Yet one source of entertainment remained open during summer months-the drive-in movie theater. Additional precautions involved shutting down public venues such as pools and movie theaters.
Travel and commerce ceased between strongly impacted cities, and fearful parents kept their children indoors to prevent the spread of this paralyzing disease. Prior to Jonas Salk’s 1955 vaccine, outbreaks led to public health officials imposing quarantine restrictions across the country. Over 70 years ago, the polio pandemic changed day-to-day life in America.
