Los Angeles, Ca
COVID or allergies? Spring weather may make it tough to tell what’s ailing you
Spring is in full swing, and usually which means allergic reactions for a lot of. However with COVID-19 circumstances rising once more, chances are you’ll be asking your self when you have the virus or if it’s simply allergic reactions.
Allergic reactions have an effect on as many as 60 million individuals per yr in the US, in response to the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention. And this allergy season, coronavirus infections are again on the rise in Los Angeles County, with a 40% enhance in circumstances, public well being officers mentioned final week.
Pair that with gusty winds selecting up within the subsequent few days, and also you’ll be asking your self if these sniffles are one thing to fret about.
“Signs of allergic reactions can positively mimic the signs of COVID,” the L.A. County Division of Public Well being informed KTLA.
The 2 share some signs, together with: cough, fatigue, complications, tiredness, sore throat, sneezing, and a runny or stuffy nostril, in response to the CDC.
However they’re additionally completely different. Frequent signs of COVID-19 that allergic reactions don’t generally have are: fever or chills, physique aches, lack of style or odor, and shortness of breath. (Seasonal allergic reactions don’t trigger shortness of breath until an individual has a respiratory situation like bronchial asthma that may be triggered by pollen).
In the meantime allergic reactions could cause itchy or watery eyes, which COVID-19 doesn’t generally do.
The CDC chart under lets you evaluate the signs of COVID-19 and seasonal allergic reactions so you’ll be able to inform the distinction:
Since COVID-19 and seasonal allergic reactions do share quite a lot of signs, it’s suggested to take a coronavirus take a look at.
“If individuals have new onset cough, or different signs of COVID we all the time suggest testing and isolating till you’ve gotten the outcomes of the exams,” L.A. County Public Well being officers mentioned.
For those who’re sick, you’re suggested to isolate from others and take a look at your self for COVID-19. In case your signs are extreme or when you have underlying medical circumstances that suppress your immune system, chances are you’ll have to seek the advice of with a well being care supplier.
Local weather change might probably result in each greater pollen concentrations and longer pollen seasons, inflicting extra individuals to endure from allergic reactions, in response to the CDC.
The excellent news is that face masks can cut back outside allergic reactions if worn correctly and cleaned repeatedly, the division added.
The future of voice to text is here.
I’ve been testing a variety of tools that make taking notes, transcribing audio, and even voice typing faster and easier than ever.
If you have a smartphone, you’re already halfway there!
Google’s Pixel Recorder app is free and built into their smartphone. It’s excellent for transcribing meetings, lectures, and conversations – all in real time.
Apple’s Voice Memos App recently added transcriptions if you’re upgraded to iOS 18.
Samsung’s Voice recorder app now offers transcripts too – as long as you’re on their latest One UI 7 software. (Check Settings > About Phone > Software Information)
Got an older phone? Try Otter.AI. It works great for transcriptions across devices and you get 300 minutes a month free.
Don’t want to tie up your phone?
I’ve been testing AI-powered digital audio recorders from a startup named Plaud.
The Plaud Note is thin, records for hours, and can even clip to the back of your phone to record calls. Just make sure you know your local laws before using that feature.
The Plaud Pin can be clipped to your shirt or worn on your wrist for hands-free recording.
Both devices sync audio to a companion app that auto transcribes and summarizes.
You get five hours of transcription a month included, with options to pay for more.
Pricing for each gadget starts around $160 dollars.
Want to transcribe audio files on your computer?
My favorite Mac app is MacWhisper. You can even get it completely free – although paid versions are avaialble with more features and options.
On Windows, check out Vibe Transcribe, also free.
And for a web-based option, Whisper Web gets the job done.
Finally, if you want to type less and talk more… there’s an excellent AI voice-to-text app called Wispr Flow. It was previously Mac only but just became avaialble for Windows, too.
One you install it, you pick a hotkey. Then, instead of typing just press and hold down that key and dictate what you want to write.
Since it uses the power of AI, you can even stumble or ramble and it will clean up your words and get the punctionation right.
It’s a gamechanger for responding to emails fast! You get 2,000 words free each week with options to pay for more.
Enjoy your newfound time!
An alleged attack on a state prison officer by a 43-year-old inmate transferred from Los Angeles County is being investigated as attempted homicide, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation officials announced Tuesday.
The March 18 incident at Salinas Valley State Prison in Soledad reportedly unfolded just before 9 a.m. on what authorities describe as a “dayroom floor.”
The inmate, Anthony G. Ramirez, is believed to have pulled an improvised weapon from his waistband before attempting to attack custody staff member, according to a CDCR news release.
“Staff immediately responded, disarming Ramirez and placing him in handcuffs without incident,” the release detailed.
The 43-year-old, who was transferred to SVSP in 2008 after being sentenced to life with the possibility of parole for second-degree murder, with enhancements for the use of a firearm and causing great bodily injury or death, was placed in restrictive housing pending the investigation and possible felony prosecution by the Monterey County District Attorney’s Office.
Both Ramirez and the custody staff member were examined by medical personnel who noted no serious injuries.
Officials said that the California Correctional Peace Officers Association was notified of the incident and prison staff were offered peer support services and employee assistance programs.
Salinas Valley State Prison, opened in 1996, houses more than 2,400 minimum, medium, maximum and high-security inmates. The facility also offers vocational programs and academic classes and employs some 1,800 people.
A toxic algal bloom leaving an increasing number of marine mammals stranded along Southern California beaches shows no signs of subsiding and “will only get worse,” officials said Monday.
“This week, we saw more stranded dolphins (both alive and deceased) than we saw during the major domoic acid (DA) bloom in 2023,” Marine Mammal Care Center (MMCC) Los Angeles posted on Facebook.
Recent tests showed DA-producing algae levels have increased, and officials believe that trend will continue in the coming weeks. “We anticipate that it will only get worse,” the post read.
MMCC asked the public not to approach sick dolphins or sea lions on the beach because they can become aggressive upon awakening from a seizure.
“This is a safety issue for people and their pets as much as it is for the marine mammals,” officials said.
Beachgoers were also urged not to push stranded dolphins back into the water, saying it can reduce their chances of survival.
More information about domoic-acid poisoning can be found at https://marinemammalcare.org/domoic-acid/.
The volume of sick marine mammals has also had a financial impact on the MMCC.
“Our team is working heroically to respond to every call and to rescue every animal they can. Please share this post and give now at marinemammalcare.org/donate to give these marine mammals a second chance at life!” the MMCC stated.
Anyone who encounters a sick or stranded marine mammal can alert the nearest lifeguard and call 1-800-39-WHALE to make a report.
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