Anyone who has come down with the flu and has also been vaccinated against it knows that each flu season is different. Experts consider several factors when predicting the prevalence and potential danger of the upcoming flu season, which usually takes place between October and April.  The flu outlook for this coming fall and winter has been impacted by the prevalence of COVID-19 during the last two years. Also, experts have not overlooked the potential spread of swine flu. Getting a flu shot and staying updated on COVID boosters can help you and your family stay protected against infection...

During a 60 Minutes interview aired on September 18, President Biden surprised everyone when he said the “pandemic is over.” He immediately followed up by saying, “We still have a problem with COVID. We're still doing a lot of work on it. It's — but the pandemic is over.”  This communication immediately caused debate among public health professionals. They took to various news outlets to express their viewpoints.  However, before we turn to the debate, let’s consider what marks an “end to a pandemic.”  Lack of Consensus on Definition  The reason there’s such a stir is partly because of a...

On September 1, 2022, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommended the first updated COVID-19 booster.  The Updated Booster  The new booster was announced at the beginning of September by the director of the CDC, Rochelle Walensky. This new booster is different from the past booster shots, as it is a bivalent formulation of the vaccine. This means it contains both the original spike protein for the original COVID-19 strain and the secondary spike protein for the more recent omicron subvariants.  This updated form of the vaccine contains two messenger RNA (mRNA) components of the coronavirus...

The recent surge of wildfires scorching the California landscape makes fire safety and wildfire prevention a timely topic. So does the fact that we are entering bonfire season, which can ignite a wildfire under certain circumstances. For example, an unsupervised bonfire, a fire not totally extinguished, a bonfire made in a windy area, etc., can all cause fires. This article focuses mostly on bonfire safety and wildfire prevention from bonfires, but several of the tips offered are applicable to campfires, as well. This definition of each will show you the main differences between the two. Campfires...

In September, you may be preparing to harvest the last crops from your garden or to endure the cascade of holidays looming just ahead. However, September is also the time of year that you should be preparing for another type of possibility: An emergency. In 2004, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) declared September to be National Preparedness Month.  During September each year, FEMA encourages families to take a moment to consider and create an action plan for the various emergencies that could occur within their homes, businesses, or communities.  Here’s what you need to know...