Asklemmy

While being cold isn't the cause of a cold there are some links between being cold and transmission of the flu even beyond people huddling together inside.

The lipids the viruses attach to become more durable hence resilient, and multiple studies have shown that cold temperatures have a suppressive effect on the immune system.

https://uscvhh.org/news-and-stories/the-real-reasons-you-get-sick-when-its-cold-outside.html

IIRC there's some evidence that cold temperatures weaken the immune system. Assuming it's valid, that does mean that cold could be the deciding factor between contracting a cold or fighting if off.

Now obviously germ theory is correct and it takes external infection to catch a cold, but it's a pretty safe bet you're being more or less constantly exposed to COVID and the flu whenever you're in an indoor public space.

It's weird seeing a regular colloquialism in a sea of politically charged comments. This one really seemed to get people riled up.