In late February 2020, news broke in the United States that the once faraway threat of a “novel coronavirus” had spread to U.S. soil. As COVID-19 case numbers in major cities grew, stay-at-home orders were put in place, businesses closed, restaurants shifted to take-out only, and retailers adopted curbside service. All of this took place to slow the spread of COVID-19.  Meanwhile, however, hospitals remained open — accepting new patients at the direction of the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and working diligently to adhere to new safety guidelines. During virus, or any pandemic outbreaks, we are acutely reminded of our essential frontline healthcare workers, the critical need to enhance their overall safety, security, and to be as efficient as possible when communicating vital information.

Let’s put this into perspective. In 2019, the Centre for Disease Control reports that 61,200 people died from the common flu virus. That’s 168 deaths per day! Compared to Coronavirus that was first reported on December 31st with 213 deaths in total until January 31st. Based on last years statistics, 5,208 people have died of the common flu in that same time period.

A Center for Disease Control (CDC) official told a news report that the number of cases of a deadly lung illness linked to vaping appears to be “leveling off or even declining.”

How have the levels and trends of burden of diseases, injuries, and risk factors in the United States changed from 1990 to 2016 by state?