COVID FLU for Karen

Karen suffered from the COVID flu from Monday, July 28th, until today, August 5th. She tested twice positive for having the COVID flu virus, and today a negative result. We stayed home together the entire period. We cancelled all social engagements. She had a very hard time with this flu.

Recuperating from COVID 19 Flu

 Karen and I were both were infected by the COVID 19 Flu virus on May 21st., 2024.

We have both had 2 basic COVID flu shots and a third; plus, the regular annual flu shot in 2023.

We both stayed home alone, rested, stayed warm, drank plenty of fluids, and regained some appetite.  Both of us are coughing frequently with yellow sputum, no fever, fatigue, tired, weak, aching muscles, having sinus infections, etc.

Tiresome, frustrating, disappointing, unstoppable.  So it goes.  

Reading, napping, Smithsonian Aerial America episodes, map reading, resting.

Unfortunately, my heart flipped back into AFib on June 2nd.  

Sadly, over 1,140,722 have died from COVID 19 and 1,147,399 have died from pneumonia.

Was I scared, worried, anxious ... yes, seriously at times.

We did not visit our physician or the hospital emergency room. We did get advice and medicine by phone from our physician.  

Not much energy or interest in writing, blogging, research.  Mostly reading, watching television, sleeping, harmonica playing, 

COVID Flu Setback in January 2024

I have been seriously ill from the COVID flu since January 2, 2024.

I hope to recover and return to blogging around January 30, 2024.

Please excuse my previous three posts made in error.  I have deleted them.  My illness and brain fog led to the mistake.

-  Mike Garofalo

Wearing a Mask - Sensible Prevention

My wife and I observe the Covid19 Flu Prevention medical advice for social distancing, wearing a mask, cleaning hands, and avoiding buildings with lots of people. We appreciate all the people doing the same in Vancouver, Washington. We thank all the hospital workers for their courage, and hope that the many that are ill can recover. We avoid the uncooperative people not wearing a mask.

I cannot understand President Trump's attitude towards masking, reducing testing, and getting back together in groups. His familiar "We are doing a GREAT job" or "blame China" are unconvincing anymore. How about something like "this is a really tragic flu virus, and we can and will do better at helping people in the coming months. For now, mask up, social distance, and avoid large groups of people. We will work with the FDA and commercial labs to carefully evaluate the efficacy and safety of new treatments, new vaccines, and new drugs to combat this killer flu. We all need to be patient, practice safety measures, cooperate, and work together."

During World War II, in Los Angeles, we had mandatory blackouts. People who did not turn of lights at night were criticized and fined. Not wearing masks right now, not social distancing, and not helping to prevent the spread of this deadly flu are like people who refused to turn out their lights in 1943. Come on people, cooperate and help us out of this pandemic.

Homebound Habits

The States of Washington and Oregon have various quarantine orders to prevent the spread of the Covid19 Flu virus.  In Clark County, Washington, were we live, there are 425,000 people.  250 individuals have the Covid19 virus.  Schools are all closed, and many retail businesses are closed. 

Karen and I stay at home, read, watch media, use the Internet, garden, and do chores. 
Fortunately, we have been healthy. 

Mostly listening and observing. 

Many trees, shrubs, and flowers are in their Spring blooming and leafing phase.  Our tulips were very large this year. 

I wish everyone good health and hope we will somehow return to "normal."

Cold and Homeboud in Vancouver

All the schools and libraries are closed for four weeks in Vancouver to prevent the spread of the flu.  All gatherings and sports events are cancelled.

This morning it is snowing.  There are about 3 to 4 inches of snow everywhere.

We have our home stocked with provisions and emergeny supplies.  Electricity and water are available.

Both Karen and I seem healthy and have a positive attitude.

May everyone stay healthy and weather this storm of a serious flu pandemic.  

Wintertime Slowdown

I have been recovering from a upper respiratory illness: bronchitis.  Problematic for a 74 year old man who has had bronchitis three times, and pneumonia twice.  A common cold in the cool winter days was hard on me.  Three weeks of recovering at home.  Two trips to visit doctor.  Getting better as of March 6th.

Not much energy during this period of time.   

Started walking 45 minutes each day on March 9, 2020.

I have had the flu three times (1955, 1975, 2002) in my lifetime.  Scary, painful, weakening. 

My wife and I have gotten a flu shot each year for the past twenty years.



I wish everyone good health and best wishes and luck in avoiding the flu season and the new virus strains like Covid-19.  


Every year, the flu season brings serious illness and death to a staggering number of people.  The evidence is shocking.

"Flu season is hitting its stride right now in the US. So far, the CDC has estimated (based on weekly influenza surveillance data) that at least 12,000 people have died from influenza between Oct. 1, 2019 through Feb. 1, 2020, and the number of deaths may be as high as 30,000. 

The CDC also estimates that up to 31 million Americans have caught the flu this season, with 210,000 to 370,000 flu sufferers hospitalized because of the virus."

So how do these numbers compare to flu deaths in previous years? So far, it looks like the 2019-2020 death toll won’t be as high as it was in the 2017-2018 season, when 61,000 deaths were linked to the virus. However, it could equal or surpass the 2018-2019 season's 34,200 flu-related deaths. 

Overall, the CDC estimates that 12,000 and 61,000 deaths annually since 2010 can be blamed on the flu. Globally, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that the flu kills 290,000 to 650,000 people per year."