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.

  • Melkath@kbin.social
    2·
    11 months ago

    No, what isn’t getting through your thick skull?

    You take on the medical debt. Like everyone else does.

      • Melkath@kbin.social
        2·
        11 months ago

        No.

        Minimum/Good faith payments.

        Carry the debt. Like everyone else.

        Don’t be a criminal.

        What is so hard to understand about this?

        You cant afford a car. Do you go and steal a Lexus? No, you get a used PT Cruiser and you make the payments. Capitalism isn’t that hard to understand, if you live in America, you need to understand it until we get some Socialism installed, which I am for, but breaking the existing system and fucking over the rest of us is not the way.

        Taking on 300 dollars in debt for a trip to a private practice is FAR better than taking on 3000 dollars in debt by going to an ER. And just skipping out on the bill you run out isn’t an option. That is theft.

        • Flying Squid@lemmy.world
          3·
          11 months ago

          If you go into debt with a car and can’t afford the payments, they take the car back.

          What do you suggest happen if the person can’t afford to pay back their medical debts?

          And I’m still waiting for you to quote me “admitting to being an entitled thief,” as you accused me of doing. Was that a lie?