A flu, opposed to a common cold can absolutely give you long term health impacts, similar to what is described as long COVID.

A flu is also very much deadly for vulnerable groups, especially elderly people.

Let’s face it though. COVID is just the first of many pandemics we will see in the near future. The factors that favor pandemics are every increasing. Destruction and encroachment of natural land forces animals into contact with humans. Higher temperatures make it easier for airborne viruses to spread and survive. Dealing with extreme temperatures, pollution and stress lowers humans immune abilities. Ever increasing population densities make the spread of diseases easier.

But we will continue at best with treating the symptoms, or not even that, with measures like lockdowns or mask mandates. But the root causes of the pandemics will not be treated, as those require to change the economic system and way of life away from capitalism.