COVID-19 (Source)
A mild to severe respiratory illness that is caused by a coronavirus (Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 of the genus Betacoronavirus), is transmitted chiefly by contact with infectious material (such as respiratory droplets) or with objects or surfaces contaminated by the causative virus, and is characterized especially by fever, cough, and shortness of breath and may progress to pneumonia and respiratory failure.
COVID-19 and Viruses (Source)
In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic. COVID-19 is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), one of a number of viruses to have triggered global outbreaks in recent decades. As scientific understanding of viruses improves, researchers across disciplines continue to develop new strategies for preventing, treating, and responding to emerging viral threats. Find answers to your questions on viruses and COVID-19.
SARS-CoV-2 - the coronavirus (Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 of the genus Betacoronavirus) that is the causative agent of COVID-19 First Known Use of SARS-CoV-2 2020, in the meaning defined above.
Influenza “Flu” (Source)
Influenza, commonly called "the flu", is an infectious disease caused by influenza viruses. Symptoms range from mild to severe and often include fever, runny nose, sore throat, muscle pain, headache, coughing, and fatigue.
Influenza - A virus belonging to the family of Orthomyxoviridae. It is an enveloped virus with a negative sense RNA segmented genome that encodes for 11 viral genes. (Source)
There is a lot of discussion around COVID-19, mutations, vaccines, and wearing of masks, etc. Here is a simpler point of view.
There is no longer any charting of deaths, hospitalizations, new cases and testing numbers widely being reported on the networks and cable news. Could this be an indicator of the threat to the general population has diminished significantly.
Viruses mutate – that is their nature – vaccines are altered to account for these variations like the flu vaccine.
If vaccinations and heard immunity are not the end-alls to this illness, there is a public information disconnect. Once vaccinated, you will not get it nor will you transmit it – an assumption.
The Spanish Flu is gone as an epidemic, and COVID will also.
The expectation is that once the general population is vaccinated, most likely to the levels of flu vaccinations, this can be treated like the flu by the average person, and life goes on.
After vaccination, there is no further level of protection available to the public - assumption
The public will not accept wearing masks and socially distancing for life. COVID can now be treated like the flu.