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Coronavirus throws a long shadow as we prepare aSecond wave of the virus This planned to hit just in time for the flu season. In arecorded interview forJAMA network, Director of the CDCRobert R. Redfield, MD shared his own "bigger fear", about Covid and the flu: it was together, they could completely overwhelm the hospitals from our nation this winter.

The CDC estimates that last year's influenza season resulted in tens of millions of flu cases and tens of thousands of deaths. Numbers like these couldFormally complicate the fight against Covid In the coming months. "[The] The greatest fear I have of course with Covid and the flu at the same time is that our hospital capacity could be tense," said Redfield.

He highlighted the devastation in New York in March and April as an example of how bad things could become. "We had really high mortality rates if you go back and watch New York. It's not just the practice of medicine was not as good in New York - it was probably better than most regions of the country - but when theThe health system becomes submerged, we find that with Covid, that's where mortalities seem to be the biggest, "he explained.

That's why REDFIELD stressed the importance ofAll Americans receive an influenza Help attenuate this double threat. "My goal is to ask the American public to do his part," said Redfield, adding later: "This is the moment. Do not let this huge advancement in medicine on the shelf."

But Redfield is not the only one to implore the public to do their part.Benjamin singer, MD, a northwestern medicine pulmonologist and a critical care specialist dealing with CIVID-19 patients, the feelings of Redfield echo andshared his best advice To avoid disaster this winter. In addition to asking everyone to get the influenza vaccine, he noted thatCOVID attenuation strategies like social distancing and hand hygiene should help fight at once Covidand Influenza - All reasons to intensify our vigilance.

Singer also pointed out that the threat is very real and has already affected our ability to combat coronavirus. "Co-infection with another respiratory pathogen, including influenza, occurred in more than 20% of COVID-19-positive patients who have presented early respiratory syndrome in the pandemic", warned the singer . The number of co-infections is likely to skyrocket as peoplespend more time inside during the colder months.

So even if you do not regularly get influenza shots, it's a good year to start. Call your doctor or local pharmacy to find out how you can get yours, not only for yourself, but for hospitals you do not needall additional patients right now. And for more than this double threat,Here's how the toll of Covid's death compares with the flu.