On Oct. 2, 1918, the Washington, D.C. school board closed all public schools (which had 50,000 students). The next day, the closure of churches, theaters, and movie houses was requested. All other businesses and shops were placed on a staggered operating-hours schedule to help alleviate streetcar congestion.

Shortly after the epidemic had begun, the United States Public Health Service had opened a temporary emergency hospital at 612 F Street. That hospital was quickly overwhelmed.