June 21, 2020

Practice Gun Safety for Your Kids' Sake, Especially During Pandemic

SATURDAY, June 20, 2020 -- With kids staying at home because of the coronavirus pandemic, it's vitally important to keep guns locked up, advises the American Academy of Pediatrics.

"To keep children safe, you must lock guns in a safe or with gun locks, and store the ammunition in a separate, locked location," said Dr. Alison Tothy, a pediatric emergency medicine physician in Chicago.

June 18, 2020

AHA News: Here's What Doctors Know About Immunizations Right Now – You Still Need Them

WEDNESDAY, June 17, 2020 (American Heart Association News) -- There's no vaccine for COVID-19 yet. But there are routine immunizations that people aren't getting for a host of debilitating and potentially deadly diseases.

In May, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported sharp drop-offs beginning in mid-March for pediatric vaccines ordered and given. And the World Health Organization estimated up to 80 million babies globally were missing recommended vaccinations due to disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic.

June 15, 2020

Sure-Fire Solutions for Managing Lockdown Temper Tantrums

SUNDAY, May 24, 2020 -- After weeks of confinement to prevent the spread of COVID-19, kids, teens and grownups alike are probably getting on one another's nerves big time by now.

So what's the secret to defusing bouts of pouting, screaming and crying?

May 19, 2020

Cellphones Are 'Trojan Horses' for Viruses, Study Finds

TUESDAY, May 5, 2020 -- Cellphones carry all kinds of germs, a new study finds, and researchers say phones should be cleaned regularly to cut the risk for coronavirus transmission.

The advice follows a review of 56 studies that looked at the risk of cellphones being contaminated with bacteria, fungi or viruses. The investigations were conducted across 24 countries between 2006 and 2019, prior to the advent of COVID-19.

May 19, 2020

Nervous About Returning to Work? Take Precautions Against Coronavirus

WEDNESDAY, May 13, 2020 -- As coronavirus pandemic restrictions are lifted, many Americans will face physical and mental health challenges -- including fear and anxiety -- as they return to work.

"Uncertainty and unpredictability can really create an unhealthy amount of fear and stress, especially when it's sustained over such a long period of time," said Dr. K. Luan Phan, head of psychiatry and behavioral health at Ohio State University's Wexner Medical Center in Columbus.

May 14, 2020

Calm Parenting Will Help Children Through Coronavirus Pandemic

SUNDAY, April 26, 2020 -- The disruptions in daily life caused by the coronavirus pandemic could cause problems for children, but there are things parents can do to help their kids deal with the changes, experts say.

"There are major stressors that children are experiencing, such as the inability to attend school, adjusting to home school, being in the house with their family all day, not being able to see their friends, worrying about grandparents and loved ones -- but they seem to be quite resilient and taking all of these changes in stride," said Alexandria Meyer, an assistant professor of psychology at Florida State University.