On Oct. 21, 1918, the board of health and school officials met and decided to close all public, private, and parochial schools as of Thursday, October 24.

School Superintendent Chadsey estimated that 15% of the city’s approximately 100,000 students were out sick or being kept at home, thus interfering with the ability of schools to complete their educational mission. In addition, the schools employed over 3,000 teachers, a force Inches hoped to use as volunteer health department aides.

Operating out of school buildings that could be used as the headquarters for “health zones,” Inches proposed using teacher volunteers to make home visits to investigate cases of influenza and pneumonia. In order for this to happen, schools would have to close first. The health commissioner also announced restricted hours for stores and businesses in order to reduce rush hour congestion on public transportation.