May 9, 1790 by Michael Ceraolo

 May 9, 1790

George Washington wrote in his journal

"Indisposed with a bad cold"

But it was not a bad cold:

a flu epidemic had hit New York City

in September 1789,

                              and

the second wave of the epidemic

was just starting to hit at this time

and it hit the President,

hard

For a week or so it looked as though

the President wouldn't survive,

                                              and

since everything was still new no one knew

if country would survive his death

But he pulled through,

                                 though

it was another month or so after that

before he was able to resume his official duties

The Republic had had a narrow escape