Americans are currently battling one of the worst flu seasons in years, with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reporting elevated and increasing levels of seasonal influenza activity across the country. The most recent data from the CDC, ending on Feb 8, 2025, shows a map of flu activity across the nation, ranging from minimal to very high in different states.
States with the highest flu activity include New York City, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Maryland, Virginia, Ohio, Michigan, South Carolina, Tennessee, Nebraska, Kansas, New Mexico, Oregon, and Washington. Following closely behind are Maine, Washington D.C., North Carolina, Georgia, Indiana, Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas. Other states with high or moderate activity levels include New York State, Kentucky, Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa, Missouri, Colorado, Idaho, California, Mississippi, Alabama, Connecticut, Wyoming, Arizona, Nevada, South Dakota, Florida, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, North Dakota, and Utah.
Anita Patel, PharmD and vice president of Pharmacy Health Services at Walgreens in Atlanta, explained that the spread of the flu typically begins in southern states due to various factors such as weather patterns, travel habits, and population density. As the flu season progresses, northern and western regions of the country are now peaking as well.
Patel also highlighted the importance of flu vaccination in preventing illness and reducing the severity of symptoms. However, she noted that flu vaccination rates are lower nationwide this year, potentially contributing to the intensity of the flu season.
In addition to battling the flu, a new study has emerged claiming that increasing amounts of microplastics are being found in brain samples. Fox News senior media analyst Dr. Marc Siegel discussed this alarming finding, adding another layer of concern to the ongoing health challenges faced by Americans.
See also Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s tough Bronx persona is under fresh scrutiny with a resurfaced childhood nickname from her suburban upstate New York upbringing casting doubt on that publicly portrayed image. The progressive champion’s latest spat with President Donald Trump over the Iran strikes again called into question her true upbringing when she declared on X she was a “Bronx girl" to make her a point against the president. The 35-year-old congresswoman wrote in part on X: "I’m a Bronx girl. You should know that we can eat Queens boys for breakfast. Respectfully," she said, referring to the president’s upbringing in Queens as she called for his impeachment over his decision to bypass Congress in authorizing U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. Ocasio-Cortez was born in the Bronx but moved to Yorktown – which is nearly an hour outside New York City -- when she was 5 years old and went on to attend Yorktown High School where she graduated in 2007. She was considered an accomplished student there and well thought of by teacher Michael Blueglass, according to a 2018 report by local media outlet Halston Media News. “There, known by students and staff as ‘Sandy,’ she was a member of the Science Research Program taught by Michael Blueglass," the report states. “She was amazing," Blueglass said, per the report. “Aside from her winning one of the top spots and going to the [Intel International Science and Engineering Fair], she was just one of the most amazing presenters in all of the years I've been at Yorktown. Her ability to take complex information and explain it to all different levels of people was fantastic." After high school, Ocasio-Cortez attended Boston University, where she majored in economics and international relations, per the report. Ocasio-Cortez’s “Sandy" nickname — which carries a more suburban and preppy tone — appears to undercut her politically crafted image as a tough, inner-city fighter, one she has portrayed since her famous 2018 congressional campaign where she eventually ousted former 10-terms Congressman Joe Crowley. New York GOP Assemblyman Matt Slater, who now represents Yorktown, added to the scrutiny of Ocasio-Cortez’s persona in the wake of her brash with Trump and released images of Ocasio-Cortez from his high school yearbook. He claimed he and the rising Democratic star attended Yorktown High School at the same time when she was a freshman and he was a senior. "I saw the attacks on the president and her [Ocasio-Cortez] claims that she's a big, tough Bronx girl," said Slater. "To sit there and say that she’s a Bronx girl is just patently ridiculous." "Everybody in our community knows this is just a bold-face lie," said Slater on "Fox & Friends First" last week. "She grew up in Yorktown, she was on my track team." "She's lying about her background, she's lying about her upbringing," Slater claimed. Slater’s post sent social media ablaze and prompted Ocasio-Cortez to respond after an image if her family’s home was posted online. “I’m proud of how I grew up and talk about it all the time," Ocasio-Cortez wrote on X Friday responding to the post. “My mom cleaned houses and I helped. We cleaned tutors’ homes in exchange for SAT prep." “Growing up between the Bronx and Yorktown deeply shaped my views of inequality & it’s a big reason I believe the things I do today!"
As the flu season continues to peak, it is crucial for individuals to prioritize their health and take necessary precautions to prevent the spread of illness. Stay informed, get vaccinated, and practice good hygiene to protect yourself and others during this challenging time.
