100 years on, a new pandemic... but personal safety precautions are STILL the same: Photos from the 1918 Spanish flu show American families posing in their face masks (and even the cats are covered)

Over 100 years on from the Spanish flu (H1N1) pandemic in 1918 that infected 500 million people and that is estimated to have claimed the lives of up to 50 million, comparisons are unsurprisingly being drawn with the current coronavirus crisis.

A famous quote widely attributed to philosopher George Santayana says 'Those who do not learn history are doomed to repeat it.'

While the two pandemics are different, measures being taken to stop the spread are similar and there is much to be learned from how to people of the time worked to slow the spread of the deadly flu. 

Pictures have emerged showing families taking similar measures to those being taken today, and even going one step further - outfitting their furry friends with face masks - something people in the U.S. today could learn from.

A family of six in California in Dublin, California, pose for a photograph during the Spanish Flu crisis of 1918, where even their cat has been fitted with a little face mask

On April 3, it was reported that cats are capable of transmitting the coronavirus between themselves, and yesterday two domestic cats tested positive for the virus in New York state. 

There is no evidence to suggest that cats can pass the virus to humans, but it is still important for pet owners to keep their beloved animals safe.

Perhaps these pictures from the Spanish Flu pandemic are something pet owners can learn from when caring for their cats and dogs. 

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A group of five woman sit on their front porch, with two holding a pair of cats (named Penelope, left, and Golly, right) that are also wearing protective face masks

Pictures taken during the Spanish Flu pandemic show cats were not the only pets outfitted with face masks.

Two pictures from newspapers at the time show dogs that have been given masks to protect them from the flu as well.  

People of the time were clearly just as concerned about their fluffy companions as they are today, with news outlets equally as interested in stories about them.

'This Seattle Dog Wears Flu Mask' this particular headline read. The text below says the dog's name is 'Yancia' and jokes she is one of the city's 'best canine flu observing citizens'

Another clipping shows a group of 'big league players' with their dog mascot also wearing a little face mask during the Spanish Flur pandemic

Today, particularly in Asia, pet owners have been seen covering up their dogs with make-shift face masks, following suit from those who were looking after their pets in 1918. 

Pictures of dog owners walking their pooches with masks on have been shared widely online.

While one rare case in Hong Kong saw two dogs contract the coronavirus, dog owners will be pleased to hear that their pets are very unlikely to fall sick from it. 

Pictured: A dog is seen wearing a home made mask in Shanghai, China in Februrary

Another dog in Shanghai is seen wearing a little mask, and also protective clothing including little doggy boots

A woman is pictured carrying her dog covered nose to paw in protective gear in Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province of China

Another dog is slung over a man's shoulder as he carried his pal down the street in Shanghai. The dog looks less than impressed with his current situation

There are a number of difference between now and 1918, such as how far medicine has come in the last 100 years and the First World War that was coming to a close at the time limiting global coordination. 

It wasn't until 1933 that doctors came to a consensus that the flu was even caused by a virus, as opposed to bacteria. 

Around a third of the world's population contracted the Spanish flu, and while the numbers during this pandemic are not expected to reach anywhere near those levels, there are also some striking similarities in the measures being taken to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

Social distancing measures were in place, such as isolation, quarantine and staggering rush-hour to avoid crowds. Rigorous hand-washing was encouraged and of course, so was the wearing of face masks. 

Pictured: A police officer in California adjusts the face mask of a citizen

Pictured: Camp Funston, Kansas in 1918 being used as an emergency field hospital to treat patients with the Spanish Flu. Similar field hospitals have been set up around the world today

In fact, in some parts of the U.S., not wearing a face mask was illegal, which is not the case today.

On 24 October 1918, San Francisco's legislative body unanimously passed the Influenza Mask Ordinance, according to CNN, marking the first time wearing face masks became mandatory on U.S. soil.

After this, awareness campaigns began, with the red cross telling the public: 'Wear a Mask and Save Your Life! A Mask is 99% Proof Against Influenza.' Songs were even written about the practice.

One such song features the lyrics: 'Obey the laws, and wear the gauze. Protect your jaws from septic paws.' Anyone found outside without a mask was fined or even imprisoned.

Songs have been written today about the coronavirus. For example, Sesame Street adapted one of their songs to teach children the importance of washing their hands. 

To combat the spread of the flu, Americans were told to make face masks out of four to six layers of a fine mesh gauze, which is what was also used in hospitals.

Unfortunately, many home made masks were only made from one or two layers, which reduced the mask's effectiveness.

Today, the quality of masks is also a big concern, particularly among healthcare workers. 

While people have been making homemade masks, which scientists have said can help limit the spread of the coronavirus, the medical issued N95 (masks that have a 95 percent efficiency in filtering particles) face masks are said to be the most effective, widely produced masks.

Women wearing face masks in St. Louis, Misouri, which was one of the cities to quickly lock itself down during the Spanish Flu outbreak, prepare to carry patients on stretchers