Late in the fall of 2019, we first heard the news of a mysterious virus coming out of Wuhan, China. When it first began, few of us realized the challenge COVID-19 would present and its changes to our lives.
In the United States, many of us experienced lockdowns starting in March 2020 as the virus spread ferociously. We began to experience hope in late 2020 and into early 2021 as the vaccines rolled out and treatments continued to improve.
And, though the medical advancements do represent a game-changer, we're not out of the woods yet. Variants of the virus cause breakthrough infections and wreak havoc on the unvaccinated. We thought things were returning to normal in the summer of 2021, and then the Delta variant showed up.
Then late in November 2021, a new variant emerged out of South Africa. Omicron made Delta almost disappear from our collective vocabulary.
What you need to know about Omicron:
Omicron quickly went from the variant of uncertainty to the one that now causes nearly 60% of all new cases. On the positive side, it so far causes fewer deaths, but that again most likely derives from the advancements from vaccinations and treatments.
It does by far represent the most contagious variant we've yet experienced. In the U.S., no area remains unaffected, but currently, the northeast seems to represent the hardest-hit region. Across the pond, many countries reinstituted mandates and even lock downs.
How to protect yourself when traveling:
Before you plan your trip, you'll want to research the stats in your area of travel. If you intend to travel by air, check on the latest CDC requirements and your airline's requirements with regard to vaccination or testing proof and provisions requiring masks and other mandates.
No matter your age and vaccination status, check out these steps to help yourself and your family fight the possibility of a COVID-19 infection, especially with Omicron on the rise:
- In general, handwashing and good hygiene also help fight off the flu and common cold. Of course, you'll want to wash your hands with warm water and plenty of soap for at least 20 seconds.
- Avoid touching your face or other surfaces with your fingers.
- When traveling by air, avoid snacking on the plane.
- Bring disinfectant wipes with you when traveling by car or plane.
- Wear a mask in places such as airports and train and bus stations.
- Wear a mask on the plane, train, or bus.
- Get a COVID-19 test before attending a large gathering with friends and family. Free tests continue to become more available, and you may also purchase tests to take in the privacy of your home.
We can help:
The CDC continues to recommend wearing masks to reduce the spread of the virus by blocking germs from coughing, sneezing, and just plain breathing.
But, as most of us learned during these last couple of years, not all masks offer adequate protection. Additionally, some masks seem much more comfortable than others regarding things such as ease of breathing and general fit and feel.
The major challenge for masks involves making them breathable and comfortable while tight enough to fit snugly over your nose and mouth to ensure their effectiveness. At lumina, we've successfully taken on that challenge. The features below reveal why you'll love our masks for protecting the health of you and your family:
- Tests show that our masks prohibit bacterial growth.
- lumina masks are not treated with chemicals.
- Our masks feature an impermeable moisture design.
- The material of lumina masks helps regulate temperature.
- The material which makes up the mask consists of 81% polyester and 19% Spandex. This blend is three times more effective than cotton while still letting you breathe.
- Our masks block 98% of UVA and UVB harmful rays.
- You'll find lumina masks soft and comfortable, and hypoallergenic.
Whether your next trip involves the grocery store or a visit to Grandma's on the opposite coast, make sure you supply yourself with comfortable and reliable masks. We'd love to hear your concerns or questions. Please visit us here for more information.
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