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Here's How to Properly Sanitize Your Dirty Dishes—Whether You Have a Dishwasher or Not

Key TakeawaysMany dishwashing tools, like sponges, towels, and dishwashers, can harbor bacteria.Dishwashers are better for sanitizing since the water gets hotter than in a sink, but you can also sanitize dishes with chemical solutions.Experts recommend cleaning your sponge and sink frequently to avoid cross-contamination with bacteria.Cleaning your dishes properly can help prevent foodborne illnesses in the kitchen.However, almost the entire kitchen—from the sink, sponges, and towels to dishwashers—can harbor harmful bacteria....

Here's How to Trick Your Brain Into Avoiding Jet Lag

Key TakeawaysThe Australian airline Qantas is redesigning key parts of the inflight experience to try and ease passengers’ experiences of jet lag on long-haul flights.The company said that adjusting cabin lighting schedules, incorporating physical movement throughout the flight, and tailoring the meal service menu improved passengers’ sleep and cognition.Circadian rhythm experts say that the timing of light exposure is the most important factor to minimize jet lag and a one-size-fits-all approach is unlikely to benefit all passengers....

Here's How You Can Manage Your Sun Sensitivity This Summer

Key Takeaways Before Arushi Tandon, a writer in her twenties based in Delhi-NCR, India, was diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus, she noticed that she would get rashes when she was out in the sun. This sun sensitivity started around the same time as Tandon’s other lupus symptoms. “I used to get a rash and headache post-sun exposure and it wasn’t until my diagnosis that my doctor informed me this was a consequence of lupus,” Tandon tells Verywell....

Here's the Difference Between COVID-19 Booster Shots and Third Doses

Key TakeawaysAt the moment, only certain people who got the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine are eligible to get a booster shot.A booster vaccine dose is for individuals who already built COVID-19 immunity from vaccination but whose protection may have waned over time.On the other hand, an additional vaccine dose is intended to help immunocompromised individuals build adequate protection from COVID-19. Key Takeaways At the moment, only certain people who got the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine are eligible to get a booster shot....

Here's What 2 Weeks of Daily Sauna Use Did for My Health and Body

Key TakeawaysAmong other benefits, regular sauna use can help relax muscles, improve blood flow, and bolster skin health.The recommended length of time to spend in a sauna is 15-20 minutes. First-timers should start with five to 10 minutes.People with certain health conditions should not use a sauna. If you’re not sure if that’s you after reading this article, consult with a healthcare provider.Saunas have been around forthousands of years, and today’s celebrities still tout them as health and wellness essentials for everything from muscle recovery and stress relief to improved lung function and better sleep....

Here's What Coverage of the Delta Surge Gets Wrong—and Why It's Harmful

Meghan Fitzgerald, RN, MPH, DrPH, is an adjunct associate professor with the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health and a private equity investor. She has decades of experience working in the healthcare field, ranging from frontline patient care to advising prominent healthcare firms. Here, she shares her take on the implications of mixed Delta messaging for those who are still unvaccinated. Out of the thousands who descended on the P-town party over the July 4th weekend, only four vaccinated folks ended up in the hospital andno one died....

Here's What Elon Musk's Neuralink Brain Chip Is Supposed to Do

Key TakeawaysElon Musk’s neurotechnology startup, Neuralink, is recruiting for its first human trial.The FDA granted the company approval for human testing in May 2023 after rejecting its application last year, citing safety concerns.Neuralink will test the safety and feasibility of its brain implant, and it hopes to help patients with paralysis control a keyboard or computer cursor with their minds. Key Takeaways Elon Musk’s neurotechnology startup, Neuralink, is recruiting for its first human trial....

Here's What President-Elect Joe Biden's COVID-19 Advisory Board Will Look Like

Key TakeawaysPresident-elect Joe Biden announced a 13-member COVID task force full of prominent doctors, scientists, and public health experts.The newly announced advisory board will be tasked with combating COVID-19 and stopping the spread of the virus, which could include a nationwide mask mandate.The Biden-Harris plan also includes steps to invest $25 billion for vaccine deployment and distribution that will guarantee it gets to “every American, cost-free.” Key Takeaways President-elect Joe Biden announced a 13-member COVID task force full of prominent doctors, scientists, and public health experts....

Here's What to Do If You Have Long Flu

Key TakeawaysRecent research shows that some people may experience long flu after having influenza.You may be able to treat long flu on your own at home.It’s important to see a doctor if your symptoms persist or interfere with your daily activities.The COVID-19 pandemic put a fresh eye on infectious diseases, including the consequences that can come from having a virus. While long COVID is now a well-known condition, researchers have discovered that people can develop lingering illness from the flu, too....

Here's What To Do If You'll Lose Medicaid Coverage When the Pandemic Emergency Ends

Key TakeawaysAs many as 20 million people will lose their eligibility for Medicaid coverage when the COVID-19 pandemic public health emergency. Eligibility for the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) will also be affected.During the pandemic, the federal government required that state Medicaid programs keep people enrolled even if they would normally have lost eligibility for any reason.Many people who will lose Medicaid should be able to get low-cost health insurance through the federal and state insurance marketplaces....

Here's What to Do If Your Birth Control Pill Was Recalled

Key Takeaways Lupin Pharmaceuticals, the company that manufactures birth control pills sold under the brand name Tydemy, has issued a voluntary recall of two specific batches of their birth control products. According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), certain lots of birth control pills from the brand are being recalled due to concerns about potential reduced effectiveness. Tydemy is an oral prescription contraceptive that’s a combination of estrogen and progestin....

Here's What You Need to Know About the Delta Plus Variant

Key TakeawaysThe Delta plus variant, a descendant of the Delta variant, is causing a growing number of cases in the United Kingdom.The COVID-19 virus will continue to evolve and create new variants as more people get infected.It’s possible for Delta plus to become the dominant variant in the U.S. eventually, experts say. Key Takeaways The Delta plus variant, a descendant of the Delta variant, is causing a growing number of cases in the United Kingdom....

Here's Where Health Insurance Costs Are Rising in 2023 and What You Can Do About It

Key TakeawaysHealth insurance premiums through the Healthcare.gov insurance marketplace will increase nationwide in 2023. Some states will feel the impact more than others.Federal subsidies based on income may offset much of the cost of your health insurance premium, but you need to know how to take advantage of these.The cost of being without health insurance may be devastating in some cases, so shop around up until January 15 and be sure to take advantage of all subsidies you may be eligible to receive....