well, one small benefit of brainless media like fox is that it can stimulate some areas for discussion.
the flu issue is interesting ------------- to me - expected - but, still - interesting.
I've long suspected that influenza transmission in western societies - or more accurately - developed societies -
is in a very large part by fomite transmission.
Yes, you will get massive transmission by aerosol ----------- but, if we look at how we behave - ie. if we observe what people actually do in real life --------- then fomite touching is very difficult to overlook.
take a cafe door in winter -------- pre covid
what happens?
someone comes up to that door - full of snot and influenza - after sneezing into their hand in the street - opens the door and smears influenza and god knows what else onto the handle.
then - about the next 20 people open the door - and pick up the virus - and begin spreading it inside - plus when they leave - they take it with them.
Enter ----------- one change -
hand sanitizer
if Mr or Ms snotty comes up to the door - smears it with influenza - then goes inside -
same so far -
but, if the next person has sanitizer on their hand -------- they neutralise that transmission stage - they stop it dead in it's tracks
and, even if they don't have sanitizer on their hand at that point - then, a lot of people will sanitize - as soon as they enter through the door --------------- with sanitizer provided on a little stand by the cafe -
that renders the virus nonviable - in everyone who uses it - including ms or mr snotty
the chain is broken
and, that - is only one cafe and one cafe visit ---------- hand sanitizer has been sold the world over in what must be tens of millions of litres in the last couple of years
plus - even some grubs are now washing their hands
to me - it's very clear that behaviors have made a huge difference to transmission of any bugs that use fomite transmission
Flu as far as I can see mostly when airborne spreads on quite large droplets - which are easily contained with masks as well - so, IMO - flu has taken a big hit with humans actually getting better hygiene habits.
