I think that believing we could eliminate flu like viruses is extremely optimistic, but it's not something I can really argue against because it's just an opinion.

I mean, presumably you wear an N95 at all times and keep your hands meticulously clean, but when you get ill, it's just some other idiots fault.

But if they were eliminated, flu's are probably the most common things for keeping our immune system in practice. If we all had immune systems that are completely out of practice with dealing with viruses. What could go wrong?!

[–] Jax@sh.itjust.works 0 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Yes, the last line of my comment very clearly addressed why it's unrealistic.

[–] 13esq@lemmy.world 0 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago)

Ok and my implication was that even with compulsory N95s and diligent hand washing that it would still be optimistic.

Are you wearing an N95 at all times you're in the vicinity of others and disinfecting your hands any time you've touched something that's been near yours or someone else's face? Because if not you're nothing but a virtue signalling hypocrit.

[–] Zaktor@sopuli.xyz 0 points 11 months ago (1 children)

We literally did beat one of the flu variants due to COVID prevention measures.

https://arstechnica.com/science/2022/09/covid-may-have-pushed-a-leading-seasonal-flu-strain-to-extinction/

[–] 13esq@lemmy.world 0 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago)

You said did. The article said may have.

There are 18 HA sub types and 11 NA subtypes. The article implies that it was the lockdowns that specifically harmed the spread of the flu.

How long do you want us to be locked down for in the attempt to eliminate the other 28 and the COVID variants too? Please consider that it would have to be a world wide lockdown.

I understand that many people people are happy to swap their freedom for an idea of safety, but many others value their freedom too highly.

Please understand that I'm not saying that the measures against COVID weren't effective. I'm saying that total eradication of COVID is an unatainable target.

Countries like Japan and Korea wear face masks as a normal part of their cultures and dirty behaviour is extremely frowned upon there. They still have flu and COVID.