On Oct. 11, 1918, Los Angeles Mayor Frederick T. Woodman declared a state of public emergency due to influenza, and the health commissioner ordered schools closed and banned all public gatherings.

The health commissioner then ordered schools closed and banned all public gatherings – including public funerals, movie houses, theaters, pool rooms, and other public entertainments – effective 6 p.m. the same day. Because of its burgeoning film industry, however, Los Angeles also had two novel bans: the filming of mob scenes was prohibited, as were any crowds that gathered to watch street scenes being filmed.