'In the time of pandemic' - was this poem written in 1869 and reprinted during the Spanish influenza?
Posted on AllSides April 14th, 2020
From The Center
FACT CHECK
A viral Facebook post claims that French-Irish writer Kathleen O’Meara wrote the poem “In the Time of Pandemic” in 1869.
“History repeats itself,” reads the introduction to the poem. “Came across this poem written in 1869, reprinted during 1919 Pandemic. This is Timeless.”
Verdict: False
Retired teacher Catherine O’Meara actually wrote the poem in March.
Fact Check: The post claims that the poem about social distancing was originally written in 1869 by Kathleen O’Meara and later reprinted during the Spanish flu pandemic that started in 1918. Kathleen O’Meara, also known...