HEALTH

People turned to unusual remedies to avoid catching the plague.

9 Weird Historical Ways to Ward Off a Plague

From fart jars to drinking urine, here are strange, gross, or downright dangerous historical methods people used to prevent catching a plague.

When public trust in the polio vaccine needed to be restored, officials turned to Elvis.

Jab Me Tender: How Elvis Presley Eased People's Minds About the Polio Vaccine

In 1956, the singer agreed to be photographed taking the vaccine in order to drum up public support.

Your Video Game Controller Is Gross. Here’s How to Clean It

If you touch your video game controller every day, it's probably dirty. Here's the best way to clean it without damaging the device.

A painting of Gouverneur Morris by Pierre Henri, 1798.

When a Founding Father Performed His Own Penis Surgery (And Then Died)

There are many weird ways to die. But Gouverneur Morris’s DIY whale-bone catheter might take the cake.

More Pfizer coronavirus vaccine doses are on the way.

The U.S. Will Get an Additional 100 Million Doses of Pfizer’s Coronavirus Vaccine

The deal will create a total of 200 million vaccine doses from Pfizer to combat the coronavirus pandemic.

Coronavirus vaccine shots are coming, but your place in line depends on a lot of different factors.

When Can You Get the COVID-19 Vaccine? This Interactive Tool Will Tell You

As states begin to get Pfizer's vaccine, certain groups will be prioritized. Here's who might be ahead of you in line.

When Should You Replace Your Face Mask?

Even reusable masks need to be replaced sooner or later, especially if you're wearing and washing them regularly.

How the Polio Epidemic of 1950 Gave Wytheville, Virginia, a 'Summer Without Children'

Seventy years ago, a polio epidemic swept through Wytheville, Virginia—and the town went on lockdown.

Starbucks is saying thank you in typical Starbucks fashion.

Starbucks Is Giving Free Coffee to Frontline COVID-19 Workers All Month Long

Starbucks is saying thank you to frontline workers helping the country through the coronavirus pandemic with the gift of free coffee throughout December.

6 Effective Tips for Coping With Panic Attacks

Though every person and every panic attack is different, there are some simple tricks you can use to help lessen the severity of your symptoms.

Doctor’s 60-Second Trick Makes Any Face Mask Fit Better

This neat trick from Olivia Cuid, M.D makes any disposable or cloth face mask fit better in seconds.

A new at-home test for COVID-19 can provide results in 30 minutes.

The FDA Has Approved the First At-Home COVID-19 Test Kit—Here's What You Need to Know About It

The molecular test is highly accurate in detecting coronavirus and can offer results in 30 minutes, but the general public probably won't see it until the spring.

Science is closer to understanding what prompts severe COVID-19 illness.

Scientists Come Closer to Understanding COVID-19 'Cytokine Storms'

The "cytokine storms" that precede severe illness in patients with COVID-19 has been poorly understood. New research has traced the risk of lung damage and organ failure to two key proteins that have the potential to be treated with drugs.

Kraft Is Selling Gluten-Free Mac and Cheese for the First Time

For the first time ever, gluten-free consumers can enjoy a box of Kraft mac and cheese made from corn and rice instead of wheat.

Plenty of room for a sheet of plexiglass.

Sorry, Kids—Sitting on Santa’s Lap Will Be Forbidden in 2020

While some good boys and girls will have to tell Santa Claus what they want for Christmas via Zoom this year, other venues are coming up with innovative ways to keep St. Nick—and his fans—safe from COVID-19.

Walmart Recalls Romaine Lettuce from October 2020 Over E. coli Concerns

Tanimura & Antle romaine lettuce sold at Walmart has been recalled following an E. coli outbreak in six states. Here's what you need to know.

The race for an effective coronavirus vaccine is showing signs of real success.

Pfizer's Coronavirus Vaccine Appears 90 Percent Effective in Early Review

Pfizer's vaccine, which uses messenger RNA to instruct the body to mount a defense against the coronavirus, is showing highly promising results in the first real evidence of efficacy of any coronavirus vaccine trial.

What's Inside a Can of Red Bull?

The caffeine in Red Bull can compete with your morning coffee, and Red Bull’s taurine has nothing to do with an actual bull.

Breaking bad habits requires a little more than just willpower.

The Best Way to Break a Bad Habit, According to the Experts

Stopping something as inconsequential as biting your nails or as serious as drinking too much requires perseverance and planning.

President Woodrow Wilson photographed in good health.

When Woodrow Wilson Caught the 1918 Flu During a Pandemic, But Hid It From the Public

Woodrow Wilson never publicly acknowledged the 1918 influenza pandemic—not even after he caught the virus himself.

ScareHouse is serving up a ton of (socially-distanced) terrors in Tarentum, Pennsylvania.

ScareHouse: How a Famously In-Your-Face Haunted House Is Using the Pandemic to Its Advantage

During its first 20 years, every face paint-caked zombie or masked ghoul working at ScareHouse was taught one maxim: Get into people’s personal space. Then the COVID-19 pandemic arrived.

Whether you experience pain with a vaccine shot may depend on what type you're getting.

Why Do Some Vaccines Hurt More Than Others?

Some shots can barely be felt while others feel like you've been punched in the arm. Is it technique, the vaccine, or something else?

How to Vote in Person Safely During the Coronavirus Pandemic

How safe is voting in person at your local polling place this Election Day? About as safe as running an errand to the grocery store.

Canceling your gym membership can be a hassle.

How to Cancel Your Gym Membership Without Breaking a Sweat

Gym contracts can be difficult to walk away from. If you're looking to switch facilities or just don't feel comfortable going in light of the pandemic, these tips may help.

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