By David Banach
Respiratory illnesses like COVID-19 and influenza have shaped how we think about public health, patient care, and prevention. Over the past few years, we’ve been challenged in ways that few of us could have imagined. While the COVID-19 pandemic brought immense hardship, it also provided an opportunity to re-examine and improve how we prepare for and respond to seasonal respiratory illnesses.
As a physician and public health leader, I’ve witnessed firsthand how healthcare systems, communities, and individuals have adapted in real time. The lessons we’ve learned can now help us design smarter, more effective strategies—not just for future pandemics, but for the annual waves of flu and other respiratory viruses that affect millions every year.
Recognizing the Overlap Between COVID-19 and Influenza
One of the biggest lessons from the past few years is just how similar—and different—COVID-19 and influenza can be. Both viruses spread through the air, often in crowded indoor spaces. Both can cause serious illness, especially in older adults and people with underlying health conditions. And both stress healthcare systems during the winter months.
But the pandemic also revealed important differences. COVID-19 had a longer incubation period and was more contagious in the early phases. It also required rapid innovation in diagnostics, treatments, and vaccine development.
What this experience taught us is that a one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t work. Instead, we need flexible strategies that account for the unique characteristics of each virus, as well as the conditions in our communities.
Improving Surveillance and Early Detection
Timely information is critical. One of the most effective tools we had during the pandemic was real-time data—tracking cases, hospitalizations, and virus variants. This level of surveillance helped guide public health decisions and hospital planning.
We now have a chance to strengthen respiratory illness surveillance every season. Wastewater testing, digital reporting, and partnerships between hospitals and public health departments can give us a clearer picture of when illnesses are rising and who is most at risk. The sooner we detect an outbreak, the sooner we can respond.
Expanding Access to Testing and Treatment
At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, testing was essential. We developed systems to make testing more accessible—at-home tests, drive-through sites, and pop-up clinics. This model should not disappear now that emergency measures have ended.
Instead, we should apply what we’ve learned to flu season and beyond. Widespread, affordable testing can help patients and providers identify infections early and guide appropriate treatment. We also need to improve awareness about antiviral medications—for both flu and COVID-19—and ensure they’re readily available for those who need them.
The more easily people can access testing and treatment, the better we can manage symptoms, prevent complications, and reduce spread.
Rebuilding Trust in Vaccination
Vaccines remain one of our most powerful tools against respiratory illness. The rapid development and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines was an extraordinary scientific achievement. However, we also saw how misinformation and mistrust can limit their impact.
Seasonal flu vaccination, too, has long struggled with public hesitancy. Going forward, we need to communicate more clearly and consistently about the safety and benefits of vaccines. This includes working with trusted community leaders, improving access in underserved areas, and addressing concerns with empathy and respect.
We now have combination vaccines in development—targeting both COVID-19 and influenza—which may offer new ways to boost uptake and streamline delivery. With smarter messaging and stronger public confidence, we can increase vaccination rates and better protect vulnerable populations.
Rethinking Infection Prevention in Everyday Settings
Before the pandemic, few of us thought twice about going to work with a mild cold or coughing in public spaces. COVID-19 changed that. We became more aware of how our individual choices affect others—especially those most at risk.
Basic measures like staying home when sick, improving indoor ventilation, and wearing masks in high-risk settings can make a big difference in slowing the spread of respiratory viruses. These strategies aren’t just for emergencies—they can be part of our regular response to seasonal illness.
We should encourage workplaces and schools to normalize sick leave and remote options during illness spikes. And we should continue to invest in indoor air quality improvements that benefit everyone year-round.
Integrating Public Health and Healthcare Systems
One of the most important takeaways from COVID-19 is the need for close collaboration between public health and healthcare systems. Hospitals alone cannot manage seasonal respiratory illnesses. Community health organizations, government agencies, and healthcare providers must work together to create seamless, coordinated responses.
This means aligning messages, sharing data, and building preparedness plans that can be activated quickly when needed. The more unified our efforts, the stronger our response—and the less disruption we see to everyday life.
Preparing the Next Generation
Finally, we must ensure that medical students, residents, and future public health leaders are prepared to carry this work forward. Teaching the real-world challenges of infectious disease, outbreak response, and health communication should be part of every training program. It’s not enough to know the science—we must also teach how to lead during uncertainty, adapt to changing circumstances, and earn public trust.
A Smarter, More Resilient Future
COVID-19 and influenza have both taught us that we cannot afford to be reactive. We must take a proactive, informed approach to respiratory illness—one rooted in science, equity, and collaboration.
By applying the lessons we’ve learned, we can build a smarter, more resilient system that protects our patients, supports our communities, and prevents the next crisis from catching us off guard.
The race against disease never ends—but with thoughtful planning, we can stay ahead of the curve.