If something that is coming from the mitigation practices of Covid-19, the bright spot maybe that we have ended seasonal flu globally.

Not to say that it will re-emerge, but the UK at least has data on this.

They have conducted 685,243 samples that have been reviewed at PHE’s (Public Health of England) laboratories since the first week of January, not a single one has tested positive for influenza.

It's all but disappeared. They have basically conceded that there is no Flu Season for the entire world.

They speculate which of the mitigation factors are having the largest contribution to this, and they believe it is that if one is sick, they stay home. When before many people feeling a bit ill would still go to work or school. Now the slightest discomfort from normal, people stay home for precautionary purposes. This factor is halting the spread of what flu would seasonally be doing, which would be killing millions of people every year and hospitalizing countless millions.

The flu burden isn't here for 2021, and that is a bright spot.

OR <gasp> It's just been re-labeled as covid.

Kinda funny that this "new" superflu emerges and suddenly, magically *poof*, one thats been around for thousands of years decides its vacation time.

quote Originally posted by MidEngineManiac: OR <gasp> It's just been re-labeled as covid. Kinda funny that this "new" superflu emerges and suddenly, magically *poof*, one thats been around for thousands of years decides its vacation time.

There is no "one" flu that's been around for thousands of years.
Influenza mutates rapidly, this year's flu is different from last year's, which is different than the year's before.

If it were the same flu, the annual flu shot wouldn't be the crap shoot it is regarding effectiveness.

As to the article - WHO knows? 😉

Many of us grew up in a world that was far less than sterile, and as a result, developed healthy immune systems.

Is it reasonable to speculate that because so many children will have been sequestered for a year or more, they might loose the opportunity to develop the immune response mechanisms essential for a healthy life?