“COVID has proven to be the costliest disaster in modern world history,” says one USC expert on the economic impact of disasters. Now the fast-spreading virus is intersecting with a rise in flu and RSV.

COVID remains in widespread circulation as people pack into shopping malls and get together for celebrations.
Hospitals are feeling the strain from a COVID surge, a bad flu season and an increasing number of RSV, or respiratory syncytial virus, cases. Child-friendly versions of cold and flu medications are scarce on store shelves in the face of this “triple-demic,” and the CDC is recommending masks again to mitigate the spread during holiday socializing.

Health officials are reporting that this year’s flu season in the United States is off to a strong start.