Your top questions about Covid-19 and vaccines

Are cloth masks any good anymore? With the more contagious Omicron variant, should I be wearing a cloth mask, surgical mask, KN95 or N95?

“Cloth masks are little more than facial decorations. There’s no place for them in light of Omicron,” CNN medical analyst and emergency physician Dr. Leana Wen said.

“We need to be wearing at least a 3-ply surgical mask,” she said, such as the ones often sold in drugstores or grocery stores and have an adjustable nose wire. “You can wear a cloth mask on top of that, but do not just wear a cloth mask alone.”

Ideally, in crowded places, “you should be wearing a KN95 or N95 mask,” Wen said. They include materials such as polypropylene fibers that act as both mechanical and electrostatic barriers to help prevent the spread of tiny particles.

But as of January 12, the CDC’s website still listed cloth masks with “two or more layers of washable, breathable fabric” as an option for helping mitigate the spread of Covid-19.

“CDC continues to recommend that any mask is better than no mask, and we do encourage all Americans to wear a well-fitting mask to protect themselves and prevent the spread of Covid-19,” CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said January 12.

“We are preparing an update to the information on our mask website to best reflect the options that are available to people … and the different levels of protection different masks provide.”

To continue reading please click here >>>

< Older Post Newer Post >

Remarks About Disabled and Inclusivity

April 25, 2025

Discriminatory comments made last year by Candace Owens, a popular political analyst, have resurfaced following fresh criticism by actress Christina Applegate. Applegate, who has been vocal about her multiple sclerosis (MS) diagnosis, just recently discovered the previously released video-commentary of Owens spewing disparaging remarks about Kim Kardashian’s Skims’ adaptive undergarment line and, more specifically, the entire disability community.

Disability Advocates Want You To Wear

April 24, 2025

Disability advocates are encouraging allies and the community at-large to put their best foot forward on World Down Syndrome Day. The call-to-action is simple: just wear colorful, mismatched socks on March 21. The purpose of this fun fashion statement is to create much-needed conversations surrounding Down syndrome. About 1 in every 800 babies is born with Down syndrome, according to Down Syndrome International.

Actress Selma Blair

April 23, 2025

Shopping options for adaptive products just got a little better! You see, following a downturn in sales, QVC, a televised shopping network, is strategically positioning a celebrity spokesperson aligned with the disability community to help boost sales, specifically of QVC’s adaptive product line. Actress, author and disability advocate Selma Blair will serve as the new QVC Brand Ambassador for Accessibility.

Artist with Disabilities Designs Logo

April 18, 2025

In recent years, the creative techniques of art therapy have gained popularity, including among those within (and/or supporting) the disability community. Maybe that’s why the annual logo design of a prominent disability awareness month has become such an important representation. AmeriDisability is pleased to spotlight Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, as well as the talented artist whose work was chosen to be the official logo design of the Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month 2023 campaign.

Shining a Light on Disability Challenges

April 17, 2025

At Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Missouri, an event was organized to demonstrate the difficulties presented by the campus’s vast, hilly terrain and intricate architecture, which, while appealing, pose significant obstacles for some. The event was a collaborative effort by the university’s Accessibility Resource Center and the Center for Diversity and Inclusion.

Disability Studies Program

April 16, 2025

For years, both faculty members and students at Roanoke College have dedicated their efforts to implementing various courses and initiatives aimed at promoting disability programs. Through a gradual and persistent process, they have achieved their goal, and the college is now poised to offer a comprehensive Disability Studies major.

Your Child’s Special Education Teacher

April 15, 2025

You understand the great complexities of parenting a child with special needs – from the boundless rewards to the abundant challenges. Parenting journeys are hard and, perhaps, especially so for those nurturing a child with physical and/or intellectual disabilities. Well, as you might imagine, the teaching journey of special education instructors is also unique. Teaching is one of the hardest, yet fulfilling careers; and, of course, the highs and lows of this profession can be amplified when working in an inclusive or special education setting.

Special Education Teachers

April 14, 2025

Teaching is a demanding profession and, unfortunately, burnout is common – and occurring at a greater rate among special education teachers. According to findings by the Learning Policy Institute, turnover among special teachers is nearly twice as high when compared to educators instructing typical classrooms. So, yes, special education teachers need a summer break to relax and recharge!