By Marina Watts
Staff Writer
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
Rita Wilson and the American Nurses Association want you to get a flu shot!
The singer is partnering with the ANA to encourage everyone - especially the 200 million people over the age of 50 and individuals who have chronic health conditions and are most at-risk for flu-related complications - to prioritize their flu shot this year. The campaign, titled The Race To 200 Million, encourages everyone to get vaccinated.
Each year, less than half of Americans get a flu shot, as per the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, resulting in 740,000 hospitalizations and up to 62,000 deaths. These staggering statistics could be effected by the coronavirus and make things worse for our healthcare system.
Read More on Entertainment
Newsweek spoke to Wilson, along with Dr. Ernest Grant, president of the ANA, in separate Zoom calls, about the importance of getting a flu shot this upcoming fall and winter, in order to prevent a possible twindemic.
Wilson recalled her experience with the coronavirus (she and husband Tom Hanks were among the first public figures to be diagnosed with Covid-19), and spoke about how she's staying safe this flu season. Meanwhile, Dr. Grant debunked some common misconceptions folks may have about the coronavirus and the flu, along with how you can take care of yourself anticipating a twindemic.
...
What was your experience like with the coronavirus?
Rita Wilson: Well, it was not pleasant. I don't think I'd ever want to have it again. Everybody's symptoms vary, and to degrees of how severe they are. I had a very high fever. I had an intense headache that lasted for about two weeks, and it just wouldn't go away. I was nauseous, and all that entails. I also had vertigo, which was very strange. I lost my sense of taste and smell for about two months, and it came back sporadically, but then finally after two months it was back, like normal.
How did you find it different than catching the flu or a really bad fever?
RW: It tricks you. It does so many different things. You think it's one thing when you start out, and then it's something else. My symptoms worsened about day six into the illness. It lasted about two-and-a-half weeks. The flu is also very, very bad. You kind of know what you're getting with the flu. Covid is unpredictable.
Why do you think it's important for people to get the flu shot now more than ever, especially those who are high-risk?
RW: One of the reasons why I'm here talking to you is because I understand how stressed the healthcare system can be. Particularly, nurses, the frontline workers, doctors, when they're dealing with a pandemic like Covid-19.
A flu shot, if we all get the flu shot, then that eases the chances of overwhelming the healthcare system. There's a group of people that are really at risk, the people over 50 years old, and people with underlying health issues already like asthma, diabetes, heart disease. That population numbers 200 million people. So I'm working with the American Nurses Association, which is trying to get that 200 million people to get the flu shot. And the CDC recommends getting that September and October.
I really hope people do that. I had the flu one year, that was so bad that I just basically slept and ached and had a fever for two weeks. I don't ever want to do that again. I missed Christmas, I missed the holidays, very not fun.
That's the worst! What are you doing to stay safe in anticipation of a twindemic?
RW: Well. I'm definitely getting my flu shot, that's number one! I still am part of a study at UCLA, I have antibodies that are there. They're diminished, they're not as strong as they were when we first got tested, but they're still there.
I am doing what everybody can do, which is so simple. Wear a mask, wash your hands, sanitize, social distance. It's so simple, and it really really helps. If anyone wants more information, if you go to www.theraceto200M.com, there's going to be a lot of information on that website, which is great. You can also visit the Facebook page, which is The Race to 200 Million.
Are you worried about getting coronavirus a second time?
RW: Yeah! Everybody should be worried about getting it a second time. We haven't had enough information on what's gonna happen. My doctor who I speak to says that it's possible that if I get coronavirus again, that I may have symptoms, I may still have protection from having had it before, but I still act as if I may get it. So I think we have to all behave that way.
Wearing a mask is sort of the same thing as getting a flu shot, doing it not only to protect yourself, but to protect others. It's kind of [like] being an active member of a good community. You want to help someone else.
What are some common misconceptions folks have about the intersections of the flu and the coronavirus?
Dr. Ernest Grant: Some of the misconceptions are obviously that you can have one and not the other, and in some cases the coronavirus is just like the flu. They are absolutely two different illnesses. Two distinct, different illnesses may present some of the same symptoms, but they are entirely different. That's why we are trying to get this mass message out, that it's important for everyone to get their flu shot, to help minimize the complications that they may have.
What symptoms do the two share? Are there any symptoms that are exclusive to the flu or the coronavirus?
Dr. G: They both will have the fever, the tiredness, feeling malaise, headache, things of that sort. Of course, coronavirus as it progresses on, you begin to have lots of respiratory complications if it's going to get really bad, and it's also going to have multiple systems of the body involved as well as they begin to shut down. Of course, unfortunately, you can die from both. Particularly if you have chronic conditions, like hypertension, diabetes, things of that sort, that puts an added strain on the body and when the flu bug or covid hits, it's hard for the body to fight a battle on so many fronts. You can become really exhausted from just trying to maintain some normalcy.
Will the flu vaccine interfere with the body's ability to fight off the coronavirus?
No, it will not. There are two separate illnesses. What we are trying to prevent is the potential for someone contracting both at the same time. So, that's the main reason for trying to push the early vaccination with the flu, so we don't have the potential of someone contracting both at once.
What are the best ways people can prevent getting the coronavirus and the flu in the upcoming fall and winter months?
Dr. G: The best thing for the flu is obviously get the flu shot early. Just follow the same thing like we are always asking people to do. Make sure you wash your hands, make sure you keep a safe distance from people, at least six feet. Wear a mask, for coronavirus prevention. And if you have one of the chronic illnesses, listen to your body and make sure you are under the guidance of a healthcare professional. So when you do begin to show signs and symptoms, you don't want to delay. You do want to see attention as quickly as you can.
How are nurses and doctors preparing for a twindemic of both illnesses?
Dr. G: There are a lot that doctors and nurses are doing. One is encouraging the public to get the flu shot, to practice safely the three W's: wearing a mask, washing hands, waiting the distance. Also, encouraging everyone to be aware. It's a huge education campaign, to be aware of the signs and symptoms and the flu, and the things that you need to do to protect themselves. Particularly with those most vulnerable, stressing the importance that they do get the flu shot.
When is the best time to get a flu vaccine?
Dr. G: Starting about right now, because it does take a while. Particularly for senior citizens, 70, 80 years old or older, or people who have really chronic conditions. The earlier they get the flu shot, the better. Starting now is the best time, and all the way through the winter months is ideal. For those who are very vulnerable, we encourage them to get their flu shot early.
Are there going to be different vaccines this year for the flu based on what risk category you're in relative to the coronavirus?
Dr. G: "I believe it will be the same shot. Or you can get the nasal spray as well for everyone."
Do you recommend consulting your physician before getting a shot, or is going to your local pharmacy fine?
Dr. G: "It could be either one. I know with Covid right now, most doctors' offices are doing a lot of screening. Pre-covid, they would say, 'come on in and get your shot.' Chances are, if you call your physician's office right now and schedule for a flu shot, they would probably do it, but then they will also encourage you to go to your local drug store chain that may be offering it. That way, you can cut down on the waiting time, reducing the exposure of the other people that may be in the waiting room at the physician's office.
"We had about 67,000 people die last year just from the flu. So anything we can try to do to prevent that is extremely important."
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines