Beware of scams related to COVID-19

As we go through these difficult times, some things never change. Con artists and scammers are trying to take advantage of people who are stressed out. The inspector general of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is alerting the public about these scams, including moneymaking schemes that are related to the coronavirus/covid-19. I am sharing the inspector’s valuable information.

Scammers are offering COVID-19 tests to Medicare beneficiaries in exchange for personal data, including Medicare info. They are targeting people in these ways: telemarketing calls, social media platforms and door-to-door visits. What they are offering is unapproved and illegitimate. And your personal information can be used fraudulently. Here’s how to protect you and your family:

■ Beneficiaries should remain cautious of unsolicited requests for their Medicare or Medicaid numbers.

■ Be wary of unexpected calls or visitors offering COVID-19 tests or supplies.

■ Ignore offers or ads for treatments or tests on social media.

■ Trust your physician or health care provider to assess your condition and approve any request of COVID-19 testing.

If you suspect COVID-19 fraud, contact the National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721.

During the summer months sneakers get so much outdoor use that they get so smelly and dirty.

Take these steps to remove the odors and to clean your sneakers: To eliminate the worst odor, sprinkle baking soda in each sneaker and leave overnight. Pour out in the morning.

To prevent sneakers from becoming stinky in the first place, try this: Spray your feet with antiperspirant or spray it inside the sneakers. You can place odorpreventing inserts inside as well.

To clean sneakers, first treat with a prewash product and then put the washable ones (without leather) in the washing machine. You can place them in the dryer with towels or air-dry them.

Try this easy recipe to make a yogurt pop. It makes a great low-calorie sweet for your kids. When they come in from playing outside, they can get this treat from the freezer to cool off. Here’s how to make it:

1. Mix a 6-ounce can of frozen fruit juice with 3/4 cup of plain, low-fat yogurt. Pour into small paper cups.

2. When the mixture is semisolid, put an ice pop stick in the center and return to the freezer.

Howcani make sure the cloth face masks that we are wearing for protection during this crisis are being properly cleaned?

— Maureen in New Jersey

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other experts offer these guidelines: Be careful when you remove the face mask to be cleaned. Do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth when taking it off, and wash your hands right after. Fabric masks should be washed often depending on the frequency of use. Wash them in hot water in the washing machine and dry on high heat.

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