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According to the AAMC, studies have shown that a two-layer cloth face covering was significantly better than a single-layer mask when it comes to limiting the spread of droplets expelled by coughing and sneezing, but specifically noted that using one that has three layers “whenever possible” is even better. And research recently published in the journal Science Advances supports the AAMC’s recommendation. After testing 14 different masks’ ability to block respiratory droplets, professors from Duke University found that other than the N95, which should be reserved for frontline medical workers, a three-layer surgical mask allowed the fewest number of droplets to get by its barrier....

If you haven’t gotten your stimulus check yet, you should check your payment status through the IRS’ “Get My Payment” stimulus tracker tool. To do this, you will have to verify your identity through a series of security questions about your social security number or your individual tax ID number, your date of birth, your street address, and your ZIP code. If your status says “Need More Information” on the site, that could mean your payment was returned to the IRS and you need to take a few steps to ensure you get it....

1 Weirdest Flight Ever Collins was boarding an American Airlines flight from Los Angeles to Dallas on September 6 when he heard an unexpected sound through the PA system. “It was either someone’s unfortunate food poisoning in the bathroom or, like, someone with an uncomfortable approach to personal satisfaction,” Collins told the LA Times. According to Collins, his fellow passengers seemed to find it funny—but when the third outburst was heard, he jokingly asked a flight attendant if the pilot was OK....

In a recent study published in the The British Medical Journal, researchers found that a sore throat is not only a less common symptom of coronavirus than you might expect, but it isn’t even one of the top 10 most common symptoms patients experience. The researchers monitored the cases of 20,133 individuals with COVID-19 admitted to 208 acute care hospitals in England, Wales, and Scotland. Based on their findings, here are the 13 most common coronavirus symptoms and the percentage of patients who experienced each....

In fact, Fauci just recently suggested that as a country, it’s time for us to hit the “reset button” on this pandemic, and redouble our efforts to flatten the curve. In that spirit, we’ve decided to revisit some of Fauci’s best pieces of advice, all shared in recent interviews and press briefings, for how individuals can avoid coronavirus and help lower our country’s skyrocketing case numbers. Read on for Fauci’s best tips for staying safe, and slowing the coronavirus spread....

“A trip to the dentist could be like the canary in a coal mine for somebody who has an undetected medical issue,” says Leena Palomo, DDS, MSD, professor of periodontics at Case Western Reserve University. “Oral health and systemic health are tremendously linked, which is why dental care is an integral part of overall well-being.” In fact, one dentist in New York City reported seeing a spike in tooth fractures this year, which she attributes to COVID-induced stress, poor posture brought on by working from home (which can lead to teeth grinding at night), and lack of restorative sleep that causes clenching....

Have a cough that won’t seem to go away, no matter how many cough drops you take? It’s time to consult a professional. “If you’ve been coughing for eight weeks or longer, it’s considered chronic and should definitely be checked out by a clinician,” says Sunitha D. Posina, MD, a board-certified internist and locum hospitalist in New York. “It could be due to COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary lung disease) or infections like tuberculosis and bronchiectasis....

For the past two decades, Germany’s Munich Airport has turned into a veritable winter wonderland during the holidays. Running from late November through the end of December, the Christmas market includes a free skating rink, 40 local vendors offering everything from local treats to traditional handicrafts, as well as live music after 6 p.m. And if you happen to time your trip just right, you might even get to participate in the Christmas market’s famous wreath-making workshop....

RELATED: The CDC Says This One Thing Is Most Likely to Cause COVID After Vaccination. According to new data from the CDC, a little more than three in four fully vaccinated people who end up getting severe COVID are 65 years or older. The CDC says that more than 4,100 individuals have been hospitalized or died with COVID in the U.S. as of June 21, despite being fully vaccinated. There were 3,907 hospitalizations and 750 deaths in people who were two weeks or more out from the final dose of their COVID vaccine....

When you think of Parkinson’s, you may think of shaky hands—but the disease can manifest with quite a few other symptoms that may surprise you, and which may even be more troublesome. “While tremor, stiffness, and slowness (cardinal motor symptoms of Parkinson’s) may not be overly bothersome to patients, the non-motor symptoms may be present, and need to be addressed to help patients have the best quality of life possible,” neurologist Allison Boyle, MD, tells Best Life....

It’s always a good idea to ask questions before starting any new prescription drug, and pharmacists “are always happy to address any medication-related questions or concerns you may have, to make sure your medications are effective and to reduce the risk of side effects,” says Katlyn Holt, PharmD, a clinical pharmacist and assistant lecturer in The University of Toledo College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. Read on for four crucial questions to ask your pharmacist before you fill your prescription for blood pressure medication....

That means no more kicking back to your favorite cartoons, no more living out of a van while you follow Phish from town to town, and—we hope this goes without saying—no more calling your significant other “bae.” For those—and more on the rules of living your most dignified decade to its fullest—read on. But don’t think for a minute these dos and don’ts make life after 40 a drag. On the contrary, here are 40 Reasons Why Your 40s Are Your Best Decade of Your Life....

READ THIS NEXT: If Your Plants Are Dying, This Simple Trick Will Revive Them. This purple plant smells delicious, looks amazing, and has a reputation for improving sleep. One 2021 study published in Scientific Reports found that when people slept in a room that was scented with lavender essential oil, they experienced fewer sleep disruptions and self-reported higher sleep wellness (it’s important to note that they didn’t know which nights they were sleeping with lavender and which nights they weren’t)....

So is appetite really necessary? Absolutely, says the site—in fact, it’s crucial to our health. “The job of appetite is to drive you to eat enough to meet your body’s nutrient and energy needs,” says HealthifyMe. While it’s true that our appetites can sometimes lead us astray—an extra helping of Ben & Jerry’s at midnight, anyone?—the effects of long-term appetite loss can indicate a serious problem and have negative or even life-threatening side effects, explains Healthline....

READ THIS NEXT: Getting Married at This Age Led 45 Percent of Couples to Divorce, Study Says. The concept of “bids of invitation” was created by psychologist and relationship expert John Gottman. Essentially, bids are calls for attention that can be accepted or rejected. “Bids are verbal or nonverbal, physical or intellectual, sexual or non-sexual, funny or serious,” says Saudia L. Twine, PhD, licensed professional counselor and marriage and family therapist....

READ THIS NEXT: 5 Warnings to Shoppers From Former T.J. Maxx Employees. Disclosure: This post is not supported by affiliate partnerships. Any products linked here are strictly for editorial purposes and will not garner a commission. Some stores have faced criticism for throwing away inventory, including Bath & Body Works and Ulta, which allegedly requires employees to destroy returned products before throwing them out. According to one YouTube video, Burkes Outlet is also guilty of tossing items in the trash from time to time....

READ THIS NEXT: 6 Secrets Sam’s Club Doesn’t Want You To Know. If you’re considering popping into Big Lots right before the store closes, you’ll probably be overwhelmed. According to multiple former employees, that’s one of the busiest times, and there’s a lack of staff on hand to help. In a Reddit thread where current and former employees aired their gripes, one poster with the username ReidenLightman wrote that “a couple years ago, there seemed to always be a way to make sure the store had plenty of employees to handle customers, usually one manager with 2+ associates....

READ THIS NEXT: If You’re Over 65, Not Doing This in the Shower Is Causing Hair Loss.ae0fcc31ae342fd3a1346ebb1f342fcb Getting a haircut can seem like just another chore on a never-ending to-do list. But when you have gray hair, it’s essential. “You should not go longer than eight to 10 weeks, at the most, in between haircuts,” says Cindy Marcus, a professional hairstylist in Las Vegas and editor-in-chief of Latest Hairstyles. “Getting your hair trimmed regularly will help keep the ends looking healthy, which will result in an overall healthy hairstyle....

A new study published April 27 in the Lancet Infectious Diseases journal reported on the real-world safety and effectiveness of the Pfizer vaccine for recipients between December and March in the U.K. Out of 282,103 people who received the first dose of the Pfizer vaccine, 57.2 percent reported experiencing arm tenderness as a side effect. For the second dose, the percentage was more than half as well: According to the study, 50....

In fact, many other daily habits can help you avoid or manage the common condition—and plenty of others that shouldn’t be part of your routine at all, because they spike your risk of diabetes (among other potential illnesses). Read on to find out about six habits you should drop, now. READ THIS NEXT: If You Notice This in the Bathroom, Get Checked for Diabetes, Experts Say. “​​One in three US adults isn’t getting enough sleep, and over time, this can increase the risk for Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, obesity, and depression,” warns the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)....