StringJunky Posted May 1, 2021 Share Posted May 1, 2021 Interesting side effect of covid pandemic protocols: Quote Since the novel coronavirus began its global spread, influenza cases reported to the World Health Organization have dropped to minuscule levels. The reason, epidemiologists think, is that the public health measures taken to keep the coronavirus from spreading also stop the flu. Influenza viruses are transmitted in much the same way as SARS-CoV-2, but they are less effective at jumping from host to host. As Scientific American reported last fall, the drop-off in flu numbers was both swift and universal. Since then, cases have stayed remarkably low. “There’s just no flu circulating,” says Greg Poland, who has studied the disease at the Mayo Clinic for decades. The U.S. saw about 600 deaths from influenza during the 2020-2021 flu season. In comparison, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated there were roughly 22,000 deaths in the prior season and 34,000 two seasons ago. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/flu-has-disappeared-worldwide-during-the-covid-pandemic/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geordief Posted May 2, 2021 Share Posted May 2, 2021 6 hours ago, StringJunky said: Interesting side effect of covid pandemic protocols: Seems the common cold is reappearing as restrictions ease in the UK https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/colds-are-even-more-common-as-covid-lockdown-eases-0vb8n2h9s?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Twitter#Echobox=1619864588 There may be a paywall to the body of the article. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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