Amid COVID-19 pandemic, flu has disappeared in the US

[marmar]

Amid COVID-19 pandemic, flu has disappeared in the US
Mike Stobbe Associated Press


New York — February is usually the peak of flu season, with doctors' offices and hospitals packed with suffering patients. But not this year.

Flu has virtually disappeared from the U.S., with reports coming in at far lower levels than anything seen in decades.

Experts say that measures put in place to fend off the coronavirus — mask wearing, social distancing and virtual schooling — were a big factor in preventing a “twindemic” of flu and COVID-19. A push to get more people vaccinated against flu probably helped, too, as did fewer people traveling, they say.

Another possible explanation: The coronavirus has essentially muscled aside flu and other bugs that are more common in the fall and winter. Scientists don't fully understand the mechanism behind that, but it would be consistent with patterns seen when certain flu strains predominate over others, said Dr. Arnold Monto, a flu expert at the University of Michigan. ..........(more)

https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/nation/2021/02/25/amid-covid-19-pandemic-flu-has-disappeared-us/6812687002/

[soothsayer]

1. That's why the "twindemic" flu threat never worried me

Figured the same precautions would ward it off .

2nd explanation interesting too

[lagomorph777]

2. I thought this would happen. Flu is much easier to prevent with masks and sanitation, than COVID is

[Lettuce Be]

3. I think it's the mask wearing, social distancing, etc. It proves makes work.

[LovingA2andMI]

4. Yes....

This has been interesting. Very.

[PSPS]

5. This started last spring/summer

There was practically no flu in the southern hemisphere when it was fall/winter there too. Flight restrictions & Lockdowns.

[OhZone]

6. Virtually -

meaning almost.

At least one person from my work says his family got it.

They had all the usual flu symptoms, but tested negative for the new coronavirus.


And yes, we're all working from home.

[blaze]

7. Yep. Colorado flu hospitalizations last year: 2430. This year: 23

"Colorado is more than halfway through the annual flu season, and thanks to the aggressive public health measures taken to combat COVID-19 along with an uptick in vaccinations, the state has seen a staggering drop in serious influenza cases and deaths.

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has recorded a total of 23 hospitalizations so far this flu season, which began Sept. 27 and will run through May 22.

By this time last year, 2,430 people had been hospitalized statewide with the flu. Colorado recorded 3,546 total flu hospitalizations across all 64 counties during the 2019-20 season.

Colorado has seen no pediatric flu deaths so far this season, as well as no outbreaks in long-term care facilities, according to state health department data. Three children under the age of 18 died of the flu in Colorado during the 2019-20 flu season."

https://www.denverpost.com/2021/02/24/colorado-flu-decrease-during-covid/