#[1]alternate [2]alternate [3]publisher [4]Newsday Top Stories

#[1]alternate [2]alternate [3]publisher [4]Newsday Top Stories

[5]Menu [6]Today's paper
[7]Newsday
[8]subscriber deals

Get breaking news alerts from Newsday

Turn on notifications?
[9]Yes [10]Not now

Desktop notifications are on
Not Enabled

You might be using private browsing or have notifications blocked.
Please enable notifications or using normal browsing mode.
[11]Log in [12]ACCOUNT [13]Subscribe

[14]SEARCH
* [15]Long Island
* [16]Sports
* [17]Things to Do
* [18]News
* [19]Feed Me
* [20]Opinion
* [21]Business
* [22]Obituaries
* [23]Events

(BUTTON) [24]TODAY'S PAPER

[25]83° 8/10/2020 Good Morning
[26]SEARCH

* [27]Home
* [28]Long Island
[29]Nassau [30]Suffolk [31]Education [32]Crime [33]Politics
[34]Towns [35]Investigations [36]Data and maps [37]Commuting [38]LI
Life [39]History [40]Obituaries
* [41]Sports
[42]Yankees [43]Mets [44]Islanders [45]Rangers [46]Jets [47]Giants
[48]Knicks [49]Nets [50]High school [51]College [52]Columns
[53]Videos [54]Scores [55]Baseball [56]Basketball [57]Boxing
[58]Football [59]Golf [60]Hockey [61]Horse Racing [62]Media [63]MMA
[64]Motor Racing [65]Olympics [66]Soccer
* [67]Entertainment
[68]Movies [69]TV [70]Celebrities [71]Music [72]Books [73]Theater
[74]Reality TV [75]Nassau Coliseum [76]Crosswords
* [77]Feed Me
* [78]Things to Do
[79]Restaurants [80]Family [81]Pets [82]Travel [83]Food and Drink
[84]Top 100 Restaurants [85]Fashion and Shopping [86]Home and
Garden [87]LI Getaways [88]Recreation [89]Retirement [90]Advice
[91]Events
* [92]News
[93]Nation and World [94]NYC [95]State and Region [96]Health
[97]Technology [98]Lottery
* [99]Opinion
[100]Matt Davies [101]Podcast: Life Under Coronavirus
[102]Columnists [103]Letters to the editor [104]Submit your letter
* [105]Business
[106]Real Estate [107]Technology [108]Cars [109]Columns [110]Mutual
funds [111]Markets [112]Stocks
* [113]Cars
* [114]Real Estate
* [115]Jobs
* [116]Obituaries
* [117]Special Sections
* [118]Classifieds
* [119]Crosswords
* [120]Weather
* [121]Data
* [122]Horoscopes
* [123]Contact Newsday

(BUTTON)

[124]83° 8/10/2020 Good Morning

[125]LOG IN

[126]SUBSCRIBE [127]NEWSLETTERS
[128]LOG OUT

[129]SUBSCRIBER DEALS VIEW
[130]CHANGE PASSWORD [131]MANAGE MY ACCOUNT [132]MANAGE NEWSLETTERS

[133]News[134]Health

Experts say virus protections helping prevent other contagious illnesses

Michelle Varela, of Roosevelt, and Margarita Sanchez, of Michelle
Varela, of Roosevelt, and Margarita Sanchez, of

Michelle Varela, of Roosevelt, and Margarita Sanchez, of Brentwood,
discuss COVID-19 versus the regular flu on Wednesday in Roberto
Clemente Park in Brentwood. Credit: Corey Sipkin
By David Olson [135][email protected] [136]@DavidOlson11 Updated
August 10, 2020 6:00 AM
Print [ ] Share
[137]fbShare [138]Tweet [139]Email

Amid the mass death of the COVID-19 pandemic, experts say there may be
an unintended health benefit: The same social-distancing, mask-wearing
and other measures aimed at preventing transmission of the coronavirus
also may be leading to fewer cases of the flu, the common cold and
other contagious illnesses.

Michelle Varela of Roosevelt noticed it in her family.

“The kids before got sick a lot, because they went to school,” Varela,
34, said in Spanish. “There was always a child with a cold, or the
change in weather always affected them. But now, no. They haven’t
gotten a cold or anything like that.”

There are few statistics on the prevalence of the common cold in the
COVID-19 era, because people typically don’t go to the doctor for a
cold, but experts said flu-test data indicates COVID-19 precautions are
having an effect on influenza.

In the northern hemisphere, flu cases typically peak in February and
continue through the end of May, but this year the number of
lab-confirmed flu cases fell sharply in early April, after much of the
world was in some form of a COVID-19-related lockdown, according to a
May 21 article in the journal Nature.

“Public-health measures such as movement restrictions, social
distancing and increased personal hygiene likely had an effect on
decreasing influenza and other respiratory virus transmission,” a World
Health Organization statement to Nature said.

The New York State Department of Health had planned to issue weekly flu
surveillance reports through May but halted them after April 11,
because there were so few new test-confirmed flu cases after an
unusually sharp decline in late March and early April, department
spokeswoman Jill Montag said in a statement. Social distancing and
people staying home were among the likely factors in the drop, she
said.

Sign up for coronavirus updates

Get the latest on the fast-moving developments on the coronavirus and
its impact on Long Island.
____________________
[140]Sign up

By clicking Sign up, you agree to our [141]privacy policy.

A note to our community:

As a public service, this article is available for all. Newsday readers
support our strong local journalism by subscribing. Please show you
value this important work by becoming a subscriber now.
[142]SUBSCRIBE

Cancel anytime

In the southern hemisphere, where it is now winter and peak flu season,
countries are reporting a huge fall in influenza cases, The Wall Street
Journal reported.

Dr. David Hirschwerk, an infectious disease specialist at New Hyde
Park-based Northwell Health, said part of the reason for the decline in
lab-confirmed flu cases probably is that because of a shortage of swabs
and the liquid that test samples are stored in, “We were prioritizing
testing for COVID and not always testing for influenza.”

The same swabs and liquids are used for both coronavirus and flu tests,
he said.

Dr. Susan Donelan, medical director of health care epidemiology at
Stony Brook Medicine, said although it’s unclear how much of the
decline was from less flu testing and how much was from fewer actual
cases, “There are a whole host of different pathogens that hopefully
will be transmitted less readily if people follow the precautions they
need to use to avoid the coronavirus.”

A number of bacteria and viruses are “pretty much transmitted by the
same face-to-face droplet spread” as the coronavirus, including the
common cold, whooping cough, and respiratory syncytial virus, a common
infection in children under 2, she said. Measures to reduce the spread
of the coronavirus, such as covering the nose and mouth, also should
help prevent the transmission of other viruses and bacteria, she said.

Brentwood resident Ramon Reina, visiting the Roberto Clemente Brentwood
resident Ramon Reina, visiting the Roberto Clemente Brentwood resident
Ramon Reina, visiting the Roberto Clemente Park with his daughter,
Elizabeth, on Wednesday. Credit: Corey Sipkin

Ramon Reina, 47, of Brentwood, said in Spanish that he “used to get
colds a lot. But I’m not getting them now.” His wife and 11-year-old
daughter also haven’t gotten sick since the pandemic began, he said.

“We’ve been inside and keeping our distance,” he said.

Margarita Sanchez, 36, of Brentwood, who has three children, ages 12 to
16, said in Spanish that “by now, someone should have gotten a cold,
but no one has. I have all this cold medicine, but we haven’t used it.”

Sanchez said she has been especially vigilant this year to look for
cold and flu symptoms, because some also are coronavirus symptoms.

Those similarities mean that when the flu season begins in October,
more people likely will be going to their doctors or to COVID-19 test
centers seeking a COVID-19 test, including people with mild flu-like
symptoms who wouldn't have gone to the doctor in the past, Hirschwerk
said.

“Hopefully if there is an adequate supply of testing, then anyone who
develops a respiratory illness really is going to need to think about
getting tested for COVID, not just to understand their own situations
for themselves individually, but for their families, and for schools
and their workplaces,” he said.

That’s why it’s so important to get vaccinated against the flu this
year, he said. Social distancing and face coverings, combined with flu
vaccines, can reduce the prevalence of the flu, and reduce the strain
on the health care system from people seeking testing, and from people
being hospitalized for the flu or COVID-19, he said.

Between 140,000 and 810,000 Americans have been hospitalized for
influenza each year since 2010, with 12,000 to 61,000 annual deaths,
according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Experts have been warning for weeks that a second wave of coronavirus
infections this fall, combined with the flu season, could overwhelm
hospitals.

A flu vaccination “will save a lot of patients from having to be
evaluated by their health care provider,” Hirschwerk said.

[143]Sign up to get COVID-19 text alerts.
David Olson poses for an employee headshot at
By David Olson [144][email protected] [145]@DavidOlson11

David Olson covers health care. He has worked at Newsday since 2015 and
previously covered immigration, multicultural issues and religion at
The Press-Enterprise in Southern California.
[146]Share on Facebook [147]Share on Twitter

A note to our community:

As a public service, this article is available for all. Newsday readers
support our strong local journalism by subscribing. Please show you
value this important work by becoming a subscriber now.
[148]SUBSCRIBE

Cancel anytime

Most Popular

* [149]Osbourne shows off dramatic weight loss
* [150]Infant, 4 others injured in parkway crash, police say
* Newsday Special Report [151]As businesses move outdoors, attitudes
change about public space
* [152]Lindenhurst may ban new 24-hour businesses
* WATCH NOW [153]PSEG LI: 46,000 customers remain without power

1. [154]President Donald Trump on Saturday signs executive orders
President Donald Trump on Saturday signs executive orders
[155]1600: Doubts abound that Trump relief actions will cure much
2. [156]An aerial view of the port of Beirut An aerial view of the
port of Beirut [157]Janison:Trump is now our least reliable source
3. [158]Passengers board a Casco Bay Lines ferry bound Passengers
board a Casco Bay Lines ferry bound [159]U.S. tops 5 million
confirmed virus cases, to Europe's alarm
4. [160]President Donald Trump speaks during an event at President
Donald Trump speaks during an event at [161]Trump ramps up appeals
to suburban voters
5. [162]Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe
Biden Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe
Biden [163]Biden risks alienating young Black voters after race
remarks

Health

[164]People dine and mill about along Main Street People dine and mill
about along Main Street 1:21 Newsday Special Report [165]As
businesses move outdoors, attitudes change about public space

[166]New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo waves a mask New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo
waves a mask [167]Cuomo: New Yorkers test positive at record low rate

[168]Passengers board a Casco Bay Lines ferry bound Passengers board a
Casco Bay Lines ferry bound [169]U.S. tops 5 million confirmed virus
cases, to Europe's alarm

Didn’t find what you were looking for?

Try our new Search

____________________ (Search)

Quick Links

[170]About Us [171]Subscribe [172]Today’s paper [173]Email newsletters
[174]Newsday Live [175]Newsday Charities [176]Careers [177]Manage my
account [178]Media Kit [179]Mobile & TV apps [180]Contests

Partners

[181]Newsday Cars [182]Newsday Homes [183]Newsday Jobs [184]Newsday
Connect [185]Hometown Shopper

News

[186]Long Island [187]Sports [188]Opinion [189]Politics [190]News
[191]Business [192]Towns [193]High school sports

More

[194]Funbook [195]Obituaries [196]Crosswords [197]Things to Do
[198]Entertainment [199]Restaurants [200]Family [201]Travel

[202]Privacy Policy | [203]Terms of service | [204]Subscription terms |
[205]Your ad choices | [206]Cookie Settings | [207]California Privacy
Rights | [208]About Us | [209]Contact Newsday | [210]Reprints &
permissions | [211]Advertise with Newsday | [212]Sitemap | [213]Help

Copyright © Newsday. All rights reserved.

References

Visible links
1. android-app://com.pagesuite.newsday/https://www.newsday.com/json/news/health/covid-19-versus-common-cold-prevention-1.47865532
2. ios-app://com.pagesuite.newsday/https://www.newsday.com/json/news/health/covid-19-versus-common-cold-prevention-1.47865532
3. https://plus.google.com/111657400568598461034
4. https://www.newsday.com/xml/1.1250343
5. https://www.newsday.com/news/health/covid-19-versus-common-cold-prevention-1.47865532#prefs
6. https://www.newsday.com/eedition
7. https://www.newsday.com/
8. https://www.newsday.com/news/health/covid-19-versus-common-cold-prevention-1.47865532
9. https://www.newsday.com/news/health/covid-19-versus-common-cold-prevention-1.47865532
10. https://www.newsday.com/news/health/covid-19-versus-common-cold-prevention-1.47865532
11. https://www.newsday.com/login
12. https://www.newsday.com/news/health/covid-19-versus-common-cold-prevention-1.47865532
13. https://www.newsday.com/subscribe
14. https://www.newsday.com/search
15. https://www.newsday.com/long-island
16. https://www.newsday.com/sports
17. https://www.newsday.com/lifestyle
18. https://www.newsday.com/news/nation
19. https://www.newsday.com/lifestyle/restaurants
20. https://www.newsday.com/opinion
21. https://www.newsday.com/business
22. https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/newsday/
23. https://www.newsday.com/newsday-live
24. https://www.newsday.com/eedition
25. https://www.newsday.com/weather
26. https://www.newsday.com/search
27. https://www.newsday.com/
28. https://www.newsday.com/long-island
29. https://www.newsday.com/long-island/nassau
30. https://www.newsday.com/long-island/suffolk
31. https://www.newsday.com/long-island/education
32. https://www.newsday.com/long-island/crime
33. https://www.newsday.com/long-island/politics
34. https://www.newsday.com/long-island/towns
35. https://www.newsday.com/long-island/investigations
36. https://www.newsday.com/long-island/data
37. https://www.newsday.com/traffic
38. https://www.newsday.com/long-island/long-island-life-1.27307843
39. https://www.newsday.com/long-island/history
40. https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/newsday/
41. https://www.newsday.com/sports
42. https://www.newsday.com/sports/baseball/yankees
43. https://www.newsday.com/sports/baseball/mets
44. https://www.newsday.com/sports/hockey/islanders
45. https://www.newsday.com/sports/hockey/rangers
46. https://www.newsday.com/sports/football/jets
47. https://www.newsday.com/sports/football/giants
48. https://www.newsday.com/sports/basketball/knicks
49. https://www.newsday.com/sports/basketball/nets
50. https://www.newsday.com/sports/high-school
51. https://www.newsday.com/sports/college
52. https://www.newsday.com/sports/columnists
53. https://www.newsday.com/sports/video
54. https://newsday.sports.gracenote.com/gamematchups
55. https://www.newsday.com/sports/baseball
56. https://www.newsday.com/sports/basketball
57. https://www.newsday.com/sports/boxing
58. https://www.newsday.com/sports/football
59. https://www.newsday.com/sports/golf
60. https://www.newsday.com/sports/hockey
61. https://www.newsday.com/sports/horseracing
62. https://www.newsday.com/sports/media
63. https://www.newsday.com/sports/mixed-martial-arts
64. https://www.newsday.com/sports/motor-racing
65. https://www.newsday.com/sports/olympics
66. https://www.newsday.com/sports/soccer
67. https://www.newsday.com/entertainment
68. https://www.newsday.com/entertainment/movies
69. https://www.newsday.com/entertainment/tv
70. https://www.newsday.com/entertainment/celebrities
71. https://www.newsday.com/entertainment/music
72. https://www.newsday.com/entertainment/books
73. https://www.newsday.com/entertainment/theater
74. https://www.newsday.com/entertainment/tv/reality-tv
75. https://www.newsday.com/entertainment/nassau-coliseum
76. https://www.newsday.com/crosswords
77. https://www.newsday.com/lifestyle/restaurants
78. https://www.newsday.com/lifestyle
79. https://www.newsday.com/lifestyle/restaurants
80. https://www.newsday.com/lifestyle/family
81. https://www.newsday.com/lifestyle/pets
82. https://www.newsday.com/travel
83. https://www.newsday.com/lifestyle/restaurants/food-and-drink
84. https://projects.newsday.com/feature-grid/lifestyle/restaurants/top-long-island-restaurants-2016-eat-now/
85. https://www.newsday.com/lifestyle/fashion-and-shopping
86. https://www.newsday.com/lifestyle/home-and-garden
87. https://www.newsday.com/travel/long-island-getaways
88. https://www.newsday.com/lifestyle/recreation
89. https://www.newsday.com/lifestyle/retirement
90. https://www.newsday.com/lifestyle/advice/advice-1.2509012
91. https://www.newsday.com/lifestyle/long-island-events
92. https://www.newsday.com/news/nation
93. https://www.newsday.com/news/nation
94. https://www.newsday.com/news/new-york
95. https://www.newsday.com/news/region-state
96. https://www.newsday.com/news/health
97. https://www.newsday.com/business/technology
98. https://www.newsday.com/news/lottery
99. https://www.newsday.com/opinion
100. https://projects.newsday.com/cartoons/opinion/matt-davies-political-cartoons/
101. https://www.newsday.com/opinion/columnists/mark-chiusano/life-under-coronavirus-long-islanders-helpers-newsday-podcast-1.43342092
102. https://www.newsday.com/opinion/columnists
103. https://www.newsday.com/opinion/letters/letters-to-the-editor-1.2516391
104. https://www.newsday.com/opinion/submit-your-letter-1.2516352
105. https://www.newsday.com/business
106. https://www.newsday.com/classifieds/real-estate
107. https://www.newsday.com/business/technology
108. https://www.newsday.com/classifieds/cars
109. https://www.newsday.com/business/columnists
110. https://www.newsday.com/business/mutual-funds-1.5276471
111. https://www.newsday.com/business/market-summary-1.5274800
112. https://www.newsday.com/business/stock-quotes-1.5276093
113. https://www.newsday.com/classifieds/cars
114. https://www.newsday.com/classifieds/real-estate
115. https://www.newsday.com/classifieds/jobs
116. https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/newsday/
117. http://edition.pagesuite-professional.co.uk/Newsday/SpecialSections.aspx
118. https://www.newsday.com/classifieds
119. https://www.newsday.com/crosswords
120. https://www.newsday.com/weather
121. https://www.newsday.com/long-island/data
122. https://www.newsday.com/entertainment/extras/horoscopes-1.1674854
123. https://www.newsday.com/services/contact-newsday-1.1303755
124. https://www.newsday.com/weather
125. https://www.newsday.com/login
126. https://www.newsday.com/subscribe
127. https://www.newsday.com/newsletters
128. https://www.newsday.com/news/health/covid-19-versus-common-cold-prevention-1.47865532
129. https://www.newsday.com/news/health/covid-19-versus-common-cold-prevention-1.47865532
130. https://www.newsday.com/resetpassword
131. https://www.newsday.com/news/health/covid-19-versus-common-cold-prevention-1.47865532
132. https://www.newsday.com/news/health/covid-19-versus-common-cold-prevention-1.47865532
133. https://www.newsday.com/news
134. https://www.newsday.com/news/health
135. mailto:[email protected]?subject=newsday.com
136. http://www.twitter.com/@DavidOlson11
137. https://www.newsday.com/news/health/covid-19-versus-common-cold-prevention-1.47865532
138. https://www.newsday.com/news/health/covid-19-versus-common-cold-prevention-1.47865532
139. https://www.newsday.com/news/health/covid-19-versus-common-cold-prevention-1.47865532
140. https://www.newsday.com/news/health/covid-19-versus-common-cold-prevention-1.47865532
141. https://www.newsday.com/privacy
142. https://projects.newsday.com/services/offer-redirect/?reg_promocode=OA01
143. https://www.newsday.com/news/health/coronavirus/sign-up-for-covid-19-text-alerts-1.44425669?utm_source=postscript
144. mailto:[email protected]?subject=newsday.com
145. http://www.twitter.com/@DavidOlson11
146. https://www.newsday.com/
147. https://www.newsday.com/
148. https://projects.newsday.com/services/offer-redirect/?reg_promocode=OA01
149. https://www.newsday.com/entertainment/celebrities/kelly-osbourne-weight-loss-1.47948865
150. https://www.newsday.com/long-island/southern-state-crash-north-bellmore-1.47955029
151. https://www.newsday.com/news/health/coronavirus/downtown-open-spaces-1.47832036
152. https://www.newsday.com/long-island/suffolk/moratorium-24-hours-businesses-1.47866656
153. https://www.newsday.com/long-island/tropical-storm-isaias-pseg-long-island-power-1.47970575
154. https://www.newsday.com/long-island/politics/trump-executive-order-payroll-tax-unemployment-mount-rushmore-biden-polls-coronavirus-deaths-congress-stimulus-1.47961547
155. https://www.newsday.com/long-island/politics/trump-executive-order-payroll-tax-unemployment-mount-rushmore-biden-polls-coronavirus-deaths-congress-stimulus-1.47961547
156. https://www.newsday.com/long-island/columnists/dan-janison/trump-coronavirus-lebanon-russia-biden-clinton-church-national-enquirer-1.47873094
157. https://www.newsday.com/long-island/columnists/dan-janison/trump-coronavirus-lebanon-russia-biden-clinton-church-national-enquirer-1.47873094
158. https://www.newsday.com/news/health/coronavirus/coronavirus-covid-cases-1.47938613
159. https://www.newsday.com/news/health/coronavirus/coronavirus-covid-cases-1.47938613
160. https://www.newsday.com/news/nation/suburbs-trump-election-1.47861986
161. https://www.newsday.com/news/nation/suburbs-trump-election-1.47861986
162. https://www.newsday.com/news/nation/joe-biden-black-voters-1.47899392
163. https://www.newsday.com/news/nation/joe-biden-black-voters-1.47899392
164. https://www.newsday.com/news/health/coronavirus/downtown-open-spaces-1.47832036
165. https://www.newsday.com/news/health/coronavirus/downtown-open-spaces-1.47832036
166. https://www.newsday.com/news/health/coronavirus/cuomo-update-covid-19-testing-1.47942153
167. https://www.newsday.com/news/health/coronavirus/cuomo-update-covid-19-testing-1.47942153
168. https://www.newsday.com/news/health/coronavirus/coronavirus-covid-cases-1.47938613
169. https://www.newsday.com/news/health/coronavirus/coronavirus-covid-cases-1.47938613
170. https://projects.newsday.com/long-island/about-us/
171. https://www.newsday.com/subscribe
172. https://paper.newsday.com/
173. https://www.newsday.com/newsletters
174. https://www.newsday.com/newsday-live
175. https://www.newsdaycharities.org/
176. http://newsday.com/careers
177. https://www.newsday.com/?mmn=1
178. https://mediakit.newsday.com/
179. https://www.newsday.com/services/newsday-apps-1.1319154
180. https://www.newsday.com/services/contest
181. https://www.newsday.com/classifieds/cars
182. https://www.newsday.com/classifieds/real-estate
183. https://www.newsday.com/classifieds/jobs
184. http://local.newsday.com/search/en-US/
185. http://www.hometownshopperli.com/
186. https://www.newsday.com/long-island
187. https://www.newsday.com/sports
188. https://www.newsday.com/opinion
189. https://www.newsday.com/long-island/politics
190. https://www.newsday.com/news/nation
191. https://www.newsday.com/business
192. https://www.newsday.com/towns
193. https://www.newsday.com/sports/high-school
194. https://www.newsday.com/funbook
195. https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/newsday/
196. https://www.newsday.com/crossword
197. https://www.newsday.com/lifestyle
198. https://www.newsday.com/entertainment
199. https://www.newsday.com/lifestyle/restaurants
200. https://www.newsday.com/lifestyle/family
201. https://www.newsday.com/travel
202. https://www.newsday.com/privacy
203. https://www.newsday.com/terms
204. https://www.newsday.com/homedeliveryterms
205. https://www.newsday.com/services/affiliated-sites-linked-sites-and-advertisements-1.4715345
206. javascript:;
207. https://www.newsday.com/services/newsday-llc-privacy-policy-1.2515999#cal
208. https://projects.newsday.com/long-island/about-us/
209. https://www.newsday.com/contact
210. http://www.newsdayreprints.com/
211. https://www.newsday.com/advertise
212. https://www.newsday.com/sitemap
213. https://www.newsday.com/help

Hidden links:
215. https://www.newsday.com/news/health/covid-19-versus-common-cold-prevention-1.47865532
216. https://www.newsday.com/facebook
217. https://www.newsday.com/twitter
218. https://www.instagram.com/newsday