On Oct. 22, 1918, the Nebraska Board of Health ordered a statewide gathering ban on groups of twelve people or more to try to stem the increase of influenza in the state.

Meanwhile, Omaha’s epidemic was growing worse. Hospital space for influenza victims was at a premium as hundreds of cases filled the beds. Nurses were in short supply and high demand. The local chapter of the Visiting Nurses Association struggled to fill shortages, but many area residents were unwilling to expose themselves to influenza by caring for the ill.

One city physician, who remained anonymous, reported two nurses for refusing to treat influenza patients. Ambulance drivers were also desperately needed, but, as the city soon found, over a third of the applicants contracted influenza before they could be hired.