The Latest on Omicron: What to Know About the New COVID-19 Variant
January 6, 2022
By now you may know someone—if not several people—with omicron, the latest and fastest spreading strain of COVID-19.
A Shot of Hope
Learn the Science Behind the Vaccine
If an individual is experiencing COVID-19 emergency warning signs such as trouble breathing, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, new confusion, inability to wake or stay awake and/or pale, gray or blue colored skin, lips or nailbeds, they should seek emergency medical care immediately. If an individual does not have any of the above emergency warning signs and is just looking for a routine COVID-19 test, please visit any of the sites listed above for more information.
COVID-19 Vaccines for Children
View our resources about the COVID-19 vaccine for kids and teens.
COVID-19 Vaccine FAQs
Get answers to the most frequently asked questions regarding the COVID-19 vaccine.
Monoclonal Antibody Therapy
Monoclonal antibody therapy is an investigative treatment that can help some of our most at-risk community members who test positive for COVID-19.
New Realities, Unwavering Care
Your health and safety are always our main priority. As healthcare processes change and our community begins to adapt to a new normal, we want to let you know about the additional safeguards we are taking at Memorial Hermann to make your visit to one of our facilities as safe as possible.
In addition, we have implemented Safe Wait™, a new measure that enforces social distancing in our waiting areas. Safe Wait™ also includes staggering scheduled appointments and, when necessary, asking our patients to wait in their vehicles for their appointments.
Latest Articles
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Omicron-What to Know About the New COVID-19 Variant
December 2, 2021
A new COVID-19 variant, omicron, has reached the USA’s horizon.
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COVID-19 Vaccine for Kids Ages 5-11: What You Need To Know
November 3, 2021
Now that the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine has been approved for emergency use in children ages 5 to 11, you may have questions.
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What You Need to Know About Boosters: The Latest
October 22, 2021
You may be worried that your immunity against COVID-19 is dwindling. If you were fully vaccinated more than 6 months ago, it may be, says Binita Patel, PharmD, MS, vice president of pharmacy services at Memorial Hermann Health System.
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Flu and COVID-19
September 15, 2021
The flu may have been less threatening last year, but that’s thanks to many of us staying at home much of the fall and winter of 2020.
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COVID-19 Booster Basics: What You Need to Know Now
September 8, 2021
Booster shots are here for some, on the horizon for others and a relief for all. Right now the focus is those who are 65 years of age, older residents in long-term care settings, those who are immunocompromised and those at increased risk for occupational COVID-19 exposure.
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What You Need to Know About Ivermectin and COVID-19
August 31, 2021
Using ring-worm drugs intended for animals to treat or thwart COVID-19 is a load of manure.
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FDA Fully Approves Pfizer's COVID-19 Vaccine
August 23, 2021
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today fully approved use of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine—with no reservations.
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The CDC Has Further Endorsed the COVID-19 Vaccines for Pregnant Women
August 17, 2021
Pregnant women are among the most vulnerable to COVID-19—and the least vaccinated.
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Third Dose Approved for Those with Weaker Immune Systems
August 17, 2021
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the CDC have approved booster shots of COVID-19 vaccines for moderately to severely immunocompromised individuals.
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Risks for Children of the COVID-19 Vaccine vs. Risks of COVID Itself
August 9, 2021
Your kids have been your priority since the first time you held them in your arms. Now the COVID-19 Delta variant is spreading as their in-school classes approach.
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How Can I Protect My Kids from COVID-19 as They Return to School?
August 9, 2021
These are scary times—especially if you face sending your unvaccinated children back to in-person school or daycare while COVID-19’s Delta variant lurks.
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COVID-19 and Your Heart: Potential Long-Term Effects
August 2, 2021
While COVID-19 was initially considered a respiratory illness, it soon became apparent that COVID-19 could affect multiple organs within the body, including the heart—and even in those who were asymptomatic for COVID-19 and/or who had no prior heart problems. What’s more, those heart issues can l...
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Long COVID: What You Should Know
August 2, 2021
As if having COVID-19 weren’t enough, nearly one-quarter of individuals who recover from their initial COVID-19 infection suffer from at least one persistent, recurrent or new symptom 30 days after their initial COVID-19 diagnosis, a recent study found.
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Can I Get COVID-19 After Being Vaccinated?
July 21, 2021
The news is getting around—as is the fast and fierce Delta strain of the coronavirus. And yes. Even the vaccinated can test positive for it.
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If You're Not Vaccinated Already, Here Are 8 Reasons Why Now is the Time
July 21, 2021
With new cases surging nearly 70 percent in a single week due to Delta, now is the time to get vaccinated against COVID-19 if you haven’t already, reports the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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What Parents Should Know About the COVID-19 Vaccine for Children
July 14, 2021
Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine already scores an A+ for people 16 and older. But now that it’s available for 12-to-15 year-olds, you may wonder if the vaccine’s safety makes the grade for your children.
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What You Should Know About COVID-19's Delta Variant
July 8, 2021
You’re surely eager to put the COVID-19 pandemic behind you. But if you or your children are not vaccinated, not so fast. The latest coronavirus villain—the Delta variant—has proven to be the fastest and most infectious spreader.
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COVID 19: What We've Learned in a Year
June 22, 2021
With over a year of COVID-19 under our belts, we can look back and reflect on all that we’ve been through and the many lessons we’ve learned.
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I'm Vaccinated But Don't Want to Take My Mask Off: A Doctor's Perspective
June 16, 2021
You’re fully vaccinated, but you’re still not ready to be fully open to the world. And, that’s okay.
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COVID-19 and Long-Term Immunity
June 9, 2021
The payoff for getting vaccinated may turn out to last longer than originally thought—especially for those who recovered from COVID-19 and later were inoculated.
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Traveling with Kids During COVID-19
May 17, 2021
Great news: The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration have approved the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 12- to 15-years old and the vaccine’s efficacy is 100 percent for that age range.
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Concerned About Child Vaccines? What Parents Need to Know
May 10, 2021
Research gives the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine an A+ for children ages 12 to 15 years old. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is expected to approve it for that age group soon.
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How to Find and Manage Your Vaccine Records
May 10, 2021
It’s still being debated whether employers, airlines, schools, daycares, restaurants, sports arenas, assisted living facilities, foreign countries or others could or should bar entrance to those who don’t prove they’ve been fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
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Organ Donation: Knowing the Truth Can Save a Life
April 28, 2021
Fact: By the end of this day, 17 Americans will die waiting for an organ transplant. They’re among the 107,000 children, women and men currently standing by on the national transplant waiting list. By year’s end, only 39,000 will get an organ.
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The COVID-19 Vaccine, Pregnancy and Postpartum
April 26, 2021
Today, doctors and many top health agencies are urging pregnant women as well as new or prospective moms to get vaccinated. So, what gives? We’ve got the real deal on what’s led to this change in tune endorsed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Academy of Obstetri...
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How Women Have Fared During the Pandemic
March 25, 2021
Superwoman has nothing on you. Even before the pandemic, you seemingly did it all. But then COVID-19 came along. Suddenly, you may have felt trapped amid chaos and cramped spaces—while also being stripped of grandparents, teachers, family friends and other key players.
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Life After You've Been Vaccinated: CDC Guidelines
March 22, 2021
If you need another reason to get the vaccine, here’s a big one: A taste of freedom. The CDC’s new guidelines say, once fully vaccinated, you will be free to enjoy some liberties we once took for granted.
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What You Should Know About the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 Vaccine
March 18, 2021
How is the vaccine different from the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines? How effective is the new vaccine? How does the vaccine work? We answer these questions and more.
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COVID-19 Vaccine and Your Safety: Separating Fact from Fiction
February 26, 2021
It’s okay if feel uncertain about getting a COVID-19 vaccination. It’s only natural to be unsure of something so new. So, what is the real deal on the claims you’ve heard? Read on as we separate fact from fiction.
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COVID-19 Vaccine: Your Questions Answered
February 26, 2021
You don’t like needles. Plus you’re anxious about the safety of COVID-19 vaccines—or the exposure of waiting in line to get one. We hear you. Here are answers to common COVID-19 vaccine questions from infectious disease experts.
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7 Reasons to Get the COVID-19 Vaccine
February 26, 2021
COVID-19 can cause uncomfortable symptoms, long-term disabilities or death—and there is no way to know how it would affect you. Even before you know you’re sick, you could spread the disease to family, friends and others. The results could be tragic.
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Time to Double-Up: CDC Recommends Double Masking
February 11, 2021
If one mask is good, are two or three even better? When it comes to double-masking against COVID-19, the answer is yes, says Linda Yancey, MD, infectious disease specialist at Memorial Hermann Katy Hospital and Memorial Hermann Memorial City Medical Center.
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What Do You Eat When You Can't Taste or Smell Anything?
February 2, 2021
We eat; therefore, we are. Eating is not just sustenance, but also a source of joy and comfort. So, if you lose your sense of taste and smell, even temporarily, you may feel lost or confused about what to eat and how much.
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Migraines: Everything You Need to Know
January 22, 2021
Lethargy, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, visual disturbances and extreme light or sound sensitivity from migraines may send you to bed. But you don’t have to take these headaches lying down.
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A New COVID-19 Variant in Houston: What You Should Know
January 19, 2021
A far more contagious coronavirus variant—first spotted in the United Kingdom—has arrived in Houston, Harris County Public Health officials say. B.1.1.7, as it’s called, is up to 70 percent more contagious than other variants of the coronavirus.
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How the Moderna Vaccine Differs From Pfizer’s
December 19, 2020
In one week we’ve gone from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommending one coronavirus vaccine to two. So how does newcomer Moderna compare to Pfizer vaccine? And what does that mean for you?
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What You Should Know About the COVID-19 Vaccine
December 14, 2020
After nine months in a pandemic, the news of a COVID-19 vaccine brings welcomed relief and hope. But, as you make decisions for yourself or your family, the news can feel overwhelming. Memorial Hermann is here to help.
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5 COVID-19 Vaccine Myths That Need to be Debunked
December 11, 2020
As we’ve seen throughout the pandemic, there is conflicting information about the coronavirus—and now the COVID-19 vaccine—online. Here are five common myths about the vaccine that you should know the truth about.
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When COVID Lingers: Recovery & Rehab
November 17, 2020
You may think you got off lightly with a minor bout of COVID-19. But the coronavirus may not be done with you—even if tests say otherwise. The latest research indicates a devastating second act for some survivors due to damage from COVID-19 — or the body’s response to it.
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Temperatures May Be Falling, but COVID-19 Cases are Rising
October 30, 2020
Houston temperatures are dropping, but the number of COVID-19 cases are rising. What is causing this surge and what can we do to stay safe?
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Teens Who Vape Are at Higher Risk of COVID-19
October 28, 2020
Most people know that the immunocompromised and elderly are at higher risks for serious health complications related to COVID-19, but health professionals now emphasize another risk factor: teen vaping. Here's why.
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Travel Alert: How to Stay Healthy
October 19, 2020
When we hit the road, we hope to escape. But wherever we go, COVID-19 already has arrived. So how do we stay safe?
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The Bald Facts About Hair Loss
September 24, 2020
It’s easy to get stressed out when hair strands clog your shower drain or cover your brush. Some hair loss is normal. Both sexes shed 50 to 100 hairs daily–out of 100,000 hairs on our scalps. But if you’re concerned or experiencing heavier hair loss, see your dermatologist or p...
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Preparing Your Body for Pregnancy
September 22, 2020
A healthy pregnancy starts before conception. Smart choices with nutrition, exercise and daily habits are the building blocks your baby needs to have the best start possible.
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Welcoming a New Baby: Is Your Home Prepared?
September 15, 2020
Organizing and preparing your home for a newborn goes beyond picking out color-coordinated bedding for the nursery. Especially during the pandemic, taking steps to ensure your home is clean and safe is one of the most important things you can do. A little advance planning goes a long way....
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The Next Steps for COVID-19: Antibodies, Herd-Immunity and Vaccines
August 25, 2020
As time has progressed, we’ve learned more about COVID-19. And not all of the developments have been encouraging. For those without a medical degree, Dr. Annamaria Macaluso Davidson explains terms and expectations for antibodies, vaccines and herd immunity—and how scientist...
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Hurricane Preparedness During COVID-19
August 24, 2020
As if being hard-hit by a global pandemic wasn’t enough for Houston to handle, the National Weather Service predicts a harsh hurricane season through November. Dr. Noor Alzarka suggests adopting the following measures to he...
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The (Literal) Aches and Pains of Working From Home
August 19, 2020
The pains of working from home extend beyond having kids and animals interrupt your focus and phone calls by entering your “work” space.
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COVID-19 and Your Heart: What You Need to Know
August 12, 2020
While the effects of COVID-19 on the respiratory system, including the lungs, are well known, doctors and scientists are discovering that the virus also directly and indirectly impacts the cardiovascular system, including the heart, often with devastating effects. It's such a novel virus. But one...
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Wearing Masks: Fact vs. Fiction
August 10, 2020
Wearing a mask has become part of our daily routine. Unfortunately, myths about this important safety measure have become common, too. Dr. Linda Yancey, MD, infectious disease specialist at Memorial Hermann Katy Hospital helps us sort fact from fiction.
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Are You Dealing with COVID-19 "Caution Fatigue?"
August 6, 2020
We are all tired of hearing about COVID-19. And, it’s not uncommon to feel drained from watching the never-ending news reports, statistics and graphs, and wondering when life will be normal again. After months of dealing wi...
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What to Do When You've Been Exposed to COVID-19
August 3, 2020
You’ve been exposed to COVID-19. Now what? Here’s what you need to know according to Dr. Halie Shah at Memorial Hermann Medical Group Clear Lake.
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Guide to Pregnancy: During a Pandemic and Beyond
July 28, 2020
During the global pandemic, you may be wondering: is it safe to go into a healthcare provider’s office or clinic? How do you recover from delivery while avoiding COVID-19? How do you keep your baby healthy?
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COVID Cautions for Camp, Daycare and Schools
July 22, 2020
With onsite classes set to start this fall—and camps and daycare already open—you must do your homework to decide what’s right for your family during the coronavirus crisis.
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Safe and In-Shape: 10 At-Home Exercise Tips From a Pro
July 14, 2020
If your fitness routine has moved from the gym to your living room, here are tips on how to break a sweat without the fancy equipment.
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6 Indicators That Stress is Impacting Your Body
July 9, 2020
If the pandemic—and related fears—have impacted your mental and physical health, you’re not alone. In fact, it’s normal.
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Squeaky Clean Kids: Will My Child's Immunity Suffer From Quarantine?
July 7, 2020
“Wash your hands!” In the past, you may have told that to your kids—before meals—just as your parents told you. But the rules have changed with the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Stomaching COVID-19: Symptoms Not to Ignore
June 16, 2020
Thanks to COVID-19, our stress—and comfort food consumption—may be off the charts. That’s why tummy troubles could be a regular but unwelcome guest in your home
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Exploring the Connection between Obesity and COVID-19
June 8, 2020
Certain groups, including older people and people of all ages with serious underlying health conditions, including obesity, are at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19.
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COVID-19 and Stroke: What You Need to Know
June 1, 2020
Is there a relationship between COVID-19 (or SARS-COV-2, the new coronavirus that causes it) and stroke? What can you do to help protect yourself from stroke, during the pandemic or anytime? What measures are hospitals taking to help ensure patients receive care quickly and safely?
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Student Athletes: When is it Safe to Return to the Playing Field?
May 28, 2020
While it’s uncertain when sports programs will rebound, things will eventually return to normal, albeit likely a different normal. What can athletes do now to try to maintain their edge? And how can they safely return, once programs resume?
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Mental Health & Children During COVID-19
May 26, 2020
Anxiety, fear, sadness, loneliness, disappointment, depression. Your children may be dealing with such feelings in the COVID-19 crisis.
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Catching Up After COVID-19: It's Time for Health Screenings
May 25, 2020
Now that some restrictions are being lifted, we can look toward resuming our normal lives. Memorial Hermann–affiliated physicians remind us that early detection is important, and taking time for routine health screenings should be a priority.
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COVID-19 and Seniors: When Is It Safe to Visit Grandma?
May 22, 2020
As summer approaches, stay-at-home orders are lifted and we begin to shift to a new normal, how can we protect our older loved ones, including our parents and grandparents? Memorial Hermann Medical Group Fairfield’s primary care family medicine physician, Toni Odumosu, MD, offers tips for k...
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Quarantine Habits: Which to Kick and Which to Keep?
May 19, 2020
If we’ve formed new habits, which should we keep, and which should we kick? And how should we go about breaking new bad habits?
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Tips for Safely Resuming Exercise After COVID-19
May 14, 2020
Your workouts may have taken a backseat these past few months, but not to worry. Here's how to safely resume an exercise routine.
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Safe Socializing in the COVID Era
May 11, 2020
Quarantine fatigue has taken its toll. We’ve watched everything on Netflix, planted our spring gardens and reorganized every drawer and cupboard in the house. We’re more than ready to spend quality time—in person—with family and friends. As stay-at-home restrictions begin ...
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Living a Healthy Life, During and After COVID-19
May 9, 2020
It’s time to get back to the basics of good health. Although we are still in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, physicians are taking precautions to safely resume preventive care, both in their offices and virtually, with telehealth audio and video options.
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The New Normal: What Every Parent Needs to Know
May 7, 2020
Life will never be the same for children who grew up in the COVID-19 era—and that’s challenging. But parents can help their children understand and adjust to the new normal.
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A Mask Primer: What You Need to Know About Wearing a Mask
April 29, 2020
Masks can keep you from infecting others with the coronavirus via invisible airborne droplets when you cough, sneeze or breathe. You may be contagious even if you don’t have any symptoms.
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How to Host and Celebrate Online
April 10, 2020
When we think of Easter, Passover or Ramadan, we think of religious gatherings, huge feasts and celebrating with tons of relatives we might rarely see. Now more than ever, it’s vital to stay home for the holidays. But that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice observing tradition with fa...
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COVID-19 Essentials: Your At-Home Care Kit
April 10, 2020
Be prepared. It’s how we must roll these days. And given that many who get COVID-19 will recover at home, it pays to have an emergency at-home care kit ready in advance. Here's what you should have to nurse the infected and protect the rest of your family or housemates.
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How to Properly Take and Monitor Your Temperature
April 9, 2020
When it comes to COVID-19, it's clear that fever is a hallmark of the infection. But how high, exactly, is too high? How do you properly take your temperature? How often? What about children? The answers to these questions vary based on the person and the circumstance. Dr. Michael L. Chang, pedia...
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When Should You Seek Emergency Medical Attention for COVID-19?
April 7, 2020
Most people with COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, recover on their own. But it’s important to know when to seek medical attention. You or a family member should seek emergency care if you show signs of respiratory or cardiac distress. These include labored breathing, bluish ...
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Sudden Loss of Smell or Taste Could Be a Sign of COVID-19
April 2, 2020
A sudden loss of smell or taste can be one of the earliest signs of COVID-19. “But losing your sense of smell doesn’t mean with certainty that you have coronavirus, so don’t be alarmed,” says Dr. Sreekrishna K. Donepudi, an otolaryngologist with Memorial Hermann Medical Gr...
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Tips for Convincing Doubters About the Importance of Social Distancing
March 31, 2020
Social distancing is a phrase regularly used in our vocabulary now. You’ve followed the recommended precautions, but a family member deems this order unnecessary. Here are tips to have an honest conversation with your loved one. How do you handle someone in your family who's not taking "soc...
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Quarantine-d Eating
March 27, 2020
Whether the organic items on your shopping list are unavailable or you’re limiting your grocery store runs, many staple ingredients can be used for healthy meals and last longer than you think. Here’s how to curate a quarantine pantry and refrigerator. What are some staple ingredients...
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Healthy at Home
March 23, 2020
Taking your work from office to home can be an adjustment, especially if you’re sharing the space with a partner or kiddos. Try and use this new working from home reality to create a healthy routine and keep your mental health top of mind. Many of us have quickly shifted to home offices and...
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(Home)school is in Session
March 20, 2020
If you’re homeschooling during COVID-19, you’re not alone. Social distancing has become the new normal for families, and you may have questions on how to let ‘kids be kids’ while keeping everyone safe—and sane. Being inside, away from friends and displaced from routi...
#COUNTINGONHOU
Whether you're taking precautions for yourself, those in the community or both, it's too soon to stop measures that prevent the spread of COVID-19. Let others know your why. Print this card, add your your message and share on social media using the hashtag #CountingOnHOU