The influenza pandemic of 1918-19 is being compared to the covid-19 pandemic in various aspects. Some outlets are drawing lessons from the 1918 pandemic to inform the response to covid-19, while others are cautioning against direct comparisons between the two. The severity of the two pandemics is also being evaluated, with some reports suggesting that covid-19 may have surpassed the 1918 flu in terms of deadliness in american history.