Where's the Flu?

Don M.

Don M.

SF VIP
Location
central Missouri
It seems that around this time of year, the news is usually reporting large numbers of people getting the flu. This year, the flu seems to be a minor issue. Perhaps all the precautions being taken over this Corona Virus may be having an impact on the number of flu cases. If so, that is finally some Positive news on what is usually an annual problem.

https://news.yahoo.com/happened-flu-why-influenza-spread-162917054.html
 

I received a flu shot this year because without it I would not have been allowed to visit our 93 year old auntie who was in a nursing home. Small sacrifice to make for her sake and for the sake of all of the other residents.

I did get a heavy cold that came on very suddenly and since we were being asked to take a COVID test for even the mildest symptoms, Hubby and I both visited the COVID clinic. The results came back the same day and we were negative for corona virus.

I think there would still be some elderly people who have died of influenza and pneumonia as happens every year but the media is concentrating on the pandemic. Auntie died just before Christmas from a serious stroke. Her passing was gentle, with family members keeping vigil. I am so grateful that she did not die gasping for breath or heavily sedated on a ventilator.
 
hollydolly said:
Every year in the UK about 17, 000 deaths are reported from the effects Flue... not one has been reported this year... so, one can only suspect that Flu, and pneumonia deaths are being reported as C-19...
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Or the flu deaths are being ignored because COVID is so very bad. But with wearing masks and washing hands and flu shots, I also believe that the flu is much milder this year.
 
I used to get a bad sinus infection at least once a year. One year is was really bad and I had to sleep sitting up for over two weeks. I was determined not to go through that again. I started dressing warmer when I went out and I wore a hat. But what I think really helped was sterilizing my hands before I got out of my car and again when I returned to my car. So, when we were advised to do that because of COVID, I was already in the habit of doing so. And I'll keep doing it long after COVID.
 
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No Flu? Thread points out there probably reported under Covid umbrella.

I've noted China and other Asian Nations where the population were wearing mask as flu precautions before Coovid 19.
Sounds like a good idea to continue wearing masks when Covid 19 finally disappears.
 
Ceege said:
I used to get a bad sinus infection at least once a year. One year is was really bad and I had to sleep sitting up for over two weeks. I was determined not to go through that again. I started dressing warmer when I went out and I wore a hat. But what I think really helped was sterilizing my hands before I got out of my car and again when I returned to my car. So, when we were advised to do that because of COVID, I was already in the habit of doing so. And I'll keep doing it long after COVID.
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Wearing a mask will have stopped you breathing in very cold air, which may have helped too.
 
Does anyone know of many folks who’ve had colds this season? My DD had a bad sinus infection. She works so is exposed to many folks. The more people around you, the more chances of being exposed to something.

Masks definitely help. People washing & sanitizing their hands more stops the spread of lots of germs. DH & I were always overly cautious with hand washing - the first thing we both did when we walk in the door. Ordinary soap only. Already had some heavily ingrained habits & now more. I‘d love to give up the mask, though I‘m not counting on it happening in public spaces for a long time.
 
Jules said:
Does anyone know of many folks who’ve had colds this season? My DD had a bad sinus infection. She works so is exposed to many folks. The more people around you, the more chances of being exposed to something.

Masks definitely help. People washing & sanitizing their hands more stops the spread of lots of germs. DH & I were always overly cautious with hand washing - the first thing we both did when we walk in the door. Ordinary soap only. Already had some heavily ingrained habits & now more. I‘d love to give up the mask, though I‘m not counting on it happening in public spaces for a long time.
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I’ve had a couple of sinus infections, I always get them and a few colds. My husband gets cold easily a d shares them with me. So, yes, 😂
 
Don M. said:
It seems that around this time of year, the news is usually reporting large numbers of people getting the flu. This year, the flu seems to be a minor issue. Perhaps all the precautions being taken over this Corona Virus may be having an impact on the number of flu cases. If so, that is finally some Positive news on what is usually an annual problem.

https://news.yahoo.com/happened-flu-why-influenza-spread-162917054.html
Click to expand...
I'm going to flap my gums loosely on this for a sentence or two, because this has been a contentious issue with me for years.

Out of everyone I have talked to... family, friends, acquaintances, no one has, and no one is aware of anyone who has had the flu as of the tail-end of 2020, and the start of this year, which tells me that (for a change) we're being relieved of having to entertain the likes of ignorant, self-serving individuals leaving their homes sick and spreading it around.

The strict cleansing and disinfecting orders are obviously working, which is a good thing, and this is exactly why I hope restrictions continue to be a part of our lives through 2021.

Just as people who violate Covid orders and restrictions are subject to being fined, the same should hold true and apply to those wishing to leave their homes when they know they are sick.

Society as a whole was overdue for a virus like this, because people as a whole have become disrespectful when it comes to others.
 
The flu is out there, still killing people. The current plague makes trying to determine if the person died of the flu or Covid is immaterial.
You've seen the health workers being overwhelmed: consequently flu and please are not differentiated--get the deceased out of the
way, make room for the living.
Hats off to those brave health workers!
 
hollydolly said:
Every year in the UK about 17, 000 deaths are reported from the effects Flu... not one has been reported this year... so, one can only suspect that Flu, and pneumonia deaths are being reported as C-19...
Click to expand...
They can co-exist in people with damaged immune systems. I remember the days when every Winter the death rate in Britain from lung diseases was unacceptably high. A contributing cause was high levels of particulate air pollution. Another cause was the obvious one - transmission of viruses that were circulating in the colder months. Finally, for many, long years of smoking had affected the lungs causing chronic bronchitis and emphysema. So, if only one cause of death is to be nominated, which would you choose?

I think the doctors choose the most obvious one based on the symptoms and the progression of the disease. If a person dies at home that is a harder ask but most people are dying in hospital so I would accept that the death certificates are more likely to be accurate as to the primary cause of death. Secondary causes are also listed. My mother's certificate listed dehydration and dementia as her cause of death. The total picture was that she refused all food and drink and I, as her next of kin, refused to allow forced or tube feeding. She remained resolute and slowly became weaker until she died one week later. So, what killed her? Lack of fluids, dementia or my instruction?

The answer is all three combined. I have had to come to terms with my part in her death but comfort myself with the thought that that is exactly what she wanted. She was in no way depressed and was ready to go. She was exultant at the start and her eventual passing was peaceful without any valium being administered.

I share this to illustrate the difficulty of attributing just one cause to any death unless it happens to be a violent one.
 
Warrigal said:
I share this to illustrate the difficulty of attributing just one cause to any death unless it happens to be a violent one.
Click to expand...
I have had friends who are doctors say the cause of death is often their best guess and not always correct.....

I understand that .............but why do we Trust or USE that data in statistics etc...........
we use and compare how many flu deaths there are in any year.... but we only have a best guess. Many places have been found just counting almost all death as....... With covid..... because any Covid gets $$$.
Sad that any program offering bonus Money for things breeds corruption......

I would imagine the many deaths from flu are often the older and immune compromised ....... the distancing and such is probably helping. Many are taking further precautions ... my 80 year old neighbor has not left her home or shopped since last year............. her daughter buys all things and drops them off on the porch.....

I have heard from a few they think they had the flu...... but most even if a cold keep it quiet because the panic ........that even clearing your throat causes stares.
NOT everyone wants to run in and be tested again and again for a few reasons.

One person, I know had tummy issues most likely a issue with food borne problem..... as her family all had ate takeout and all had some issues ............but was told by her job to quarantine for two weeks.
 

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