Twindemic

Twindemic is a term used during the COVID-19 pandemic, referring to the possibility of a severe flu season happening alongside an increase in cases of COVID-19 during the fall and winter of 2020 and 2021.[1][2][3][4][5] The term is a portmanteau of "twin" and "pandemic".[3]

History

The term was popularized by an August 2020 article from The New York Times written by Jan Hoffman.[1][2][3] In the article, Hoffman credited Dr. L.J. Tan of the Immunization Action Coalition as an "early promoter" of the possibility of a twindemic.[3] After the publication of The Times' article, several media outlets began to report on the possibility of a twindemic.[3] Health experts responded to the threat of a possible twindemic by encouraging more people to get the flu vaccine.[1][2]

A twindemic did not occur during the flu season in late 2020 due to cases of the seasonal flu being at historic lows in the United States and globally.[6] These low amount of flu cases were attributed to measures put in place to prevent COVID-19 from spreading, including face masks, social distancing, and hand washing.[6]

Health experts have renewed concerns of a possible twindemic happening during the fall and winter of 2021 due to loosening restrictions.[4][5]

References
  1. Hoffman, Jan (2020-08-16). "Fearing a 'Twindemic,' Health Experts Push Urgently for Flu Shots". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-03-06.
  2. Miller, Korin (2020-08-18). "Experts Warn of a Possible 'Twindemic'—Here's What That Means". Health.com. Retrieved 2021-03-06.
  3. "twindemic". Dictionary.com. 2020. Retrieved 2021-03-06.
  4. Rodriguez, Adrianna (2021-08-25). "Experts renew warnings of 'twindemic' as US enters flu season amid rising COVID-19 cases: 'We face the same threat this year'". USA Today. Retrieved 2021-09-01.
  5. Scribner, Herb (2021-08-30). "Doctors warn this 'twindemic' will threaten everyone this fall and winter". Deseret News. Retrieved 2021-09-01.
  6. Sepkowitz, Kent (2021-02-07). "Opinion: The mystery of the flu-Covid 'twindemic' that never happened". CNN. Retrieved 2021-03-06.
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