pandemic

The pandemic has changed everyone’s life, and a lot of those changes have brought on unprecedented levels of stress for many. From quarantining to lost jobs and businesses to families having to adapt to kids distance learning from home, it’s been a year like no other. And all that stress…

The newest tagline on the television news is “[fill in the blank] is going to look different this year…” Well, guess what: Everything looks different this year, thanks to the pandemic. In the fall issue of DCA’s Consumer Connection magazine, the writers take a look at what’s become different in…

Contact a licensed mental health professional for assistance Feeling anxious or depressed these days? You are far from alone, according to a new study from San Diego State and Florida State universities. As published in the journal Depression & Anxiety, researchers compared nationally representative samples of U.S. adults from the…

Help is available: Reach out today People are coping with the current pandemic and related stress in many healthy ways, like with new or dusted-off hobbies, volunteering and philanthropic activities, or exercise and wellness. But an unhealthy coping behavior—alcohol use—is on the rise, and it’s important to know that help…

Adoptions up in response to lockdowns “We cleared the shelter!” That was the joyous message shared by Riverside County Animal Services this spring when all of its animals were adopted. And that happy news has been repeated time and again at shelters throughout the state and nation as people log…

California’s summer heat is scorching most of the state just as more and more people head outdoors to get relief from pandemic-induced cabin fever. And for those exercising outside even moderately in 90-degree-plus temperatures, staying hydrated is critical—something many people often don’t do. Dehydration can lead to serious complications, including…

An over-abundance of toilet paper. Stacks of water bottles in your garage. Canned goods piled high in your pantry. Have we become hoarders during the COVID-19 pandemic? Your own personal supply might tell you yes. Amid the global health crisis, Americans have been panic-buying these items and many more: Toilet…

Governor Gavin Newsom announced Wednesday, May 6, that a new feature added to the California Department of Public Health’s COVID-19 website helps find testing sites throughout the state. Users can search by current location, address, city, or ZIP code, or by clicking on an interactive map featuring testing site locations.…

Ever since the COVID-19 pandemic became a reality, wearing a protective mask of one kind or another has been the option, but it’s quickly becoming the norm. More and more Californians are wearing some kind of mask; if you don’t know how to do it, just look on social media:…