Almost Spring and Flu Still Rages

In less than three weeks at 2 AM on Sunday, March 11 we go on Daylight Savings Time. Spring Ahead. The big box stores down to the mom and pop feed and hardware stores are stocking up fertilizer, flower, and vegetables to plant in the garden.

Even I jumped the gun and bought a new hoe last weekend.

While a few robins have been spotted, and some green coming into a few yards a relic of the winter of '17-'18 is still with us. Mother Nature is having a good time, recall last year's tropical storm season produced circular lows well into November and this year's flu season is tagging along into spring.

Our westerly neighbors in Texas have been hard hit, placing four cities in the nations top ten worst flu markets according to the Walgreens Flu Index updated weekly. Shreveport is number 8 on that sick-call list.

Though experts are saying (wishing and hoping) we're likely at least at the apex of this season's record-setting flu outbreak, people keep coming down with it. Wednesday in New Orleans Tom Benson, owner of the Saints and Pelicans checked into a New Orleans hospital with 'flu-like' symptoms.

Remember the difference between flu and a cold is largely fever. Flu comes on suddenly with tremendous body aches and being as tired as you can ever remember. Try to prevent getting ill all you can as this flu can morph into pneumonia. Wash your hands often, avoid people that are sneezing or coughing.

If you have fever and aches see a doctor as soon as you can. Don't go to work, don't spread it around.

The Centers for Disease Control have an interesting time-lapse graphic of the spread of the flu this year - to see it click here.