Fall’s in the air, and unfortunately, so is the flu. While it’s beneficial for your personal wellbeing to get your flu shot this year, it’s also become somewhat of a social responsibility to do so. Newscasters are talking about it, doctors are talking about it, your friends and family are likely talking about it, even social media is piping up about the issue.
Regardless of the sources you’re hearing it from, the message remains the same: the flu shot is your best shot against the flu virus, and the best way to protect the people around you.
It’s no longer simply you vs. flu, it’s us vs. flu.
So, are you doing your part?
Doctors recommend it
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently released their data for the number of flu-related deaths during 2017. The results? An estimated 80,000 Americans died of the flu and its complications last winter–a devastating and record-breaking high. In previous seasons, flu-related deaths ranged from a low of about 12,000 (2011-2012) to a high of about 56,000 (2012-2013).
Workplaces recommend it
Workplaces across the country are urging employees to get their flu shots this season, and even incentivizing them to do so. Brogan & Partners is one of said workplaces. All Brogan employees who get the flu shot are treated to a lunch on the company. It’s part of our efforts to protect ourselves, our office, our business and our community as a whole.
Society recommends it
The last time you refreshed your Facebook page or Twitter feed, you probably saw a post like this. Right?
Or maybe you scrolled past a band-aid arm selfie accompanied by the hashtag #flushot?
More than any other source, social media is portraying the flu shot as something you do for others. It’s building a community around community health. And shining a positive light on the people who promote it.
In April, a Facebook group called Breastfeeding Mama Talk even popularized a trend after they posted about the threats of the flu virus to their little ones. The group shared examples of signs from Etsy and Amazon that can be attached to a child’s car seat or stroller telling strangers not to touch their kids. The signs say things like “Look, but please don’t touch,” and “No touching please. Your germs are too big for me.””
Too far? That’s up to each parent to decide. But trends like this sum up exactly how community-oriented the health sphere has become.
The fact of the matter is, together WE can fight this flu season. It’s about more than just me or just you.
So, let’s see that #flushot selfie.
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