Is It Still True That SARS-CoV-2 Is About as Bad as the Flu?

The Misconception

There have been numerous claims that SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) is as bad as the flu. This article dispels this myth by providing empirical data to highlight the stark differences between these two viral diseases. It will cover the fatality rates, contagiousness, and overall impact on public health during the pandemic.

Death Rates and Mortality Rates

During the "flu season" from May 2020 to April 2021, nearly 600,000 people died from COVID-19, while only 646 people died from the flu. This staggering difference makes COVID-19 nearly 1,000 times worse than the flu. Historically, before the pandemic, the flu would typically cause 20,000 to 60,000 deaths per season. In the 2020-2021 flu season, however, this number was greatly reduced to 646 deaths due to measures such as masking, social distancing, and vaccine distribution.

Compared to previous years, the flu death toll was significantly lower. For instance, in the 2019-2020 flu season, 196 children lost their lives to the flu. In the following 2020-2021 flu season, only one child died, showcasing the effectiveness of preventive measures even with some non-compliance. If people had adhered to these precautions more strictly, an estimated extra 7 million lives could have been saved during the pandemic, thereby reducing the death toll to just 700,000.

Contagiousness and Severity

Contagiousness

One of the primary differences between COVID-19 and the flu lies in their contagiousness. Data shows that SARS-CoV-2 has proven to be far more transmissible than the typical flu, especially with the emergence of new variants such as the Omicron variant. The high transmissibility of the virus has led to widespread outbreaks and overwhelmed healthcare systems in many regions.

Severity

When it comes to severity, the effects of SARS-CoV-2 far surpass those of the flu. Unlike the often mild flu, COVID-19 can lead to severe complications, including long-term health issues such as chronic respiratory conditions, leading to lung transplants in some cases. Furthermore, the healthcare systems have faced unprecedented challenges, with hospitals frequently overwhelmed by patients suffering from severe cases of the virus. This situation is akin to the 1918 Spanish flu, but it has not been as severe since then.

Key Comparisons

Comparative Mortality Rates

While the overall mortality rate of SARS-CoV-2 is somewhat but clearly worse than the flu, it is not as severe as some more catastrophic diseases such as Ebola. The key factor in SARS-CoV-2 is its extreme contagiousness, particularly with the Omicron variant. When combined with its significant severity, this makes the disease much more challenging for public health systems to manage.

Conclusion

The claim that SARS-CoV-2 is about as bad as the flu has been debunked through statistical and observational data. While both diseases can be severe, the current and ongoing impact of SARS-CoV-2 is more pronounced. Understanding these differences is crucial for public health strategies and individual preventive measures. Further research and adherence to proven public health measures remain essential to mitigate the spread and impact of the virus.

Keywords: covid-19 comparison, flu comparison, contagiousness comparison