The Dollop with Dave Anthony and Gareth Reynolds 571 - The Plague in SF
Feb 21, 2023
Dive into the strange history of the bubonic plague's arrival in early 1900s San Francisco. Discover the absurdity of health inspectors and the chaotic political response amidst rising racial tensions. Laugh as the hosts mix dark humor with tales of public health disasters and the vulnerable communities caught in the crossfire. The lively banter also includes reflections on the struggles of essential workers during modern pandemics, alongside exciting updates on their upcoming stand-up tour!
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Wong Chuk King: First SF Plague Victim
- The plague arrived in San Francisco's Chinatown in 1900 with Wong Chuk King dying exhibiting classic bubonic plague symptoms.
- Early health inspections missed the severity due to laziness and denial, setting the stage for a slow response.
Racist Quarantine of Chinatown
- City authorities quarantined Chinatown exclusively, forcibly excluding white residents.
- This highlighted pervasive racism by blaming immigrant communities while white populations felt unaffected.
Chinatown Hides Sick and Dead
- Chinatown residents hid sick family members to avoid quarantine and abuse.
- Some even propped up dead bodies to fool health inspectors, exemplifying desperation and fear under oppressive conditions.
