HELPFUL HINTS

DEAR READERS: An unfortunate fact in today’s covid world: Our loved ones who reside in retirement homes or senior living facilities can be at greater risk to contract and spread the virus, and to become seriously ill.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (www.cdc.gov) is recommending that groups (people in close contact with one another, such as those in a nursing home) receive the vaccine sooner rather than later. As more vaccine is developed, more groups will be vaccinated.

The CDC still advocates for these measures to help stop the spread of the novel coronavirus (covid-19): wearing a mask, frequent handwashing and keeping six feet between you and everyone else (social distancing).

P.S. Front-line health care workers are also at the head of the line for the vaccine.

DEAR HELOISE: My neighbor who is a police officer says personalized doormats are bad news. Someone with evil intentions does not need to know your family’s last name and your address, or even your last initial. Skip these in favor of plain doormats.

— Elizabeth R. in Texas DEAR HELOISE: I have a teenage daughter who is blind. Here is our message:

When you see us — Anne, my daughter, and me — talk directly to Anne. Don’t say to me, “What’s her name?” “How old is she?” She can hear you, and, like most people, she loves to talk about herself. Ha ha.

Say, “What’s your name?” “How old are you?” And Anne is happy to talk with you about her seeing-eye dog Rowan, but don’t pet him; he’s working.

— Emily T. in Texas DEAR READER: Emily, such important information. Thank you for writing in, and Anne and Rowan, here’s to you.

DEAR HELOISE: Feeling sad and anxious about the pandemic, my husband and I decided not to give gifts to each other this year. Following a suggestion by a charity advocating for the homeless, we packed shoe boxes with new hats, gloves, socks, underwear, toiletries, candy bars, small first aid kits, etc., and gave them to the homeless in our community.

The tangible act of ordering the items, filling and wrapping up the boxes with Christmas paper made me happy.

— Ruth G

Send a money- or time-saving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795001, San Antonio, Texas 78279-5000; fax to (210) 435-6473; or email