There are 308 COVID-19 patients in Victoria hospitals.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) case numbers and statistics | Australian Government Department of Health
On August 9, 1919 there were 946 influenza patients in Melbourne hospitals.
09 Aug 1919 – ANOTHER INFLUENZA DEATH – Trove
The population of Victoria is about four times higher now.
10 Aug 1915 – POPULATION OF VICTORIA. – Trove
The mask superstition was just as prevalent 100 years ago as it is now.
Masks –
“Indeed, the latest National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines on the matter do not require operating staff to wear a mask in theatre.8 This decision was based primarily upon the findings of a Cochrane systematic review.9”
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4480558/
——
“Medical or surgical masks
Seven studies took place in the community, and two studies in healthcare workers. Compared with wearing no mask, wearing a mask may make little to no difference in how many people caught a flu-like illness (9 studies; 3507 people); and probably makes no difference in how many people have flu confirmed by a laboratory test (6 studies; 3005 people). Unwanted effects were rarely reported, but included discomfort.
N95/P2 respirators
Four studies were in healthcare workers, and one small study was in the community. Compared with wearing medical or surgical masks, wearing N95/P2 respirators probably makes little to no difference in how many people have confirmed flu (5 studies; 8407 people); and may make little to no difference in how many people catch a flu-like illness (5 studies; 8407 people) or respiratory illness (3 studies; 7799 people). Unwanted effects were not well reported; discomfort was mentioned”
https://www.cochrane.org/CD006207/ARI_do-physical-measures-such-hand-washing-or-wearing-masks-stop-or-slow-down-spread-respiratory-viruses
It seems that as time goes on we learn nothing, but just go along with what everyone else is doing.