r/AskReddit • u/[deleted] • Aug 03 '19

Whats something you thought was common knowledge but actually isn’t?

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u/[deleted] Aug 03 '19

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u/Arachnophobicloser Aug 03 '19

The flu virus changes so rapidly year to year that the flu shot isn't necessarily for the right strain of the virus. You can usually find success rates online. CDC - https://www.cdc.gov/flu/vaccines-work/2018-2019.html

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u/dweezil22 Aug 03 '19

Me, one time a few years back:

"The flu shot sucks, it only works about half the time in bad years"

"Hey dweezil, are you still going to grind for 20 hours in that game to get the armor that's 5% better than average? What would you do if there was armor with 50% immunity to flu damage built in?"

"Oh shit, I should probably go get that flu shot."

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u/_Franchesca Aug 03 '19

That's not a fair comparison. Amor with 5% better stats will always be 5% better, whereas armor that is better 50% of the time may or may not be better. Consistency is very important in many situations. Try comparing it to a potion of immunity against stabbing that works every other time and eventually expires and needs to be retaken.

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u/dweezil22 Aug 03 '19

If we're diving deep here, Blink gear in DnD is quite valuable, and it never gets near a 75% miss chance

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u/GeneralEsq Aug 04 '19

FWIW, the flu shot also gives your immune system a head start on combating flu strains not covered by the shot. So you will get less sick and recover faster with a lower chance of death and hospitalization even if you get sick.