Coronavirus

Local or state politicians will probably make the final Halloween rules. But the Centers for Disease Control has already issued some guidelines in this area. “Many traditional Halloween activities can be high-risk for spreading viruses. If you may have COVID-19 or you may have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, you should not participate in…Read the article

Largely as a result of poor decisions and chronic understaffing, two workers at a Massachusetts soldiers’ home might spend the next thirteen years in prison because of criminal charges. A grand jury indicted Bennett Walsh and Dr. David Clinton, two members of Holyoke Soldiers’ Home’s leadership team nursing home, on multiple charges. According to prosecutors,…Read the article

Coronavirus, the California wildfires, a more-active-than-normal tropical storm season, and some other events have brought a whole new meaning to 2020’s National Preparedness Month. Two-thirds of Americans have taken at least three of the six steps toward a complete disaster recovery plan (three days of supplies, talking to others, attending a meeting, obtaining official information,…Read the article

In the spring and summer of 2020, virtual healthcare visits increased over 4,000 percent, mostly due to the coronavirus outbreak. The number of healthcare facilities offering such services also increased significantly, mostly due to supply and demand. Previously, many facilities hesitated to offer such services, typically because of high implementation costs. Virtual healthcare contacts do…Read the article

Far and away the best way for your family to stay safe and do some activities during the coronavirus pandemic is to stay at home, whether or not such an order is in place. Face masks and social distancing also slow the virus’ spread, but they are not as effective as sheltering in place. But…Read the article

Executives from Pfizer and Moderna say they are on track to have a COVID-19 vaccine on the shelves by the end of 2020. With these two trials which will have about 30,000 patients each, Moderna and Pfizer established a sizable lead in the race to develop a vaccine. Some 150 firms currently have COVID-19 vaccines…Read the article

In a nutshell, the great outdoors (such as camping) are still pretty great, even during coronavirus pandemic, as long as you follow basic safe guidelines. A group of public health physicians rated outdoor camping as a relatively-low 3 on a 10-point risk scale. For comparison, they rated a gym as an 8 and a round…Read the article

Telehealth, or offering and using medical services remotely via electronic devices, is not new. But because of the global pandemic caused by the COVID-19 coronavirus and technological advances, telehealth practices are becoming increasingly popular. Virtual medical services might be convenient and cost-effective. But could they also pose potential problems, including security worries? How can telehealth…Read the article

In many ways, the COVID-19 pandemic in general, and the lockdowns in particular, were especially hard on Social Security Disability recipients and other low-income households. These individuals are also at a higher risk for eviction. Many low-income families spend almost half their income on rent. If their income sources dried up even slightly, monthly rent…Read the article

As the coronavirus crisis continues, a consensus about at least delaying school openings is emerging. New York Mayor Bill DeBlasio recently unveiled a partial reopening plan for fall 2020. The proposal would stagger school openings and incorporate two or three days a week of remote learning. At least right now, this plan is at odds…Read the article