May 7—Oklahoma’s latest flu season has been especially mild, and experts say COVID-19 precautions likely played a role in keeping the numbers down.

Across the state, 221 fluassociated hospitalizations and 10 deaths were reported so far during the 2020-2021 season — the lowest numbers in years, aligning with trends across the country.

During the previous flu season, 3,580 hospitalizations and 85 deaths were reported across Oklahoma, according to the Oklahoma State Department of Health.

Masks and social distancing were likely a major factor in keeping the flu at bay this year, said Dr. David Chansolme, medical director of infection prevention with Integris Health.

“As people have really questioned the science behind masks, to me, the lack of a significant flu season is the most verification that you need,” Chansolme said.

During a presentation at a recent Healthier Oklahoma Coalition news conference, MyHealth Access Network founder and CEO Dr. David Kendrick said there was a significant difference in flu positivity rates in communities where masks were required versus where they weren’t.

There are likely other factors, too, Chansolme said: a relative lack of crowds, more people working from home than usual — even fist-bumps versus handshakes.

Dr. Alice Mankin, vice president of primary care at Mercy, said more patients asked for flu shots this year, too.

“In fact, some patients who had never gotten the flu shot before, got it this year,” said Mankin, who sees patients as a primary care doctor. “That has to have an impact.”

Because of what we’ve seen this year, would mask-wearing become part of our normal flu season precautions? Maybe, Chansolme and Mankin said.

“It makes you realize, maybe we should be wearing masks all the time during flu season when we’re around big crowds,” Mankin said. “Maybe we really should be socially distancing, and certainly washing our hands.”

But Chansolme said he won’t don a mask every time he ventures outside. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has said masks aren’t necessary outdoors for people who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

“Will I wear a mask when I visit New York City in the middle of flu season? Maybe,” he said. The flu shot is still the best way to protect yourself from the flu, Mankin said, but a mask could offer extra protection.

It’s hard to predict what the upcoming flu season — which typically ramps up in the fall and into the winter months — would be like. But this flu season showed that our behavior can make a big impact on it, she said.

Will I wear a mask when I visit New York City in the middle of flu season? Maybe

Dr. David Chansolme