Common Cold Soars as Mask Mandates Wind Down

Though many are happy to be able to ditch their face masks, there does appear to be a downside: the common cold is back. Those not wearing a face mask may be more susceptible to more germs entering their bodies through their nose and mouth. Masks not only give protection from coronavirus but other germs as well. Cases of the regular seasonal flu have plummeted from 38 million cases in 2019 to just over 2,000 in 2020, according to the CDC.