key: cord-0794759-g7eptewi
authors: Tande, Aaron J.; Binnicker, Matthew; Thorsteinsdottir, Bjorg
title: Lessons from the Tragedy of COVID-19 and the Absence of an Influenza Season
date: 2021-05-25
journal: Am J Med
DOI: 10.1016/j.amjmed.2021.04.023
sha: 8d832dfd2d3a2bb2698916df83055ed82c62d838
doc_id: 794759
cord_uid: g7eptewi

nan

The electronic testing algorithms were dismantled. The nursing protocol to prescribe oseltamivir 60 to our high-risk, elderly and immunocompromised patients was never used. System-wide notices 61 were sent out, announcing the return to our normal symptomatic testing strategy. While the 62 tragedy of COVID-19 continued to impact our community, the feared "twindemic" never 63 happened. Nationally and internationally, the influenza season was nearly absent, as well. Since Finally, the pandemic has demonstrated the feasibility of teleworking as well as working 92 while caring for dependents. We should seek to make that option available, whenever possible 93 and at short notice. Providing a telework option can decrease the number of days worked while 94

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government at the local, state and federal levels must work to promote broad access to high-96 speed internet to avoid the workplace and educational inequalities that emerged during the 97 COVID-19 pandemic. While the cost of universal high-speed internet may seem significant, it 98 pales in comparison to the economic impact of influenza-related morbidity and mortality. 3 

The COVID-19 pandemic has taken much from the global society. The extraordinary 100 loss of life, missed educational opportunities, and economic damage will be felt for years to 101 come. Strangely enough, the broad mitigation measures (i.e., masking, social distancing, remote 102 work/school, limited travel) put in place due to COVID-19 appear to have also resulted in the 103 relative absence of influenza during the 2020-2021 influenza season. While the future of 104 COVID-19 remains unclear, it's likely that influenza will return and result in significant 105 morbidity and mortality worldwide. If we ignore the lessons that the COVID-19 pandemic has 106 offered, we will be compounding tragedy upon tragedy.