Sweater weather means it’s time to roll up our sleeves and get another important immunization: the flu shot.

In a typical year, there are about 3,500 flu-related deaths and 12,000 flu-related hospitalizations across Canada. The seasonal flu is especially dangerous for young children, older adults, people with chronic medical conditions, pregnant people and those who are two weeks post-partum.

Last year, some experts predicted a “twindemic”—a surge in both COVID and flu cases at the same time. But due to public health measures like travel restrictions, wearing masks and social distancing, Canada’s flu case count was exceptionally low.

This year, that probably won’t be the case. Since public spaces have reopened and people are travelling (more than they were this time last year, at least), experts are prepping for more flu transmission this season. Coupled with a fourth wave of COVID-19 in much of the country, last year’s concerns of a “twindemic” might materialize this year. “While we haven’t seen the reality of it for a bit because of the pandemic, the flu is a concerning condition,” says Jaspreet Chager, senior manager pharmacy innovation with Pharmasave East.

We spoke to Chager and Dr. James Dickinson, professor of Family Medicine and Community Health Sciences at the University of Calgary, about what we can expect from flu season 2021 and what you need to know about the flu shot.

When is flu season in Canada?

In the northern hemisphere, flu season coincides with the colder winter months — we usually see flu cases spring up in November (though it can start as early as October) and peter out in March (though sometimes it could be as late as May, depending on the year).

What can we expect from flu season 2021 in Canada?

We won’t know what flu season in Canada will look like until it’s here—we won’t know much about everything from the strain to how much community transmission there will be. We can look to the southern hemisphere, now entering the spring season, for some clues as to what our flu season might look like, say both Chager and Dickinson—although this year, the southern hemisphere hasn’t had much of a flu season (though experts aren’t sure exactly why this is the case).

Dickinson notes that the flu season in Canada is usually kicked off by someone travelling from the southern hemisphere. “Just as the southern hemisphere is rounding out their flu season in September, someone flies into Calgary as it starts to get cool and starts the flu season here,” Dickinson explains.

“The hope is that if we follow social distancing guidelines and all the public health guidance that’s been in place for COVID, we wouldn’t see too much of a flu season,” says Chager. “But the reality is that people are heading back to the office and schools are reopening so we’re likely to see an increase of not just influenza but also COVID.”

Who should receive the flu shot?

Anyone older than six months old, say both Chager and Dickinson. “Unless you’ve had an anaphylactic reaction in the past [to vaccines] or have sensitivities to certain components, typically everyone over six months should be getting their flu shot,” says Chager.

“Even for those of us who are young and fit enough that we’re not likely to get seriously ill, the flu still takes three days out of your life,” says Dickinson. “And, if you get it, you can pass it onto other people around you. [Getting the flu shot] is a good thing to do to reduce the probability of transmission as well as the severity.”

Where can I get the flu shot?

Canadians can get their flu shot at family doctors’ offices, pharmacies and public health clinics.

When should I get the flu shot?

Pharmacies and doctors’ offices start receiving flu shots in October—this is the best time to get it. “We usually tell people to have it earlier rather than later because it does take 14 days to reach full efficacy,” says Chager. “Immunity tends to wane after five to six months, so we want to provide coverage for all the months you’d be at risk of contracting the virus.” 

How do you know if you have the flu or COVID?

Flu symptoms and COVID symptoms are fairly similar: they can both cause fevers, chills, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, aches and pains, headaches and vomiting and diarrhea. So, it’s nearly impossible to know if you have COVID or the flu unless you get a COVID test done, says Dickinson.

What should you do if you get the flu?

If you develop flu-like symptoms, stay home and avoid contact with others—especially high-risk populations (babies, children under the age of 5, people aged 65 or older, pregnant people, people with underlying conditions). Most people will recover within a week or 10 days. “Generally speaking, most individuals will get better on their own—rest, fluids and OTC medication to help reduce fever and aches,” says Chager.

Dickinson sums it up: “Take it easy, rest, eat nutritious foods, drink plenty of fluids and try not to give it to anyone else.”

Next, find out what happens if you get COVID after the vaccine.

Every year as autumn rolls in and temperatures and leaves start to fall, homeowners are left with the same question: What do I do with all of the leaves that are now spread across my lawn?

Traditionally, it’s been common practice for people to rake the leaves into piles, bag them up, then take them to the local dump. But are raking leaves and taking them to a landfill actually the best thing for your yard and the environment?

What is the purpose of raking leaves?

Here’s the idea behind raking leaves: If left to sit the entire winter, they’ll turn into a mildewy mush that will smother your grass and keep it from growing back strong the next spring.

This much is true: Leaving a thick blanket of leaves on your lawn over the winter is bad for your grass. Raking your leaves and bagging them up is certainly an effective way to keep all of that from happening. Turns out, though, that it might not be the best thing you can do.

Can raking leaves be a bad idea?

The act of raking leaves is not the problem. It’s what you do with the leaves after they’ve been raked that can be problematic. If you usually take garbage bags full of leaves to your local dump, you might want to reconsider.

“The worst thing you can do is put (leaves) in bags and send them to landfills,” David Mizejewski, a naturalist at the National Wildlife Federation, told the Providence Journal in 2020.

Leaves in landfills take up a ton of unnecessary space. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), more than ten percent of the trash thrown away in the U.S. in 2018 was yard trimmings. To make matters worse, as the leaves in landfills break down, they combine with other organic materials to create methane, a greenhouse gas harmful to the environment.

So if you can’t take your leaves to the dump, what can you do with them? Well, burning them is also no good for a couple of reasons. First, it’s banned in many areas due to concerns over forest fires. Second, burning leaves send particulates in the air that the EPA says can lodge in people’s lungs and cause respiratory issues, heartbeat irregularities, even heart attacks.

What’s the best way to dispose of leaves?

Mulching and/or composting your leaves is the best course of action, for the health of your lawn and the environment. If you rake leaves into piles, collect them and use them as a base in your compost bin. Composting will turn the leaves into something you can actually use in your garden, instead of just letting them rot in the landfill. Many municipalities have composting programs. you can either take them to a compost site, or leave them at the curb and the city will do it for you. Check with your municipality for details.

You don’t have to rake, though, especially if you’re only dealing with a thin layer of leaves. Just run over the leaves with your lawnmower and collect the trimmings. Dry, chopped-up leaves make a great mulch.

You can even run your lawnmower over the leaves and let them sit in the yard all winter. As long as it’s not too thick of a layer (you don’t want to smother the grass, remember), the chopped-up leaves will serve as a natural fertilizer. That will help your lawn look healthy and vibrant when it grows back the following spring.

Next, check out 10 fall yard maintenance tips you’ll wish you knew sooner.

Most car manufacturers use a series of resistors to make the heater blower motor run at different speeds. And when one or more of these resistors burn out, you’re usually left with only one blower speed—high. The resistor module is easy and inexpensive to replace. It’s then typically installed in the ductwork, near the blower-either under the dash or under the hood. (Refer to a service manual to locate yours.)

What you’ll need for car blower motor repair: 

• 4-in-1 screwdriver
• Nut driver

How to:

Purchase a new resistor module at the auto parts store (usually less than $25). Disconnect the electrical connector. Remove the screws, and swap out the resistor module (at bottom, above). Reconnect the electrical connector and you’re back in business.

Now that you know the do-it-yourself instructions for car blower motor repair, find out what these strange car noises mean.