Month: September 2024

You Can Order At-Home COVID-19 Tests From USPS for Free

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While you might associate cooler fall temperatures with flu season, it’s also a good time to start thinking about COVID-19 protection. You can now get updated COVID vaccines — including the new Novavax vaccine, and the federal government has started sending at-home COVID tests again.

Using the COVIDTests.gov website, US households can once again order four free at-home COVID test kits. The government opened the ordering system on Sept. 26.  

Beyond the free tests from USPS, there are still a few different ways to get free testing for COVID-19. Read on to find out the ways you can still get free COVID testing, as well as how to get free COVID treatments.

For more, learn the best time to get a flu shot and how to tell whether your symptoms are COVID-19, flu or just allergies.

How does the USPS free COVID-19 test program work?

In January 2022, President Joe Biden announced the launch of CovidTests.gov, a website where households could order four free rapid antigen COVID-19 tests shipped by the Postal Service. The site added four more free tests in March 2022, eight more in May 2022, four more in December 2022 and four more again in September 2023. This new round of shipments also includes four COVID tests to start. It’s not certain if there will be another round of free tests this winter.

Unlike some complicated government applications, ordering free tests from the Postal Service is simple. It take less than 2 minutes to complete a short form asking for your name and mailing address, and the tests should ship in about a week or two. People without internet access or those who have trouble ordering online can request tests using a toll-free phone number: 800-232-0233 

It’s not clear exactly how long the free COVID-19 tests will last, so it’s best to get your order in as early as possible..

How can I order free tests from USPS?

Visit CovidTests.gov and then click on the blue button reading Order Free At-home Tests, which will take you to the ordering page. You only need to provide your name and your address to order your tests. You can also enter an email if you want to receive shipping notifications. You don’t need to provide any credit or debit card details — the tests and the shipping are free. 

All orders will be shipped via First Class Package Service. People who can’t access the website or who have trouble ordering online should be able to call 800-232-0233 to order their free tests.

When will my COVID tests arrive?

In the past, free COVID tests from USPS have arrived about two weeks after ordering. The tests are typically sent out within seven to 12 days and are delivered by USPS within one to three days after shipping.

What are my other free COVID-19 testing options? 

Aside from the Postal Service’s program to ship free COVID tests, you have five main avenues to find free COVID-19 testing locations across the US: HRSA health centers, Test to Treat locations, ICATT testing sites, private health insurance, and Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program. These options function similarly, but we’ll break down the specific steps to find your nearest free testing location.

HRSA health centers offer free COVID-19 testing

map of HRSA health center locations for COVID testing near Detroit

HRSA health centers offer free COVID-19 testing. 

HRSA/Screenshot by CNET

The Health Resources and Services Administration funds health centers across the US. At these HRSA health centers, you will be able to receive free COVID-19 testing. You can use HRSA’s locator tool to find a center near you.

First, select the language you would like to receive your results in. Then simply enter the location you wish to search into the box labeled Location. The locator also allows you to widen your search radius, so you can see all the options your area has to offer. 

Once you’ve found a center that works for you, click through to that particular location’s website and follow their specific instructions for obtaining a free COVID-19 test. 

Test to Treat locations have COVID testing and medicine

map of Test to Treat locations for COVID testing near Atlanta

The Test to Treat program makes COVID testing and therapeutics more accessible. 

HHS/Screenshot by CNET

Test to Treat is a federally funded healthcare initiative that provides more accessible COVID-19 care. This option differs from the others in this article as you can use the Test to Treat centers to receive both COVID testing and treatment for infections. Like the other COVID-19 free testing options, Test to Treat has a locator tool that you can use to find an eligible Test to Treat center near you. 

The Test to Treat center locator works like the other COVID testing search tools. Enter your location into the search bar and the tool will display Test to Treat locations in your area. A sliding bar lets you resize the search radius to capture all of the Test to Treat centers within your area. 

Within the Test to Treat locator results, you’ll be able to see each location’s address, which COVID-19 therapeutics they offer and other special instructions you might need to know to get tested. If there’s not an option to schedule a COVID test online through your chosen site, you may need to call.

Increasing Community Access to Testing provides COVID testing for the uninsured

a map showing ICATT COVID testing locations near Chicago

ICATT offers free testing to uninsured patients who are showing symptoms of COVID-19 or who have recently been exposed.

CDC/Screenshot by CNET

Increasing Community Access to Testing is another free testing program that you can use if you need access to free COVID-19 testing. ICATT works a bit differently than the other programs on this list. 

ICATT is specifically designed for uninsured patients who have been exposed to COVID-19 or are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19. Anyone can get an ICATT test at one of the program’s locations, regardless of insurance status. If you are uninsured and you wish to be tested at an ICATT-eligible site, you will not need to pay for your test. If you are insured, you might need to pay a fee. 

The ICATT locator tool works just like the other locator tools for free COVID testing — input your address or your ZIP code to find ICATT locations near you. There is a search radius adjuster in this locator to tweak your searches to capture the entire area that you want to search. 

Once you’ve found a location, follow your testing site’s steps for scheduling your appointment. 

What about free COVID tests from health insurance, Medicare or Medicaid?

On Jan. 10, 2022, President Joe Biden announced that all health insurance companies would be required by law to provide their customers with eight free COVID-19 tests per month. That requirement expired with the end of the national public health emergency for COVID-19 on May 11, 2023.

California law still requires all health care providers to offer eight free at-home COVID-19 tests per month to their customers. Outside that state, you’ll need to check with your own health insurance to learn its coverage policy for over-the-counter COVID tests.

Medicare generally doesn’t pay for over-the-counter products like COVID-19 test kits, according to the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Medicare’s coverage of at-home COVID tests ended with the public health emergency.

If you’re enrolled in Medicare Plan B, you still have access to “laboratory-conducted COVID-19 tests” such as polymerase chain reaction tests, but you won’t be covered for over-the-counter rapid antigen tests. If you have health care coverage through Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program, you can still receive free at-home COVID tests through Sept. 30, 2024.

For more, learn how your blood type could make you more susceptible to COVID.

COVID lockdowns led to spike in kids’ vision problems, 1 in 3 now nearsighted

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As many as 30% of children and teens across the world were nearsighted in 2023, a new study has revealed.

Diagnoses of nearsightedness (myopia) are expected to worsen over the next two decades, according to the findings, which were published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology.

By 2050, nearly 740 million young individuals worldwide are expected to have the condition, lead study author Dr. Yajun Chen, a professor at Sun Yat-sen University in China, told Fox News Digital.

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“The study also highlights significant disparities in myopia rates across different regions, suggesting that factors such as gender, ethnicity and culture play a crucial role,” he said.

“Understanding these variations is crucial for tailoring prevention and intervention strategies to specific at-risk populations.”

As many as 30% of children and teens across the world were nearsighted in 2023, a new study has revealed. (iStock)

In the study, researchers analyzed 276 studies that included more than 5.4 million participants from 50 countries across all six continents. 

Rates of nearsightedness were highest in East Asia (35.22%), in urban areas (28.55%), among females (33.57%), among adolescents (47%) and among high school students (45.71%), the study found.

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Myopia can progress rapidly during critical growth periods, particularly in children and adolescents, Chen noted.

There was a significant spike in myopia after the COVID-19 pandemic, research has shown.

By 2050, nearly 740 million young individuals worldwide are expected to have myopia, the researchers found.

By 2050, nearly 740 million young individuals worldwide are expected to have myopia, the researchers found. (iStock)

“During the pandemic, many countries implemented nationwide lockdowns to curb the spread of the virus,” he said.

“Prolonged indoor living reduced outdoor activity for children and adolescents while increasing screen time, potentially exacerbating the ocular burden on this population and worsening the myopia crisis.”

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Dr. Marc Siegel, senior medical analyst for Fox News and clinical professor of medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center, was not involved in the study but commented on the findings.

“Diet may play a role, but I think the greatest reason for the increase, especially coming out of the pandemic, is due to lockdowns and being indoors more,” he told Fox News Digital.

“Untreated myopia can lead to more severe vision problems later in life.”

With increased screen time, kids and teens have fewer opportunities for the eye muscles to have to adapt, Siegel said.

“For example, going back and forth from looking close to looking far, and accommodating to light by going from indoors to outdoors, and talking to people in person — all of those exercise the small eye muscles that keep you from getting nearsighted,” he added.

Warnings of long-term effects

Dr. Jesse Willingham, an optometrist at Brighter Outlook Vision in North Charleston, South Carolina, warned that unaddressed vision problems can have several significant consequences for children, including academic problems, social and emotional struggles, behavioral issues and long-term eye health issues. 

Girl tablet

I think the greatest reason for the increase, especially coming out of the pandemic, is due to lockdowns and being indoors more,” one medical expert told Fox News Digital. (iStock)

“We all understand that being able to see clearly is important for school, but there are many different visual skills we need for learning,” Willingham, who was not involved in the study, told Fox News Digital.

“Nearsightedness is the most common developmental vision problem, but early vision problems can start with tracking difficulties, poor ability to adapt the focus of the eyes or use the two eyes as a team, or other functional problems that arise from too much stress on the visual system at an early age,” he added.

Study limitations

The study did have some limitations, Chen acknowledged.

“The major limitation of the included studies is the disparity in the designs and methods utilized,” he said.

Boy at eye doctor

Parents should ensure that their children receive regular eye examinations starting at a young age, the researcher recommended.  (iStock)

“The quality of included epidemiologic studies varied significantly within and among the reviews, ranging from high to low risk of bias.”

There is also a possibility of “uneven distribution of data” among countries within any given continent, Chen said.

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“As a result, our reported findings might be biased because they were mainly influenced by data from a limited number of countries.”

Studies included in the analysis also varied in terms of criteria and procedures for assessing nearsightedness, Chen noted.

Bringing solutions into view

Creating a supportive environment at home and in schools can encourage children to adopt healthy habits that protect their vision, the researchers said.

Girl squinting screen

Unaddressed vision problems can have several significant health consequences for children, a doctor cautioned. (iStock)

Experts offered the following interventions to help reduce the prevalence of myopia among youth.

1. Promote outdoor activities

Families should prioritize outdoor playtime, Chen recommended.

“Schools can organize outdoor activities and encourage sports, creating a culture that values physical engagement and natural light exposure,” he said.

2. Manage screen time

For very young children who haven’t started school yet, Willingham recommends only allowing screen time when video-chatting with friends and family. 

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“For school-aged children, matching screen time one-to-one with outdoor time and limiting screen sessions to no more than 20 minutes at a time are good rules of thumb,” he told Fox News Digital. 

“Also make sure screen time is done ergonomically, with screens held at least 12 inches away and done while maintaining good posture.”

3. Schedule regular eye exams

Parents should ensure that their children receive regular eye examinations starting at a young age, Chen recommended. 

Social media apps on a phone

With increased screen time, kids and teens have fewer opportunities for the eye muscles to have to adapt, a doctor noted. (Getty Images)

“Early detection and intervention is crucial, as untreated myopia can lead to more severe vision problems later in life,” he said. 

“It’s also beneficial to stay informed about new treatments and technologies aimed at slowing myopia progression, such as specialized contact lenses and eye drops.”

It’s important to choose an eye care provider who understands visual development, according to Willingham. 

For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health

“Developmental optometrists have more training and experience in this area, and are typically affiliated with OVDRA, the Optometric Vision Development and Rehabilitation Association,” he said.

“If your child is at high risk of developing nearsightedness or is already nearsighted, consider finding a myopia management specialist through organizations like TreeHouse Eyes.”

4. Participate in community initiatives

Engaging with community programs aimed at preventing myopia, such as vision screening events or educational outreach, can help reduce the prevalence, according to Chen.

Boy online learning

“Prolonged indoor living reduced outdoor activity for children and adolescents while increasing screen time, potentially exacerbating the ocular burden on this population and worsening the myopia crisis,” one eye doctor said. (iStock)

Integrating vision education into school curricula and supporting public health campaigns focused on myopia prevention can also be effective, he added.

“By taking these proactive steps, everyone can contribute to reducing the prevalence of myopia and promoting healthier vision for children and adolescents,” Chen said.

Lawyer Quits Job To Sell Mac And Cheese. She Is Now A Millionaire

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Erin Wade is a successful chef, author, and restauranteur. However, before all this, Erin was a highly-paid lawyer in a high-rise in San Francisco. What is the difference between the two jobs? Happiness and love. In a recent article in Fortune Magazine, Erin Wade talks about how she quit her respectable job and started a business of her own in the food industry. Talking about her previous job as a lawyer, Erin shared, “I sounded important at cocktail parties, looked damned respectable in a suit each day, and did work representing some of the largest companies in America. The problem was that I was miserable.”

In the  Fortune Magazine article adapted from her book ‘The Mac & Cheese Millionaire: Building a Better Business by Thinking Outside the Box’, Erin shared that she wanted to love who she was at work. “I would hear people talk about being excited to wake up in the morning to go to work and think they were crazy-that maybe I just wasn’t that kind of person. I wanted to love who I was in the world and how I spent my days there. I wanted the people around me to feel the same way,” she wrote.
Also Read:Cooking Tips: How To Make Mac And Cheese In A Microwave (Recipe Inside)

She found her love and calling in mac and cheese. “I hoped that the longing I felt for something more meaningful could be found in making delicious food and sharing it with people,” she shared. Erin opened Homeroom, a macaroni and cheese restaurant, in 2011.

Erin is now the world’s leading expert on macaroni and cheese. “I have personally cooked more than 10,000 mac and cheese dishes. I have grated over one metric ton of cheese, boiled thousands of pounds of pasta, and whisked such vast amounts of cream sauce that I developed a wrist injury,” she shared.

Homeroom’s mac and cheese is so popular that it has been featured on The Wall Street Journal, and the Cooking Channel, and its financial performance puts it in the top 1% of restaurants nationwide.
Also Read:World’s Largest Macaroni And Cheese Dish: US Cheesemaker Sets Guinness World Record

Erin shared, “When I first put together my Homeroom business plan, I had estimated my take-home pay to be $40,000. I was stunned when in our first year I earned more than I had as a corporate attorney.” After a decade of running Homeroom, Erin sold the restaurant in 2020 to a large, venture-backed restaurant company. She has now become a mac-and-cheese millionaire. 

Erin began the restaurant for her love for food, mac and cheese in particular, and the joy of feeding people. Eventually, she enjoyed running a business and learned how to run a profitable company that is also a happy workplace for all employees.

Stomach Cancer in Cats: Our Vet Explains the Causes, Signs & Care

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The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research.

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Your cat is losing weight and withdrawn, so you schedule a veterinary appointment. Your veterinarian suggests several diagnostic tests that point to your cat having stomach cancer. Let’s look at stomach cancer in cats and the options available to treat it.

divider 2 cats

What Is Stomach Cancer in Cats?

Leiomyosarcoma is a cancer occurring in the stomach of cats and the intestines. It is not a common neoplasia (cancer), but it is aggressive and can metastasize or spread. Other possible cancers include lymphoma and adenocarcinoma.

Leiomyosarcoma specifically affects the smooth muscles throughout the gastrointestinal system, which use involuntary contractions to move food through the gut.  Any cat can be affected by leiomyosarcoma, but it most commonly occurs in cats older than six years of age.

cat showing belly on the balcony
Image Credit: HelloRF Zcool, Shutterstock

What Are the Signs of Stomach Cancer in Cats?

If your cat has leiomyosarcoma, the most likely signs of this cancer involve the gastrointestinal tract. Some cats have vomiting or diarrhea. Most commonly, vomiting or diarrhea is chronic and may occur intermittently. You might notice visible blood in the stools (hematochezia) or dark, tarry stools (melena). They may start to lose weight despite your increasing feedings.

You might see less apparent signs associated with stomach cancer in cats. Your cat might develop flatulence (gas), even with no changes in food, and you might hear their stomach rumbling, also called borborygmus.

What Are the Causes of Stomach Cancer in Cats?

Unfortunately, we don’t know what causes cats to develop leiomyosarcoma, so more research is needed. As it is less common than other cancers like lymphoma, leiomyosarcoma is not well-studied in cats. Researchers know that certain viral infections, such as feline leukemia and feline immunodeficiency virus, are linked to lymphoma. Therefore, exposure to these viruses may increase the likelihood of your cat developing cancer.

Diagnosing Stomach Cancer in Your Cat

If your cat isn’t feeling well and exhibits signs such as vomiting and diarrhea, your veterinarian will start with a physical exam and take a thorough history. During the exam, your veterinarian will gently palpate your cat’s abdomen to see if anything feels out of the ordinary, such as lumps, thickened intestines, or abnormally large lymph nodes.

Your veterinarian might start with blood work and a fecal parasite screening test to rule out common causes of gastrointestinal distress, such as roundworms. Blood work may often be normal or reveal mild changes that don’t pinpoint a specific reason, but it is essential to rule out certain conditions. They will likely perform radiographs (X-rays) or an ultrasound, or they might refer your cat to a specialist who can perform diagnostic imaging. Endoscopy is another helpful tool, where your veterinarian can scope your cat’s stomach and take biopsy samples to evaluate for cancer cells.

female vet doing ultrasound on a cat
Image Credit: Libre, Shutterstock

How Do I Care for a Cat With Stomach Cancer?

If your cat is a candidate for surgery, your veterinarian may recommend surgery to remove a localized mass. The vet might refer you to a surgical or oncology specialist to develop the best action plan.

Unfortunately, leiomyosarcoma can metastasize to other organs. Because of this, before surgery, your veterinarian will likely perform what Is commonly called a “met check” to look for evidence of metastasis. Typically, that involves radiographs (X-rays) and potentially an ultrasound to look for evidence of cancer spread to other organs.

Your cat’s post-operative recovery will likely be at least ten to fourteen days, where they will need an Elizabethan collar or bodysuit to keep your cat from licking or chewing at their incision.

In some cases, chemotherapy may be indicated. Your veterinarian and oncologist will work together to develop the best medication regimen for your cat.

Your cat will likely need supportive care while they are being treated, including:

  • Anti-nausea medications like Cerenia (maropitant) help reduce the risk of your cat vomiting.
  • Appetite stimulants like Elura (capromorelin)
  • Pain medication, which could be a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug like Onsior (robenacoxib) or a steroid like prednisolone as a potential adjunct to chemotherapy

Your cat will likely need a diet that is easily digestible. Some diets your veterinarian could recommend include:

  • Purina ProPlan Veterinary Diet EN
  • Hill’s Gastrointestinal Biome
  • Hill’s i/d

divider 2 cats

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How common is stomach cancer in cats?

Stomach cancer is considered much less common in cats than in dogs. In cases of reported neoplasia in cats, only 0.4% to 0.7% were cases of tumors associated with the stomach.

vet checking cat on the table
Image Credit: Natali _ Mis, Shutterstock

Are there other types of stomach cancer in cats?

Several other cancers can affect the stomach and other areas of the gastrointestinal tract. One cancer is adenocarcinoma, which starts in the glandular tissue of the stomach and can spread. Lymphoma is another intestinal cancer in cats. It develops in lymphatic tissue and can originate or spread throughout the body.

Is stomach cancer painful for cats?

Stomach cancer can be painful, so your veterinarian might look at options to treat your cat’s discomfort. Many chemotherapy protocols utilize prednisolone, a steroid, which can also relieve some discomfort and pain. You must not give a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory like Onsior or meloxicam if your cat takes a steroid due to the risk of gastric ulcers and other complications.

Signs that your cat could be in pain include:

  • Inappetance
  • Withdrawn behavior
  • Abnormal vocalizing
  • Excessive grooming leading to hair loss
  • Aggression

divider 2 cats

Conclusion

While stomach cancer is not common in cats, it is a potential cause of weight loss, vomiting, and diarrhea. Leiomyosarcoma is a cancer of the stomach and intestinal smooth muscles. Treatment typically involves surgical removal of the mass if it has not spread, although your veterinarian might recommend chemotherapy as an option, especially if there is evidence of cancer metastasis. Other treatments involve highly digestible diets and symptomatic treatment, such as anti-nausea medication, as needed.


Featured Image Credit: Tyler Olson, Shutterstock

Anne Hathaway plijeni pažnju svojim crvenim usnama, a sada znamo koju nijansu koristi

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