Announcement: No More Face Mask or Face Shield Required, Hoorah!!!

Dear Costco Member,

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control recently announced new guidance regarding COVID-19 and vaccines. Among other things, the CDC now says that fully vaccinated people no longer need to wear a mask in most settings, except where required by state and local laws. People are considered fully vaccinated 2 weeks after their second dose in a 2-dose series, or 2 weeks after a single-dose vaccine.

Based on this new guidance regarding vaccine effectiveness, beginning May 14, 2021, we are modifying our policy regarding face coverings in some U.S. Costco locations.

U.S. locations with no state or local mask requirements - revised policy
In Costco locations where the state or local jurisdiction does not have a mask mandate, we will allow members and guests who are fully vaccinated to enter Costco without a face mask or face shield. We will not require proof of vaccination, but we ask for members’ responsible and respectful cooperation with this revised policy. Face coverings will still be required in healthcare settings, including Pharmacy, Optical, Hearing Aid. Costco continues to recommend that all members and guests, especially those who are at higher risk, wear a mask or shield.

U.S. locations with state or local mask requirements - no policy change
In those Costco locations where the state or local jurisdiction does have a mask mandate, we will follow the state or local regulations and continue to require members and guests to wear a face mask or face shield. Children under the age of 2 are exempt. If a member or guest has a medical condition that prevents them from wearing a mask, they must wear a face shield.

As before, our goal is to continue to provide a safe shopping environment for our members and guests and to provide a safe work environment for our employees, while following public health advice and applicable laws.

Thank you for your continued cooperation and support.

Craig Jelinek
President and CEO
Costco Wholesale

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COSTCO: Brightening COVID-19 Days With Plants & Flowers (& Limits)

Gardenia, first bloom  July 2019

Bamboo Plant, 01.2020

Dear Costco Member, As the global effect of coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to evolve, Costco is firmly committed to the health and safety of our members and employees, and serving our communities. We are closely monitoring the changing situation, and complying with public health guidance. As many of you have noticed, we’ve experienced a surge of business during  this time. As a result, we’ve taken steps to control the number of members  in our warehouses and asked that members and employees practice social distancing. We’ve also reduced some services. We’ve increased our protocols in sanitizing surfaces, including shopping cart handles, merchandise shelves, front-end belts and registers. Limits have been implemented on certain items to help ensure more members are able to  access the merchandise they want and need. Our buyers and suppliers are working to ensure in-demand merchandise as well as everyday favorites are available in our warehouses. As new information becomes available, management is keeping warehouse  staff well informed so they can respond swiftly and appropriately. While the circumstances continue to change and we modify our operations as necessary, we thank you for your patience and cooperation. As new developments occur,  be assured we are committed to taking care of our members and employees  and to our mission of providing low prices, quality merchandise and exceptional service. We extend our sincere thanks to Costco members and employees worldwide  for their ongoing support and loyal dedication during this challenging time. Thank you, Craig Jelinek President and CEO, Costco Wholesale

CDC: Daily COVID-19 USA at a Glance

A Message From Costco's CEO



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This Year’s Flu Vaccine Was Only 29% Effective

 And Officials Are Scared About What’s Next -- By Tristan Morehouse, AWM (Updated July 4, 2019)

Although health care companies continue to push the flu vaccines onto the American people, they have to get it right, or people are not going to keep using it. Now that the numbers are in, we see that this past year’s flu vaccine was another flop as it proved to be just 29 percent effective. That’s not enough for people to trust it or to turn to it as they gear up to prepare for the worst as reports that next year’s flu season is set to be even deadlier than it was this year.

The CDC reported last Thursday that the flu vaccine administered this past year was just 29 percent effective. Scientists blame the lack of usefulness to the unexpected second wave of H3N2, which is the same flu strain that is currently making Australia sick.

Because the Southern Hemisphere has winter first, their flu season often acts as a predictor to what it will be like in the United States and other countries abroad.

Now that the CDC is working tirelessly to protect the American public from getting the flu – which can kill – they are recommending that people get a flu vaccine that protects them from the H1N1 and H3N2 strains as well as influenza B.

The main reason that the flu vaccine was not effective was that the H3N2 strain popped up in the United States part way through the flu season. The vaccine that had been given out until that point did not protect against that.

Last year 80,000 people died from the flu in the United States. The CDC wants to do much better than that in this upcoming year. That’s why the United States’ government promised to endow the National Institute of Health (NIH) with $1 billion to develop a flu shot that could save lives.

Although the billion dollars was given to the organization in the hopes that they could develop a universal flu vaccine health officials are worried that such a feat might never be possible, let along in time to beat next year’s deadly flu season.

While last year’s flu shot worked well early in the season with an effectiveness of 47 percent. But when the second, stronger strain started to railroad people across America, the vaccine’s effectiveness dropped to just nine percent.

CDC’s Brendan Flannery admitted that the vaccine offered “no significant protection” against the H3N2 strain.

Every year scientists unite to determine which strains are going to be most prevalent. That’s why vaccines are built to protect people from three or four strains of the virus, the ones predicted to be the most deadly and widespread.

However, scientists cannot always predict the future, and as is the case in the 2018/2019 flu season, the H3N2 strain came out of nowhere.

Flu is particularly challenging for scientists to create a vaccine because the virus can change and adapt so quickly.

Nevertheless, flu shots are recommended for all Americans age six months or older. Although it is not perfect, last year’s vaccine saved an estimated 40,000 to 90,000 people from hospitalization.

Only 29% Effective

11 REASONS WHY THE FLU SHOT MAY BE MORE DANGEROUS THAN THE FLU

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Thankful Tuesday: No More Mosquito Netting

As a legal immigrant to the United States of America, I am thankful, in no particular order, for the following: 

- CHOCOLATE
- abundant JOBS
- hot SHOWERS 
- indoor toilets, and 
- no need for MOSQUITO NETS in the home

While living in my small Asian provincial town, house windows remained open for air circulation in the hot, humid temps. A/C that would keep us cool and our windows closed and kept bugs at bay was unheard of back in the day. We had no window screens neither and definitely no repellant sprays . 

Yet, by God's grace, we remained healthy.  How?  One way was with the consistent use of mosquito netting while we slept at night. No matter how plain,ugly or fancy, the mosquito net did its job. Mosquito-borne diseases be gone (the most common in my area were malaria and dengue).

via Yahoo

via FAQ.ph

via theamblerfamily.com

pc: Amazon

You Will Usually Find These in Filipino Houses

Mosquito-borne Diseases

Palawan, PI 1983

10 Biggest Shopping Malls in PI

Mosquito Diseases

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Disease Control: Wash Your Hands and Other Clues

The tips and resources below will help you learn about steps you can take to protect yourself and others from flu and help stop the spread of germ.
(by the CDC: Centers for Disease Control )

1. Avoid close contact.Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.

2. Stay home when you are sick.If possible, stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick. This will help prevent spreading your illness to others.

3. Cover your mouth and nose.Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick. Flu and other serious respiratory illnesses, like respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), whooping cough, and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), are spread by cough, sneezing, or unclean hands.

4. Clean your hands.Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.

5. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.
6. Practice other good health habits.Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces at home, work or school, especially when someone is ill. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food.

Preventing Flu at Work and School

At School

• Find out about plans your child’s school, child care program, or college has if an outbreak of flu or another illness occurs and whether flu vaccinations are offered on-site.
• Make sure your child’s school, child care program, or college routinely cleans frequently touched objects and surfaces, and that they have a good supply of tissues, soap, paper towels, alcohol-based hand rubs, and disposable wipes on-site.
• Ask how sick students and staff are separated from others and who will care for them until they can go home.

At Work

• Find out about your employer’s plans if an outbreak of flu or another illness occurs and whether flu vaccinations are offered on-site.
• Routinely clean frequently touched objects and surfaces, including doorknobs, keyboards, and phones, to help remove germs.
• Make sure your workplace has an adequate supply of tissues, soap, paper towels, alcohol-based hand rubs, and disposable wipes.
• Train others on how to do your job so they can cover for you in case you or a family member gets sick and you have to stay home.
• If you begin to feel sick while at work, go home as soon as possible.

by RRE:  Peak flu season is from December to February.  If you're like me -- suspicious of flu shots -- the things I readily do to keep the Flu bug away (and I strongly advice my family members to do likewise) are the following:  hand-washing, daily showers, avoiding close contact with the obviously-sick, much prayer to the Lord for good health, and faithfully taking my Vitamin D with my Multi supplement. The flu shot is not even in my top 6 options. 

Simplistic & ignorant, some say, but the proof is in the pudding.  I do not get the flu often, thank God.

Best Liquid Hand Soaps

CDC: Preventing the Flu

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