Practice round

SPEAKING of viruses . . .

Another virus comes around every year. It’s called influenza, and it hospitalizes and kills folks, too. So it would be beneficial for everyone to get extra protection this year, above and beyond what your body can provide against the flu.

There are people who are skeptical about the flu vaccine. They say things like, “Oh, it doesn’t work,” or “I got the vaccine, and it gave me the flu.” Note well: You cannot get the flu from a flu vaccine.

This year getting a flu vaccine will be doubly important. Because hospitals continue to need all the beds they can spare for covid-19 patients, they need the number of usual flu hospitalizations to stay low. And the best way to make that happen is making sure everyone gets a flu shot. Even if a flu shot isn’t 100 percent effective, doctors say a good dose now can keep you out of the hospital in January.

Flu shots are usually covered by your insurance at no charge to you, and most county health departments do no-charge vaccinations for those who cannot afford to pay. There’s not really much of an excuse to go without.

So treat this year like a rehearsal for the covid-19 vaccine that’s likely to come early next year. Go to your doctor, your pharmacy, your county health unit, wherever you need to go to get a flu shot. Roll up that sleeve, quick prick, and done. You’ll have done your part to keep hospitalizations low for the inevitable covid-19 patients to come.

Oh, and don’t forget to wear a mask.