They're not "replacing" deaths. Both influenza and SARS-CoV-2 can cause pneumonia. Pneumonia is a condition that is the result of an infection and pretty much any lower respiratory infection will cause pneumonia, be it viral, bacterial, or fungal in nature. You can even develop pneumonia from inhaling non-living particles/substances (i.e. food going down the wrong tube).

1. Get infected with influenza/SARS-CoV-2

2. Viral replication process destroys lung tissue."

3. Fluid builds up in lungs.

4. Pneumonia.

5. Possible death.

Pretty much every flu death will have pneumonia accompanying it as the cause of death. The problem is with the way the CDC has their data and reporting set up. "Flu and pneumonia" lumps in all patients that died from flu-caused pneumonia in with all patients that died from pneumonia caused by other pathogens.

What they also aren't doing is looking at potential simultaneous infections that can cause compounding problems. Influenza doesn't invade cells through the same receptors as SARS-CoV-2, so you can theoretically be infected with both at the same time. So while someone could have no problem recovering from an infection from either, it may be far more difficult to recover from being infected with both at the same time.

They're not "replacing" deaths. Both influenza and SARS-CoV-2 can cause pneumonia. Pneumonia is a condition that is the result of an infection and pretty much any lower respiratory infection will cause pneumonia, be it viral, bacterial, or fungal in nature. You can even develop pneumonia from inhaling non-living particles/substances (i.e. food going down the wrong tube).

1. Get infected with influenza/SARS-CoV-2

2. Viral replication process destroys lung tissue."

3. Fluid builds up in lungs.

4. Pneumonia.

5. Possible death.

Pretty much every flu death with have pneumonia accompanying it as the cause of death. The problem is with the way the CDC has their data and reporting set up. "Flu and pneumonia" lumps in all patients that died from flu-caused pneumonia in with all patients that died from pneumonia caused by other pathogens.

What they also aren't doing is looking at potential simultaneous infections that can cause compounding problems. Influenza doesn't invade cells through the same receptors as SARS-CoV-2, so you can theoretically be infected with both at the same time. So while someone could have no problem recovering from an infection from either, it may be far more difficult to recover from being infected with both at the same time.