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Intensity of flu-like illnesses still high in Maryland

By WTOP Staff

ANNAPOLIS, Md. – The flu strain that has been making many sick in Maryland and around the country may be peaking, but that doesn’t mean it’s time to cease precautions and skip the flu shot.

Other strains could circulate, keeping the flu around for months.

Overall, the intensity of flu-like illnesses in Maryland remains high, according to the latest Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene report for the week ending Jan. 19.

The influenza virus was geographically widespread according to the last report, meaning there is flu activity throughout different regions, said David Blythe, a medical epidemiologist with the state. While the virus is difficult to predict, he said there is a possibility the flu has peaked and is headed toward a decline.

Even though the H3N2 strain has predominated this flu season, people could contract other strains and respiratory viruses, such as parainfluenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). The flu vaccine can protect against these different strains and viruses.

It’s not too late to get vaccinated, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises people to call more than one provider to find an available vaccine, because the vaccine is more difficult to find than it was earlier in the flu season.

Donald Milton, a professor in the School of Public Health at the University of Maryland, said this flu season seems unusually bad because there was a mild flu season last year.

Milton oversees a research study that aims to find out how much people shed into the air when they have the flu. The study will also look at how long the flu takes to spread from person to person.

“We’re actively recruiting people to come early in their flu if they should be so unlucky to get it,” he said. “We want to test them as soon as possible to see how much virus they are shedding into the air, as a way to tell how infectious people are.”

Blythe said the H3N2 strain is typically more severe than normal flu, which is one reason why this flu season feels more intense. The flu is most common among young people between the ages of 5 and 24.

Despite the increased flu activity, hospitals have been able to handle the influx of patients.

“I know people who have been sick, and that’s had a big impact on them and their families, but in terms of things like hospitals functioning, of course they’re still functioning,” Blythe said.

In Annapolis, where legislators, lobbyists and the public come together for 90 days of handshaking and lawmaking, the legislature is operating as normal despite the intensity of the flu season.

Delegate Mary Washington, D-Baltimore, said it’s been business as usual. She relies on people paying attention to the CDC and the news to figure out what measures they want to take.

“You can’t overestimate what can happen,” she said. “We’re in a very close space with each other constantly, and if someone’s not feeling so well, they should stay home. But because we’re working so hard and we’re only here 90 days, the tendency to work through your illness is just there.”

Delegate Ana Sol Gutierrez, D- Montgomery, said she hopes communication about the flu will start earlier next season so it will be more preventable.

“I’m sorry (the media) didn’t make the big fuss earlier because it seemed like the news was there after there were a lot of cases, so it seems we need to prevent earlier … I didn’t get (a flu shot) because I hadn’t even focused on it until I saw the really serious news.”

— Mary Tablante

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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