Sherman R. Frederick
Marinscope
As Marin heads into the 2020-2021 flu season with COVID-19 still hanging about, experts mince no words about how to protect yourself going into these potentially dangerous times: Get vaccinated for flu now.
The flu season is expected to hit Marin in the last week of October. That means everyone from 6-months old on should get their annual flu shot no later than the first week in October.
Laura Hegarty-Moore is the epidemiology Infection Preventionist at MarinHealth. She took time out from keeping MarinHealth virus free to talk with Marinscope about what readers need to know about this potentially dangerous season.
Job No. 1, she says, is get your flu shot along with any other annual shot your doctor recommends.
“It’s hard to predict how bad the flu season will be this year,” Hegarty-Moore says, but with COVID-19 still factor “it’s more important this year to get your flu shot.”
In addition, people must be vigilant with good health practices. That means wearing masks, social distance and washing your hands.
And when Hegarty-Moore says wash your hands, she means thoroughly wash your hands.
When your hands are visibly dirty, or after using the restroom or before preparing food, she recommends the use of soap and warm water. Wash for at least 20 seconds and scrub under your fingernails and between fingers.
“A nail brush wouldn’t hurt,” she says.
You can also use an alcohol-based gel to wash hands.
The key point is to be thorough.
Following these rules and getting your flu vaccine will reduce your chances of getting the flu and COVID-19, which she said “would be serious.”
“With both viruses circulating, a flu shot is more important than ever. And remember,” she said, “it is safe to go out to get your shot. It is an essential activity.”
Leave a Reply