The 2018 flu season has been the worst that the nation has experienced so far. This year alone has surpassed the 2009 swine-flu epidemic, as well as the 2014-2015 flu season.

The current strain of the flu, H3N2, has been deemed “the most lethal of seasonal strains”. The current strain of the flu has claimed the lives of 37 children so far this year, and the CDC has stated that these numbers will most likely rise. No total has currently been reported on how many adult deaths have occurred, but according to Time magazine, the current hospitalization rate sits at 31.5 people per 100,000 U.S. residents. As of now all states except Hawaii are experiencing a wide spread influenza outbreak. 20 districts or individual schools in Alabama, Arkansas, Idaho, Illinois, Michigan, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia have closed down schools and told everyone to stay home so the schools can be disinfected in order to stop re-occurrences. One superintendent gave some sagacious advice: If you’re not feeling well, “Stay at home. Don’t go to the movie theater. Don’t go out shopping,” she said. “Stay home until you are well.”

Despite numerous sources saying that the current flu shot is ineffective, CDC officials still urge citizens to go receive the shot.