Is This Seasonal Flu or Covid-19?

Posted on | August 14, 2020 | 2 Comments

Mike Magee

“Is this seasonal flu or Covid-19?” That’s the question many doctors and patients hope to avoid this fall.

Here are three strategies designed to avoid panic and even greater disruption of individuals lives and malfunction of our already over-stressed health care system:

Strategy 1: Get Your Flu Shot Early.

Approximately 200 million flu vaccine doses have already begun to hit the market in the U.S. This is a 20% increase over last year and presumes an above-normal demand for the preventitive inoculation. AstraZenca has already released its first shipment of their FluMist vaccine after bumping up its original production by 25%.

Strategy 2: Dual Testing for Flu and Covid-19.

Last month the FDA approved a joint COVID-19 and flu test. This potentially will arm health professionals with a tool to avoid the either/or dilemma that faces them just around the corner.“With the authorization of these tests, the FDA is helping address concerns in anticipation of this upcoming flu season during the COVID-19 pandemic, which might be especially worrying for some Americans” said FDA Commissioner Stephen M. Hahn .

Strategy 3: Target vulnerable populations

In early June, with Trump undercutting infectious disease risk at every turn, the CDC gave $140 million to 64 localities to help states prepare for the flu season. By targeting an increase in flu vaccinations for vulnerable populations and increasing access for uninsured, high-risk people, the agency believes it will achieve a multiplying effect – decreasing hospitalizations for both flu and COVID-19.

Experts at the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation now predict over 300,000 U.S. deaths from COVID-19 by December accompanied by a 75% increase in hospitalizations over the next 3 months due to Trump’s encouragement of lax policies for containment. Even if defeated in November, Trump is signaling his intention to spend his last two months in office further complicating and undermining a “good government” response to this health and economic catastrophe.

This leaves control mesures in the hands of local leaders, health care professionals and patients. Three things you can do: 1) VOTE, 2) Mask and distance, 3) Get your Flu vaccine early.

Category: Uncategorized

Comments

2 Responses to “Is This Seasonal Flu or Covid-19?”

Lawrence Williams
August 15th, 2020 @ 4:37 am

Will get my flu shot in the next couple of days. Availability at pharmacies makes it much easier than having to get an appointment with the doctor to get a shot (Sorry Mike!).
What is your opinion on the COVID-19 vaccines being rushed through development? Do you have confidence that the products will be effective, safe, and available to all? Do you plan on getting the vaccine?
Thank you Dr. Magee.
Mike Magee
August 15th, 2020 @ 1:33 pm

Thanks, Larry, for this. I expect there will be nation’s (like Russia) who jump to the gun. Liability concerns by major corporations in the U. S. have acted as a check on their enthusiasm. Safety only had to be proven as of 1938 (following the Massengill disaster), with efficacy following in 1963 (in the wake of Thalidomide). I do expect this President to continue to promote risky therapies without scientific basis. But hopefully, he will run out of time. Best, Mike