Fed up of hearing about the flu

@quicknamechangearoonie how can NHS own staff not have one ?? 😫

Yeah, right.

@quicknamechangearoonie and open windows and let the infected air out.

Would you risk going into London tomorrow ? We are all vaccinated but youngest is a week into immunity

The government of course…. They’re in cahoots with the medical gurus who got us wearing masks during Covid. I think I stockpiled on masks and probably have a few dozen boxes somewhere.

I’ve name changed for this because I don’t want to be linked to any previous comments.

I work in a large NHS hospital. I’m middle management for the cleaning department. This means I’m involved in all outbreak meetings as the cleaning arrangements need altered during outbreaks on wards.
This flu is wicked. It’s knocking young, fit and healthy staff on their asses for weeks.
I’m required to do track and trace again (which I haven’t had to do since Covid) and the ignorance is horrifying.

I have to ask staff if they’ve had their flu jab and some of the things I’ve heard are:
”sure it gives you the flu”
”no I’m not high risk so never bother”
”it made me achy last time for a few days so I refused it this year”
”isn’t Covid and flu the same virus? I was fine when I had Covid”
”it’s only the flu”

The vaccine uptake is shockingly low. The vaccinator team have been standing in busy corridors with trolleys trying to offer vaccines to staff as they pass.

The number of ongoing outbreaks is shocking. I can honestly say that I don’t remember there being this many outbreaks of covid at any one time.

People are still being so blasé about it. It kills. It can cause schools to have to close because their staff ratios are unsafe due to absences. Because the jab made them a bit sore, they’re refusing it this year. Would you rather be bed ridden for 2 weeks? And what about the vulnerable people if your community? Back to the “I’m alright jack” shitty attitude.

Please get vaccinated.
Please wash your hands frequently.
Please wear mask in enclosed, crowded places.
The same steps to prevent the spread of COVID works for flu. It’s not hard.

@AInightingale much safer with some windows open !!
Usually firmly closed so everyone can breathe in infected air in max doses !

Timed to make sure people are most protected at the peak of flu season. As it’s hit earlier it may have turned out to be an own goal this year.

@Blizzardofleaves but why.
There is literally nothing that we can do ,we have to go to work ,school travel...

Unfortunately as we can see from this and many other threads people don't want to ventilate rooms which is the single most effective and free way to help us all

Who are “they”?

I’m flying on Saturday and wary. Last two flights abroad in June and September I came back and went straight down with Covid both times. Just grabbed a few masks today!

School Christmas events are one of the worst things for spreading flu, noro and Covid. Walked past my kids' old school yesterday and saw parents, grandparents trooping in for the nativity play. They're lovely things to attend but honestly you couldn't be in a more germ-laiden environment in December.

I think most of us knew what you meant. Every time temp goes below zero big disaster, above 30 even worse disaster etc.

This is where masks can be a good solution. Buy some FFP2 or FFP3 ones you like the look of and go to the theatre and enjoy it. No ice creams in the interval but you don't have to miss the show or waste the money, and while you're in there no one's going to be looking at you, only at the stage.

The flu season is earlier than usual this year.

We need to consider what will happen if hospitals are overwhelmed, because that is what we are looking at.

@DemonsandMosquitoes thanks but why ? There most be some logic to ot

National policy except pregnant or children for whom we started 1st Sept,

I was hospitalised and nearly died - so no, I definitely don’t think they are remotely exaggerating. If anything it’s being seriously underplayed.

Had I not been so ill, and I am fit and healthy I would almost certainly agree with you op.

I knew as soon as I was hospitalised that this winter would be the worst. So many vulnerable people will die from this, it’s absolutely hideous. I can’t even put into words how ill I became. I am still traumatised tbh. It was ‘just’ flu, and yes some call it super flu but all I can say is stay away from hospitals unless you are seriously ill.

Check on your neighbours. Keep vulnerable safe.

The lockdowns weren’t for two years.

And I think they’re trying to get us in masks again…..

I think there should be more education out there that having flu doesn’t usually mean there needs to be a GP visit or a trip to A&E. Our GP is gridlocked this week with people visiting with flu. Yes you do feel crap with flu, but stay home in bed with lots of fluids and some tissues and paracetamol next to you. There are rare occasions when it can be serious, ie the elderly or other underlying health conditions, but mostly you don’t need to be wondering about outdoors going to the doctors unnecessarily.

I’m with you. The media does the same thing every year, flu is the end of the world every winter according to them (except the years when flu was replaced with COVID).

the uptake for children is low, and it's younger age groups that it is spreading more in.

I think it would be daft to cancel when you've paid a lot for tickets. Wear a mask if you're really worried. You could just as easily catch flu off a colleague or friend or in a supermarket.