Covid-19 crisis quashed colds and flus but they may be worse next year

By Michael Le Page

Flu vaccinations are key to limiting the burden on hospitals in a pandemic

Marco Bello/Bloomberg via Getty

Winter is coming to the north. If what happened in the southern hemisphere is any guide, anti-coronavirus measures could result in fewer people than usual getting flus and colds. The respite may be brief, though. These viruses could come roaring back when measures to limit the spread of covid-19 end.

If fewer people susceptible to these viruses are infected this year, there will be more susceptible people around next year, says Daniel Yeoh at Perth Children’s Hospital in Australia.

If we fall …