A widely shared social media post includes a graph of the low rate of flu infections in the 2020-2021 flu season, implying that the missing cases were being counted as COVID-19 infections.
Recommendation: The persistence and high level of engagement of this misinformation elevates its risk. Messaging may emphasize flu cases were low during the 2020-2021 season due to COVID-19 pandemic mitigations, such as masks, social distancing, improved hygiene practices, and a reduction in indoor activities, which slowed the spread of the flu and other respiratory viruses. Fact Checking Source(s): Reuters, AFP, USA Today