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Bold Fantasy Predictions for 2021
The FFL crew expains which players could ball out in 2021.
The FFL crew expains which players could ball out in 2021.
Chewing Gum: nosebleeds and crises of faith in Michaela Coel's hilarious coming-of-age comedyWith the same storytelling dexterity as I May Destroy You, Coel’s first series follows a Beyoncé-obsessed 24-year-old on a quest to lose her virginity
'If you’re on wheels, you’re our friend': veteran roller-skaters embrace a new generationRoller-skating’s revival is a rare burst of joy in troubling times – and no one is happier about it than the skaters who kept the sport alive
"The situation with the family clearly isn't ideal."
With new variants of the coronavirus circulating in the United States after originating in the U.K. and South Africa, there is cause for concern: These variants may not be more fatal, but they do transmit faster. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is concerned enough to have just issued a warning. "New virus variants that spread more easily could lead to a rapid rise in COVID-19 cases," says the CDC. "NOW"—the capitalization is theirs—"more than ever, it is important to slow the spread." "I want to stress that we are deeply concerned that this strain is more transmissible and can accelerate outbreaks in the U.S. in the coming weeks," said Dr. Jay Butler, deputy director for infectious diseases at the CDC. "We're sounding the alarm and urging people to realize the pandemic is not over and in no way is it time to throw in the towel." Read on to see how you can stay safe, and to ensure your health and the health of others, don't miss these Sure Signs You've Already Had Coronavirus. The New COVID Variant is Dangerous Due to "Increased Transmissibility"The CDC's report said: "The increased transmissibility of the B.1.1.7 variant warrants universal and increased compliance with mitigation strategies, including distancing and masking. Higher vaccination coverage might need to be achieved to protect the public." "We know what works and we know what to do," Butler said. He was referring to the public health measures you've no doubt heard about—but now must follow more than ever."These variants seem to spread more easily and quickly than other variants, which may lead to more cases of COVID-19. Currently, there is no evidence that these variants cause more severe illness or increased risk of death. However, an increase in the number of cases will put more strain on health care resources, lead to more hospitalizations, and potentially more deaths," says the agency. "Rigorous and increased compliance with public health mitigation strategies, such as vaccination, physical distancing, use of masks, hand hygiene, and isolation and quarantine, will be essential to limiting the spread of SARS-CoV-2 and protecting public health."Or, in the words of the study: "Collectively, enhanced genomic surveillance combined with continued compliance with effective public health measures, including vaccination, physical distancing, use of masks, hand hygiene, and isolation and quarantine, will be essential to limiting the spread of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)," says the report. "Strategic testing of persons without symptoms but at higher risk of infection, such as those exposed to SARS-CoV-2 or who have frequent unavoidable contact with the public, provides another opportunity to limit ongoing spread."RELATED: If You Feel This, You May Have Already Had COVID, Says Dr. FauciHow to Survive This PandemicAs for yourself, follow Dr. Anthony Fauci's fundamentals and help end this surge, no matter where you live—wear a face mask, social distance, avoid large crowds, don't go indoors with people you're not sheltering with (especially in bars), practice good hand hygiene, get vaccinated when it becomes available to you, and to protect your life and the lives of others, don't visit any of these 35 Places You're Most Likely to Catch COVID.
"It's just been a lot," a friend said.
Take a look back at everything this legendary star has accomplished.From Redbook
Finding meaning in the life of a loved one who dies is part of griefWe’ve all lost so much through the pandemic, but by making sense of it we can look forward
The COVID-19 pandemic continues to rage across the country, making your health—as well as the health of others—the #1 priority. With the number of infections breaking daily records, hospitals reaching capacity, deaths continuing to rise, and the identification of a newer, more transmissible strain of the virus, preventing initial infection is the best easiest way to do your part. Over the last year, we have learned that some places are riskier than others when it comes to the potential of coronavirus spread. Therefore, a truly easy way you avoid catching or spreading the virus is avoiding certain places completely. Here are 7 places you should never walk into, according to Darren Mareiniss, MD, Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine at Sidney Kimmel Medical College – Thomas Jefferson University. Read on, and to ensure your health and the health of others, don't miss these Sure Signs You've Already Had Coronavirus. 1 You Should Avoid Indoor Dining Across the country, many mayors and governors have opted to put a stop to indoor dining, as sitting inside of restaurants and sharing meals with others has been detected as a higher risk activity due to ventilation issues and the fact that people take off their masks when they walk inside. Dr. Mareiniss dubs indoor dining "high risk." "I feel badly about restaurants losing business," Dr. Anthony Fauci, who orders takeout and delivery, told CNN. "And I feel it's almost a neighborly obligation to keep neighborhood restaurants afloat." 2 You Should Avoid Gyms Dr. Mareiniss warns that gyms are risky establishments for the spread of the virus. Many states have opted to close indoor gyms, especially during periods of extraordinary surge. RELATED: 7 Tips You Must Follow to Avoid COVID, Say Doctors 3 You Should Avoid Bars Health experts—including Dr. Mareiniss—have repeatedly warned that bars have no business being frequented during the pandemic. This is due to the fact that most people take their masks off and don't engage in social distancing, he points out. "They have been the source of multiple outbreaks," he adds. "Bars: really not good," says Fauci. 4 Don't Take Public Transportation Unless You Have To While communal transportation may be convenient, Dr. Mareiniss suggests staying away from the inside of an airplane, bus, or train during the pandemic where you will be "inside with multiple people from other households." 5 Avoid Religious Houses of Worship; Pray and Commune Online Whether your preferred place of worship is a church, temple, synagogue, mosque, or AA clubhouse, Dr. Mareiniss warns that they have superspreader potential and dubs them "high risk." Why? They usually involve little to no masking wearing, sitting or standing close to others, and singing or speaking loudly in an indoor environment, all a recipe for transmission. RELATED: If You Feel This, You May Have Already Had COVID, Says Dr. Fauci 6 Use Caution During Indoor Gatherings While gathering with members of your immediate household is impossible to avoid, multiple family indoor get togethers are a no-no, says Dr. Mareiniss. This includes holiday events, New Year's Eve celebrations, dinner parties, and other types of indoor gatherings. There is "high risk mixing of multiple households," he explains. "Remember, the virus can be actively spread by asymptotic patients." Even small gatherings are dangerous, and cause the most spread. 7 Postpone Weddings, Funerals, or Bar Mitzvahs While celebrating or mourning with friends and family can bring us joy, these types of events have been linked to huge outbreaks of the virus over the last year—including one wedding in Maine that recently caused a large outbreak and the deaths of several people who did not attend the wedding, Dr. Mareiniss points out. 8 How to Survive This Pandemic "We've got to be able to get people to get out and enjoy themselves within the safe guidelines that we have," Fauci says. "Make public health work for you as opposed to against you." So follow his fundamentals and help end this surge, no matter where you live—wear a face mask, social distance, avoid large crowds, don't go indoors with people you're not sheltering with (especially in bars), practice good hand hygiene, get vaccinated when it becomes available to you, and to protect your life and the lives of others, don't visit any of these 35 Places You're Most Likely to Catch COVID.
Living Record festival review – milk cults, coma patients and homeless ghostsAvailable online Theodora van der Beek’s film about a lactose-fuelled religion is the highlight of an online compilation that finds British theatre-makers in morose mood
Since the start of the pandemic, the entire world has been eagerly awaiting the arrival of a COVID-19 vaccine. Many equated the reality of a vaccine with a return to normalcy, believing that after receiving it, many of the precautionary measures recommended by the CDC and health experts could be abandoned. However, now that the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines have been approved by the FDA and are currently being administered to the first groups, it is quickly becoming clear that this isn't the case. So, when will we be able to stop social distancing, throw away our masks, and return to life as we know it? Read on to find out—and to ensure your health and the health of others, don't miss these Sure Signs You've Already Had Coronavirus. 1 Vaccines Don't Represent "The End" of the Pandemic "As much as we are all ready to see the 'end' of the COVID pandemic, getting the vaccine does not mean that it is time to throw the masks away, stop social distancing and return to the way things were pre-COVID," Oyere K. Onuma, MD, MSc, Associate Director, Preventive Cardiovascular Health Program at Yale Medicine and Assistant Professor of Medicine (Cardiology), Yale School of Medicine, tells Eat This, Not That! Health. Unfortunately, there are several important reasons why COVID precautions will need to continue after you get vaccinated. 2 Immunity Will Take at Least 5 Weeks "If you have had only the first vaccine, you are definitely not protected and can get COVID in that period between the first and second vaccines where the protection from the vaccines is only about 50% on average," Dr. Onuma points out. During this period it is absolutely crucial to continue to maintain adequate precautions with wearing masks, social distancing and washing your hands. So, how long does it take to achieve immunity? "The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines were about 95% effective after full vaccination 1 week after the second dose," she says. 3 The Vaccine Isn't 100 Percent Effective Darren Mareiniss, MD, Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine at Sidney Kimmel Medical College – Thomas Jefferson University, points out that the vaccine is only 95 percent effective. "In the Pfizer study of over 21000 immunized people, around 8 became infected 7 days after the second dose compared to 162 people in the placebo group," he explains. This means that while the majority of people who received it were effectively protected, there is still a risk of infection. 4 It Protects You From Getting Sick, But Might Not Protect You From Spreading It Asymptomatic spread is one of the unfortunately harsh realities of COVID-19. "While the vaccine reduces the risk of getting COVID or having severe diseases when you are fully vaccinated, it is unclear that it prevents you from transmitting the virus to others. Vaccinated people could potentially act as asymptomatic carriers and sicken others," Dr. Onuma points out. "Hence, it is important to continue wearing masks around others and social distancing even if you have been vaccinated." 5 Herd Immunity Will Take Time Dr. Onuma explains that herd immunity won't happen overnight. "When the vaccination rates are eventually high enough to reach "herd immunity" (80% or more of the population vaccinated), it might be feasible to start relaxing some of these rules," she explains. However, when this will be a reality all depends on whether the majority of the population choose to be vaccinated. Once herd immunity is achieved, life can start to return to normal and we can start returning to movie theaters, sporting events, and even bars. 6 Even When Herd Immunity Is Achieved in the US, It Might Not Be the Case Elsewhere International travel might not be safe for some time, according to Dr. Onuma. She points out that even once we achieve herd immunity in the United States, it might not be the case elsewhere. "Travel, especially to international locations where the vaccines may not be available as they are in the US could carry the same risk of asymptomatic infection," she points out. 7 How Long Will Immunity Last? There is also a big question: how long will immunity last after vaccination? "We don't know how long the vaccines will impart immunity," Dr. Mareiniss points out. RELATED: 7 Tips You Must Follow to Avoid COVID, Say Doctors 8 Keep Following the Fundamentals While the vaccine is sure to be effective in slowing the spread of the virus, life isn't going to return to post-pandemic normal overnight. So, in the meantime follow Dr. Anthony Fauci's fundamentals and help end this surge, no matter where you live—wear a face mask, social distance, avoid large crowds, don't go indoors with people you're not sheltering with (especially in bars), practice good hand hygiene, get vaccinated when it becomes available to you, and to protect your life and the lives of others, don't visit any of these 35 Places You're Most Likely to Catch COVID.
Whether you believe the coronavirus is a deadly virus worth observing public health measures to avoid—or an overblown "flu"—there's one thing anyone could agree with: It'd be good to know if you had it. That's why one study, published in the journal Frontiers in Public Health, and led by experts at the USC Michelson Center's Convergent Science Institute in Cancer, proved so engaging: researchers said they discovered the order COVID symptoms usually presented themselves. "COVID-19 patients have symptoms similar to other common illnesses," wrote the authors. Read on to see the distinguishing order in which they usually appear—and to ensure your health and the health of others, don't miss these Sure Signs You've Already Had Coronavirus. 1 You're Most Likely to Get a Fever First "It starts off, in many cases, like the flu," reports the Mercury News. You may have a fever of 100.4 or above. "But that can be misleading, because some patients never develop a fever." 2 Then a Cough and Muscle Pain Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation's top infectious disease expert and the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, has warned of a cough and "myalgia," which are muscle aches and pains. The cough is usually dry and produces no phlegm. 3 Then Nausea or Vomiting "Fever, cough and shortness of breath are the classic symptoms of COVID-19, but there may be gastrointestinal symptoms, such as nausea and diarrhea, that are getting missed, according to a Stanford Medicine study," reports the University. "Researchers found that, in addition to upper respiratory symptoms, a significant number of those sick with the new virus also suffered from loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea." 4 Finally, it May End With Diarrhea Yes, as mentioned, diarrhea can be a symptom—often the final one. If you feel better after, be grateful—those with Post-COVID Syndrome may have gastrointestinal issues—or issues like fatigue, hair loss and neurological problems—for months, possibly years, possibly life. 5 There Are Of Course Other Symptoms—and the Order May Vary One of the most nefarious things about COVID-19 is that everyone experiences it differently.Besides fever, "typical symptoms are cough, fatigue, nausea and shortness of breath. The most unusual symptom is loss of smell and taste, which can precede the onset of respiratory symptoms," says Mercury News. And the order can change. 6 What to Do If You Experience These Symptoms "If you have a fever, cough or other symptoms, you might have COVID-19," says the CDC. "Most people have mild illness and are able to recover at home. If you think you may have been exposed to COVID-19, contact your healthcare provider."RELATED: 7 Tips You Must Follow to Avoid COVID, Say Doctors 7 How to Survive This Pandemic As for yourself, follow Fauci's fundamentals and help end this surge, no matter where you live—wear a face mask, social distance, avoid large crowds, don't go indoors with people you're not sheltering with (especially in bars), practice good hand hygiene, get vaccinated when it becomes available to you, and to protect your life and the lives of others, don't visit any of these 35 Places You're Most Likely to Catch COVID.
Over a year into the coronavirus pandemic, some of us are experiencing "COVID fatigue," and might find it tempting to be a little less vigilant about some of the best practices to prevent infection. Face masks, worn properly—covering the nose and mouth—are a must. But if you've seen more people allowing their masks to slip below their noses, you're not alone. Wearing a mask below your nose is more than incomplete protection against the virus—it may be as bad as not wearing a mask at all. That's because research suggests COVID-19 enters the body through the nose first, because nasal tissue is more susceptible to the virus. Leaving the nose exposed is forgoing protection where you literally need it most. Read on to find out how to best protect yourself, and to ensure your health and the health of others, don't miss these Sure Signs You've Already Had Coronavirus.The nose = a COVID superhighway?"We have been researching this data for less than a year. Still, so far, it suggests that the primary attack of the coronavirus is in the nose, in the nasal epithelium, which is the skinlike layer of cells in charge of expressing odors," Leo Nissola, MD, told us in December. "It seems like the virus assaults support cells and stem cells in the nose." This might be what causes the loss of smell and taste many people experience with COVID.Last summer, a study at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill found that cells in the nose are more vulnerable to the coronavirus than cells in the throat or lungs. Researchers also found that people emit more of the COVID-19 virus when breathing through their noses than through their mouths.Since mask-wearing is a two-way street—we wear them to protect ourselves from inhaling the virus and to shield others from virus we may unwittingly be transmitting as we exhale—letting a mask slip below the nose is a double failure.The good news: Researchers' findings about how the virus enters the body could lead to more treatments. "If the nose is the dominant initial site from which lung infections are seeded, then the widespread use of masks to protect the nasal passages, as well as any therapeutic strategies that reduce virus in the nose, such as nasal irrigation or antiviral nasal sprays, could be beneficial," said Dr. Richard Boucher, co-author of the UNC study. But in the meantime, keep wearing that mask—the right way.RELATED: COVID Symptoms Usually Appear in This Order, Study FindsHow to survive the pandemicAs for yourself, do everything you can to prevent getting—and spreading—COVID-19 in the first place: Wear a face mask, get tested if you think you have coronavirus, avoid crowds (and bars, and house parties), practice social distancing, only run essential errands, wash your hands regularly, disinfect frequently touched surfaces, and to get through this pandemic at your healthiest, don't miss these 35 Places You're Most Likely to Catch COVID.
We've combed through the latest additions to the Nordstrom sale section so you don't have to.
In brief: Passing: An Alternative History of Identity; The Last Migration; Good Husbandry – reviewsAn engaging study of assumed identities, a climate change adventure set in the near future, and the challenges of life on a farm
It keeps my hair up all day every day.
Could you have had COVID-19 and not even realized it? Possibly. "The majority of people who contract the coronavirus will experience mild symptoms, the most common being a high temperature and a new, dry and continuous cough. A smaller percentage of people will experience more severe symptoms," explains Dr. Daniel Atkinson, GP Clinical Lead at Treated.com. However, because the coronavirus actually has a spectrum of symptoms—some so mild they are barely noticeable or easily confused with something else—it can go unnoticed or undiagnosed. Read on to discover the 21 subtle signs you've already had coronavirus, and to ensure your health and the health of others, don't miss these Sure Signs You've Already Had Coronavirus. 1 Runny Nose, Sore Throat, and Congestion Dr. Atkinson maintains that the trifecta of a runny nose, sore throat, and congestion, can signify a mild case of COVID-19. However, because it "sounds, and likely feels, a lot like the common cold, or a hay fever allergy," many people likely brushed them off. 2 Reduced, or Loss of, Sense of Taste and Smell Some people who experience a loss of their taste and smell may have contracted the coronavirus. "It's a symptom that might accompany really mild symptoms, like those not dissimilar to the common cold—runny nose, congestion and sore throat—but it can also accompany the very mild symptoms, such as muscle aches, fatigue, fever and a continuous cough," Dr. Atkinson points out. While it is not fully understood yet why some people report experiencing a loss in taste and smell, it is thought that in the majority of cases the sense returns after no more than six weeks, he explains. 3 Reduced Appetite Dr. Atkinson adds that when your body is infected by a virus like COVID-19, your appetite can become reduced. "If this is accompanied by a loss of taste and smell it can make wanting to eat or drink really difficult," he explains. "It's really important to drink plenty of fluids to help your body combat the virus and minimize the symptoms and even if you don't feel like it, try to eat something, even if it's just a snack or a small meal." 4 Breathlessness As novel coronavirus is a viral infection of the upper respiratory tract, things like coughing, a sore throat and breathlessness can occur as symptoms, explains Dr. Atkinson. While the most common is the dry, continuous cough often reported on, if you're feeling breathless—more so than usual—and if it happens when you're at rest, then it may be cause for concern and you should (or should have) sought medical advice straight away. 5 Tiredness and Fatigue When your body is fighting any kind of infection, it uses up energy. "Most people will feel tired or lethargic so won't be exercising or going to work when they're ill but some fitness enthusiasts insist on continuing with exercise to try and battle on through," explains Dr. Atkinson. This is not usually helpful, the body needs time to rest physically whilst the immune system does the work so take a break from the circuit training for a few days. "You should not ignore your body's signals," he adds. "Resting and sleeping while you're unwell is an essential part of your recovery." 6 "COVID Toes" Dermatologists have observed purple lesions on the feet and hands of some patients with COVID-19 infection, explains Caroline Nelson, MD, a Yale Medicine dermatologist. These lesions are most often found in otherwise asymptomatic children and young adults, and may be itchy or painful.While the association is still under investigation, this finding is often called "COVID toes." Importantly, severe COVID-19 infection may also increase the tendency of the blood to clot, depriving the skin of blood flow and leading to purple skin lesions. Subtle differences in appearance provide doctors with clues to differentiate causes of purple skin lesions associated with COVID-19 infection. 7 Pink Eye If you have recently suffered from conjunctivitis, a.k.a. pink eye, it could have been due to COVID-19. "Several reports suggest that SARS-CoV-2 can cause a mild follicular conjunctivitis otherwise indistinguishable from other viral causes, and possibly be transmitted by aerosol contact with conjunctiva," the American Academy of Ophthalmology recently said in a statement. This is why some experts are recommending contact lens wearers to switch to glasses during the pandemic. 8 Diarrhea or Nausea According to the CDC, "Some persons with COVID-19 have experienced gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea and nausea prior to developing fever and lower respiratory tract signs and symptoms." In fact, a study published in The American Journal of Gastroenterology found that digestive issues were more common in those with COVID-19 than previously thought, and that up to half of patients diagnosed complained about one of these symptoms. 9 A Fever Spike Did you have a fever that came and went so quickly you brushed it off? Well, it could have been COVID-19. According to the World Health Organization, 87.9% of 55,924 laboratory-confirmed cases of coronavirus reported a fever—making it by far the most common symptom. 10 Muscle Pain Perhaps you wrote off those body aches, pains, and soreness due to overexertion. Or maybe you thought you had the flu. However, according to the CDC muscle pain is a symptom of coronavirus. RELATED: 7 Tips You Must Follow to Avoid COVID, Say Doctors 11 COVID Rashes "The skin is often a window into a person's health and may show signs of COVID-19 infection," explains Dr. Nelson. Rashes may present as small blisters, morbilliform ("measles-like") exanthems (many, often symmetric, pink-to-red bumps that can merge together), and hives (itchy red wheels on the skin). Purple skin lesions reported in patients with COVID-19 range from itchy to painful bumps on the hands and feet ("COVID toes") to angulated areas of skin injury from lack of blood flow."It is important to note that these skin signs are non-specific, meaning that they can be associated with other infections, systemic disorders, and medication reactions. It is important to seek medical advice from your physician," Dr. Nelson says. 12 Disorientation Some COVID-19 victims suffer from disorientation and confusion. One study published in JAMA found that over a third of hospitalized patients in Wuhan, China showed neurologic manifestations of the disease — including loss of balance or coordination, loss of consciousness, and seizures. 13 A Dry Cough A dry cough is one of the defining symptoms of COVID-19, according to the WHO. What is the difference between a wet and dry cough? As the name implies, a wet cough will likely produce mucus or phlegm, while a dry cough is, well, dry. 14 The Chills or Repeated Shaking The CDC made six new additions to their official list of COVID-19 symptoms. Amongst them was not only "chills" but "repeated shaking with chills." The symptom generally goes hand-in-hand with a fever. RELATED: Dr. Fauci Just Said When We'd Be Back to "Normal" 15 Throbbing Headache If you feel a jackhammer in your head, it may be COVID-19. "Findings from an observational study of more than 100 patients show headache onset may occur during the presymptomatic and/or symptomatic phases of COVID-19 progression and sometimes mimics tension or migraine headaches," reports Optometry Times. 16 Chest Pain "Some people say they continue to experience symptoms months after infection," reports Heart.org. "In doctor visits and on social media groups, a growing number of patients report lingering symptoms ranging from mild issues, such as continued loss of taste or smell, to more serious ones, such as heart palpitations, chest pain, shortness of breath, extreme fatigue, cognitive difficulties or recurring fevers. Whether these symptoms eventually resolve or whether they signal permanent damage from the virus remains unknown." 17 Loss of Speech or Movement "People of all ages who experience fever and/or cough associated with difficulty breathing/shortness of breath, chest pain/pressure, or loss of speech or movement should seek medical attention immediately," reports WHO.RELATED: COVID Symptoms Usually Appear in This Order, Study Finds 18 You Become Forgetful "Our experience with previous forms of coronaviruses suggest that in the long-term patients may develop depression, insomnia, Parkinson's disease, memory loss, or accelerated aging in the brain," says Dr. Majid Fotuhi, MD, Ph.D., who is the medical director of NeuroGrow Brain Fitness Center in Northern Virginia and an affiliate staff at Johns Hopkins Medicine. "For those recovering from COVID-19, I recommend regular exercise, eating a heart healthy diet, reducing stress, and improving sleep; these are critical ways patients can rejuvenate their brain and minimize having poor outcomes in the future." 19 You Were Early Last Year If you were sick in January or February and brushed it off as the flu or a cold, it could have actually been COVID-19. While the first known case of coronavirus in the United States was reported in early January, community spread didn't appear to be an issue—or so we thought. In fact, it wasn't until late February that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed the first case of COVID-19 in a patient in California who had no known contact with anyone who had been diagnosed with the virus or no travel history to an outbreak area. However, recently it was confirmed that there were two coronavirus-related deaths as early as February in California. Since the COVID outbreak took place during peak cold and flu season, it's quite possible that you were battling coronavirus and didn't know it. 20 You Spent Time in a Hotspot If you spent some time in any of the early coronavirus hotspots—specifically indoor restaurants, bars, places of worship, or offices—and felt under the weather, it could have been COVID-19. WHO added many of the places or situations where the virus had the potential to spread in an airborne manner involved enclosed spaces where people were likely to be "shouting, talking, or singing.""In these outbreaks, aerosol transmission, particularly in these indoor locations where there are crowded and inadequately ventilated spaces where infected persons spend long periods of time with others, cannot be ruled out," the WHO confessed. 21 Be Concerned if You Were Around Others Who Tested Positive If you were around other people who tested positive for COVID-19, there is a good chance you had it too. According to research, an overwhelming amount of people are asymptomatic carriers. In most of the study groups, they were living in the same area as others who tested positive. So, if someone in your house was sick, but you never showed symptoms, there is a good chance you had it, too. 22 There is Only One Way to Check if You've Already Had Coronavirus Dr. Atkinson points out that the only way to truly know if you had COVID-19 is by using an antibody test, a test that confirms whether or not someone had been infected with the virus in the past. Although note that no test is 100% accurate, including these—and some people who have had COVID-19 may show no antibodies. Call your doctor to ask for one—or if you think you currently have COVID-19. And to get through this pandemic at your healthiest, don't miss these 35 Places You're Most Likely to Catch COVID.
The health news this past week has been dominated by the COVID-19 vaccines that have been developed. This is unfortunately contrasted with the fact that there are ever-increasing numbers of COVID-19 cases across the country. Even with all the precautions that everyone is taking, people are still contracting this virus. As an Emergency Physician, I am often asked by patients how they contracted COVID-19, even though they are taking all the necessary steps to protect themselves. Here are 5 common ways that you may have contracted COVID-19. Read on, and to ensure your health and the health of others, don't miss these Sure Signs You've Already Had Coronavirus. 1 Asymptomatic Carrier Unlike most common viruses, COVID-19 has created a very large amount of symptomatic carriers. These individuals are actively infected with the virus, but they are not showing any symptoms. Even though fevers, chills, cough, or even loss of sense of smell is common, there are many people that have no symptoms. It is difficult to have someone quarantine when they are showing no outward signs of COVID-19 infection. The possibility of being around a person who is infected but not showing any signs of infection is one of the main factors behind the recommendations to minimize contact with anyone that does not live in your house. 2 Symptomatic Negative Test Many patients have been exhibiting signs of upper respiratory viruses but when they are tested for COVID-19, the result is negative. This phenomenon is well known to anyone who works within the Emergency Department. Many tests, such as flu, or COVID-19, have to be collected adequately within a certain amount of time of the onset of symptoms in order to be accurate. Many patients are presenting to the ED with symptoms, found to have a negative swab, and many return to normal activities. In reality, there is a possibility that their symptoms are going to progress or continue and they are possible COVID-19 positive. If you have any symptoms of an upper respiratory virus, it is important to quarantine until you are better. 3 Breaking Quarantine Early A diagnosis of COVID-19 has been accompanied by a recommendation to be quarantined for almost two weeks. Although the specifics for the recommended time to quarantine have been changing throughout this pandemic, it is at least 10 days and 48 hours without any symptoms. It can be difficult for patients to be quarantined for such a duration of time, especially since many patients show few if any symptoms. If a patient has been diagnosed with COVID-19 but starts to feel better they may still be infected, however, and it is very possible that they are transmitting COVID-19 to others. 4 Viral Particles As any member of the healthcare community can attest, there has been a very concerning finding that COVID-19 is passed through droplets that may stay suspended in the air. It is the main reason that physicians, and other health care workers are so commonly pictured with the n95 masks when working in the hospital. This is important for anyone if you are within a certain distance of other individuals. If someone coughs and the air is stagnant, it is possible that you can come into contact with the viral particle and thereby become infected yourself. 5 One Degree of Separation Many people are observing strict precautions to limit COVID-19 transmission. As the hospital systems have observed in these few weeks after holidays, you cannot control the other people around you. There are countless patients currently suffering from COVID-19 that have been fastidious with their health and social distancing. Their family members, however, may not have been as strict with limiting interactions with people. Unless you can control where you and your family members have been, and how appropriate everyone has been with social distancing guidelines, this can certainly increase your risk of COVID-19 transmission.There are still many ways that you may contract COVID-19, mostly due to lack of mask-wearing and being around other people. If you have contracted COVID-19 but cannot trace your infection to direct contact with an actively sick person, there are certainly other ways you may have become sick. With mask-wearing and vaccinations, this pandemic may be closer than ever to being over. And to get through this pandemic at your healthiest, don't miss these 35 Places You're Most Likely to Catch COVID.
Some people get the coronavirus and it kills them; others get it and don't even know it; and then there are the Long Haulers, those with Long COVID, or Post-COVID Syndrome. Long Haulers had COVID, maybe even a mild case, but will suffer for months, possibly years, possibly a lifetime, with debilitating symptoms that make them feel in an "internal prison." It will happen to at least 10% of those who get COVID, so knowing the signs is essential, and now, a big, new study into Long COVID has chronicled 63 symptoms people said they had, from cardiovascular, respiratory, dermatologic, neurological and more. Read on to hear about the most common—and the least common—and to ensure your health and the health of others, don't miss the full list of Sure Signs You've Already Had Coronavirus. 1 The Most Common Symptoms of Long Haulers According to the CDC, "the most commonly reported long-term symptoms include:FatigueShortness of breathCoughJoint painChest pain"Fatigue is the most commonly reported Long Hauler symptom, per experts, although a fever (of 100.4 degrees or higher) was the most common symptom among Long Haulers in the study. Dr. Anthony Fauci, the leading pandemic expert, says Long COVID can resemble Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, or myalgic encephalomyelitis, a post-viral syndrome that can impact all systems of the body and leave people floored, fatigued, in pain, and no longer themselves. 2 Other Reported Long-Term Symptoms Include Per the study and the CDC, Long Haulers also commonly suffer from:"Difficulty with thinking and concentration (sometimes referred to as 'brain fog')DepressionMuscle painHeadacheIntermittent feverFast-beating or pounding heart (also known as heart palpitations)"Keep reading for the less common symptoms. 3 You Might Also Have a New or Unexpected Anaphylaxis Reaction Patients who never had an allergy, or perhaps had a dormant allergy, are seeing allergies rise up, leading in some cases to an anaphylaxis reaction. "Anaphylaxis causes your immune system to release a flood of chemicals that can cause you to go into shock — your blood pressure drops suddenly and your airways narrow, blocking breathing," reports the Mayo Clinic. "Signs and symptoms include a rapid, weak pulse; a skin rash; and nausea and vomiting." 4 You Might Have Visibly Inflamed/Bulging Veins Blood can pool in your veins after COVID. "Varicose veins are caused by blood pooling in the veins. This makes them bulge out. Varicose veins most often occur in the legs, but they can appear other places too," reports the NIH.RELATED: 7 Tips You Must Follow to Avoid COVID, Say Doctors 5 You Might Have Peeling Skin Peeling skin can happen in kids who have COVID also. "Several children have developed a rare condition similar to a known condition called Kawasaki disease," Dr. Charles Crutchfield, a Board-certified dermatologist and clinical professor of dermatology at the University of Minnesota Medical School, told ABC News. "Many of these kids tested positive for COVID-19, and doctors are suspecting a strong connection. Symptoms include a red, itchy, bumpy rash all over the body, and a red peeling rash on the trunk area." 6 You Might Have Tinnitus Tinnitus doesn't mean you simply lose your hearing; it can mean a pitched-frequency is ringing in your ears. "In those who had COVID-19, a large percentage reported that their tinnitus worsened," Eldré W. Beukes, PhD, a post-doctoral researcher and research audiologist at Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas, and Anglia Ruskin University in Cambridge, United Kingdom, told Healio Primary Care. "We know that viral infections can cause hearing loss and in some cases problems like vestibular neuritis or labyrinthitis. It's also possible that the effect of having the virus increased stress due to related anxieties surrounding being in the hospital, not being close to relatives and worrying about what's going to happen." 7 What to Do if You Worry You Have Long COVID Contact a medical professional if you feel you have Long COVID. Although they may not have any answers for you—the affliction is still being understood, and CFS/ME has long been misunderstood—there are centers for Post-COVID care, and various ways they can treat the symptoms, if not the disease. Meanwhile, to protect your life and the lives of others, don't visit any of these 35 Places You're Most Likely to Catch COVID.
Trying to cut down on sugar can be an exercise in white-knuckle willpower, but it's helpful to shift your focus away from what you're not eating to, instead, what you should start incorporating into your diet: magnesium-rich foods.This is especially true if you're craving chocolate, according to Susan Yanovski, MD, co-director in the Office of Obesity Research at the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. (Related: The 7 Healthiest Foods to Eat Right Now.)"Because chocolate is high in magnesium, it's been suggested that a deficiency may play a role in these cravings," she says. "This is a research area that needs more investigation, but it does present an intriguing possibility in terms of what might be the underlying cause of these cravings."She says that up to 80% of people in the U.S. may be deficient in the essential mineral, and research indicates we're simply not getting enough of it through diet alone. A research review published in the journal Open Heart called the situation "a public health crisis," particularly because adequate magnesium doesn't just keep your hands out of the candy jar—it also plays a critical role in bone health, heart function, digestion, sleep, cellular health, and even mood and energy levels.Chronically low levels could increase your chances of having high blood pressure, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and osteoporosis, according to the Mayo Clinic.Fortunately, there are plenty of healthy food choices that let you load up on the mineral. The cacao in chocolate is a rich source of magnesium, which means you can get the unsweetened powder—many brands offer cacao-only options—and throw a little into your next smoothie, for example. You can also get more magnesium through nuts, seeds, beans, brown rice, dried fruits, and dark leafy greens.The recommended daily allowance for adults is 420 milligrams for men and 320 milligrams for women. Seeds are an especially good choice for hitting your totals—just an ounce of pumpkin seeds has 168 milligrams, for example—but you have plenty of other options, too. Three ounces of salmon packs 26 milligrams of magnesium, for instance, and a cup of cooked spinach gives you 156 milligrams.Here's an extra bonus for working toward your recommended amount: Magnesium can help you maintain a strong immune system, says dietitian Martha Lawder, MS, RDN, an adjunct professor of nutrition at California State University-Sacramento.While the COVID-19 pandemic rages on and cold and flu season is still in full force, it's even more important to incorporate the mineral into your diet or daily supplement regimen. And you may just find your cravings for sugary treats will dissipate along the way.For more tips on foods that may help lower your risk of experiencing adverse symptoms of the novel coronavirus, check out 5 Grocery Store Items That Help You Combat COVID.
COVID-19 vaccine technology continues to accelerate, and researchers are constantly learning more about how the virus behaves in the human body. But when it comes to coronavirus prevention, the tried-and-true recommendations still hold. Since early in the pandemic, Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation's leading infectious disease expert, has advised there are certain places you should avoid if you don't want to contract COVID. Read on, and to ensure your health and the health of others, don't miss these Sure Signs You've Already Had Coronavirus. 1 Avoid Indoor Gatherings Without Face Masks Since the beginning of the pandemic, Fauci has emphasized the importance of wearing a face mask and keeping a safe distance from others whenever you're inside. "When you have people in close indoor settings without social distancing or masks there are likely going to be some infections," he told the Daily Beast last week. 2 Avoid Bars Fauci has repeatedly stated that going to bars is particularly dangerous. "Congregating in bars, congregating in crowds, people getting together in a celebratory way without wearing masks" drove last summer's surge in COVID-19 cases, he told NPR. In a Senate committee hearing, he was more to the point: "Bars: really not good, really not good. We really have got to stop that." 3 Avoid Restaurants Studies have found that people who've tested positive for COVID-19 were most likely to have done one thing in the days before their diagnosis: Eat at a restaurant. Close-space tables and poor ventilation can make for a hotbed of coronavirus transmission. "I am not going to restaurants right now," said Fauci. "If you're going to go to a restaurant, try as best as you can to have outdoor seating that is properly spaced between the tables." 4 Avoid Gyms Fauci has always prioritized keeping in shape—he ran marathons for decades—but you won't find the 80-year-old inside a gym these days. "I wouldn't go to a gym," Fauci told the Washington Post earlier this year. "I need to be so careful. I don't want to take a chance." Instead, he exercises outdoors, power-walking up to three miles a day. 5 Avoid Airplanes Fauci has repeatedly said he wouldn't take an airplane right now. "I am in a risk category. I don't like to admit it, but I'm 79 years old," he said. "I don't fancy seeing myself getting infected, which is a risk when you're getting on a plane, particularly with the amount of infection that's going on right now." He has also advised Americans to limit their travel. Airports, public transportation, taxis, hotels—all these settings require close social interaction that is risky for COVID. 6 How to Survive This Pandemic As for yourself, do everything you can to prevent getting—and spreading—COVID-19 in the first place: Wear a face mask, get tested if you think you have coronavirus, avoid crowds (and bars, and house parties), practice social distancing, only run essential errands, wash your hands regularly, disinfect frequently touched surfaces, and to get through this pandemic at your healthiest, don't miss these 35 Places You're Most Likely to Catch COVID.