Soft measures like masks and social distancing were effective against limiting spread of the flu

Masks have not been shown to be effective at preventing the spread of airborne viruses, only bacteria. And the social distancing caused a temporary reduction in flu cases at the cost of lowered immunity from isolation, which is driving the surge we are now seeing in flu, rsv, strep and other infections.

African countries didn't do any of those things, and they had far lower rates of infection and death than highly compliant countries like Israel, and those in Europe

But yes, you are correct that social distancing + a higher r0 virus temporarily led to fewer flu cases, with a few caveats