There has been some confusion as to COVID-19 and the flu – are they the same, are they transmitted in the same way, and are they equally serious?
The flu (influenza) and COVID-19 are both contagious respiratory illnesses, but they are the result of different viruses. COVID-19 is caused by infection with a new coronavirus (called SARS-CoV-2) while influenza is caused by influenza virus infections. There are some important differentiators between the flu and COVID-19 illnesses which may affect your loved ones. COVID-19 seems to spread more easily than the traditional flu, and has caused more severe illnesses in some individuals. There is also an apparently longer incubation period before symptoms manifest, meaning that people may be contagious for longer than those with the flu.
Historically speaking, the worst pandemic on record was the “Spanish flu” outbreak of 1918–1919. This H1N1 type virus killed between 50 million and 100 million people. While many people have been led to believe that there was little that could have prevented the virus’ devastating death toll, evidence points to a different conclusion. Accounts from an “open-air” hospital in Boston, Massachusetts, indicate that patients and staff were spared the brunt of the viral outbreak. Some experts believe that a combination of access to fresh air and sunlight, coupled with diligent standards of hygiene – including reusable face masks – was key to the significantly fewer deaths among the Boston patients; as well as infections among medical personnel.
George Bodington was a physician actively treating tuberculosis at the time of the outbreak. He observed that individuals who spent their days indoors were more vulnerable to tuberculosis. In contrast, those people who worked outdoors – the farmers and plowmen, for instance – were usually free of the disease. His conclusion was that patients should imitate the lifestyles of those who appeared immune to the disease; living in well-ventilated country houses, and availing themselves regularly of fresh air.
At A Banyan Residence in The Villages, our resident suites open directly to the outdoors, and the walkways and pathways are surrounded by greenery, flowers and natural elements. Our environment affords a resident all-important exposure to open air and natural light, while inspiring them to spend some of each day outdoors.
With this open-air concept in place, our community is strategically positioned to mitigate exposure to diseases like the flu, or even COVID-19. We encourage our residents to go outside, and have even set up an outdoor area where families can safely visit their loved ones. We are proud of our community’s status as being 100% COVID free during this pandemic, and are committed to remaining so.
