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GUEST COMMENTARY: Residents should prepare for “Twin-Demic”

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As I have been urged by my health care provider, I urge you, my fellow Sun City West residents, to get a flu shot.

We are preparing for the flu season at a time when we are also navigating through the COVID-19 world we have all been thrust into. While there is work being done to come up with a safe and effective vaccines for COVID-19, we know with certainty there are flu shots available in multiple locations in Sun City West and around the country.

The collision of the flu season and COVID-19 is being referred to as a so-called “Twin-Demic” in media circles. Whether it has a name or not, there will be a collision because thousands of people every year, unfortunately, come down with the flu. The threat of COVID-19 has literally been hanging in the air for most of this year, with our state getting hit hard in the late spring and summer. While the overall COVID-19 caseload numbers are not anywhere near where they were months ago, the numbers are still very concerning, even though upticks were expected when certain businesses started opening up. We are in this delicate dance of saving lives and livelihoods at the same time. I was saddened to learn of the small businesses that closed for good in Sun City West and I pray all those fine people are able to get through this challenging time.

I told you all in my first guest commentary that as a veteran of 40 years of broadcast news radio experience, I would not give you my opinion without first telling you that what I am writing is my opinion. So, in my opinion, I think it would be wise to get a flu shot so you have a chance to keep at least one half of the “Twin-Demic” at bay. To this point, we have been trying to hold COVID-19 at bay with keeping social distance, wearing masks in particular settings and being extra careful when we travel out of the area.

I continue to use my Rec Center Show on KSCW Radio to keep you all informed about how the Recreation Centers of Sun City West officials are handling COVID-19 and what changes have been going on to help keep us all safe while enjoying life here. In recent weeks I began hosting KSCW’s Community Chat Show and I have been using that program to inform you all about how various businesses in Sun City West are handling COVID-19 and how they can help you. This has included shows on health care focusing on Medicare open enrollment, senior care focusing on taking care of the most vulnerable in our community, travel focusing on what you need to know about out of state and out of country travel restrictions and a show that focused on the important role of religion in our lives and how places of worship remain islands of hope in the stormy seas of life.

Editor’s Note: Gary Cohen is the host of the Rec Center Show on 103.1 KSCW that airs 8 a.m. Tuesdays.