Just about every announcement coming out of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) these days has to do with COVID-19.
However, on Monday, Sept. 13, the department had an alternative message for the public. Health officials sent out a press release reminding everyone to get vaccinated against the flu since North Carolina still has flu season – even though the flu doesn’t get much press anymore.
State officials noted that the pressure that the pandemic is putting on hospitals makes it more difficult to handle flu cases. They’re also reminding North Carolinians that the flu can be a killer.
“COVID-19 is still here, still sending North Carolinians to the hospital with severe illness and still causing deaths,” stated NCDHHS State Health Director and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Elizabeth Tilson in the press release. “As flu season begins, we all need to do what we can to be as healthy as possible. It is critically important to get your flu vaccine and your COVID-19 vaccine. Flu can be a serious and sometimes deadly disease. Getting vaccinated can prevent you from getting ill and keep you from needing a hospital bed.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends vaccination for the flu for everyone 6 months old and up. The vaccinations, they say, reduce the risk of more serious cases – making the flu vaccinations especially important for those over 65, children under five years of age, pregnant women and anyone with a medical condition like asthma, diabetes, heart disease or obesity.
According to state health officials, in North Carolina, cases of the flu are most common from late fall to early spring, with activity usually hitting a high in January or February.
One “good” thing about the pandemic is that many of the measures people take to reduce the spread of COVID-19 also help reduce the spread of the flu.
The NCDHHS September 13 press release notes, “COVID-19 and flu symptoms are similar, so individuals who feel ill should call ahead before going to a doctor’s office, local health department or urgent care.”
A lot of the advice for thwarting the spread of the flu is the same as that for reducing the spread of COVID-19:
- Stay home when sick until fever-free for at least 24 hours.
- Wash hands frequently with soap and water.
- Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue and then throw that tissue away.
You can walk into most any chain drug store. We are getting ours tomorrow.
Vote early, vote often.
As both Rham Emanuel and Winston Churchill said: Never let a good crisis go to waste. Technically speaking Covid-19 is caused by a variation of the flu. If we don’t have something to fear on Sunday, we can always count on a new crisis from DHHS, the CDC & WHO to come up with something to feed the masses by Monday.
Trust ol ‘Just Sayin’ to layout the most ignorant comment under each and every article.
Much fun Just Sayin! Much fun!
What you got to contribute?
Yes!!
Don’t forget about the Flu! “The flu can be a killer” says Scott, and he’s right. Also… undercooked burgers, skydiving, bungee jumping, riding a motorcycle, and smoking. And life. Which is a terminal disease.
As the comedian said, “Wouldn’t you hate to be a health nut and die of nothing?”.
Paranoia is clearly infectious. More so than these diseases.
Carpe diem. Vita brevis.
If I could get a free shot in the arm to greatly reduce the risk of smoking…that would be awesome! I miss my good morning smoke. Always wanted to ride a motorcycle, and would if I could get a shot that greatly reduced the road-rash of a nasty bike accident. But o well….I appreciate the reminder to get my free flu vaccine so I can avoid at most the inconvenience of getting a nasty version of the common flu. I also wear a seatbelt when I drive, I wear a helmet mountain biking, etc…. Life is fun. Just do a few simple things to make it safer thanks to innovative scientists and engineers.
Not complicated.
Right! Or you can stay home indoors; and die of terminal flatulence.
I go out regularly. Since I am vaccinated and comfortable wearing a mask when asked to, I feel very safe out and about. Life is good for me Miller. How is it for you?
It’s very good, until I read the news – which is all bad.
It’s millertime!
Preach on…