Medicine

Keeping COVID-19 outside of camps is a near impossible challenge

By Shelton Muro 3 hours ago

As summer camps across the country debated whether and how to operate during the coronavirus pandemic this spring, Kanakuk Kamps, a prominent network of Christian sports camps in Missouri, announced its five overnight camps would open to over 20,000 kids starting May 30.

“Our full-time summer staff of 1,600 qualified individuals including 100 registered nurses and 60 volunteer doctors are hired and sitting on ready,” Joe White, who runs the camp with his wife Debbie-Jo, told families. “We are planning on being open all summer.”

On their website the camp assured parents “We are focused on taking all reasonable measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our Kamps.”

But now even cautious hopes that COVID-19 might be kept outside Kanakuk Kamps’ gates are already dashed. On July 1, parents were notified by email that one of the camps, known as K-2, was shutting down. The Stone County Health Department’

… Read More

Vet Services Drive-Thru | Rose Bowl Movies: Saturday Smiles

By Shelton Muro 23 hours ago

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA — Happy 4th of July weekend! Here are some stories to make you smile —

Fur Babies Get Drive-Thru Vet Care In Mission Viejo

  • Caption this. Orange County’s pets got some tender, loving care at this pet clinic, designed to ensure great health for area dogs & cats.

Tribeca Film Festival Launches Drive-In Series At The Rose Bowl

  • The 30-film series will include “The Wizard of Oz,” “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial,” “Apollo 13,” “Friday Night Lights,” and “Jaws.”

Look Inside Ana Paquin And Stephen Moyer’s $14M Venice Home

  • The Hollywood Bowl House, designed By David Hertz, features wood siding from the original Hollywood Bowl amphitheater benches.

Endangered Butterfly In Southwest Riverside County Gets Advocates

Tree San Diego Gets $1.18M Grant For Tree Planting Project

Splash Mountain Redo: Disney Embraces Princess And The Frog Theme

Ringo Starr’s 80th Birthday Bash Becomes Online Charity Concert

  • The celebrity-filled charity concert will raise

… Read More

Aunt of boy, 11, who died in ATV accident warns parents: ‘It was horrifying’

By Shelton Muro 1 day ago

For many families, Fourth of July means enjoying outdoor activities together, and even though it’s a time to celebrate, taking precautions to protect your kids is still paramount.

That’s why Kristen Almer, whose 11-year-old nephew died in an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) accident in 2013, is calling on parents this weekend — and year round — to teach their kids about power sports safety.

According to a Consumer Federation of America report from 2018, July is the month with the most fatalities due to off-highway vehicles (OHVs), and the date with the highest number of fatalities is July 4.

Logan Almer’s story

On May 24, 2013, heading into Memorial Day weekend, Logan Almer, who lived with his father, mother and older brother in Minong, Wisconsin, got on his dad’s ATV when no adults were around, Almer told TODAY. He wasn’t wearing a helmet or other protective gear and drove the vehicle

… Read More

Yams vs. Sweet Potatoes: What’s the Difference?

By Shelton Muro 2 days ago

You wait all year to dig into your mom’s Thanksgiving yams with mini marshmallows. While they may be delicious, it turns out they aren’t yams at all. Even though the words “sweet potato” and “yam” have been used interchangeably for decades, there are actually some big differences between the two. Yams vs. sweet potatoes: Are they the same? The answer is a resounding no.

RELATED: The 23 Best Sweet Potato Recipes You Need in Your Life

Yams and sweet potatoes have differences in both appearance, taste and origin. When you see sweet potato on a menu in the U.S., what likely comes to mind is orange-fleshed sweet potatoes, which are starchy and have a thin outer skin just like red potatoes and russets but taste sweeter. They’re native to Central and South America but are now primarily grown in North Carolina.

Real yams, native to West Africa and Asia, have

… Read More

What to Do When Your Teen Opens Up About Mental Health Challenges

By Shelton Muro 2 days ago

If your teen has opened up to you about their mental health challenges, know first that this a good sign. This most likely means that they trust you with their innermost workings and know that you are a safe person to turn to. However, the next step may not be clear for parents — especially those who may not be familiar with mental illness.

According to Penn Medicine, some of the most common mental illnesses in teens are social phobias, anxiety, and depression. In fact, 11.7 percent of adolescents met criteria for experiencing a depressive episode, a 2017 Children’s Mental Health Report by the Child Mind Institute showed. The same report found high school students are nearly twice as likely to experience anxiety symptoms when compared to young people in the 1980s.

It is not a rare occurrence for your child to be struggling with their mental health. It is

… Read More

More Than 100 Students in Greek System at University Of Washington Positive for COVID-19

By Shelton Muro 2 days ago

Over 100 students in the University of Washington’s Greek system have reported testing positive for the coronavirus this week, amplifying concern about the reopening of colleges and universities this fall.

According to CBS News, 105 students living in 15 fraternity houses near campus this summer reported testing positive for the virus on Thursday. The county health department has verified 62 of those cases, as well as four other students who were in close contact with the residents but do not live there.

As the university continues to confirm these cases, residents are being asked to quarantine or self-isolate for the time being. None of the residents have been hospitalized.

UW did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.

RELATED: Roughly 300 Teens Exposed to Coronavirus After Attending ‘Pong Fest’ Party in Texas Town, Confirms Mayor

The first cluster was reported Tuesday, with the university sharing that at least 38

… Read More

NC not doing enough to protect immigrant farmworkers from coronavirus, advocates say

By Shelton Muro 2 days ago

Reported coronavirus cases are rising among seasonal farmworkers living in migrant worker housing, a group setting like nursing homes that the state is watching.

On Tuesday, 128 new COVID-19 cases across four farms were reported through June, according to the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services.

That was more than double the 49 cases previously reported by The News & Observer. They bring the total number of infected farmworkers living in the camps to 177.

Six farms had active outbreaks in June compared to five active outbreaks reported in May. DHHS defines an outbreak as more than two cases but is only reporting them at facilities with at least 10 residents.

The cases reported are among seasonal immigrant farmworkers from Mexico who come to work in the United States on a temporary visa and live in grower-provided housing. Other infected workers who live in private residences not on farm

… Read More

Telehealth called a ‘silver lining’ of the COVID-19 pandemic. This time, it might stick

By Shelton Muro 3 days ago

Telehealth use surged from 8% of Americans in December to 29% in May as primary care, mental health and specialists turned to remote care out of necessity during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a UnitedHealth Group report.

Telehealth evangelists long have touted using high-speed Internet connections and a range of devices to link providers and patients for remote care. But regulatory hurdles and medicine’s conservative culture limited virtual checkups to largely minor conditions like sinus infections or unique circumstances such as connecting neurologists to rural hospitals that lack specialized care.

The pandemic lockdowns closed doctors offices and delayed non-emergency care for millions of Americans. Some clinics scrambled to acquire technology platforms to deliver remote care. Others began employing rarely used video programs to reach patients in their homes.

Remote visits among Medicare patients surged through the end of March, prompting Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Director Seema Verma to

… Read More

Does your face mask need a filter? We asked medical experts what to look for

By Shelton Muro 3 days ago

We’re all getting used to wearing face coverings while out and about, and you may have noticed that several masks have a small slot to place a filter for extra protection.

Adding a filter in between the layers of your face mask can help block airborne particles that might sneak through the fabric, and can offer some much need reassurance during these uncertain times.

Luckily, you don’t have to spend a fortune on face mask filters, as there are several budget-friendly options available online. To help you get started, Shop TODAY consulted a few health experts to learn what filter materials are most effective, how often you should swap them out and where you can buy them online.

Why you should use a filter in your face mask

When used in conjunction with social distancing practices, cloth face masks can help slow the spread of coronavirus. However, not all masks

… Read More

How to treat head lice effectively with combs and medication

By Shelton Muro 3 days ago

You can get rid of lice with combs, shampoos, creams, or medication.
You can get rid of lice with combs, shampoos, creams, or medication.

Eric Audras/Getty Images

  • To treat head lice, you can physically remove the lice with a special comb for lice treatment. 

  • While combing is effective, it can also be time-consuming, and other medications may also help you get rid of lice fast.

  • For example, there are specific shampoos, topical creams, and oral medications that can also help you treat head lice. 

  • This article was medically reviewed by Sharleen St. Surin-Lord, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Visage Dermatology and assistant professor of dermatology at Howard University.

  • This story is part of Insider’s complete guide to Bug Bites. 

Head lice can quickly spread through a school, family, or group of friends. Though irritating, lice isn’t harmful to your health, and fortunately, it’s treatable with the right combs, topical treatments, and medications. 

Here’s what you need to know to treat lice effectively. 

… Read More