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www.FredericksburgParent.NET 23 TESTING IS EASIER THAN EVER As of March, American households are now eligible to order four additional home COVID tests free of charge from the federal government. Orders can be placed at covidtests.gov. Home tests are a far cry from the extremely uncomfortable nose swabbing many of us remember from early in the pan- demic. They are a great tool to have in your home as you craft your family's per- sonal COVID safety strategy. You may want to take a test before visiting elderly or at-risk friends or relatives, for example, or for peace of mind when exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19. Having a fast way to understand your status can not only protect those around you, but also give you and your family greater peace of mind in going about your normal life. Families with health insurance can also now get reimbursed for test kits bought at pharmacies and grocery stores. You can find a guide to making decisions about home testing at: cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/testing/self-testing.html TRAVEL: KNOW BEFORE YOU GO. It's exciting to be able to get fully back to traveling for pleasure and to see relatives. To be safe when travel- ing, families can visit vdh.virginia.gov/ Rappahannock and use the tool on the homepage to check the COVID- 19 transmission level at their desti- nation. Just as you would check the weather to determine whether to pack a raincoat, you can now check the COVID stats to help you decide whether to pack masks, home tests or take other precautions. It's important to note that the federal mask requirement on all public trans- portation in the United States, includ- ing airplanes, airports, trains and buses, was recently extended until April 18, at which time further guid- ance will be issued. SOME HABITS SHOULD STAY While many of the most restrictive elements of COVID prevention are going away, there are some lessons we learned over the past two years that will help us stay healthy by slowing the spread of a huge number of viruses and illnesses. Frequent and proper hand- washing, for example, shouldn't go away with the pandemic. We can also take a cue from the pandemic when planning birth- day parties and other gatherings. Things like a big communal bowl of popcorn that everyone puts their hands into can be replaced with cups, serving utensils or individually wrapped snacks that reduce touching other people's food. And any time you've got a big group indoors, remember how much of a difference fresh air from open windows can make in creating a healthier environment. Another habit that should remain in the post-pandemic world is the empathy and compassion many people showed each other as we all struggled through this difficult time. As you're getting back to living life to the fullest, just remember that many individuals in our community still have medical conditions and other factors that put them at greater risk of complications from this disease that still circulates. By avoiding judgement of those who continue to wear masks, or who may not be ready to come to big parties yet, we can start this new season off on a note of kindness—one of the most important elements of good public health. To learn more about the resources the Rappahannock Area Health District offers for public health in our community, visit vdh.virginia/gov/Rappahannock.