I can only give the U.K. perspective here but will come in anyway. Seasonal influenza annually accounts for around 10,000 deaths here per year. That is despite the fact that flu vaccine is free to anyone over 65 or who have certain illnesses such as diabetes and also to children as they are considered as 'super spreaders' (snotty nosed little beggars in other words). Anyone else can have the injection for around Ł10. Currently Covid deaths are around 32,000 here so only about three times as high with no vaccine yet available.
Dark skinned minority groups are significantly more vulnerable; and we have a high population that fall into this category. Now, I have a theory; well a couple really. Dark skin is a product of evolving in lower latitudes to prevent over exposure to Ultra Violet light. UV light is necessary in order for the body to produce Vitamin D which boosts the immune system. Hence higher latitude people have lighter skins in order to be able to assimilate the UV light to make Vitamin D. Not good for dark skin therefore in high latitudes.
Theory two. Northern Europeans interbred with the Neanderthal races that had happily evolved there for some considerable time. Northern Europeans have; I believe, something like 2 to 4 per cent Neanderthal DNA. This might just give an edge. Interesting the comment about the vulnerability of Native Americans as of course they never encountered Neanderthals.
Well, you read it here first folks! Not exactly scientific as I am just a simple country lad but I would be very interested if these two factors are not further examined. Lagopus…..
