I got my flu shot yesterday.  Personally I see little value in this practice and it makes my arm sore for a day or two.  So why did I get the shot?

Some would say it’s because I am whipped.  That is, my wife told me I had to get the shot.  I need to be honest though, I believe in personal accountability and so only I can make the choice to go and get the shot.  It would be wrong to say my wife made me do it, although she sure had an influence.

Past Experience Predicts the Future

If the saying holds true, given I have had three flu shots in the last twenty-five years, and never contracted the flu I really wonder what the flu shot does for me beyond making my arm hurt and my wife happy.

About Influenza

The influenza virus is like a common cold but much more severe and can lead to serious respiratory ailments like pneumonia.   The virus is highly contagious and easily transmitted through airborne water droplets from sneezes.  It can survive in the locations it lands for up to forty-eight hours.

If you are cautious, wash your hands regularly, don’t share food or drink with sick people and stay away from coughing, you can avoid catching the flu.  This might be the main reason why I have not been sick with the flu in over twenty-five years.

Flu Shot or Masks

While the flu shot is a potential preventative measure, apparently for both yourself and others (if you don’t catch the flu you won’t transmit it) I really like the Japanese practice of wearing a white surgical mask when you feel sick.  This ensures the bad air borne viruses to stay with you when you breath and cough and are not passed to others. It’s like keeping your bad news to yourself.   Also it’s pretty cool seeing all these people walking around wearing white masks.

I have long thought they should make black masks so people could identify themselves as a good person or a bad person (something like wearing a white hat or a black hat in a movie so you know who the good and bad guys are).