The CDC yesterday encouraged people to wear masks to help reduce the spread of respiratory illnesses this season as Covid, flu and RSV circulate. It's about damn time! Via CNBC
CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky, in a call with reporters, said wearing a mask is one of several everyday precautions that people can take to reduce their chances of catching or spreading a respiratory virus during the busy holiday season.
“We also encourage you to wear a high-quality, well-fitting mask to prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses,” said Walensky, adding that people living in areas with high levels of Covid transmission should especially consider masking.
The CDC director said the agency is considering expanding its system of Covid community levels to take into account other respiratory viruses such as the flu. The system is the basis for when CDC advises the public to wear masks. But Walensky encouraged people to take proactive action.
“One need not wait on CDC action in order to put a mask on,” Walensky said. “We would encourage all of those preventive measures — hand washing, staying home when you’re sick, masking, increased ventilation — during respiratory virus season, but especially in areas of high Covid-19 community levels.”
And for those of you who don't believe in flu shots (even though flu believes in you!), please read this horror story one of my blog readers wrote about how he almost died from the flu -- and how, ten years later, he still hasn't fully recovered. Septic shock, 10-day coma, intubation, kidney dialysis - thrills and chills! You can avoid all this by getting your damn shot.
