Seasonal Illness Patterns and COVID-19

Seasonal patterns in illness, such as flu and colds, are influenced by environmental factors, notably the tendency for people to gather indoors during colder months. This close proximity increases the spread of viruses like influenza, which peaks in winter as people are more susceptible due to reduced immune function and damp conditions. In contrast, COVID-19 began as a seasonal virus but quickly evolved to spread consistently, regardless of season, due to its highly contagious nature. The pandemic showcased the effectiveness of infection control measures, including masking and isolating, which notably reduced the spread of respiratory viruses and deaths among vulnerable populations.