Rough flu season, new strategy

The Mason County Board of Health met Jan. 24 and talked about the rough flu season and a new strategic health plan for the county.

Public Health Officer Dr. Keri Gardner said it has been a rough season for the “tripledemic,” which includes influenza, COVID-19 and RSV. Gardner said this year’s influenza was mostly influenza A, and it is an H1N1 virus, similar to what caused the swine flu in the late 2000s and early 2010s. The flu vaccine does help, and she recommends people get their flu shot.

“I believe this is why people were sicker with influenza this year than usual,” Gardner said during th...