The flu season kicked off with a massive blow, leaving nine people dead in its wake.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), this year’s flu season is expected to be severe, with a high number of hospitalizations and fatalities.

The Cause of Death

The influenza virus, commonly known as the flu, is a respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. Influenza A and B are the most common viruses that cause the flu, and they can mutate into different strains each flu season.

Although the flu can be a mild illness, it can also be deadly, especially for young children, elderly adults, and people with underlying health conditions.

Influenza spreads through respiratory droplets when people with the virus cough, sneeze, or talk. People can contract the flu by touching a surface contaminated with the flu virus and then touching their nose, mouth, or eyes.

Symptoms of the flu include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills, and fatigue.

The Severity of the Flu Season

According to the CDC, the flu activity is currently high in most states, with the highest activity reported in the Southern states.

The flu season started earlier than usual this year, and the CDC is predicting a severe season with a high number of hospitalizations and fatalities. The flu can cause complications like pneumonia, bronchitis, ear infections, sinus infections, and worsening of chronic health conditions.

Preventing the Flu

The best way to prevent the flu is by getting vaccinated every year. The flu vaccine can help reduce the severity of the illness, prevent hospitalizations, and save lives.

The CDC recommends everyone six months and older to get vaccinated every flu season. Staying away from sick people, washing hands frequently with soap and water, avoiding touching the face, and staying home when sick can also help prevent the flu.

The Cheating Scandal

Aside from the flu outbreak, 33 people have been confirmed to be cheating in a national exam. The cheating was uncovered through a rigorous investigation, and the culprits have been identified and punished accordingly.

The Impact of Cheating

Cheating in exams undermines the integrity of the education system. Cheating denies deserving students of the opportunities they’ve labored for.

The pursuit of excellence and the full realization of human potential is defeated when merit is thrown to the wind.

Cheating hampers creativity and destroys confidence. It makes people second-guess themselves, think their efforts will never be good enough, and that their only chance to thrive is by cutting corners and cheating.

Furthermore, cheating can have far-reaching consequences on reputation. Society frowns upon individuals with a reputation of cheating. Cheating casts a massive shadow over people’s integrity and security in schools, employment and so on.

The Way Forward

The education system should prioritize the integrity of exams and work hard to create an environment that fosters fairness and merit.

One way to achieve this is to implement a strict anti-cheating policy and impose severe sanctions for students who engage in cheating. Punishments can range from failing a course to suspension or expulsion.

Moreover, the schools should educate students about the consequences of cheating. Institutions should ensure that students understand the importance of academic integrity and the value of merit.

Teachers should devise effective measures to detect and prevent cheating and work to ensure that the exams are rigorous and reflective of the students’ knowledge.

The Bottom Line

The flu outbreak and the cheating scandal are two events that have had a profound impact this season. The flu outbreak has claimed nine lives, and the CDC is warning that the season could be severe.

One way to prevent the flu is by getting vaccinated, staying away from sick people, and washing hands frequently with soap and water.

On the other hand, cheating undermines the integrity of the education system and can have far-reaching consequences on the reputation of institutions and individuals.

The way forward is to prioritize academic integrity, educate students on the consequences of cheating, and impose severe sanctions for cheating.