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Siakam discusses how nagging injuries bothered him
Toronto Raptors forward Pascal Siakam pulled the curtain back and explained how injuries have affected him from playing to his potential this season.
Toronto Raptors forward Pascal Siakam pulled the curtain back and explained how injuries have affected him from playing to his potential this season.
Yogurt can be a delicious and nutritious breakfast or snack… if you know what to look for on the label. It can also be a sugar bomb masquerading as a health food.That's right, a lot of yogurts—even the seemingly healthy ones—have tons of extra sugar in order to enhance their flavor. Unfortunately, sugar increases blood sugar levels, triggering harmful inflammation throughout the body.As you browse the many yogurt options lining the grocery store shelves, prioritize a yogurt that's high in protein and low in sugar. Dairy naturally has some sugar (from lactose), explains Nina Dahan, MS, RD, a registered dietitian in Brooklyn, New York. And, like milk, fruit also has naturally occurring sugars, but it can be tricky to differentiate which yogurts contain only the sugar that's already found in milk and fruit and which varieties have had loads of sweet stuff pumped into them.That said, while you might not find a yogurt that's entirely sugar-free, manufacturers do need to specify if their product is sweetened on the packaging. You should look for and avoid added sugars (like fruit juice, jams, or sweeteners). "High sugar yogurts can cause you to feel hungrier sooner and drive more morning snacking," adds Dahan.With this in mind, we asked nutritionists and dietitians for their expert advice on how to choose the best low-sugar yogurt brands.Why choose low-sugar yogurt?The American Heart Association recommends no more than about 6 teaspoons (25 grams) of added sugar for women, and no more than about 9 teaspoons (37.5 grams) for men. Though a few extra grams of sugar here and there might not seem like much, it adds up quickly. Plus, if you have a diet that's too heavy in sugar it can have an adverse effect on your overall health."Overall, low-sugar yogurts are important because we don't want to be consuming too much added sugar on a daily basis. Too much added sugar is not only empty calories, but it also impacts blood glucose and inflammation," explains Amanda Baker Lemein, MS, RD, LDN. "Flavored yogurts are notorious culprits for added sugar, so it's best to get used to unflavored or low added sugar varieties instead."As ACSM certified exercise physiologist and ISSN certified nutritionist Melissa Morris notes, low-sugar yogurts have all the health benefits the food has to offer without any of the sugar-induced drawbacks. "Lower sugar yogurts are great because you are getting the benefits of eating yogurt without the unnecessary added sugar that most of them have," she says. "Yogurt is a great source of probiotics, which are good bacteria that live in our gastrointestinal tract and keep us healthy. Yogurt is also a source of protein, calcium, vitamin D, potassium, and other nutrients."How much sugar is allowed in "low-sugar" yogurts?"There is no industry standard for claiming a food to be 'low sugar,' says Diana Gariglio-Clelland, RD, CDE with Balance One Supplements. "However, 'reduced sugar' does have a preset standard: it must contain 25 percent less sugar compared to a similar product of the same serving size." In other words, if a Chiobani strawberry yogurt contains 15 g of sugar (which it does) a low-sugar version of that yogurt must have 11.25 grams of sugar or less.By doing your best to avoid added sugar, you’ll be choosing a protein-packed, calcium-rich yogurt that's also a great vehicle for delivering probiotics to your gut.Choose better-for-you options from the below list of the best low-sugar yogurts that are nutritionist-approved, arranged by dairy and non-dairy products. (You'll see a lot of Greek varieties here since it can provide twice as much protein as regular types.)Dairy Options:1. Chobani Less Sugar, Gili Cherry PER 5.3 OZ: 110 calories, 2.5 g fat (1.5 g saturated fat), 50 mg sodium, 10 g carbs (0 g fiber, 8 g sugar), 12 g protein Strained yogurts (like Greek varieties) have more protein and fat, which satiate you and keep you full and fueled for longer periods of time. This Chobani option is great for that reason, plus it contains less sugar."Chobani's Less Sugar variety contains 5 grams of added sugar. The sugar from milk isn't counted as added and isn't detrimental to health like added sugars are," says Gariglio-Clelland. "This is a decent option for those wanting to cut back on sugar without eating artificial sweeteners. The protein content is impressive because it's a Greek yogurt, so it's more filling. Plus it's made with 2 percent milk to be more filling than nonfat." $48.44 (Pack of 12) at Amazon Buy Now 2. Clover Sonoma Nonfat Plain Greek Yogurt PER 2/3 CUP: 100 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 50mg sodium, 9 g carbs (0 fiber, 5 g sugar), 15 g protein If you're monitoring dietary fat for your heart health, Dahan recommends finding a low-fat or fat-free option with no added sugar since "some of the 4-5% fat yogurts can contribute too much saturated fat." One serving of this certified organic nonfat yogurt contains 15 grams of protein, making it a great option for Greek yogurt fans without the high fat content. If plain seems a little too tart for your tastebuds, you can always use it in savory dishes too, as a healthier sour-cream replacement, or as the base of homemade tzatziki.Available on Instacart. 3. Maple Hill's Plain Greek Yogurt PER 3/4 CUP: 150 calories, 7 g fat (3.5 g saturated fat), 65 mg sodium, 9 g carbs (0 fiber, 8 g sugar), 15 g protein Maple Hill plain Greek yogurt gets major bonus points since it's one of the few 100-percent grass-fed yogurts on store shelves. "Grass-fed" means that the milk came from an animal with a more nutritious diet of—you guessed it—grasses. (Think of the phrase "you are what you eat.") When you consume animal products, some of the nutrients that animal consumed get passed on to you. Plus, grass-fed products are higher in antioxidants and have higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids (the good kind) and lower levels of omega-6s (the bad kind that can increase cholesterol).Available on Instacart. 4. Danone Two Good Yogurt, Blueberry PER 5.3 OZ: 80 calories, 2 g fat (1 g saturated fat), 35 mg sodium, 3 g carbs (0 g fiber, 2 g sugar), 12 g protein This yogurt gets its name from the fact that every fruit-flavored variety contains just two grams of sugar. Its low sugar content is a result of the unusual slow-straining process (using reduced-fat milk) employed to create it. "The result is a product with 80 percent less sugar than most yogurts — 2 grams per 5.3-ounce container to be specific," says Sofia Norton, RD. "It comes in a variety of flavors to suit everyone's tastes and is sweetened with stevia, a natural zero-carb sweetener." $1.59 at Target Buy Now 5. Two Good's Good Save Meyer Lemon Yogurt PER 150 G: 80 calories, 2 g fat (1 g saturated fat), 30 mg sodium, 3 g carbs (0 g fiber, 2 g sugar), 12 g protein This new kid in the Two Good family has only 2 grams of total sugar per serving and leverages the old adage, "when life gives you lemons…" literally. It sources its lemons from rescued fruit that would otherwise be tossed, helping to reduce food waste that contributes to climate change. Not a fan of sour? Don't be deterred, the stevia helps give it a sweeter taste. $1.39 at Target Buy Now 6. Siggi's No Added Sugar Yogurt, Raspberry&Apple PER 4.4 OZ: 110 calories, 4 g fat (2.5 g saturated fat), 50 mg sodium, 7 g carbs (0 g fiber, 4 g sugar), 11 g protein "Personally, I love Siggi's No Added Sugar. It relies on the natural sweetness from fruit to flavor the yogurt, which is exactly what I would recommend clients do at home," says Lemein. "The flavor is subtle, but still palatable for those who are not used to plain yogurts. Plus, like all of Siggi's yogurts, it's a strained yogurt, so the protein is higher than traditional yogurts. The no added sugar varieties also have full-fat milk, which means it will keep you fuller for longer. While some may be avoiding full-fat yogurts, the pre-portioned cup is the perfect size to keep serving sizes in check." $1.59 at Instacart Buy Now 7. Siggi's No Added Sugar Banana and Cinnamon PER 125 G: 120 calories, 4 g fat (2.5 g saturated fat), 45 mg sodium, 11 g carbs (1 g fiber, 5 g sugar), 10 g protein Another Siggi's pick, this traditional skyr (Icelandic yogurt that's like a milder Greek yogurt) boasts a creamy texture with simple ingredients and low sugar (only 5 grams). Plus, "they tell you exactly what probiotics are in there," says Dahan, making it one of her go-tos. This banana and cinnamon flavor still packs some sweetness without overdoing it on the sugar spectrum. $1.79 at Instacart Buy Now 8. Powerful PER 227 G: 140 calories, 0 g fat (0 g saturated fat), 100 mg sodium, 10 g carbs (0 g fiber, 9 g sugar), 25 g protein This non-fat yogurt has a whopping 25 grams of protein per serving—a hard number to beat if you're looking for a yogurt that packs a powerful protein punch. If you're a sucker for sweets, Dahan suggests getting the plain version and flavoring it yourself "with fresh fruit, vanilla extract, almond extract, cinnamon, cardamom and nutmeg." $5.47 at Walmart Buy Now 9. Wallaby Organic No Sugar Added Aussie Greek Yogurt, Strawberry Rose PER 5.3 OZ: 120 calories, 5 g fat (3.5 g saturated fat), 50 mg sodium, 9 g carbs (1 g fiber, 5 g sugar), 11 g protein As the name states, there's no added sugar here. "The sweet taste of this product comes from natural fruit sugars (fructose and glucose), i.e. it's naturally sweet," says Norton. "It also contains live and active cultures — another praiseworthy feature that can help with gut health." $1.25 at Whole Foods via Amazon Buy Now 10. Trimona Bulgarian Superfood Yogurt PER 5 OZ: 110 calories, 7 g fat (4.5 g saturated fat), 55 mg sodium, 9 g carbs (3 g fiber, 5 g sugar), 5 g protein Another newcomer, Trimona Bulgarina superfood yogurts contain antioxidant-rich lacuma, which adds sweetness, along with monk fruit sugar (a zero-calorie sweetener derived from fruit) that won't spike your blood sugar. Depending on the flavor, you'll get superfoods like maca, chlorella, spirulina, acai, and turmeric mixed in—a nice upgrade to your typical plain yogurt. $42.79 at Instacart Buy Now 11. YQ By Yoplait, Coconut PER 5.3 OZ: 120 calories, 2.5 g fat (1.5 g saturated fat), 70 mg sodium, 9 g carbs (0 g fiber, 9 g sugar), 15 g protein As Amanda A. Kostro Miller, RD, LDN, who serves on the advisory board for Smart Healthy Living, points out, this yogurt does contain 7 grams of added sugar. That sweet stuff is in addition to some naturally occurring sugars in the food itself, but it nabbed a spot on this list because it also packs a hefty dose of satiating protein, which can help to stabilize blood sugar levels.To cut out all added sugars completely, opt for YQ's plain flavor, which has just 1 gram of sugar! $1.34 at Walmart Buy Now 12. Dannon Oikos Triple Zero, Cherry PER 5.3 OZ: 100 calories, 0 g fat (0 g saturated fat), 65 mg sodium, 10 g carbs (3 g fiber, 5 g sugar), 15 g protein "This yogurt is sweetened with stevia, which is not an artificial sweetener and does not yield calories. This low-sugar yogurt contains 15 grams of protein per serving to keep you full for a long time!" says Miller. "Also, I have personally loved their wide variety of flavors. This can be a great healthier substitute for dessert as well."According to Amanda Blechman, RD, CDN, and senior manager of scientific affairs at Danone North America, "Oikos Triple Zero is designed to provide an excellent source of high-quality protein to help people build and maintain strong muscles as part of a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle." $1.19 at Instacart Buy Now 13. Icelandic Provisions Skyr, Key Lime PER 5.3 OZ: 140 calories, 2 g fat (1 g saturated fat), 100 mg sodium, 15 g carbs (0 g fiber, 10 g sugar), 15 g protein Icelandic-style yogurt tends to be higher in protein because of the way it's made, and this option has an impressive 15 grams of the satiating stuff per serving. While the sugar content for the fruit-filled varieties is a tad high, some flavors have as little as 4 grams of sugar per serving. $45.80 (Pack of 12) at Amazon Buy Now Non-Dairy Options:14. GT's Cocoyo Pure PER 4 OZ: 100 calories, 6 g fat (6 g saturated fat), 15 mg sodium, 8 g carbs (0 g fiber, 2 g sugar), 1 g protein Cocoyo is a great non-dairy yogurt option and one of the go-to recommendations from health coach Amanda Carney, Director of Integration for THE WELL. Though coconut products can be high in calories, this yogurt is only 100 calories for 4 ounces. More importantly, it contains just three ingredients: raw coconut, coconut water, and probiotic cultures. Though Carney recommends going with plain, if you’re looking for a sweeter option, Cocoyo's cacao and vanilla flavors are sweetened with stevia.Looking to cut back on dairy? Here are 22 expert tips to guide you. $80.50 (Case of 6) at Walmart Buy Now 15. Kite Hill's Plain Almond Milk Yogurt PER 5.3 OZ: 140 calories, 9 g fat (0.5 g saturated fat), 10 mg sodium, 12 g carbs (3 g fiber, 5 g sugar), 4 g protein Made from low-calorie almond milk, one 5.3 ounce container of Kite Hill’s plain yogurt has 140 calories and only 5 grams of added sugar. Plus, you're getting a dose of vitamin E—which works as a powerful inflammation-fighting antioxidant. For those opting for no-sugar, Kite Hill also has an unsweetened alternative. $9.99 at Whole Foods Market Buy Now 16. Laava Blueberry PER 150 G: 160 calories, 11 g fat (7 g saturated fat), 65 mg sodium, 10 g carbs (1 g fiber, 7 g sugar), 2 g protein Made from the low-carb pili nut, coconut, and cassava (a starchy root vegetable), Laava's yogurt has no added sugar, gums, or fillers. With 7 grams of sugar, it's sweetened with real blueberries and plantains, making it another healthy option for dairy-free folks. This plant-based yogurt is a good option for those sticking to a vegan diet. $2.29 at Instacart Buy Now 17. Forager Project's Unsweetened Vanilla Bean Cashewmilk Yogurt PER 5.3 OZ: 110 calories, 7 g fat (1.5 g saturated fat), 5 mg sodium, 9 g carbs (1 g fiber, 1 g sugar), 3 g protein If you're not a fan of almond milk, cashews offer a creamier alternative. This yogurt from Forager Project combines cashews and coconut for a buttery base, with no added sugar, and the vanilla bean makes it a perfect pairing with fresh fruit. $5.99 at Ralph's Buy Now 18. Anita's Plain Coconut Milk Yogurt PER 6 OZ: 395 calories, 33 g fat (30 g saturated fat), 30 mg sodium, 15 g carbs (0 g fiber, 3 g sugar), 4 g protein With just three simple ingredients—organic coconut milk, organic coconut water, and live cultures—this tangy yogurt can be a great side sauce for savory dishes. Need some inspiration? Here are 26 things you can make with yogurt. $10.99 at Whole Foods Market Buy Now 19. Coyo's Natural Yogurt PER 5.3 OZ: 390 calories, 38 g fat (36 g saturated fat), 30 mg sodium, 10 g carbs (0 g fiber, 5 g sugar), 3 g protein Coyo's coconut milk yogurt—another recommendation from Carney—is both tangy and rich, with "rich" being the operative word. One serving (5.3 ounces) comes in at 390 calories and contains 150% of your daily value of saturated fats. If you're following a low-fat diet, better to pass on this one. But, if you follow a low-carb and high-fat diet, Coyo's offers a beneficial source of medium chain triglycerides (or MCT's) which may be a healthier source of saturated fat that is more easily converted into energy.For more, check out What Happens to Your Body When You Eat Yogurt Every Day.Available on Instacart.
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What is cryptoart, how much does it cost and can you hang it on your wall?When is a meme worth $600,000? When technology has created a ‘unique’ version that can’t be owned by anyone else A cryptoart rendering of the Nyan Cat meme recently sold for about $US600,000. A unique version of the widely distributed image was made using blockchain. Photograph: YouTube
JANET will premiere in 2022.
Spring has sprung, or at least, it’s springing. But after a long, cold and especially snowy winter locked in our homes, we’re just chomping at the bit to cook fresh springtime meals again. Sure, we had plenty of citrus recipes and hearty winter salads to get us through the first couple months...
It was painted by Winston Churchill?!
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At this point, it probably comes as no surprise that working out can significantly benefit your body. From boosting your metabolism to improving your cholesterol and lowering blood pressure, moving your body can help your body's overall health and longevity. But did you know that it can also affect your brain's memory? It's one major side effect of working out regularly, according to a new study published by the journal Neurobiology of Learning and Memory.Here's what the study had to say, and why boosting your brain's memory is one major side effect of working out on a regular basis. And if you're looking for even more healthy tips, be sure to check out our list of The 7 Healthiest Foods to Eat Right Now.Why working out is good for your brain's memory.According to an article published by the New York Times, this study focused on older African-Americans and the effect working out on a regular basis had on their aging brains. After weeks of aerobic workouts, the study concluded that your "brain's memory center start interacting in complex and healthier new ways after regular exercises, sharpening memory function."So how exactly does that work? The study states that exercise can affect the medial temporal lobe (MDL) network in someone's brain—which is a major site of neuroplasticity, which is a network that has the ability to change through "remapping," or as we call it, habits. The MDL is also the network that is immediately impacted by Alzheimer's disease, a disease that modifies one's memory.In the study, researchers found that "exercise exerts a rehabilitative and protective effect on MTL function," meaning it can help protect your brain's memory and keep your mind sharp.Exercise also can help reduce inflammation and insulin resistance, which are key elements for having a healthier brain. According to Harvard Health, "the benefits of exercise come directly from its ability to reduce insulin resistance, reduce inflammation, and stimulate the release of growth factors—chemicals in the brain that affect the health of brain cells, the growth of new blood vessels in the brain, and even the abundance and survival of new brain cells."How often do you need to work out to keep your memory sharp?Surprisingly, not a ton. While it's still good for your body's overall function to have a regular workout routine (even simply walking every day helps), the study shows that the study participants only participated in aerobic exercise twice a week. They did this for 20 weeks in the study before cognitive tests were taken.Twice a week doesn't sound so bad, right? Especially if you're moving your body in a way that you like. "Aerobic exercise" is also known as a cardio workout, but that doesn't mean you have to go for a run if twice a week if you don't like it. Dance workouts, biking, swimming, hiking, or even walking at a faster, steady pace can all make a huge difference for your health.So if you needed more convincing to start a workout routine, take this as a sign. Your brain literally has an epicenter that can shift when you set habits for yourself (neuroplasticity, baby!), and will reward you with a sharper memory in return.More Workout Stories on Eat This, Not That!This Total-Body Home Workout Builds Strength and Burns Calories FastWorkout Mistakes Damaging Your Body, According to ScienceThis Crazy-Popular Walking Workout Totally Works, Say Experts14 Best Foods for Better Workout Results, According to Experts5 Ways to Hack Your Workout for Faster Fat Loss
Nicola Pagett obituaryStage and screen actor best known for playing Elizabeth Bellamy in the 1970s TV series Upstairs, Downstairs Nicola Pagett, left, with Jean Marsh, in the ITV series Upstairs Downstairs. Photograph: PA
The hair! The dress!
The actress talks astrology, being Black in Hollywood, and learning to deal with insecurities.
The Swifties clearly didn’t get the memo that responding to a sexist joke with racism totally defies logic.
Say goodbye to uneven skin tone.
The GH Institute tested the best blenders to find out.From Good Housekeeping
After a few weeks of declining cases, some states have opted to pull back on their COVID-19 restrictions. However, according to Dr. Anthony Fauci, the chief medical advisor to the President and the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, these loosenings of tried and trued mandates are premature, and could have devastating consequences. In a new interview with MSNBC, Dr. Fauci warned of a very “bad sign” that could indicate a turnaround in the positive trend. Read on to find out what it is—and to ensure your health and the health of others, don't miss these Sure Signs You've Already Had Coronavirus. 1 The Curve Has Reached “A Plateau” When asked about Mississippi and Texas, where restrictions are loosening, Dr. Fauci asserted that “now is not the time to pull back” on public health measures. “The good news is that we have vaccines coming online. You saw the curve of the infections per day, coming down. But over the last seven days or so, we reached a bit of a plateau with a deflection of the curve isn't going straight down the way it was,” he explained. “That's a bad sign.” 2 This Isn’t the First Time This Has Happened Dr. Fauci pointed out that history could be repeating itself. “We've seen that before,” he explained about the curve plateauing. “We've seen that last summer, when we were trying to so-call open up the economy and open up the country, when we said there were certain guidelines that you should adhere to.” 3 We Need to Observe These Guidelines Universally He also pointed out that “there was variable adherence to those guidelines,” which proved to be devastating in terms of the following months, and “that really big surge that we don't want to repeat now.” 4 There Is Something We Can Do Dr. Fauci admits there is hope. “I mean, we were going in the right direction. Now's the time to keep the foot on the accelerator and not pull off because the thing that we don't want is yet again, another surge,” he said. “So I would advise the people of Texas and Mississippi to just abide by the public health measures that we talk about all the time—uniform wearing a mask, physical distancing, avoiding congregate settings, particularly indoors, washing your hands frequently. We just have to keep doing that because we know it works.”RELATED: Dr. Fauci Just Said When We'd Get Back to Normal 5 Do Your Part in Ending the Pandemic So follow Fauci’s fundamentals and help end this pandemic, no matter where you live—wear a face mask that fits snugly and is double layered, don’t travel, 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.
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Dr. Rochelle Walensky, Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, has said now is not the time to let our guard down. And yet some states—like Texas and Mississippi—are lifting restrictions and mandates. “It should also come as sobering news that on Sunday, for the first time in more than a month, a majority of states—29 in all—reported rising case counts,” reports USA Today. “These are the states with more infections in the latest week than a week earlier.” Read on—and to ensure your health and the health of others, don't miss these Sure Signs You've Already Had Coronavirus. 1 Alabama Despite cases going up, Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey was expected to lift a mask mandate this week. “All along, Governor Ivey has made clear that she prefers personal responsibility to government mandates. We are optimistic that our state is heading in the right direction, and we still have some work to be done,” Ivey spokesperson Gina Maiola told AL.com. 2 Arkansas “Last week, Gov. Hutchinson extended the public health emergency until March 31. This included important executive orders: Telehealth, business protection, remote learning, etc,” reports THV11. “Based upon the progress and stats, the mask mandate will continue but end on March 31 if certain progress is maintained.” 3 Colorado “Governor Jared Polis revealed on February 26 that the number of current COVID-19 cases in Colorado represented a substantial increase over numbers from the past week or two; he used the rise to explain why safety protocols must be maintained even as a broader range of people become eligible for vaccination,” reports Westword. 4 Connecticut “Connecticut restaurants and retail outlets will likely soon be allowed to operate at greater capacity, Gov. Ned Lamont indicated Monday, hinting at a major rollback of COVID-19 restrictions,” reports the Hartford Courant. “Lamont’s office is considering elimination of the state’s travel advisory, increasing capacity for entertainment and sports venues and allowing restaurants to expand to 75% of capacity — or even full capacity with masks and social distancing requirements.” 5 Delaware “The University of Delaware, which is allowing more students to live on and take in-person classes at its Newark campus for the spring semester, reported a record 324 cases among students and staff in the week that ended Sunday. That’s five times higher than the previous week and nearly three times more than the previous weekly high of 134 in mid-November, before Thanksgiving break,” reports WHYY. 6 Georgia “Feb. 12 was the deadliest COVID-19 day in Georgia so far. There were 187 deaths recorded that day. That surpassed the record set on Feb. 6, when the state recorded 177 deaths. The state recorded 143 deaths on March 3. Last Wednesday, the seven-day moving average of deaths was 91.4 deaths per day. On March 3, the seven-day moving average of deaths was 68.4 deaths per day,” reports Decaturish.com. 7 Hawaii “Hawaii Department of Health officials today reported two new coronavirus-related deaths and 20 new infections, bringing the state’s totals since the start of the pandemic to 441 fatalities and 27,640 cases,” reports the Star-Advertiser. “The two deaths were on Oahu, which now has a death toll of 351. State health officials said this afternoon the latest deaths were a man in his 60s and a woman in her 70s, both of whom had underlying health conditions when they were hospitalized with COVID-19.” 8 Idaho “If the regional health board sticks to its plan, masks should again be mandatory throughout eastern Idaho’s most populous county,” reports the Post Register. “A two-month decline in the region’s reported coronavirus infections halted last week, raising daily case averages from 40-50 to more than 60. The increased case counts locally come as three more infectious virus variants have been detected in Idaho, according to the state health department.” 9 Illinois “On Monday, Chicago Public Schools opened to the most students since the pandemic began last March,” reports the Chicago Tribune. “Up to 37,000 kindergarten through fifth-graders were expected to resume in-person classes, part-time, on Monday, though actual turnout has generally been lower than the number of students who chose the in-person option. Concerns about both the reopening plan and about the quality and equity of remote learning are among the reasons some CPS parents indicated on social media that they were participating in a ‘sick-out.’” 10 Louisiana “The Louisiana Department of Health reported 550 more confirmed coronavirus cases and 16 more confirmed deaths in its noon update Tuesday,” reports NOLA.com. “The number of hospitalizations stayed the same, and the number of patients in need of ventilators decreased by two. There are also 60,474 total ‘probable’ coronavirus cases in Louisiana, according to the agency's dashboard.” 11 Maine “The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention reported 128 new coronavirus cases on Monday and one new death. The new death was a man in his 60s from Oxford County,” reports WMTW. As for the vaccine: “The state has switched to an age-based strategy for the vaccine rollout saying recent scientific data indicates that age is among the strongest predictors of whether an individual is likely to get seriously ill and die from COVID-19.” 12 Maryland “The Maryland Department of Health released updated coronavirus numbers Tuesday morning,” reports Fox Baltimore. “As of 10 a.m. there are 383,170 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Maryland, 468 cases have been reported in Maryland in 24 hours.” 13 Massachusetts “COVID-19 data released by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health shows the state’s steady week-over-week decline in new cases leveled out last week following six straight weeks of decline,” reports MassLive. “The state reported 10,389 new COVID cases on the week of Feb. 14. Last week’s new case count was 10,374, with additional cases still being reported.” 14 Michigan “Michigan reported the highest number of newly confirmed COVID-19 cases in more than a month on Wednesday,” reports ABC 12. “The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services reported 1,536 new COVID-19 illnesses on Wednesday for a total of 591,753. That is the highest daily increase in Michigan since Jan. 29. State health officials reported five deaths attributed to the coronavirus on Wednesday, which increase Michigan’s total COVID-19 deaths to 15,563.” 15 Minnesota Some good news here: “After months of grim milestones in the COVID-19 pandemic, Minnesota will reach an especially bright one on Thursday: The count of Minnesotans now completely vaccinated will top the total number of known COVID-19 cases in the entire pandemic,” reports MPR News. “After a wobbly start, state vaccination trends are running in the right direction, enough so that a buoyant Gov. Tim Walz said Wednesday that June weddings and a Minnesota State Fair this year were within reach.” 16 Mississippi “Republican Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves announced at a news briefing that he is rescinding all county mask mandates and removing statewide restrictions on nearly all businesses,” reports CNBC. “I am replacing our current orders with recommendations,” Reeves said. “The only rules that will remain in this order are a capacity limit of 50% on indoor arenas and those that govern K-12 schools.” 17 Nebraska “Health department data shows Nebraska has had 201,608 positive cases since the pandemic began. So far, 155,933 of those cases have recovered,” reports KTIV. “The state is currently reporting 150 active hospitalizations due to the virus. There have been nine additional virus-related deaths in Nebraska, bringing its death toll to 2,091.” 18 Nevada Some encouraging signs: “Nevada’s COVID-19 test positivity rate continued its fall since dropping under 8% on Friday, according to data released on Tuesday,” reports 8 News Now. “The state’s test positivity rate fell below 10% on Feb. 20 and has continued to drop since Jan. 14, coming in at 7.3% on Monday, down from 7.5% the previous day.” 19 New Jersey “New Jersey is on the brink of one year since it reported its first case of the coronavirus in the state, a milestone not lost on Gov. Phil Murphy as he announced easing of some restrictions Wednesday,” reports NBC 10. "More than a year ago, we knew that we would have to prepare our state – and all of you – for the worst and hope for the best," Murphy said. "None of us could even imagine what it was we ultimately would be up against." 20 New Mexico The COVID Rise may have been temporary. “New modeling data indicates the vaccine is dramatically reducing the number of new COVID-19 cases in New Mexico. Meanwhile, only a handful of the state’s counties are getting the newest Johnson&Johnson vaccine, so far,” reports KRQE. “In a virtual news conference Wednesday, state health experts further detailed the rollout of the more than 17,000 doses of Johnson&Johnson (J&J) vaccine New Mexico received this week. Only eight counties received shipments of the third available vaccine and the state says more shipments are likely weeks out from arriving.” 21 New York The COVID variant is proving dangerous in the city and elsewhere. “About 735 cases of a coronavirus variant that emerged in New York City in November have now been identified in the U.S., including 585 in the last two weeks, a federal health official said,” reports Bloomberg.com. “The mutation has traveled extensively through the metropolitan New York region, and individual cases have also been found in 14 other states, including Texas, Wyoming and Maryland, according to Gregory Armstrong, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advanced Molecular Detection Program.” 22 Oregon “The Oregon Health Authority announced 269 new cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday along with 13 new deaths, as the state identified in Douglas County the first case of a variant strain of coronavirus originally detected in Brazil,” reports Oregon Live. “The Brazilian variant, also known as P.1, was first detected in people traveling from Brazil to Japan in January. The variant appears to be more contagious and has reinfected people previously immune from having contracted the original virus, Douglas County health officials say.” 23 Rhode Island “Health officials in Rhode Island recorded an additional nine COVID-19 deaths on Wednesday and 436 new cases,” reports WJAR. “Of the 436 new cases, 376 were recorded on Tuesday. The other 60 were added to previous dates. The total number of cases confirmed in the state since the start of the pandemic is 127,285.” 24 South Dakota “South Dakota had a slight peak in early May 2020 and a large peak in mid-November. Single-day reporting peaks for active cases happened on Nov. 15 with 19,360, Nov. 10 with 607 current hospitalizations and Nov. 28 with 54 deaths. More stabilized seven-day data averages showed peaks of just under 1,500 for new cases per week, just under 600 for current hospitalizations per week and just under 30 for deaths per week,” reports KeloLand. 25 Tennessee “The department reported 1,598 new cases, putting the state at 777,935 total cases, with 651,124 confirmed and 126,811 probable. There are currently 13,510 active COVID-19 cases in the state,” reports WKRN. “Tennessee’s seven-day new cases average is currently 1,284 additional cases per day.” 26 Texas Ignoring medical experts, “Texas said Tuesday that it was lifting its mask requirement and would allow businesses to fully reopen, the most expansive step by any state to remove coronavirus restrictions as Americans across the country are eager to emerge after a year of isolation in the pandemic,” reports the New York Times. “The move by Texas, with its 29 million residents, goes further than similar actions in other states and cities that are rushing to ease as many limits as they can.” “It is now time to open Texas 100 percent,” Gov. Greg Abbott said. 27 Washington Good news for teachers as cases rise: “Washington state teachers and childcare workers are now among those who are eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine, Gov. Jay Inslee announced,” reports News 5. “Inslee said Tuesday afternoon that educators and licensed childcare workers are moving up to Washington's Phase 1B-Tier 1 immediately.”RELATED: If You Feel This You May Have Already Had COVID Says Dr. Fauci 28 West Virginia In the rase between variants and vaccines, “West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice is lowering the overall age to get the coronavirus vaccine in the state,” reports WSAZ. “It will be lowered from age 65 to 50 in West Virginia beginning Wednesday, Justice announced during his COVID-19 news conference. Now, all West Virginians over the age of 50 can get the coronavirus vaccine, according to Gov. Justice. The state will still prioritize those who are age 65 and above, but this will open the floodgates for others.” 29 Wisconsin “Wisconsin health officials on Wednesday announced 18 new deaths related to COVID-19, moving the state's total to 6,458 deaths since the pandemic began,” reports KSTP. “Additionally, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) reported 57 new hospitalizations, moving the total number of hospitalizations during the pandemic to 26,279.” 30 How to Stay Safe No Matter Where You Live Follow the public health fundamentals and help end this pandemic, no matter where you live—wear a face mask that fits snugly and is double layered, don’t travel, 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.
This evolutionary throwback is called "freeze and appease" — and it isn't doing your health or relationships any favors.
It's basically a mood ring for your lips,