Here’s some news you can use for November 2021!

It’s Cold and Flu Season Again

With the fall and winter months comes flu season. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), flu activity peaks between December and February, so now’s the time to ensure you’re prepared. Social distancing and mask mandates significantly prevented a “twindemic” last year as the flu season coincided with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Those safety measures helped prevent a majority of flu cases. However, as more states and businesses lift mask mandates and other preventive measures, the flu virus may circulate much more freely than it did last year.

Preventing the Flu

The flu vaccine is your best chance of preventing the illness—especially this year. The CDC recommends an annual flu vaccine for anyone 6 months of age or older. There are more ways to help protect yourself and others during this flu season. Avoid close contact with people who are sick, and stay home when you’re ill. It’s also critical to continue good hygiene by covering your coughs and sneezes and washing your hands.

Getting Vaccinated

If you’re unsure about getting a flu vaccine, the CDC shares the following reasons why it’s crucial to get vaccinated amid the pandemic:

• Reduces your risk of getting sick with the flu—The flu vaccine can reduce your risk of having to go to the doctor with the flu by 40% to 60%.
• Reduces your risk of contracting both COVID-19 and the flu at the same time—Battling
  simultaneous flu and COVID-19 infections are much worse than battling either alone and can require extended hospital stays.
• Reduces strain on the medical system—The flu and COVID-19 are respiratory illnesses, so they rely on the same life-saving hospital equipment.

Since the flu and coronavirus have similar symptoms, it’s important to get tested if you’re feeling sick. If you’re worried about staying healthy during this flu season, please contact your doctor.

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5 Ways You Can Shoo the Flu

The flu is an infection of the respiratory tract caused by the influenza virus. It usually causes mild to severe illness, but sometimes it can cause fatal complications. Every flu season is different, and influenza can affect people differently. Even healthy people can get very sick from the flu and then spread it to others.

Want to know how you can beat the flu? Consider the following five flu prevention tips:

• Get the flu vaccine. Becoming vaccinated against the flu is the best chance of preventing the illness.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick and stay away from others when you feel under the weather.
• Wash your hands often using soap and warm water to protect against germs.
• Get plenty of sleep, stay physically active and drink plenty of water to keep your immune system strong.
• Manage your stress and eat a nutritious diet rich in healthy grains, fruits, vegetables and fiber.

Speak with your doctor if you have questions about the seasonal flu or if there is anything else you can do to avoid falling ill.

Read more (PDF) | Read more about the flu (PDF)

BEGINNING YOUR SAVING FITNESS PLAN

Look at your current financial resources. This is important because your financial resources affect not only your ability to reach your goals, but also your ability to protect those goals from potential financial crises. These are the resources you will draw on to meet various life events.

Calculate Your Net Worth

This isn’t as difficult as it might sound. Your net worth is simply the total value of what you own, your assets, minus what you owe—your liabilities. It is a snapshot of your financial health.

First, add up the approximate value of all of your assets. This includes personal possessions, vehicles, homes, checking and savings accounts, and the cash value of any life insurance policies you may have. Include the current value of your investments, such as stocks, real estate, certificates of deposit, retirement accounts, IRAs and the current value of any pensions you have.

Now add up your liabilities: the remaining mortgage on your home, credit card debt, taxes due on the profits of your investments (if you cashed them in) and any other outstanding bills. Subtract your liabilities from your assets. Do you have more assets than liabilities? Or the other way around?

Your aim is to create a positive net worth, and you want it to grow each year. Your net worth is part of what you will draw on to pay for financial goals and your retirement. A strong net
worth will also help you through financial crises. Review and recalculate your net worth annually. It is a way to monitor your financial health.

Identify Other Financial Resources

You may have other financial resources that aren’t included in your net worth but that can help you through tough times. These include the death benefits of your life insurance policies, Social Security survivor’s benefits, health care coverage, disability insurance, liability insurance, and auto and home insurance. Although you may have to pay for some
of these resources, they offer financial protection in case of illness, accidents or other catastrophes.

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November 2021 National Health Observations