New Yorkers are Being Warned About a ‘Tridemic’! Is it Time to ‘Mask Up’ Again?

By now, everyone in New York and beyond knows exactly what the word pandemic means. The term tridemic, however, is something that we're not as familiar with. There is a new illness to be aware of in New York and the Capital Region, and health officials have made their recommendations in order to try to keep you, and your family, safe.

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Inside the Latest Health and Safety Recommendations for New Yorkers

As is customary this time of year, it's cold-and-flu season in the Empire State. In addition to that, residents also have to worry about the newest strain of COVID-19, for which there is a new vaccine booster. There's a new illness floating around this winter, the human respiratory syncytial virus, otherwise known as RSV.

RSV causes infections of the lungs and respiratory tract, and is extremely common in children. Unfortunately, a strain of RSV has been impacting adults this winter, adding to the chaos already caused by the common cold, the flu and COVID-19.

Because of tridemic hitting around the country, NBC New York reported that New York City officials recommended that all New Yorkers consider wearing masks while in any indoor settings, as well as in crowded outdoor settings.

While this was not a mandate, only a recommendation, any talk of masks will usually set off alarm bells for most people who hear about it.

Here in the Capital Region, the situation is not quite as dire. For example, 109 people tested positive for COVID-19 in the Capital Region on Sunday, December 11th. While that number is up from last week, it's still down from as recently as October and early November, when 200-300 people were testing positive each day.

That being said, as we all know from living through the pandemic, viruses can come in waves. So, the more that we do now to prevent the spread of the flu, COVID and RSV, the better life we'll all end up leading.

A few rules of thumb that always seem to help the cause. If you feel ill, don't go to work, and consider getting a COVID or RSV test. Drink lots of water and eat healthy food, and be diligent with washing your hands. Wear a mask if you feel you need or want to, but don't feel pressured into doing so.

See? It's as easy as that sometimes. Stay safe out there, everyone!