Fellow walkers, let’s go to Pittsburg and find our about VACCINE. That word is being used so often on the news connected to coronavirus! We will visit the University of Pittsburg and learn the story of Dr Jonas Salk work. Dr Salk was a virologist and his work began in 1948 when the polio virus began. People would go to bed not feeling well and wake up paralyzed for the rest of their lives. By 1955 it was proclaimed the largest health problem in the world.

They developed a vaccine and  the testing evolved 20,000 doctors, 64,000 school personnel, 220, 000 volunteers and 1.8 million school children. It took 25 yrs to remove polio virus from North America. This historic picture was taken during those  testing months. As you know we still have polio in two countries.
Polio was a pandemic however we were not using that word in the 50’s. So we need to be aware the corona virus is with us for years and because it is airborne we will need to wear masks, wash our hand and keep a safe distance for years.
By the way-  in 2014 we established Oct 24th to be WORLD POLIO DAY , it was the 100th anniversary of Dr Jonas Salk birth. Please stay involved in polio eradication !! Learn the history, tell Rotary’s success story of fundraising for polio. We are almost there