The devastating flu epidemic rages on. It rarely gets front-page or tv news notice anymore and there is the danger of the public taking a “forget about it,” “old news”attitude. The CDC reported a bit of good news today, the agency’s statistics show the number of flu cases is finally declining. That said you should still be alert, stay alert; don’t take this situation for granted.
Note, as an instructive example: I’m in Austin, Texas for the weekend, under cloudless skies, bright sunshine, and temperatures in the 70’s, but the flu rages on here. The Austin American Statesman reports that flu season is to blame for 45 deaths this year in Travis County alone, 4,000 in Texas. 4,000! Overall national figures are at least as disturbing, if not more so. The current flu season may be the deadliest in the last ten years. And it is continuing.
So don’t be lulled into ignoring the real and present danger. Remember to protect yourself as much as possible, wash your hands often and well, drinks loads of water, and when you can, avoid close contact with those who have a fever or upper respiratory symptoms. If you are sick, cover your mouth when you cough and sneeze into a tissue or your arm. Stay at home if you’re ill. Get a flu shot—now—if you haven’t had one. No, it’s not to0 late. And no it doesn’t guarantee you won’t get the flu, but even if you get the flu it may very well reduce effects and duration.
I also think pouring—and I mean pouring—vitamin C into your system may help, although many scientists doubt that there are flu-resisting benefits.