Here's the thing in 2018-2019 the CDC said that "regular" influenza killed about 34,000 people in the United States and caused 490,000 hospitalizations
Now we don't yet know how many people (anywhere let alone the United States) that Covid 19 will kill, but consider ways that it might "reduce" not only influenza, but death from regular influenza, bacterial pneumonia, and other communicable diseases:
a. Canceled "public" events and festivals may reduce venues that would transmit these other diseases. How many less people will go on cruises? That has to save at least a few lives from Norwalk virus and other things people would tend to get on cruises (including sickness from excessive eating and alcohol consumption).
b. Increased focus on things like hand washing and not touching your face (and even wearing masks) may translate to other diseased besides Covid 19 not spreading as easily.
c. Those people under voluntary (or involuntary) quarantine might be in less of a position to catch or spread diseases other than covid 19.
d. Even things like food poisonings and car accidents might be affected in a positive manner by people going out less or being more prudent in their safety behaviors (for example hand washing by cooks can help prevent the spread of Hepatitis A and maybe some cooks will wash their hands more (or longer) due to Covid 19.
e. Attempts to "optimize" nutrition to reduce the chances of getting Covid 19 (or reduce the chances of getting really sick if you do) by doing things like taking zinc, magnesium, vitamin C, garlic and turmeric, better hydration, and more sleep might translate into fewer MI's, strokes, and other infections. Also, when people have "subtle" symptoms of MI or CVA that they might otherwise ignore they might be more prone to see a health care provider due to fears that they are "coming down with Covid-19".
We should be able to look back in six months to a year to test this hypothesis. Of course there are other aspects of behavior due to Covid-19 such as avoiding hospitals and health care providers due to fear of being around "Covid 19 sick people" that might increase morbidity and mortality.
Ahhh, I like looking at unfortunate events from this positive line of thinking. Why not look at it from the bright side. If the mass population is complacent about getting the flu at least this virus is making them think again and that will have the ripple effect of having other health benefits. I like this way of thinking, great article!
CharleeFoxtrot, BSN, RN
840 Posts
I hope so. I have a hunch they will find that the virus has been here for quite some time.