Seasonal Influenza "all but vanished" in 2020

As the Covid-19 pandemic raged last year, the seasonal flu nearly became nearly extinct, according to data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  While in the 2019 flu season, the CDC reported more than 65,000 cases of influenza nationwide, in 2020 CDC reported 1,016 cases.  The high vaccination rate against the flu in 2020, combined with mask-wearing, social distancing, and hand-washing, measures that were employed to stop the spread of coronavirus, helped in preventing influenza transmission.  

The decrease occurred despite a six-fold increase in testing.  Of the 394 specimens tested since September 27, 2020 only 925 or  0.2% were positive.  In 362 (39%) Influenza A was detected and in 563 (61%) Influenza B was found.

In closing, the Ancient Greeks said "ουδέν κακόν αμιγές καλού" that translates to "every cloud has a silver lining".

The Anaphylaxis rate to Pfizer's coronavirus vaccine is low

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) announced a lower rate of severe allergic reactions in people vaccinated with the Pfizer/BioNTech coronavirus vaccine.  The CDC reported that through January 18, 2021, there were 50 cases of anaphylaxis reported in recipients of the vaccine, implying a rate of about 5 per million doses administered.  This is significantly lower than the previously reported rate of 11.1 per million doses administered through December 23, 2020.