Health officials around the world are concerned about rising numbers of new coronavirus cases. But another highly infectious virus will soon be returning to Earth’s Northern Hemisphere. That virus is influenza, commonly called the flu. The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that about eight percent of Americans get influenza each year. The flu season takes place during the winter months. During that time, hundreds of thousands of people are sick enough with the flu to be admitted to hospitals. This year, with the U.S. health system already dealing with COVID-19, medical experts are concerned about the return of the flu. "We really, really want to emphasize the potential for disaster," said Jeanne Marrazzo. She directs the Division of Infectious Diseases at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and is a member of the Infectious Diseases Society of America’s board of directors. Experts are urging Americans to get the flu vaccine in an effort to ease the pressure on healthcare workers and hospitals.