According to the current rules, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) instructs people to isolate themselves for at least five days once they test positive for COVID-19. That may change in the coming months because the CDC may issue new guidelines. The new guidelines would depend on symptoms and not merely a positive test result. This marks a shift from how people currently attempt to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

The new guidelines state that you can end isolation if you are fever-free for 24 hours and have mild or improving symptoms. Changes to existing guidelines would not go into effect until at least April, which is the end of respiratory viral season. Health experts agree that that is a wise choice, given the presence of influenza, RSV, general viruses, and COVID strains that are currently circulating. This would be a big transition from current protocols, with some arguing that the newer guidelines are dangerous. Others agree that not everyone can afford to isolate. Here’s how infectious disease experts feel about the potential upcoming changes. 

New Guidelines Rely On Personal Responsibility

Most infectious disease experts agree that you should not go to work when you are sick, no matter what sickness you have. Taking time to rest and heal is paramount, and not going to work helps reduce the spread of whatever virus you have. Changing COVID-19 isolation guidelines, then, essentially normalizes COVID-19, along with other viruses that can cause respiratory illnesses. 

It is up to the individual to be responsible and honest about symptoms. If the symptoms are bad, they should not go out in public. When symptoms improve, they should continue to take precautions, like wearing a mask inside public spaces, for example. Once the person does not have a fever and symptoms are either improving or generally mild, experts agree that it is reasonable to return back to the outside world. It is, however, possible that the new guidelines will suggest people to wear masks upon returning to work. 

The new guidelines also take into account that more people are protected against severe disease or hospitalization and death. Gone are the early days of the pandemic, when most people didn’t have any immune protection. Infectious disease specialists agree that people have built up a certain level of community immunity, so the new guidelines seem reasonable. 

The Change Addresses The Fact That Most People Cannot Miss Five Days Of Work

If the person works from home, which became a popular method of employment during the pandemic, then missing work doesn’t really factor into the equation. You don’t have to leave your house, therefore you don’t have to worry about infecting fellow employees. If people work in an office or in a physical location, missing work for five days may not be easy or possible. Plus, people tend to rely on at-home testing more so than a test from a doctor’s office. 

Many employers may not be willing to accept an at-home test as a reliable confirmation of COVID-19 infection. A test may be required from a doctor, so it is harder for people to abide by at-home isolation requirements these days. 

Could New Guidelines Threaten High-Risk People?

In some places, more so than others, COVID cases have dropped this year. Additionally, experts note that those who contract the virus have had lower severity of significant illness. That said, some people continue to experience complications, such as severe disease, that require hospitalization, or symptoms from long COVID. Is it true that many people recover just fine from COVID without serious symptoms? Yes, but people with weak immunity, even if they got the vaccine and boosters, may not have a protective immune response against the virus. 

That means that a significant number of people have an increased risk of severe symptoms that result from COVID-19 infection. Because of that, it is the responsibility of the people with stronger immunity to take precautions if symptoms are mild. Wear a mask in public if you don’t have a fever and are no longer isolating. That can go a long way in limiting the spread of the virus to people who are highly vulnerable. 

There is still a risk to reentering the public with active COVID-19 infection. Infectious disease experts hope that masking becomes more of a norm if people come out of isolation with mild symptoms. Masking is more commonplace in other countries, but there is still a general stigma around it in the United States. If you do not feel well enough to go out, wear a mask so that you don’t spread whatever you have to your loved ones, coworkers, or community. 

COVID-19 Isn’t Gone

COVID-19 is not gone forever if the CDC changes its guidelines. Many experts agree that COVID is here to stay, and the public needs to understand that, even if it isn’t the primary news story. Do all that you can to protect and care for yourself and others, especially those who have weaker immune systems or existing health conditions. All experts can do is encourage people to do the right thing, but it will be interesting to see what the CDC’s new guidelines are and how they affect the spread and infection rates. Even though COVID-19 may soon be viewed as an endemic disease, it is by no means an insignificant illness.

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In late August 2023, hospitalizations due to COVID-19 steadily climbed. The data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) showed that hospital admissions increased by 19% during the week ending August 19, 2023. Compare that to early June of 2023 when the weekly average of positive COVID-19 tests was about four percent. That figure has since tripled to 13.4%, and the region of Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Arkansas, and New Mexico hit a positivity rate of 18%. 

Ever since states made masks completely optional, the percentage of people wearing masks outside their home in the U.S. decreased. The percentage went from about 57% in January 2022 to around 27% in January 2023, according to data from Covid States Project. Did vaccines have anything to do with that? It’s not for us to say, especially since vaccinated individuals may not be protected against new subvariants. 

Infectious disease specialists still argue that masks can provide good protection in several scenarios. Many people don’t want to wear masks for their own reasons, while others continue to wear masks to protect themselves or other high-risk individuals. Wear a mask or don’t wear a mask, and let everyone do what they feel is right for them. 

COVID-19 Mask Mandates Reappear

Overall COVID-19 indicators are down from this time last year, but some institutions don’t want to take chances. For example, Morris Brown College in Atlanta, Georgia posted on Instagram that it was restarting the mask mandate because of positive COVID-19 cases among students. Becker Hospital Review found eight hospitals that reintroduced face covering rules. Kaiser Permanente’s Santa Rosa Hospital in California states that masks are required upon entrance and throughout the duration of your visit. 

Other institutions that recently reinstated mask policies include Upstate Medical University in Syracuse and Auburn Community Hospital in Auburn, New York. UMass Memorial now requires employees to wear masks when visiting emergency room and cancer patients.

Should You Consider Masking Again? 

Infectious disease experts also recommend that you wear masks, or at least take more precautions, in certain situations. Consider wearing a mask in a public space if the following conditions apply to you:

• Going on a big trip in the very near future
• Getting married or attending a wedding soon
• Taking care of someone who is immunocompromised

For people who have a higher risk of severe COVID-19 complications, consider wearing a mask in crowded public spaces. Planes, trains, or enclosed areas with lots of people are breeding grounds for COVID-19. Nobody wants to get COVID-19, so take matters into your own hands and increase protection. 

If You Choose To Mask, Wear It Right

If you wear a mask, don’t wear it as a chin diaper. Make sure that you secure the face covering over your nose and mouth to protect yourself from breathing in contaminated droplets. There are many high-quality masks available these days, so get one that fits well. KN95s and surgical masks offer great protection, while NIOSH-approved respirators offer the highest level of protection, according to the CDC. How much protection you need will depend on you and how much you want to stay safe. It’s hard to say what COVID-19 cases will look like in the coming months, but taking precautions may help limit the spread and keep communities safe.

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After COVID-19 vaccines rolled out, a lot of families said “so long” to Zoom and FaceTime and resumed in-person holiday celebrations. It was a relief to see people again and resume what seemed like a pre-pandemic lifestyle. Even with vaccinations and boosters, the virus continued to infect people, which was evident in the 2021 winter surge of COVID-19 cases. With COVID on the retreat, though, it seems that this holiday season is much safer than the previous two. 

Most people don’t even factor COVID-19 into the equation anymore. Some people don’t even acknowledge it as a threat, while others remain cautious and want to do everything they can to stay safe. Regardless of whether people wear masks or don’t, get vaccinated or not, there seems to be conflicting public health guidance about precautions. This can unsettle anyone and people may not be sure of how they want to celebrate during the holidays. 

How many parties should you attend? What are the “rules of the game” at your Friendsgiving? Are there things you should do to avoid a COVID-19-giving at your Thanksgiving? Infectious disease experts say that it is good to take a cautious approach to holiday gatherings. You cannot predict how COVID will unfold, but you can do your part to stay safe, especially if you have family or loved ones that are more susceptible to serious infection. If you want to keep yourself and others safe during holiday gatherings, consider employing the following strategies. 

Stay Home If You Have Symptoms

This holds true whether or not you have COVID-19, flu, or RSV symptoms. Since the top symptoms of COVID-19 have changed, you may want to click here for that information. If you have a runny nose, sore throat, cough, headache, or fever, it is best to stay home until you feel better, even if you test negative for COVID-19. Viruses like the flu and RSV can seriously affect small children, pregnant women, and older or more vulnerable people. If you have any upper respiratory illness, you should not be at a gathering, according to infectious disease specialists. A lot of symptoms may seem innocuous, but that isn’t always the case. 

Exercise Caution Leading Up To The Gathering

In the 10 days or week preceding your holiday gathering, health experts recommend that you take precautions. That includes minimizing contact with people outside your household. Keep an eye on the data in your area and observe any public health reports or warnings. COVID-19 continues to hospitalize and kill people, indicating that the virus continues to spread, even if the sickness is more mild for a lot of people now. Double-check that nobody has symptoms or has not been exposed before your gathering. It’s a great idea to take a COVID-19 test as another safety precaution. 

Stay Safe During Travel

Masks aren’t required for most travel these days, but that tends to depend on the airline, or the country you’re visiting. In general, air quality on planes is better than it is on buses or trains. Although your chances of getting sick in the sky are fairly low, it can be beneficial to mask up, especially while you are in the airport. Additionally, you may want to keep your mask on while the plane taxies to the runway. The reason for this is because filtration systems may not turn on  when the plane is grounded. And if you travel by train or bus, consider masking up for the duration of the journey. 

Ventilate Your Party Space

Open a window or two, and maybe even a door, to invite fresh air into your holiday gathering. Improving ventilation, so long as weather permits, can help prevent virus particles from accumulating in a space. You don’t have to invest in a fancy air filter, as there isn’t much data that suggests high-tech options are better than natural ventilation. Don’t have a great cross-breeze? Place a fan next to an open window and have it oscillate to move air around the room. If your place has an air-conditioning (HVAC) system, you can reduce viral transmission by setting the fan to the “on” position, as opposed to “auto” when you have people over. 

Don’t Forget About Other Viruses

COVID-19 has been the reigning champ of viruses for the last few years, but influenza and RSV are sickening a lot of people right now. Infectious disease experts explain that that’s all the more reason to take precautions this holiday season. Do your best to avoid high-risk settings, such as indoor crowded events, especially the week before your holiday gatherings. In addition to avoiding crowds, take care of your health by eating healthy foods. Consider amping up your immune system with an all-natural vitamin C supplement, get a lot of sleep, and do your best to get in 30 minutes of physical activity every day.

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COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths continue to decline, and states with mask mandates have started lifting regulations. Some states continue to require face masks in indoor settings, but they lifted outdoor mask mandates. Other states have not had mask regulations for quite some time, which may not fall under the guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Because individual state masking policies may go against the CDC’s recommendations, some people may not know what to do.

Recent data from the CDC shows that as of February 16th, 2022, daily new COVID-19 cases in the United States dropped 43% compared to the previous week. Infectious disease specialists confirmed the decrease in cases and remain optimistic about the situation. For this reason, the specialists understand the rationale behind the lifting of mask mandates. Even though states drop mask guidances, the CDC has not adjusted their own recommendations. The recommendation is still that anyone over two years old and not “up to date” on COVID-19 vaccines should continue to wear masks in indoor public places. 

Should You Still Wear A Mask If Your State Lifted Regulations?

This is a decision that only you, and you alone, can make. Some people may not have difficulty making the decision to discard the mask and leave it in the past. Others may grapple with the fear of removing the mask in a public setting, especially an indoor one. The risks and benefits are not merely yours; rather, they also belong to the people around you. For example, you may be perfectly fine, healthy, and vaccinated, and not wearing a mask may be a risk you can take. You have to think about others in your immediate circle, though.

If you regularly interact or live with someone who is immunocompromised, it may be a good idea to continue to wear a mask in public. Although the newer COVID-19 variants may not be as lethal to your health, they are still quite contagious. That means that you may be fine if you contract COVID-19, but the immunocompromised person you see may not be so lucky. Additionally, you may want to wear a mask if you regularly spend time with people who did not get the COVID-19 vaccine or booster shot. Data reports indicate that unvaccinated people have an extraordinary risk of hospitalization and death from COVID-19. 

Pay Attention To Infection Rates

Regardless of your state’s mask mandates, it may be wise to wear a mask in public if infection rates are high where you live. Although the CDC encouraged masking indoors during the omicron wave, the decision seemed to be very individual. The decision to wear a mask is personal, but if you want to be safe and worry-free, put the mask on and don’t worry about what people think. 

What Type Of Mask Should You Wear?

If you want to continue wearing masks in public areas, a well-fitting, high quality mask is your best bet. A bandana or thin cloth offers very little protection and many researchers found that they were subpar compared to masks with three or more cloth layers. KN95, N95, and KF94 masks offer the best protection around. When you buy them, make sure that they are not counterfeit, as some may only have two layers. If you don’t want to purchase an N95 mask, you can add a filter to cloth masks, or simply wear a surgical mask under your cloth mask for extra protection.

What If You Have The Sniffles?

COVID-19 is not the only virus floating around the general public. People are regularly exposed to flu variants and strains of the common cold, which can be very harmful to certain people. The flu, for example, kills over 30,000 Americans in a typical season, and most of the deaths are older adults or immunocompromised people. Flus and colds are likely transmitted the same was as COVID-19, so if you feel a little sick, you may be shedding the virus into the air. This causes you to infect other people, so if you feel sick wear a mask if you must go out, otherwise stay home. 

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COVID-19 cases continue to surge across the country, and yet the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced new shortened isolation times for asymptomatic people who test positive for COVID-19. The previous quarantine guidelines for people who tested positive were 10 days of isolation. The new isolation restrictions for people who do not have symptoms is now five days, but they should continue to wear a mask around others for an additional five days after quarantining. 

In addition to the reduced isolation recommendation, the CDC also suggests a five-day quarantine for people exposed to the virus who are not vaccinated, or over six months from their second mRNA dose. Health experts say that the CDC’s recommendations for isolation balance what they already know about the spread of COVID-19. Currently, omicron accounts for 73% of coronavirus infections in the United States, and breakthrough infections are rising within the fully vaccinated population, including those who received a booster shot. 

Why Did Isolation Time Reduce?

According to data analysis, the majority of COVID-19 transmission occurs early in the course of the illness. Generally speaking, people transmit the disease one to two days prior to experiencing symptoms, and two to three days after. Isolation relates to behavior after confirming COVID-19 infection, and quarantine refers to the confinement period after exposure to a known case of COVID-19. People who are asymptomatic have different guidelines than those who experience symptoms. 

ANYONE WHO TESTS POSITIVE FOR COVID-19 SHOULD ISOLATE FOR AT LEAST FIVE DAYS, REGARDLESS OF VACCINATION STATUS.

Reducing quarantine guidelines can help asymptomatic people return to work or school sooner, provided proper precautions are in place. The CDC states that people who received their booster shot do not need to quarantine after exposure. They should, however, wear a mask for 10 days after to be safe. It’s also beneficial to get a COVID-19 test after exposure as a precaution. 

What If Symptoms Are Present?

Should you experience a fever or other symptoms of COVID-19, you should continue to stay home until symptoms resolve. If your symptoms resolve after five days and you don’t have a fever for 24 hours, the CDC states that you are free to leave your house with a mask on. It’s best to wear a well-fitting mask around other people after testing positive to minimize the risk of spreading the virus. 

What Should You Do If Your Are Exposed? 

Regardless of vaccination status, the CDC recommends that you quarantine for five days, followed by strict masking practices for five days after that. If, for whatever reason, a five-day quarantine is not feasible, the CDC says that it’s imperative that you wear a well-fitting mask at all times, especially when around others for 10 days. For anyone who is exposed to COVID-19, the best practice is to get a PCR test for SARS-CoV-2 at day five after initial exposure. Should symptoms occur, immediately quarantine until a negative test confirms that symptoms are not because of COVID-19. 

The motive behind these new guidelines is to keep society running smoothly. Experts only expect the volume of new cases to increase, especially with the recent holiday travel period. Booster shots greatly lower the risk that someone will contract the virus and pass it to other people. Recent data suggests that two doses of an mRNA vaccine is 35% effective, while a COVID-19 vaccine booster has 75% efficacy against infection. Regardless of vaccination status, please be safe and take precautions to keep yourself as healthy as possible. 

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Identified by the World Health Organization (WHO) on November 26th, the new COVID-19 omicron variant is a variant of concern. South Africa was the first country to report this new variant to the WHO, but a Dutch health agency confirmed its presence in the Netherlands one week prior. Omicron contains more unusual mutations than previous strains and it may be more transmissible and potentially resistant to vaccines. 

Why Is Omicron The Name Of The New Variant?

Omicron seems like a terrifying name. Is it intended to cause widespread panic and fear just before the holidays? The WHO said that it skipped “nu” and “xi” because they already have meanings in the real world. Nu is too similar to “new” and xi is a common surname in many countries. The WHO wants to remind everyone that omicron’s emergence indicates that COVID-19 is not a thing of the past. 

The emergence of the omicron variant sparked several travel bans from South Africa to surrounding countries. That being said, the omicron variant is already present in at least 20 countries, with the first U.S. case of it detected in California on December 1st, 2021. Blanket travel bans won’t prevent international spread, and they are not beneficial for lives and livelihoods. 

Why Do Viruses Mutate?

Mutations occur naturally in viruses. Just as the body develops antibodies to fight against a virus, a virus forms mutations to get around those antibodies to keep existing in the body. In regards to COVID-19 mutations, the primary concern is that variants will eventually bypass vaccine protection. This hasn’t happened yet, and there are many studies in progress attempting to determine vaccine efficacies against the omicron variant.

What Do Experts Know About Omicron?

Currently, some places in United Kingdom, Europe, southern Africa, and the United States have reported cases of the omicron variant. These cases aren’t linked to travel to southern Africa, suggesting that the variant is spreading person-to-person. Preliminary data suggests that omicron may pose a higher risk of reinfection than other variants in circulation. The WHO said, however, that there isn’t enough evidence to prove that at this time. 

Symptoms associated with the omicron variant do not appear to differ from other variants. It will take several weeks to understand the range and severity of omicron’s symptoms, the rate at which it transmits, and who is most at risk. The WHO claimed that COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations increased in areas where omicron has been detected. For example, South Africa saw a surge of 18,000 cases on the day it reported the variant. Since November 26th, 2021, the county has recorded more than 2,000 cases per day. 

Is Omicron More Dangerous Than The Delta Variant?

The delta variant of COVID-19, which was first detected in India, is currently the world’s most dominant variant. It proved to be more contagious than previous variations of the virus. The delta spreads easily because the spike protein is more adept at entering human cells. It did take about two months for the WHO to deem it “of concern,” though. 

Because of the high number of mutations, experts worry if the omicron variant will avoid the body’s defenses. The main thing to remember is that there is not enough data to determine how dangerous omicron is. It will take time and cases may rise because of this variant, but we can’t know for sure. Just be sure that you don’t buy up all of the toilet paper again! 

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For many areas in the United States, the number of COVID-19 cases has reduced significantly. Not only did the number of new cases go down, but hospitalizations and deaths also decreased within the last month. More people follow safety protocols and continue to opt for the vaccine or the new booster shots.

Recent data, however, shows an uptick in certain parts of the U.S., specifically in the Midwest and Northeastern states. Iowa, Vermont, Oklahoma, Alaska, and New Hampshire have seen a 10% increase in COVID-19 cases within the past two weeks alone. This worries infectious disease experts as colder temperatures and rainy weather approach for the winter. These types of conditions drive people indoors, where many of them don’t wear masks.

The Current COVID Spike

Experts explain that the most recent spike in the Midwestern and Northeastern states is because of the delta variant’s arrival. Although the delta variant isn’t new, it took longer to arrive in the North than it did in the South, according to epidemiologists. For example, Florida peaked before states like Minnesota or Michigan. When you factor in the colder weather that has already hit the North, it makes sense why COVID-19 cases increased recently.

COVID-19 And Winter 2021

Last winter, the United States experienced extremely high case rates, with January 2021 numbers topping 300,000 per day. Before January 2021 came to a close, 95,000 people lost their lives to the respiratory illness. With the highly transmissible delta variant now in the midst, experts wonder if we should expect a similar situation to that of last winter.

For the most part, specialists are unsure of how COVID-19 will affect people this winter. In addition to the vaccine, there is infection-acquired immunity to consider. Both of these things may make a difference as colder months approach. With more and more spaces requiring negative tests or vaccines to enter, the hope is that COVID-19 isn’t as big of a threat. It’s going to be an evolving situation, just as it has been since the very beginning of lockdown in March 2020.

Will The Delta Wave Die Down?

Infectious disease experts say that high rates of delta transmission may subside sooner in some parts of the country. Data may suggest that the delta wave will wane by the end of November 2021, and cases should be at a lower level. The hope is that the transmission rate is back to where it was before the delta took off in late June and early July 2021. This sounds wonderful, but experts aren’t making any promises as they cannot know what to predict.

The reality is that the virus starts to run out of people with no protection to infect at some point. Although there will be breakthrough cases among the vaccinated population, the symptoms are more mild and less life-threatening than if unvaccinated people contract COVID-19. The primary goal is to maintain hospital capacity so that health care systems are not overrun by COVID-19 patients. The more people who have immunity, the fewer deaths and cases we will see. That’s why this winter 2021-2022 could be better than the last.

Could Anything Change This?

If a more highly contagious variant of the coronavirus emerges, it could complicate things. Holiday travel and indoor gatherings with family and friends may have an impact on the numbers. Experts hope that the booster shots will help protect people further, and the hope is to protect children between ages 5-11, as they make up 6-7% of the U.S. population. One thing that experts warn is a bigger flu epidemic this winter. Higher flu admissions to hospitals, combined with COVID-19 admissions, could put strain on hospitals.

There are complications ahead, naturally, but the hope is that people use what they know to protect themselves. Take the necessary precautions to be healthy this winter. Eat the right foods, exercise, wear masks, wash hands, and avoid large indoor gatherings to stay as safe as possible. If we all work together, we’ll see progress.

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Autumn 2020 seems like it was here just the other day. Masks were mainstream and the scariest part of Halloween was potential COVID-19 infection. For that reason, that the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) advised against door-to-door trick-or-treating. With climbing vaccination rates and reduced COVID-19 cases, could trick-or-treating be safe this year?

Various health experts don’t advise gathering in large crowds this year, but they do expect kids to enjoy some semblance of normalcy this Halloween. In fact, Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said that children can enjoy a safe, fun Halloween this year. That means one thing and one thing only: ready your buckets because trick-or-treating is on!

Given that trick-or-treating is an outdoor activity and many children over the age of 12 are getting vaccinated, Fauci considers it a safe activity. Children under the age of 12 already spend time together on the playground and in the classroom at school. Trick-or-treating doesn’t pose an additional risk to them, according to hygienists and clinical professors. There is one variable, however, and it’s the door-to-door interaction with strangers. Nobody can know how safe other people are, but experts want to assure people that being outside significantly reduces the rate of infection. Plus, there are several steps you can take to stay safe while collecting candy. 

Avoid Indoor Trick-Or-Treating

In colder areas of the country, it’s common for parents to take children to trick-or-treat in malls, or indoors at an apartment building. The reality is that these places do not have great ventilation, which puts younger children, or the unvaccinated people, at risk. To limit your risk of COVID-19, it’s best to focus your efforts on outdoor candy collection. If the only option is to trick-or-treat indoors, it’s best to wear a mask. 

Keep The Mask On

The great thing about Halloween costumes is that many come with masks! The only downside is that costume masks do not replace masks with three to five layers of fabric. Costume masks are not designed to limit the spread of viral particles. Parents can, however, get creative and make a face mask a part of a child’s costume. Surgeon costumes, anyone? It’s also possible for children to wear masks under their costume masks, but parents should make sure children can breathe comfortably. 

Inspect Treat Before Indulging

It’s hard to resist a bag or bucket full of candy when you are a child. Some adults have that same problem! Try to feed your child(ren) a large meal before you venture out to trick-or-treat in order to reduce the urge to savagely consume candy. Upon arriving home from a successful night, discard any candies that have torn packaging, or ones that don’t have a seal. As a general safety measure unrelated to COVID-19, inspect labels if your child suffers from food allergies. 

Keep Hands Clean

Between railings, fences, candy, and the other things kids may come in contact with on Halloween, it’s important to keep hands clean. Since you’ll be out with children away from soap and water, keep hand sanitizer at the ready. It’s not necessary to sanitize after every house you visit, but every once in a while is beneficial. The risk of contracting COVID-19 via candy wrappers is very low, but keeping hands clean decreases the risk even further. Additionally, experts advise that children wash their hands before they eat some of the candy they picked. This reduces the risk of ingesting any germs they picked up while trick-or-treating. You don’t have to quarantine the candy, by the way.

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In the age of the COVID-19 pandemic, every sneeze, cough, or sniffle can cause immense panic. You may spin into an anxiety spiral, wondering, “Do I have COVID-19? How bad will it be? Do I need to get a test right away?” Given that fall is knocking on the door, along with the allergies that come with the season, it’s important to know the difference between allergy symptoms and those of COVID-19.

There are millions of Americans who suffer from seasonal allergies. Some allergy symptoms are closer to those of the flu or common cold. More often than not, allergy symptoms occur because of inflammation. It’s very common for the body to overreact to pollen, mold, or dust, especially in the fall and spring.

Symptoms Of Fall Allergies

Beginning in early August, ragweed releases pollen and causes an array of allergy symptoms until early October. During the fall season, it’s also common for mold spores to grow as trees shed their leaves. For some people, the decaying leaves on the ground can cause allergic reactions. Seasonal allergies can range from mild to severe as the immune system releases histamines. This natural reaction results in runny nose, nasal drip, water eyes, or itchy eyes and throat. The most common allergy symptom that isn’t likely with COVID-19 is sneezing. Reactions that last for a couple of weeks and occur in the fall months are most likely allergies. See the list of common fall allergy symptoms below:

• Sneezing
• Runny nose
• Water and itchy eyes
• Ear congestion
• Itchy sinuses, throat, or ear canals
• Postnasal drainage
• Mild fatigue
• Coughing
• Headache

Symptoms Of COVID-19

COVID-19, which is the illness caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, spreads via respiratory droplets. People expel these droplets when breathing, sneezing, coughing, or talking. If people are near an infected person, they can inhale those droplets and become infected. If an infected person coughs or sneezes on a surface, someone who touches that surface and then touches their mouth, eyes, or nose can contract the virus. COVID-19 spreads rapidly in large crowds, especially when proper social distancing and masking practices are not in place. With the more contagious delta and mu variants in place, it’s even more important to practice proper safety measures. The most common symptoms that appear 2-14 days after exposure are below:

• Fever or chills
• Shortness of breath
• Severe fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• New loss of taste or smell
• Cough
• Headache
• Sore throat
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea

How To Determine Allergies Or COVID-19

In general, the key factors that differentiate symptoms of COVID-19 and allergies are fever and body aches. It’s very rare for fever or body aches to be allergic reactions or symptoms in allergy sufferers. One also has to pay attention to time line and past history of symptoms. People with allergies tend to have a long history of seasonal allergies, so they know what to expect. Additionally, allergies are more long-lasting than the viral symptoms. 

If you take allergy medication, the symptoms subside. For example, itchy eyes are very common during allergy season, but they are not a symptom of viral illness. Itchy eyes can also go away fairly quickly with allergy medication. If you are worried about potential COVID-19 illness as opposed to seasonal allergies, there are many testing options available to the public. From rapid antigen and antibody tests to nasal PCR tests and cheek swabs, there is no shortage of COVID-19 tests. You can readily find them, and you may even find at-home test kits in some grocery stores. 

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Planes were nearly empty during 2020, but you’re lucky to have an empty seat next to you on a flight, nowadays. Plane travel is essentially the same as it used to be, but the only difference is that people still have to wear face coverings. Face masks are not going anywhere, either. According to TSA, people will have to continue to wear face masks on planes and in airports until at least January 2022. And that’s just an estimate as of now.

Even though planes have great air filtration systems in place, passengers still have to wear masks for everyone’s safety. You shouldn’t just pick out a random mask to wear for fun, though. Much like booking a flight or an entire trip with activities and hotel stays, research is absolutely necessary. Some people throw whatever cloth they can find over their face! Numerous cloth masks prove very ineffective at preventing respiratory droplets from entering or escaping. 

What Should You Look For In A Mask?

Any mask made from a single layer of thin cloth is very ineffective. The bandana is probably the least effective mask, in case any of you enjoy that thin cloth that barely stays on your face. Ideally, a face mask that offers great protection will consist of two to three layers of heavyweight fabric like cotton. According to the American Lung Association, a mask like that can filter 70-79% of particles. Masks with four or more layers can provide 80-90% filtration. It’s also beneficial to get a mask with a nose wire so that it doesn’t continuously fall down your face. Lastly, when it comes to airline travel, you typically cannot have one of those masks with circular vents. Most airlines don’t allow passengers to wear those because of the fact that respiratory droplets can escape through the vents. 

The SupplyAID KN95 Face Mask

This protective face mask is has over 48,000 five-star ratings online. Several studies have proven that these masks are some of the most protective and comfortable masks to wear. It’s possible to get a five-pack for about $10 or less, and they hold up for hours of travel. Some passengers said that they were still comfortable wearing these masks after 10 hours on a plane. 

The Disposable KN95 5-Layer Mask

Five layers of protection means that you can have peace of mind while you travel through the skies in a metal tube with strangers. Many users claim that these masks are comfortable and the fit makes it easy to breathe, even during longer trips. Healthcare workers typically use these masks when they are not working in hospitals. They offer excellent protection and the nose wire makes it so they don’t slip off the nose. 

The Boncare KN95 Mask

This brand makes masks for people with smaller faces, as other masks can slip off more easily. Mask size will vary from face to face, but this one seems to fit comfortably on small- or medium-sized faces. Additionally, users report that the loops on this mask are very comfortable. Some people say that they don’t even realize they are wearing a mask with ear loops! 

N95 Pouch Respirator Mask

This mask can look like a duckbill on a person’s face, but that’s a primary reason why users rate these as the most breathable masks. It holds the edge of the mask farther away from the mouth and nose, creating a pouch that is more comfortable for the user. The nose wire consists of two parallel wires that are designed to smoothly fit on the face. Lastly, the straps that go around the head are less irritating for people who dislike ear loops. Plus, the head straps make the mask fit more snug on the face. 

The Three Layer Cloth Mask

Many companies make three to four layer cloth masks that use cotton or similar heavy fabrics. The inner layer often consists of breathable cotton so as not to make the user uncomfortable. The other two layers consist of woven cotton that provide optimal protection. It’s wise to get these cloth masks with a nose wire so that they can hug the face, leaving very little room for germs to enter. These types of masks, however, will not offer the same protection as the aforementioned masks in this article. 

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