Spanish flu is called Spanish flu because Spain was one of the few countries not directly embroiled in World War I at the time, so when the flu was identified i

Spanish flu is called Spanish flu because Spain was one of the few countries not directly embroiled in World War I at the time, so when the flu was identified in their cities, their media reported on it. The US and other European nations' military chains of command were aware of the illness ripping through trenches, bases, and hospitals but had a media blackout on public reports of it to avoid disruption of morale during wartime. We weren't at war this time, but pandemics are inextricable from international politics for the same reason everything else that has massive impact on people's health and safety across national borders is inextricable from international politics. I agree with you on the desire for depoliticization of the topic, but I lack a mechanism to get there; it's not like an independent agency run by, say, the UN would be free of politics on this topic.