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Health & Fitness

COVID-19 cases are rising—here's how to stay safe

What you need to keep COVID-19 at bay and get better

Products are chosen independently by our editors. Purchases made through our links may earn us a commission.

As we move into fall, flu season is upon us once more and COVID-19 and influenza cases are expected to see an uptick. Not helping matters is the fact that the rollout of vaccines has been hampered by various factors, including insurance denials. Getting the new COVID-19 booster vaccine is recommended for everyone, particularly those with compromised immune systems. Beyond getting a vaccine, there are other ways that you can take caution and protect yourself and others from illness. Here's what to know of the latest COVID variant making the rounds and ways to stay safe.

Symptoms of the new COVID variant Pirola

Symptoms that are found across COVID-19 variants, including Pirola, include:

  • Runny or stuffy nose

  • Headache

  • Fatigue

  • Sneezing

  • Sore throat

  • Coughing

  • Changes to sense of smell

Products to protect yourself from the new COVID variant Pirola

A mask

White KN95 mask against blue bacground
Credit: Reviewed / Powecom

A mask is the best defense against COVID-19

COVID-19 most commonly spreads via breathing in COVID-19 particles spewed by infected individuals. As such, the best way to protect yourself from COVID-19 remains wearing a mask, specifically a KN95 or N95 mask, which effectively block 95% of airborne particles, including the ones responsible for the transmission of COVID-19.

Product image of White Powecom® KN95 Respirator Face Mask
White Powecom® KN95 Respirator Face Mask

Using a mask significantly reduces your chances of contracting COVID-19 and spreading it.

$11 from Bona Fide Masks

A COVID-19 test

COVID-19 test kit package against blue background
Credit: Reviewed / QuickVue

Use an at-home test kit to see where you stand.

Symptoms of COVID-19 often overlap with other viruses such as influenza or the common cold. Furthermore, you might not display symptoms if you’ve contracted COVID-19. For both these reasons, it’s a good idea to use an at-home rapid COVID-19 test to see where you stand if you’re feeling under the weather or if you’ve been exposed to someone with COVID-19.

Product image of QuickVue At-Home OTC COVID-19 Test
QuickVue At-Home OTC COVID-19 Test

This at-home test will give you your results in less in 20 minutes.

$24 from Amazon

Hand sanitizer

Bottle of hand sanitizer against blue background
Credit: Reviewed / Germ-X

Sanitize your hands regularly.

COVID-19 can also be spread by touching your eyes, nose, or mouth after touching a surface coated with COVID-19 particles. With this in mind, it’s good practice to wash your hands with soap and water or use hand sanitizer when you cannot.

Product image of Germ-X Hand Sanitizer
Germ-X Hand Sanitizer

This hand sanitizer comes in a travel-size bottle so you can clean your hands while on the go.

$4 from Amazon

A thermometer

Thermometer against blue background
Credit: Reviewed / Femometer

Use a thermometer when if start feeling hot

Running a fever is one of the many symptoms of COVID-19, so if you feel yourself uncomfortably hot for no discernible reason, you should break out the thermometer. Our pick for the best thermometer you can buy is Femometer’s Digital Infrared Thermometer, since it gives accurate results in an instant.

Product image of Forehead Thermometer for Adults and Kids
Forehead Thermometer for Adults and Kids

Use a thermometer to determine whether or not you're running a fever.

$19 from Amazon

An electric kettle

Electric tea kettle against blue background
Credit: Reviewed / Cuisinart

Brew soothing tea in a snap

Sipping a cup of tea can work wonders when you’re sick. To brew tea quickly and easily while you’re sick, we recommend using a quality electric kettle such as our favorite, the Cuisinart PerfecTemp. This kettle is intuitive to use, has several presets to make brewing even simpler, and boasts the fastest brewing times of the kettles we’ve tested.

Product image of Cuisinart 1.7-Liter Stainless Steel Cordless Electric Kettle
Cuisinart 1.7-Liter Stainless Steel Cordless Electric Kettle

Our favorite electric kettle makes brewing tea a breeze.

$85 from Amazon

An air purifier

Air purifier against blue backgorund
Credit: Reviewed / Blueair

A purifier can help keep COVID out the home

A quality air purifier can filter pollutants from your home, including the ones responsible for COVID-19. Beyond COVID, an air purifier eliminates pollutants that can contribute to allergies and lung complications, making it a good investment for the home. The best we’ve tested is the Blueair Blue Pure 311i Max. This quiet purifier boasts excellent particle filtering, simple controls, and a washable prefilter, which reduces the frequency and cost of filter changes.

Product image of BLUEAIR Air Purifiers
BLUEAIR Air Purifiers

Using an air purifier can curb the chance of catching COVID-19 in the home.

$230 from Amazon

A sleep mask

Sleep mask against blue background
Credit: Mzoo

Catch some Zs no matter the time of day.

Getting plenty of restful sleep will help you recover if you find yourself sick with COVID-19. If you need to sleep during the day (which you often do when you’re sick) we recommend using a sleep mask such as the one sold by Mzoo. This mask is the best we’ve tested, and it's great at blocking light. Unlike other sleep masks, it doesn’t put any pressure on your eyes.

Product image of MZOO Sleep Eye Mask
MZOO Sleep Eye Mask

Get quality rest no matter the time of day.

$17 from Amazon

Tissues

Package of tissue against blue background
Credit: Reviewed / Puffs

Treat your nose to only the softest tissue.

Make sure you throw your used tissues into isolated trash bags to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. To make the experience less uncomfortable, we recommend using the best tissues we’ve tested, Puffs Ultra Soft, which we love for their durability and, of course, softness.

Product image of Ultra Soft Non-Lotion Facial Tissues
Ultra Soft Non-Lotion Facial Tissues

Treat your nose to the best when you're sick.

$18 from Amazon

A pressure cooker

Pressure cooker against blue background
Credit: Reviewed / Ninja

Make food without the fuss

Using a pressure cooker, you can keep the chicken soup flowing even when all you want to do is lie in bed. The best pressure cooker we’ve tested is the Ninja Foodi OL701 which cooks well, has lots of features, and is easy to clean.

Product image of Ninja OL701 Foodi
Ninja OL701 Foodi

Make delicious meals in a jiffy.

$319 from Amazon

A weighted blanket

Folded weighted blanket against blue background
Credit: Reviewed / Gravity

Get some rejuvenating rest with our favorite weighted blanket

Another way to make sure you get the rest you need if you’re infected with COVID-19 is to use a weighted blanket. Studies show that using weighted blankets can lead to easier and more restful sleep. The best weighted blanket we’ve tested is the Gravity Blanket because it’s easy to clean, durable, and provides the perfect amount of pressure.

Product image of Gravity Blankets Weighted Blanket
Gravity Blankets Weighted Blanket

The best weighted blanket we've tested will help you get to sleep and stay asleep.

$163 from Amazon

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