Asia's Mask Push Cuts Flu Cases as the West Lets Guard Down

Six years after the first COVID-19 case, the world remains poorly prepared for another pandemic. Experts warn that future outbreaks are inevitable, yet progress in prevention has stalled. In some regions, mask-wearing has declined despite ongoing respiratory illness risks, while others have taken proactive steps.

In Austria, demand for flu vaccinations has surged this winter due to an early and severe flu season. Meanwhile, mask use on public transport has dropped, even as infections remain high. Florian Krammer, a professor of infectious medicine at the Medical University of Vienna since March 2024, has long studied pandemic responses. Currently in New York, he will return to Vienna next week to continue his work.

Asia has taken a different approach. Countries like Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, and South Korea actively promote voluntary mask-wearing during winter. Japan displays posters and announcements in Tokyo and Osaka subways, while Singapore's Health Promotion Board advises masks on the MRT during flu season. Hong Kong's MTR uses digital screens to encourage mask use against influenza and RSV, and South Korea's health ministry distributes free masks at Seoul subway stations. These measures have helped reduce infections, as masks are more effective against flu—being less contagious than SARS-CoV-2.

Krammer also leads the Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Science Communication and Pandemic Preparedness, a role he has held since 2025. He stresses that global readiness is now weaker than in 2019 and 2020. Without stronger planning, he warns, the next pandemic could cause even greater harm.

The gap between regions is clear: while some nations enforce voluntary mask policies, others have relaxed precautions. With flu cases rising and pandemic risks unchanged, experts urge better strategies. The question remains whether governments will act before another crisis hits.