.H. Fullerton, initially believed school closing was unnecessary. On October 8, district physician Dr. C.P. Linhart insisted, “there is no safer place in town than the schoolroom.”[5] A Columbus Evening Dispatch article pointed out,  “Every teacher has been made a medical inspector, and as soon as a child evinces symptoms of a cold, with sneezing and coughing, he is sent home...”[6]  ​By mid-October, however, Kahn and the city health board had reversed course, after strong recommendations (though not orders) from Ohio Governor James Cox, State Health Commissioner James Bauman, and the Ohio Board of Health.[7] About 1,000 Columbus residents had contracted influenza by this time.[8]  The official “influenza vacation” for the 58 schools in Columbus began at the end of the school day on Friday, October 11, 1918. Some accounts indicate that schools remained closed for a period of two and one-half months, resuming on January 2, 1919.[9] In fact, classes actually resumed for a few weeks in mid-November, followed by a four-day Thanksgiving break, and another closure on December 3.[10] ​ On December 3, reports indicated 10,193 absentees, about one-third of the total enrollment. In 56 schools, the absentee rate was 8 percent or higher due to influenza alone, with 2,032 cases among students and 32 among teachers.[11] Other absences were due to colds or parents unwilling to send their children. Some reports also noted instances of faking illness, including the use of pepper in classrooms to “cause a small epidemic of sneezing.”[12] Superintendent Fullerton was reluctant to close schools again, being especially concerned about disrupting the college plans of seniors. Kahn, however, insisted, “if they are not [closed], they’ll close themselves through invasion of the disease.”[13]

Source: Columbus City Bulletin,  October 19, 1919

"Scarcely were we able to become accustomed to this dignity of ours and form a permanent organization, when we found ourselves in the midst of a most distressing epidemic of influenza. With sad hearts we turned our footsteps homeward to enter upon the study of our books with but ourselves as instructors. One thing only served to brighten those dark days, and that was the return of peace to earth.” [15] Although there was no remote teaching in 1918, The Occident pointed out, “Our teachers thoughtfully assigned lessons for two weeks” when school closed on December 3.[16]  ​

Source: The Occident, West High School, 1919

“After the ‘Flu’ epidemic had passed and the ban was lifted North and Commerce got together Monday morning, November 11, at Ohio Field. North’s squad showed needed pep and punch in carrying out plays. . . . Commerce put up a scrappy game on the defense, but when it came to team work on the offense, they were found sadly lacking in power. . . . The game was devoid of any thrills and showed lack of practice in both teams. . . ."[18]  ​