Health Tips Line

The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic can be seen across the country. We’ve already seen grocery stores, restaurants, and other essential businesses taking careful precautions to help ensure the health and safety of their employees. Now, starting May 4, Costco is asking people to wear face masks or full-face coverings when shopping. What does this mean for us? According to Costco’s website , the face mask must fully cover the nose and mouth at all times. This means shoppers can wear a homemade cloth face mask or bandana. The Costco requirement lines up with the latest CDC recommendations , which encourage people to wear masks in public. It doesn’t apply to children under the age of two or to individuals who are unable to wear a face covering due to a medical condition, though. If you’re heading to the store, here’s what you should know before trying to make your own face mask . Costco also urges customers to remember the social distancing rules, even while wearing a face mask. They

Plan your travel wish list Right now, while we patiently wait at home until we’re able to travel again, there is no better time to daydream about our perfect getaways. The time is now to plan the bucket list trips we can’t wait to embark on…next year. In fact, these dream vacations actually need to be booked a year in advance; so for travel in 2021, you’ll need to start planning right now. Find out the best bucket list idea in every state. The post 13 Bucket List Trips To Plan A Year In Advance appeared first on Reader's Digest . from Reader's Digest https://ift.tt/2yXWX6M

Gross! My cat just hacked up something. How do I clean it up? It’s not pleasant, but it’s a good thing if you discover cat puke right away. Dry puke can be cleaned too, but since any cat puke has a tendency to stain, the faster you act, the better. Remove as much vomit as you can with a dry paper towel, spoon, or a knife. Be careful not to press the vomit further into the carpet. Spray the area with water and blot using a dry paper towel. Rotate the towel so you’re always using a dry spot on the towel—you may need a few to get the job done. Spray an enzyme-based cleaner on the spot to break down the proteins that cause permanent damage. Always follow the product’s instructions. Sometimes puking is normal but it could be a sign your healthy cat is actually sick. The post The 10 Easiest Ways to Get Rid of Pet Odor appeared first on Reader's Digest . from Reader's Digest https://ift.tt/3bOtFWF

Mother’s Day this year is on May 10 It’s going to be a bit tougher than ever to score a traditional gift to show the mom in your life how much you care due to safety protocols and store regulations resulting from the novel coronavirus pandemic. While you may not be able to bring mom flowers or spoil her with a fancy brunch at her favorite restaurant, you can still get her a meaningful gift without taking the risk of going to a store. Here are thoughtful presents mom will love that you don’t have to get at the store. The post 15 Mother’s Day Ideas That Don’t Require a Trip to the Store appeared first on Reader's Digest . from Reader's Digest https://ift.tt/2SpL0NR

When you buy your eggs at the grocery store, you can be certain they’re fresh—or at least, fresh enough to use. But it’s different if you store them in another container like this one or buy them from a local farmer. As time goes on, do you remember exactly when you bought them? How long have they been in the fridge, anyway? If eggs could talk, here’s what they’d tell you . How can you tell if eggs are good? The good news is that badly spoiled eggs are easy to detect as soon as you crack them open. The bad news is, there’s a lot of territory between “off” and “strong smell of sulfur”—you don’t want to have to count on your nose if your health is on the line. The great news is that there’s a way to tell whether your eggs are usable or not, without having to break the shell (which is the only thing standing between you and that rotten egg smell). Home cooks have been using this low-tech method for how to tell if eggs are still good for generations. It’s as easy as pouring a glass

Mother’s Day for less On Mother’s Day, there is nothing a mom wants more than to spend time with those who made her a mother. This year, though, quintessential Mother’s Day activities like brunch, spa days, and wine tastings are off the table. Plus, money is tighter than ever. This creates a huge dilemma—how do you show mom she is still top-of-mind on this special day (and every day), while also honoring the reality of a dwindling bank account? We’ve got you covered with our picks for 25 great Mother’s Day gifts, all $25 and under. You’ll also want to check out our ideas for the best Mother’s Day gifts for every type of mom . Note: Prices listed were accurate as of press time; pricing fluctuations may occur. The post 25 Great Mother’s Day Gifts $25 and Under appeared first on Reader's Digest . from Reader's Digest https://ift.tt/2VT8htH

Not cleaning or overcleaning dishes before loading them Don’t fall for ads which show dishwashers cleaning practically full meals off of dinner plates. Doug Rogers, president of  Mr. Appliance , says food particles remaining on plates can gum up the moving parts of the appliance and get cut in the crevices. Rinsing can help prevent this and keep your machine running smoother for longer. However, cleaning your plates entirely is one way you’re loading your dishwasher incorrectly . Leaving some residue on them is necessary in order for the detergent to work properly, says Shirley Hood, an appliance expert and sales representative with Abt Electronics . The post 21 Ways You’re Shortening the Life of Your Dishwasher appeared first on Reader's Digest . from Reader's Digest https://ift.tt/3d3ioBZ

My dad and I have always had a good relationship. He was the one who would let me experiment in the kitchen, the one who would travel to Orlando, Florida, with me for day trips to the Walt Disney World theme parks. He would even sit back in his recliner and watch a movie with me late at night. Usually those movies were something from Disney, and those nights were always great. But when we started watching the Star Wars saga, everything changed. My dad was introduced to the Star Wars universe when his grandpa took him to see A New Hope back in 1977, when it first came out in theaters and it was still only called Star War s . Fast forward more than 35 years later and my dad was taking me to see my first Star Wars film, The For ce Awaken s  when I was in my mid-20s. I had no idea that this franchise would become such a huge part of my life and help me become even closer to my dad. It all began with Episode VII I have to admit, growing up, I’d never really been interested in Star

Essential workers Cashiers are so important, yet they rarely get the recognition they deserve. During a time when most of us are afraid to leave our homes, they brave public spaces every day so that we can still buy necessities. Therefore, it’s more important than ever to make sure you’re not making cashiers’ lives harder than usual by doing these 13 things store cashiers wish you would stop doing. While you’re at it, make sure you’re not making a grocery bagger’s life harder either . The post 13 Things Store Cashiers Secretly Wish You Would Stop Doing appeared first on Reader's Digest . from Reader's Digest https://ift.tt/2Wyc4KC

A butterfly’s wing A butterfly’s beauty will stand the test of time, much like these photos of lasting interest. The post 25 Photos of Everyday Things Taken from a Side You Rarely See appeared first on Reader's Digest . from Reader's Digest https://ift.tt/2WCTocH

Get it together With these clever tricks, you’ll be able to organize even the hopelessly messy (looking at you, power cords), and all with simple objects you never knew could be so useful. With all the time we’re currently spending at home, opportunities abound to organize your space—with these tips to help! The post 20 Clever Household Storage Hacks You’ve Got to Try appeared first on Reader's Digest . from Reader's Digest https://ift.tt/2E8G7lX

My idea of happiness “A quiet secluded life in the country, with the possibility of being useful to people to whom it is easy to do good, and who are not accustomed to have it done to them; then work which one hopes may be of some use; then rest, nature, books, music, love for one’s neighbor—such is my idea of happiness.” —Leo Tolstoy, Family Happiness . Nature quotes like this one remind us of these  26 secrets of happiness . The post 50 of the Most Beautiful Quotes About Nature appeared first on Reader's Digest . from Reader's Digest https://ift.tt/2IE4jN3

What to do with those extra bananas Bananas always end up going bad before you can eat them all. You could do what everyone else has been during this quarantine and bake banana bread, or you can get a little more creative. If you notice that your bananas aren’t good enough to eat anymore, or are about to go bad try out these clever uses for them. While you’re at it, try these 60 clever uses for salt—that don’t involve cooking . The post 20 Clever Uses for Bananas (Besides Eating Them) appeared first on Reader's Digest . from Reader's Digest https://ift.tt/36r0R4g

Paper isn’t always best Paper towels are a hot commodity these days, so the last thing any of us would want is to be wasting some. And yet, if you’ve recently cleaned your electronic screens, mirrors, or bathtub with paper towels, you’re wasting paper towels. Here are the 12 things you should stick to cleaning with sponges or reusable cloths instead. But make sure you’re still aware of the 9 extraordinary uses for paper towels . The post 12 Things You Shouldn’t Be Cleaning with Paper Towels appeared first on Reader's Digest . from Reader's Digest https://ift.tt/2HTu8M1

The kitchen counter Do you keep your spice jars on your kitchen counter? How about your knives and olive oil? While it might look like the most convenient place to store things, your kitchen countertop is actually a bad storage place for some items. To eliminate clutter-related stress and make the most of your space, here are the 10 things you shouldn’t be storing on your kitchen countertop. Make sure you’re also aware of these 12 concealed kitchen storage hacks . The post 10 Things You Shouldn’t Be Storing on Your Kitchen Countertop appeared first on Reader's Digest . from Reader's Digest https://ift.tt/2HQ6b8p

You’re sitting at your computer, catching up with the news, when a little box pops up on your screen. It’s a security warning, and, chances are, you just click out of it without a second thought. But could ignoring these warnings be putting your computer or your personal information at risk? Hackers can do a lot with even the smallest amount of personal information. Here are all the things a hacker can do with just your email address . Why they’re so easy to ignore Let’s face it: Pop-ups are a nuisance. Add to that the fact that you probably have little to no idea what these updates and warnings actually mean, and it makes it tempting to ignore them. Unless it’s one of the  clear signs you’re about to be hacked,  it’s hard to take them seriously. Mathew Porter, director at  Kumo Digital , explains the three types of warnings you’re probably most familiar with, how seriously to take them, and how you should respond. “Update available” This one might be especially easy to ignore bec

Alabama The only state whose official drink is an alcoholic beverage (Conecuh Ridge Alabama Fine Whiskey, originally distilled by legendary moonshiner Clyde May). These are the 50 dumbest laws in every state . The post 50 Astonishing Facts You Never Knew About the 50 States appeared first on Reader's Digest . from Reader's Digest https://ift.tt/2DLAKGA

Happy Mother’s Day While all moms are wonderful, they aren’t all the same. That’s why we’ve created this list of the best Mother’s Day gifts for every type of mom, from the one who loves to cook to the one who is more into downtime—and every other one in between. Don’t miss these moving Mother’s Day traditions from around the world . Note: Prices listed were accurate as of press time; pricing fluctuations may occur. The post The Best Mother’s Day Gift for Every Type of Mom appeared first on Reader's Digest . from Reader's Digest https://ift.tt/3bSzv9n

It’s the 21st century. Why are we still cleaning with dirty sponges? You’ve upgraded almost everything else in your home, adding new appliances and technology to make everyday life more efficient. There’s no reason you should need an entire closet of mops, towels, sponges, and sprays to clean your home when there’s one tool that can do it all. Not only that, it’ll save you money and benefit the environment at the same time, just like these eco-friendly products available on Amazon . Allow us to introduce a better way to clean: microfiber cloths like these! You probably have a few of them lying around at home, maybe to buff your car or clean your glasses. What most people don’t realize is that these cloths are durable and versatile enough to clean a variety of surfaces, making them the ideal replacement for your grimy ol’ sponge. What can you clean with them? We have some ideas. 6 best uses for microfiber cloths 1. Countertops Kitchen spills, meet your new nemesis. Microfiber c

A third of patients now schedule appointments online; providers are increasingly using electronic messaging and telehealth to deliver care and identify COVID-19 cases. from WebMD Health https://ift.tt/2YklMUY A third of patients now schedule appointments online; providers are increasingly using electronic messaging and telehealth to deliver care and identify COVID-19 cases.

Many of these physicians are being left out of federal relief funds that so far have been targeted by Medicare metrics. from WebMD Health https://ift.tt/3f33VIh Many of these physicians are being left out of federal relief funds that so far have been targeted by Medicare metrics.

Here are some of the top trending COVID-19 topics dominating the social media conversation among clinicians. from WebMD Health https://ift.tt/2WdAgTR Here are some of the top trending COVID-19 topics dominating the social media conversation among clinicians.

These are the coronavirus stories you need to know about today. from WebMD Health https://ift.tt/3f2OC26 These are the coronavirus stories you need to know about today.

On the basis of as yet unpublished data, Fauci said remdesivir is new 'standard of care.' Newly published data are less conclusive; one experts says differences are 'puzzling' without full details available. from WebMD Health https://ift.tt/3f4KWNj On the basis of as yet unpublished data, Fauci said remdesivir is new 'standard of care.' Newly published data are less conclusive; one experts says differences are 'puzzling' without full details available.

Cancer type, stage, and recent treatment may affect outcomes of COVID-19 in cancer patients, according to a study from China. from WebMD Health https://ift.tt/3bTv2TU Cancer type, stage, and recent treatment may affect outcomes of COVID-19 in cancer patients, according to a study from China.

Investigators leading ongoing pivotal trials in Alzheimer's, multiple sclerosis, and stroke have had to make a quick pivot to change plans and protocols for key trials during the COVID-19 pandemic. from WebMD Health https://ift.tt/3bSAsPb Investigators leading ongoing pivotal trials in Alzheimer's, multiple sclerosis, and stroke have had to make a quick pivot to change plans and protocols for key trials during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The typical school kid comes into contact with more people -- and in closer physical contact -- every day than the typical adult, from WebMD Health https://ift.tt/3bVhaZi The typical school kid comes into contact with more people -- and in closer physical contact -- every day than the typical adult,

More than 19% of people in the same household as a COVID-19 patient, or nearly 1 in 5, can expect to develop the infection. from WebMD Health https://ift.tt/2YmnB3W More than 19% of people in the same household as a COVID-19 patient, or nearly 1 in 5, can expect to develop the infection.

Although there are some protections for physicians and clinicians who are risking their own health to treat COVID-19 patients, there are still people looking to sue. Here's what to watch out for. from WebMD Health https://ift.tt/2Sk8PGL Although there are some protections for physicians and clinicians who are risking their own health to treat COVID-19 patients, there are still people looking to sue. Here's what to watch out for.

Between Feb. 21 and March 31, 2020, there was a 58% jump in the number of cardiac arrests that occurred before victims could get to the hospital. from WebMD Health https://ift.tt/2xni5CR Between Feb. 21 and March 31, 2020, there was a 58% jump in the number of cardiac arrests that occurred before victims could get to the hospital.

There is light at the end of the tunnel for one endocrinologist in Paris, who turned his unit over to patients with COVID-19 at the height of the pandemic in the French capital. from WebMD Health https://ift.tt/3bSCqiw There is light at the end of the tunnel for one endocrinologist in Paris, who turned his unit over to patients with COVID-19 at the height of the pandemic in the French capital.

Two rare neurologic presentations in patients hospitalized with COVID-19 add more evidence that unusual neurologic manifestations can arise in patients infected with the virus. from WebMD Health https://ift.tt/2yYTTXM Two rare neurologic presentations in patients hospitalized with COVID-19 add more evidence that unusual neurologic manifestations can arise in patients infected with the virus.

2020 guidance on management of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) by the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) from WebMD Health https://ift.tt/2KJHxWm 2020 guidance on management of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) by the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA)

Two rare neurologic presentations in patients hospitalized with COVID-19 add more evidence that unusual neurologic manifestations can arise in patients infected with the virus. from WebMD Health https://ift.tt/3bUSm3C Two rare neurologic presentations in patients hospitalized with COVID-19 add more evidence that unusual neurologic manifestations can arise in patients infected with the virus.

2020 guidance on management of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) by the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) from WebMD Health https://ift.tt/2WhiLCp 2020 guidance on management of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) by the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA)

Fewer heart attack and stroke patients are seeking medical care since the coronavirus pandemic began and doctors are wondering why. from WebMD Health https://ift.tt/2YnasHE Fewer heart attack and stroke patients are seeking medical care since the coronavirus pandemic began and doctors are wondering why.

A roundup of the latest news about COVID-19 from WebMD Health https://ift.tt/2VPDSfL A roundup of the latest news about COVID-19