> Notably, some of the queries they found to be correlated were... strange... like NBA results.
Doesn't seem that strange to me.
The presence of a professional sports team in your area is correlated with an increase in flu rates. Getting an ice hockey (NHL) is pretty much the worst.
That's definitely one factor, but from what I recall (it's been a while) the connection was slightly more subtle. The NBA season (Oct-Apr) overlaps the flu season (Dec-Feb) so if people are googling NBA results you're in either in or close to the typical flu season. If the NBA decided to change their schedule, the correlation would go away.
Doesn't seem that strange to me.
The presence of a professional sports team in your area is correlated with an increase in flu rates. Getting an ice hockey (NHL) is pretty much the worst.
https://www.upi.com/Health_News/2023/08/08/flu-deaths-sports...