Stopping to smell the roses may be difficult if you lost your sense of smell as a result of developing COVID-19. Among the many symptoms, temporary loss of taste and smell were the most annoying, as they can negatively affect mood. To combat a prolonged loss of smell after recovering from COVID-19, many people seek out ways to cope with or safely regain this sense.

How Did Loss Of Smell Happen From COVID-19?

An olfactory loss can result from nasal allergies, sinusitis, and viral respiratory illnesses like COVID-19. When the virus enters the body, it binds to an ACE2 receptor, which is a specific protein. ACE2 receptors also exist on supporting cells within the olfactory system in the upper nose. Damaging these receptors can cause a loss of smell. Additionally, inflammation surrounding nasal tissues can impair nerve function and a person’s ability to smell. 

Because smell is an integral component of life, it’s important not to neglect the loss of this sense. Without a proper sense of smell, it’s difficult to detect about 80-90% of the flavor in food. Losing the sense of smell extends beyond an ability to enjoy food and drink, though. According to July-August 2021 research, about 43% of adults who lost their sense of smell from COVID-19 reported depression. About 70-75% of people will be able to recover their sense of smell out of the blue, but the remaining 25% may not be so lucky.

What Is Smell Training?

Olfactory retraining, or smell training, is a decade-old concept that has regained interest as a possible treatment for smell loss from COVID-19. The first helpful evidence about smell therapy emerged in a 2009 preliminary study. 40 patients experiencing a loss of smell exposed themselves to four scents two times a day for 12 weeks. The scents included rose, lemon, eucalyptus and cloves. At the conclusion of the study, the participants who used smell training had better odor identification than those who did not get the therapy.

Smell training is not merely the simple act of smelling specific fragrances. One of the key factors of smell training is to focus on what the scent represents while smelling it. Not only do you retrain your nose, but you also retrain your brain to recognize smells. If you smell roses, for example, visualize what they smell like and where you would find them in the world. Essentially, visual imagery that stimulates the scent may help improve smell over time. 

How Does Smell Training Work?

According to doctors, the exact biological mechanism by which smell training helps people is not entirely clear. There are, however, some possible theories. As stated earlier in this article, viral illnesses like COVID-19 can damage olfactory receptors in the sinuses. Additionally, these illnesses may damage the cells in the olfactory bulb, a collection of nerve cells on the underside of the brain. In order to regain sense of smell, you have to form new neurons and neuronal connections in the olfactory processing system. 

Smell training aims to stimulate the sense of smell and assist with recovery. Using physical and psychological elements helps reteach the olfactory system. People can ultimately use memory and experience to train nerves to come back to life, and then they can smell again.

Does It Work For People Who Had COVID-19?

Although smell training and loss of smell as a result of COVID-19 is a new area of study, it may be worth a shot. A 2020 review study looked at 36 past studies about smell training for virus-related loss of smell, but not COVID-19 specifically. The authors found that smell training could be useful at regaining smell. Additionally, a small preliminary study published in January 2021 looked at 27 people who had persistent smell loss for about five weeks post COVID-19 diagnosis. 

Out of those 27 people, nine were given 10 days of oral corticosteroids and olfactory training. The remaining 18 participants only received olfactory training. Some people from the olfactory-training-only group experienced improvements in sense of smell 10 weeks later. Those who receive smell training alongside the corticosteroids saw a significant improvement in smell. More research is still necessary, as this is a relatively new area of study. Only time will tell how smell therapy benefits COVID-19 patients with prolonged loss of smell.

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Additional doses or booster shots are likely rolling out in the United States later this month. President Biden’s administration said that people should receive their third dose of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines starting September 20th, 2021. This plan is currently pending approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 

With a potential third dose on the horizon, people have one primary question: Will these COVID-19 booster shots have additional, similar, or fewer side effects? Some people wonder why there is a need for another shot, but the “side effects” question seems more pertinent. Many health experts tout the efficacy and safety of COVID-19 vaccines against more contagious strains. Current clinical studies about the efficacy of additional doses are still ongoing. In fact, only a select number of countries started administering additional doses.

Some people frown on the administration of additional COVID-19 vaccine doses, especially when other countries have not had sufficient access to vaccines. The other side of the argument is that many immunocompromised people face danger from the more contagious delta variant. Those types of people were the first to receive the initial doses of the vaccines. Unfortunately, it’s been nearly eight months since that time, meaning that protection is waning against the delta variant, and other future variants. This explains the higher amount of breakthrough cases.

COVID-19 Booster Side Effects

As with most vaccines, including the recent COVID-19 vaccines, side effects can vary from person to person. A study from the United Kingdom found that only 22% of people experienced fatigue, headache, or chills after the second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. 68% of people experienced local reaction such as site pain. Health experts predict that the third dose will cause minimal discomfort, but it’s possible to experience similar side effects to the first two shots. 

One person doesn’t have a higher tendency to experience side effects than another, and the third dose shouldn’t be worse than the original two doses. Ongoing studies find that the third dose may cause some minor flu- or cold-like symptoms, though. Pain at the injection site is almost a given, and the CDC says that fatigue is also very common. Pfizer recently offered an initial list of symptoms that one may experience after the third dose:

• Headache
• Tiredness
• Muscle and joint pain
• Redness, swelling, or pain at injection site
• Chills

Booster Trials Are Ongoing

Clinical trials for the third COVID-19 booster shot are ongoing. Pfizer started submitting data to the FDA for its application seeking approval of the third dose for Americans over the age of 16. The third dose will only be for people who have already received the first two doses. A recent booster study conducted by Israeli researchers looked at the effectiveness of a third dose of Pfizer for people 60 years and older. Israel started rolling out booster shots at the end of July and the results indicated that the shot reduced the risk of severe COVID-19 illness. The researchers did not release any information in regards to side effects from the booster shots. 

As far as Moderna-NIAID and Johnson & Johnson booster shots go, no data on side effects has yet to be released. Moderna already asked the FDA to authorize a 50-microgram dose of its COVID-19 vaccine for a booster shot. This would be half the dose of one of its first two shots. Should the FDA approve Moderna’s booster shot, it will most likely roll out a couple weeks after the Pfizer booster shot, provided it receives approval from the FDA. 

Data Still Necessary For Serious Side Effects

Most of the side effects of the two mRNA vaccines and the Johnson & Johnson vaccine have been mild or moderate. Unfortunately, people did experience rarer, more severe side effects after receiving the first two doses. Both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines carry a small risk of heart inflammation. This is more common in younger people, especially males. Regarding inflammation, studies show that there’s a much higher chance of COVID-19 causing severe inflammation than the vaccines.

We still need the safety data from booster studies of the mRNA vaccines. More tests and time will hopefully provide these answers that people want. 

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Planes were nearly empty during 2020, but you’re lucky to have an empty seat next to you on a flight, nowadays. Plane travel is essentially the same as it used to be, but the only difference is that people still have to wear face coverings. Face masks are not going anywhere, either. According to TSA, people will have to continue to wear face masks on planes and in airports until at least January 2022. And that’s just an estimate as of now.

Even though planes have great air filtration systems in place, passengers still have to wear masks for everyone’s safety. You shouldn’t just pick out a random mask to wear for fun, though. Much like booking a flight or an entire trip with activities and hotel stays, research is absolutely necessary. Some people throw whatever cloth they can find over their face! Numerous cloth masks prove very ineffective at preventing respiratory droplets from entering or escaping. 

What Should You Look For In A Mask?

Any mask made from a single layer of thin cloth is very ineffective. The bandana is probably the least effective mask, in case any of you enjoy that thin cloth that barely stays on your face. Ideally, a face mask that offers great protection will consist of two to three layers of heavyweight fabric like cotton. According to the American Lung Association, a mask like that can filter 70-79% of particles. Masks with four or more layers can provide 80-90% filtration. It’s also beneficial to get a mask with a nose wire so that it doesn’t continuously fall down your face. Lastly, when it comes to airline travel, you typically cannot have one of those masks with circular vents. Most airlines don’t allow passengers to wear those because of the fact that respiratory droplets can escape through the vents. 

The SupplyAID KN95 Face Mask

This protective face mask is has over 48,000 five-star ratings online. Several studies have proven that these masks are some of the most protective and comfortable masks to wear. It’s possible to get a five-pack for about $10 or less, and they hold up for hours of travel. Some passengers said that they were still comfortable wearing these masks after 10 hours on a plane. 

The Disposable KN95 5-Layer Mask

Five layers of protection means that you can have peace of mind while you travel through the skies in a metal tube with strangers. Many users claim that these masks are comfortable and the fit makes it easy to breathe, even during longer trips. Healthcare workers typically use these masks when they are not working in hospitals. They offer excellent protection and the nose wire makes it so they don’t slip off the nose. 

The Boncare KN95 Mask

This brand makes masks for people with smaller faces, as other masks can slip off more easily. Mask size will vary from face to face, but this one seems to fit comfortably on small- or medium-sized faces. Additionally, users report that the loops on this mask are very comfortable. Some people say that they don’t even realize they are wearing a mask with ear loops! 

N95 Pouch Respirator Mask

This mask can look like a duckbill on a person’s face, but that’s a primary reason why users rate these as the most breathable masks. It holds the edge of the mask farther away from the mouth and nose, creating a pouch that is more comfortable for the user. The nose wire consists of two parallel wires that are designed to smoothly fit on the face. Lastly, the straps that go around the head are less irritating for people who dislike ear loops. Plus, the head straps make the mask fit more snug on the face. 

The Three Layer Cloth Mask

Many companies make three to four layer cloth masks that use cotton or similar heavy fabrics. The inner layer often consists of breathable cotton so as not to make the user uncomfortable. The other two layers consist of woven cotton that provide optimal protection. It’s wise to get these cloth masks with a nose wire so that they can hug the face, leaving very little room for germs to enter. These types of masks, however, will not offer the same protection as the aforementioned masks in this article. 

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A new research study from Harvard University revealed that 2020’s intense wildfire season in the West Coast led to higher COVID-19 cases and deaths. California, Oregon, and Washington all experienced tragic wildfire damage, with smoke and ash clouding over the majority of cities. The increase in fine particulate air pollution (PM2.5) from wildfire smoke increased lung infections, including COVID-19.

Between March and December 2020, many counties in the Western United States experienced increased exposure to PM2.5. The Harvard study found that 52 of the 92 counties that wildfires threatened had an increased risk of COVID-19 one month later. The positive association of PM2.5 seems to be a key factor in why COVID-19 cases and deaths drastically increased in those areas. 

What Is In Wildfire Smoke?

As mentioned previously, wildfire smoke contains particulate matter, including PM2.5. For reference, PM2.5 is about one-fiftieth of the width of a human hair, meaning that it can easily enter the lungs and deep tissues in the lungs. When this happens, it’s common to experience inflammation of lung cells, which sparks sore throat, nose irritation, coughing, and sore chest. For people with asthma or heart disease, prolonged exposure to PM2.5 can be fatal. For example, a 10-unit increase in PM2.5 can lead to an increase in emergency room visits for heart attacks, strokes, arrhythmias, and respiratory issues. Additionally, the damage that PM2.5 does to the lungs can make people more susceptible to viruses, including SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19. 

When the body encounters particulate matter, the immune system addresses the issue to keep you safe. Because of the immune system’s focus on fighting PM2.5, it doesn’t put as much energy toward fighting COVID-19. Essentially, inhaling particulate matter from wildfire smoke compromised the body’s ability to battle COVID-19.

What Does The Data Say?

The Harvard study compared satellite Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) air quality assessments with publicly available health data. The data indicated that wildfire smoke was associated with and average 11% more COVID-19 cases and 8% more deaths. Some counties with higher PM2.5 exposure saw more dramatic percentages. For example, counties in Washington and California saw a 20% increase in COVID-19 cases during the 2020 wildfire season. The entire wildfire season in California, Washington, and Oregon contributed to 19,742 COVID-19 cases and 748 deaths. The reality is that 2020 was a record-setting wildfire season for the West, with California’s fires releasing over 100 million tons of greenhouse gases. Washington experienced more individual fires in 2020 than any year on record. 

Wildfires And COVID-19

From August 15th to October 15th, 2020, fire activity was at an all-time high. Daily levels of PM2.5 were much higher during wildfire days than non-wildfire days. The Harvard study observed an average of 31.2 micrograms per cubic meter of air on wildfire days. In comparison, non-wildfire days saw an average of 6.4 micrograms per cubic meter of air. These hazardous levels were nothing compared to some counties, which experienced PM2.5 levels higher than 500 micrograms per cubic meter of air. 

The lung irritation from wildfire smoke leaves the body susceptible to any type of virus. By irritating the lungs and causing inflammation, the body can easily contract respiratory or lung infections like COVID-19. Even wearing a cloth mask in areas affected by wildfires may still not be enough. KN95 and N95 respirators do a better job at preventing particulate matter from entering the lungs, but it’s still possible for them to pass through the mask. 

The bottom line is that wildfire smoke and COVID-19 is a dangerous combination. As COVID-19 variants develop and the wildfires continue to occur, keep yourself safe and avoid smoke as much as possible. 

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There’s an excitement that kids experience when the time comes to return to school. This is an interesting phenomenon considering the elation kids feel when summer break rolls around and they get to leave for a couple months. The start of the school year, however, gives kids the opportunity to catch up, reconnect, and share all sorts of germs. That’s great news for parents, right? 

Back to school is a challenging time for families, and the 2021 fall semester is no different. With delta variant surges occurring all over the United States, sending kids back to school can be a terrifying thought. Millions of students are preparing for fully in-person education for the first time in over a year. In addition to shopping for school supplies, there are health issues to consider. Ensuring that children understand the importance of hygiene and masking policies is one primary job. While the physical health of children is something that parents need to worry about, mental health may also be a topic of discussion. 

Returning To School: A Mental Struggle

Clinical psychologists have been receiving calls about assisting children with their reentry to in-person classes. Each child has their own set of concerns, worries, or fears about heading back to school in general. Lack of enthusiasm to go to class, developing a morning routine, and cementing an after-school homework ritual are all things that require work, but this year presents a different challenge. The coronavirus is still in the air, spreading rapidly with the newer delta variant. Kids may feel worried or nervous to be around their peers. Will kids abide by masking guidelines and practice proper hand-washing? Kids who are old enough understand that it’s much easier to get sick, and that worry may make it difficult to head back to the classroom. 

Whether you are an educator, parent, administrator, or counselor, the following tips may help students start the year off right. There will be inevitable challenges, but you can tackle them as they come. 

Create A Morning Checklist

Heading back to in-person school involves a much different routine than heading to the dining room table to start Zoom classes. Aside from equipping kids with a mask, hand sanitizer, and lunch, there may be other things to pack. Consider after-school programs, sports, or musical instruments that also have to go with them. Create a daily checklist for children to reference every morning. This will be interactive and fun, and it will help get them ready for each day. 

Refresh Proper Coughing & Sneezing Etiquette

Everyone coughs and sneezes, which can make people nervous in today’s day and age. Remind children to sneeze and cough into their bent elbow, not their hands. This is to help prevent germs from clinging to their hands, which can inevitably touch their face. 

Prioritize Mental Health

If the pandemic taught us anything, it’s that mental health can dictate how you feel overall. Encourage your children to speak up if they experience too much stress, pressure, or anxiety about returning to school. Remind them that counselors and educators are there to help. Tackling mental health problems in their early stages is the best way to combat the issue. Children have demonstrated incredible resilience during the pandemic, so make sure they know to speak up about anything and everything. There may be learning gaps or loss, but children became resilient and learned to cope with how the world changed. 

Read School Emails

This tip is for parents because there will undoubtedly be more emails this coming school year. Schools will most likely update parents via email about events, COVID-19 concerns, or learning opportunities. Always keep an eye out for new information, especially before classes start and during the first month of schooling. 

Remind Them Of Proper Hand-Washing

A classroom is a breeding ground for bacteria, even if kids are wearing masks. Touching any surface in school, even if there are enhanced cleaning measures, means that germs end up on hands. Failure to keep hands clean can cause anything from pink eye to COVID-19. Make sure children have hand sanitizer and that they wash hands after dirtying them. Encourage frequent hand-washing by practicing this at home. In fact, making children wash their hands upon returning from school is also a healthy reminder and good idea. 

Know When Staying Home Is Best

Now more than ever, staying home during sickness is paramount. If you notice the subtlest hint of illness, keep the child at home and away from other kids at school. If a fever, cough, or congestion develops, consider getting a COVID-19 test to confirm whether or not that is the cause. Determining this will dictate how soon or if they go back to school or not. 

Always err on the side of caution with children, especially this year. Be the voice of reason and roll with the punches, just like we’ve been doing since the beginning of the pandemic. Your kids are resilient and they will persevere. 

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Many people in certain parts of the United States remain vulnerable to the fast-spreading delta variant of the coronavirus. New data from the last week of July 2021 documented a 10% increase in COVID-19 cases in 48 states. There has even been an uptick in cases where vaccine rates are higher, and in areas where previous outbreaks occurred early on in the pandemic. 

As of now, health experts and data analysis supports the fact that the southern United States are most susceptible to COVID-19 surges. Even though minimally vaccinated areas like northern Arkansas or southern Missouri face outbreaks, so do areas with 70-80% vaccination rates. Researchers agree that no area in the United States has achieved herd immunity. Because the delta variant is more contagious, it’s making that task more difficult. 

An analysis conducted by researchers at Georgetown University detected 30 clusters of counties with low vaccination rates. These areas also have significant populations, but five clusters stood out more than the rest. As mentioned in the previous paragraph, two of those areas were in Arkansas and Missouri. Three others included Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Alabama. The data suggests that these areas are more vulnerable than they were in December 2020, given the high-transmission rate of the delta variant. 

What Does The Data Say?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about one-third of Americans have yet to receive a single dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Now, the reason that vaccinated areas are also susceptible is because the vaccines are not 100% effective. There are always occasional breakthroughs with any vaccine, even with high vaccination rates. When only 50% of the population is fully vaccinated, which is the case for the United States, it’s much easier for breakthrough cases to happen. That’s why hospitals are seeing an increase of COVID-19 infections in vaccinated people. Some researchers even go so far as to say that the unvaccinated are putting vaccinated people at risk. 

Can Unvaccinated People Lower Their Risk?

Yes, this is completely possible. Failure to follow basic protocol in regards to COVID-19 safety measures, though, will increase the risk of infection. Places like movie theaters, concerts, sporting events, bars, and restaurants are easy places to catch COVID-19. Being in close quarters with other unvaccinated people is quite dangerous. Additionally, if the delta variant is spreading in an unvaccinated area, it’s much easier for more contagious variants to develop. If you want to protect yourself, avoid the following places if you’re unvaccinated.

Movie Theaters, Concert Halls, And Churches

People missed all of these venues during lockdown because they provide either entertainment or encouragement via worship. Unfortunately, congregating indoors with a large amount of people, especially if they are unvaccinated, can be a breeding ground for COVID-19. You can attend these areas, but take proper safety precautions beforehand. For example, wear a mask indoors and get a test within 48-72 hours before the event. Safer alternatives include drive-in movie theaters, outdoor concerts, or outdoor church ceremonies. Virtual concerts and church congregations are the safest options.

Bars And Restaurants

You may have to wear a mask to enter an establishment, but the mask comes off as soon as you sit down at a table. Restaurants, however, are doing their very best to keep people socially distanced and offer outdoor dining options. Bars, on the other hand, tend to be overcrowded and don’t have great ventilation. When you are with people you don’t know, which is the case for most bars and restaurants, you are much more vulnerable to COVID-19 exposure. The whole point of being at a bar or restaurant is to eat, drink, and socialize without masks, so masks can’t be on. To be safer the CDC suggests grabbing an outdoor meal, having food delivered, or hosting a drink night within your bubble of friends. 

It seems like it’s best to go back to masks during this time of the delta. Take your precautions and do your part to slow the rise in COVID-19 infections. If we all work together, we can move forward in a positive direction. 

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The delta variant is running wild across the United States, causing a surge in COVID-19 cases. In response to the most transmissible variant of the coronavirus, over 650 colleges and universities are requiring proof of COVID-19 vaccination for in-person class attendance. For people who don’t want to get the vaccine, fake vaccine cards may allow them to cheat the system. According to several reports from law enforcement, education, and student officials, this is a very real possibility. 

Unlike other countries that have adopted an electronic system for vaccination records, the United States uses paper cards to prove vaccination status. To cheat the system, a cottage industry on the internet is willing to accommodate those who don’t want the vaccine and want to attend in-person classes. Similar to fake IDs for people under the age of 21, fake vaccine cards are available for purchase. 

Fake Vaccine Cards Are Real

One Instagram account sells laminated COVID-19 vaccination cards for $25 each. One user on Telegram, an encrypted messaging app, offered COVID-19 vaccine certificates for $200 each. The goal behind both of these accounts was to help people avoid the “poisonous vaccine.” This sparked the interest of thousands of anti-vaxers. In fact, one Twitter user posted about her daughter buying fake ID’s online during her college years. And she asked if anyone had links for fake vaccine cards. 

Naturally, colleges that require proof of vaccination are worried about fraudulent vaccine cards. The purpose of requiring vaccination is to keep students and faculty as safe as possible. For that reason, universities must have policies in place to make sure that every student possess a valid COVID-19 vaccine document. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, for instance, conducts periodic verification of documents. This is in hopes to weed out people who have falsified documents. As of this time, UNC-Chapel Hill hasn’t found a single student with a fake vaccine card. 

What Do Universities Say?

Staff members from universities and colleges express concern over forged vaccine cards. A reliable digital vaccine passport mobile application is what educators would like to see. Not only will this help university staff, but it may also help other businesses that require proof of vaccination. Some universities, like Vanderbilt University, have put a student’s ability to register for fall 2021 courses on hold until vaccine records have been verified. It makes an exception for those who have approved medical accommodation or religious exemption. 

Why The Need For Vaccination?

A college or university campus is a melting pot of people from all around the world. There are thousands of people on each campus and they engage in various social settings and environments. Not to mention, dorm life forces strangers to live in close quarters. Health experts argue that between dorms, classes, and cafeterias, you have a breeding ground for COVID-19. Ensuring that all students are vaccinated would establish herd immunity to keep everyone safe. 

There will always be people who want to cheat the system. Anything that requires a certification poses the risk of falsifying a document. Many university officials feel that if students have false vaccine cards, the percentage will be very low. This has already sparked outrage and protests across the country and only time will tell how this vaccine requirement ends. As for now, students who want to attend in-person classes at one of the many universities participating in this effort must get the vaccine, or provide valid reasoning/proof that makes them exempt. 

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People thought they could start relaxing about COVID-19, but then the delta variant came along. As with any virus, future mutations that are more contagious are bound to occur. In the case of this delta variant, people resumed their worry about potential infection, especially if they did not receive the vaccine. What does the more transmissible delta variant mean for unvaccinated children? This article aims to offer advice and information on the matter. 

For the majority of the COVID-19 pandemic, children have mostly avoided serious COVID-19 complications. Although an estimated four million kids contracted SARS-CoV-2, the majority of cases were fairly mild. Rare cases resulted in hospitalization and death. Now that summer camps are open, playdates are happening, and school will soon be back in session, parents need to understand the risk for unvaccinated children. 

What Is The Delta Variant?

Researchers first noticed the delta variant in India and found it to be 60% more transmissible than the alpha variant from the United Kingdom. The alpha variant was 50% more transmissible than the original SARS-CoV-2 strain. A mere month ago, the delta variant only accounted for about 25-30% of all cases in the United States. Currently, the delta variant accounts for more than 83% of all COVID-19 cases, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 

What Does This Mean For Children?

Within the past week, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommended that all children over age 2 wear masks upon returning to school. This advice comes regardless of vaccination status. COVID-19 vaccines have only been authorized for children 12 and older in the United States. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see case rates among young unvaccinated children to rise after resuming regular activities like summer camp and school. That being said, these organizations and programs are doing their best to implement strategies that keep children safe from infection. 

Is Delta Worse For Children?

Although infectious disease experts expect to see an increase in cases where vaccination rates are low, children still have a low risk of getting seriously ill. The most recent data states that children make up about 1.3 to 3.6% of the total reported hospitalizations. Additionally, 0.1 to 1.9% of all COVID-19 cases in children resulted in hospitalization. A variant that is more contagious will naturally result in more hospitalizations, which explains the rise in rates. The good news is that child hospitalizations are not increasing as a result of the delta variant. Ultimately, though, parents who have children with underlying health complications need to take more precautions. If the child is immunocompromised, for example, more protective measures need to take place. Unfortunately, there is no one-size-fits-all recommendation for children in regards to COVID-19 defense. 

What Should Parents Do?

The delta variant may not affect children the same way that it affects adults, but an adult can still infect a child. Adults with children have to be extra careful, especially if they live in an area with low vaccination rates. The disease currently spreads like wildfire in those areas. Health experts advise adults with children to get the vaccine, as all of the current FDA-approved vaccines have proven efficacy against the delta variant. Additionally, consider a slower reopening for the household. There may be an urgent “need” for normalcy, but supporting children’s health is the number one priority. Do not be careless about get-togethers or mask wearing. Try to keep gatherings small and outdoors whenever possible. Lastly, reconsider travel plans because exposure to the delta variant is much higher when traveling. 

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Let’s keep the strange going as we round out 2020, which has been something unimaginable to say the least. We don’t know about you, but does it ever feel like you’re in a surreal movie? Well, we can only do our best to provide you with advice to stay as healthy as possible as we progress through these trying times. 

Now, we face a time of year when the masses typically gather in malls, stores, restaurants, and houses: the holidays. Given that social distancing, mask wearing, and being outdoors help prevent the spread of COVID-19, holiday shopping poses a couple problems. For starters, most holiday shopping occurs indoors, where ventilation is minimal. On top of that, you have people crowding in stores, which may or may not limit capacity due to county regulations. The good news is that there are easy ways to reduce you risk of contracting COVID-19 during holiday shopping. 

#1: Take Advantage Of Online Shopping

One of the best parts about living in a digital age is that we have access to almost every single store from the comfort of our own homes. We can sit in pajamas and buy everything we could ever want. The great thing about online shopping during COVID-19 is that most retailers have an extended return policy, so you can return the items if they don’t fit or match the description. The only thing to keep in mind is that shipping during the holidays will be a nightmare, so you need to do your shopping like yesterday. This is the safest way to shop during the holidays. 

#2: Use Curbside Service

To help reduce the spread of COVID-19, many businesses offer curbside pickup. Avoid the crowds, remain in your vehicle, and simply pick up your items by taking advantage of curbside services. You can order online and select curbside pickup, or you can call ahead to order. This is a great option to minimize interaction with the public. 

#3: B.Y.O.S

What does that stand for? Bring your own sanitizer, of course! This is a must if you plan on shopping in stores this holiday season. Fortunately, most stores and malls installed many hand sanitizer stations and regularly disinfect the store to ensure customer safety. While holiday shopping typically takes place at malls, which have bathrooms, it’s a good idea to bring hand sanitizer. Even though bathrooms offer soap and water (the best option for hand washing), those bathrooms will probably be crowded. If you do bring sanitizer, make sure that it contains at least 60% alcohol.

#4: Use Contactless Payment Options

Most stores encourage the use of contactless payment options to help minimize the spread of COVID-19. When paying for your in-store purchases, try to pay with a contactless credit card. Simply hold the card above the payment terminal or tap the appropriate area. This helps you avoid physical contact with payment terminals, which are high-touch items, and cashiers. You can find out if you have contactless payment by asking your card issuer or looking for the wave symbol on the card. 

#5: Follow CDC Safety Recommendations

Depending on which stores or malls you visit, this may be easy or difficult. Any time that you venture out into the world, always take a mask, bring hand sanitizer, and be prepared to socially distance. The most important rule is to wear a mask. You may even see people who decide to wear a surgical mask and cloth mask. Anytime you leave a store, use hand sanitizer or wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds, provided that option is available. If you visit the CDC’s website, you can find more tips about staying safe during holiday shopping. 

#6: Try To Shop Locally

Where do most people shop during the holidays? They head to malls and big commercial stores that sell popular items. The smaller local businesses, which sell handmade products, are in need of your support. Plus, they offer unique gifts that often match the sensibilities of the people you are shopping for. Not only does shopping locally make your gift more personal, but it also supports the community. Additionally, these stores will probably be less crowded, and they’ll do a better job at regulating capacity. 

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It’s safe to say that the face mask is a standard accessory for everyone for the foreseeable future. Depending on the city you live in, face masks are mandatory or encouraged in most indoor and outdoor settings, where social distancing isn’t possible. Despite the urge from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to wear masks to slow the spread of COVID-19, many people refuse to wear masks, or they wear them incorrectly. 

People argue about whether masks do anything to keep people safe. There is no argument to be had here because masks actually do keep people safe. Wearing a mask helps to protect others from contracting COVID-19. Because so many people can unknowingly have the virus, wearing a mask helps keep others safe, since you can transmit the virus even without experiencing symptoms.

How To Properly Wear A Mask

Any cloth facial covering or mask should cover your nose and mouth. It should be snug around your face to avoid respiratory droplets entering open or loose areas. Make sure that you can breathe easily, so don’t make it too tight. Before you put on your mask, wash your hands and try to only touch the bands or ties when putting the mask on your face. Disposable masks should be discarded every day, while reusable masks should be washed after each use. Click here to learn more about caring for reusable masks. 

Unfortunately, many people do not wear masks correctly, increasing their risk of contracting COVID-19. If you make the following mask-wearing mistakes, it’s time to correct them. Remember that improper mask wearing contributes to higher COVID-19 numbers, which prevents us from moving forward and reopening more and more businesses. 

The Chin Diaper

The chin diaper or neckbeard iteration of mask wearing offers zero protection for the wearer and those around them. When your mask is scrunched under your chin, you run the risk of germs landing on both the inside and outside of the mask. Putting that mask back over your mouth and nose then increases your risk of COVID-19. Additionally, each time you pull the mask up and down, you can transfer germs from your fingers to your nose and mouth. 

The Earring

Much like the Chin Diaper technique, the Earring offers zero protection. Allowing the mask to hang off one ear means that you are not covering the nose and mouth, the two most vulnerable areas of your face through which COVID-19-infected droplets can enter. Not only is this ineffective mask wearing at its finest, but it is also a great way to put you and others around you at risk. 

The Sipper

Listen, people, don’t cut a hole in your mask so that you can fit your straw and snacks through it. We’ve seen it around and it offers minimal protection. While you may think that it protects you if you’re sipping your beverage in a crowded place, it does not. In fact, it increases the chances of inhaling infected droplets through the hole or exhaling them out of the hole. 

The Sniffer

This is probably the most common mistake for people who wear masks. When you leave your nose out, you expose yourself to COVID-19 droplets, but you can also breath out droplets, putting others at risk. This technique serves no purpose and all of the health experts advise against it. 

The Nose Patch

This isn’t a popular mask wearing technique, but people do wear masks like this. This fashionable choice involves wearing the mask over your nose only, leaving your mouth exposed. This style is excellent if you needed to read lips while simultaneously increasing your risk of getting infected by COVID-19. The mask cannot trap respiratory droplets when you cough or speak, and it doesn’t protect the wearer from inhaling infected droplets. 

The Headband

The mask should cover your nose and mouth, not your hair. Some people decide to wear masks on their heads, holding their hair down and keeping it out of their face. You know what’s not out of their face? Coronavirus. This technique, much like the Earring or Chin Diaper, leaves your mouth and nose exposed, making it 100% ineffective. 

The Scarf

Winter is coming and more scarves will be used in place of cloth facial coverings. This is a horrible idea because scarves have holes in them and cannot effective block droplets from coming in or exiting out. One strand of hair is 60 microns, and the infected droplets that can infect you are 100 microns, meaning they can easily pass through the holes in the average scarf. Tight woven scarves combined with proper mask wearing (over the nose and mouth) can be very effective at protecting you and others around you. 

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