The flu, COVID, and RSV are driving respiratory-illness activity up nationwide.

Welcome to sick season.

According to the CDC, New York City — along with New Jersey and at least 16 other states — is now experiencing “high” to “very high” levels of respiratory-illness activity as measured by the number of weekly visits to health-care providers and emergency rooms by people having symptoms of fever, cough, and sore throat.

The culprits are the usual suspects: this year’s strains of influenza, COVID, and RSV. And though flulike-illness levels have been above baseline nationally for several consecutive weeks, the CDC warns that we still haven’t hit the peak.

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As always, seniors remain the most at-risk demographic for severe outcomes from respiratory illnesses, which is why the low vaccination rates for that group remain troubling.

Beyond vaccination, for everyone, the best way to prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses like the flu and RSV is regular handwashing; avoiding touching your eyes, nose, and mouth; and staying home if you get sick. High-filtration face masks still work great, too, and not just for avoiding COVID.

  • Drusas@kbin.social
    5·
    11 months ago

    Oh, that’s a shame. I’m also a kbin user. Most of them are so much more reasonable and kind than you are.

    You do not live in reality and lack empathy and should be ashamed of yourself.

    • Melkath@kbin.social
      1·
      11 months ago

      Keep telling people to loot ER doctors and nurses, and acting like you’re Robin Hood or some shit.

      Shit’s just wrong.

      • BraveSirZaphod@kbin.social
        3·
        11 months ago

        Please quote a single instance where anyone here is encouraging people to receive care at the ER without paying for it, rather than simply stating the true fact that it is a thing that happens.

        I’ll wait.

    • Melkath@kbin.social
      1·
      11 months ago

      I am 100% for changing the system and moving to single payer.

      We have not done that.

      I am against criminal theft that leads the continued skyrocketing of Healthcare cost under the system we have that also harms people who actually need ER facilities.

      If I should be ashamed of not endorsing criminal theft, then consider me super ashamed.

        • Melkath@kbin.social
          1·
          11 months ago

          America does not have single Payer Healthcare. Theft is criminal. You are encouraging people to be criminals.