THE POSITIVE PROFESSOR

If you need reassuring everything’s going to be all right read Professor Positivity.

OF THE many unwanted and unintended consequences of severely restricting contact between human beings over the last 18 months, one that millions of people are suffering with now is a resurgence in a nasty common cold.

Our immune systems are fascinating. I’ve studied them for almost half a century and I feel like I’ve barely scratched the surface.

They need to be on constant alert. Like a boxer who has been out of the ring for a long time, our systems haven’t been tested for far longer than they’re used to. Now the fight’s back on, they’re getting knocked all over by the latest non-Covid virus.

It’s why so many of us recently experienced “the worst cold ever” and it’s why so many experts are concerned about tens of thousands of extra flu deaths this winter, with some estimates of up to 60,000. Lockdowns have consequences.

There are howls of derision when people compare Covid with flu, but never forget how lethal influenza can be. It kills tens of thousands of people every year, it has done so for centuries, and will continue to do so.

Our immune system protects us in ways we may never understand. If you are not already going out of your way to help it, start now.

Eat fruits/vegetables or even take vitamin supplements. Get fit and active, even if it’s just a small extra effort a day. And if you feel under the weather and have nasty symptoms, stay home. Friends, family or strangers on the Tube don’t want to share whatever virus you have picked up.

Increase physical activity, get healthy, protect your immune system!