The CDC’s flu map is heating up, just as the holiday season is as well. It’s not uncommon to see the flu season begin to take off, along with sick passengers, around the holidays. That appears to be exactly what’s happening. Before Thanksgiving, there were no recorded flu outbreaks in Florida. By the end of last week, we had 16, including rising levels of flu outbreaks throughout all of South Florida. Most of those outbreaks were likely brought to us by sick people elsewhere.
Sixteen states currently have “widespread” outbreaks including numerous northeast states and virtually the entire southeast. We’re surrounded. Two years ago multiple family members were sick around Christmas and, as a family, we decided not to get together until everyone was well which happened around New Year’s. More people should probably be of a similar mindset.
A new study shows 39% of people travel when sick. What’s more is most of them don’t do anything to attempt to reign in their illness, like wear a mask, use wipes or hand sanitizer, etc. The most dangerous place of all can be an airplane this time of year. It’s a reminder to take wipes with you and use them on seats, the tray and pretty much anything else you touch on that plane.
How many people do you know who are already sick? How many say they got it from their family? No one wins when we make those around us sick. Prior to traveling sick or encouraging others to visit us while they’re sick think of the consequences. It has the potential to make all of us sick. That’s no way to celebrate the holidays.
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