Common narratives surrounding the Spanish flu exaggerate its threat, often leading to an unfounded fear of future pandemics. Key elements of that historical experience, such as the misuse of aspirin leading to preventable deaths and the subsequent prevalence of bacterial pneumonia that can now be effectively treated with antibiotics, are frequently overlooked. If the Spanish flu were to emerge today, it likely wouldn't result in a significant pandemic due to our improved medical interventions. Thus, it's crucial to scrutinize and reassess historical stories rather than accept them as definitive warnings for the future.