COVID-19: No worse than the flu?

In the last flu season, there were 38 million cases of the flu with 22,000 deaths in the U.S. COVID-19 has infected 14.7 million with 281,000 deaths this year. Despite less than half the number of identified cases compared to flu, 12 times as many people died from COVID-19. In the worst flu season in Idaho’s history in 2017, 255 people died. COVID-19 has killed 1,087 in Idaho in 2020. Clearly, COVID-19 is far more deadly than the flu.

The available treatments are spotty and we are very close to overwhelming our hospitals’ capacities for intensive care.

Long-term problems, including weakness, shortness of breath, trouble focusing and, in some cases, kidney and heart problems are much more common after COVID-19 than after influenza.

Every year, we rely on the flu to reach a peak and die back, as it has since the first vaccine was developed during the 1978 pandemic. COVID is not peaking. 40-50% of people who test positive for COVID-19 are asymptomatic, but can still spread the virus. That's what we are doing now.

Unlike the flu, since we have never been exposed to COVID-19 before this season, there is no pre-existing immunity. Our bodies are literally defenseless, until a vaccine can be distributed to millions of people. Until then, we can prevent the loss further that COVID-19 will exact from ourselves, our families and our neighbors by social distancing, wearing masks, and staying at home whenever we can.

Be kind for Christmas.

NANCY GERTH

Sagle