Masks for children?
Dear Heloise: I'm afraid to bring my 3-yearold daughter into the grocery store because of COVID-19. Should she wear a mask? — Marie in Georgia
Marie, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (www.CDC.gov) states children older than age 2 should wear a cloth face covering to help stop the spread of the coronavirus. Make sure she can remove the mask herself if she has difficulty breathing, but encourage her to keep it on. However, children under age 2 should not wear a mask because their airways are smaller, which could make breathing through a mask difficult. — Heloise
P.S. Don't forget the other steps to take when in public: Remain 6 feet away from those not in your family, wash your hands often and stay home if you feel sick.
FRIENDSHIP TEA
Dear Readers: Social distancing can bring with it a sense of loneliness and isolation. How about reaching out to a neighbor with a gift of the fixings for my Classic Friendship Tea? You will need:
21/2cupspowdered orange-flavored breakfastdrink 13/4 cups powdered instant
tea(notsweetened) 2- 21/2cupssugar totaste 1 small package lemonade
mix(makes2quarts) 11/2teaspoonsground
cloves 11/2teaspoonsground cinnamon
Blend together all dry ingredients. Store in a tightly sealed jar. To serve, add
1-2 rounded teaspoons to 6-8 ounces ofhotwater. To make a sugar-free version, use a sugarsubstitute, diet powdered orange drinkand sugar-free lemonade. You can blend it in a blender to make itsmooth and creamy looking. This version ismore concentrated, so use less mix (about 1 teaspoon to 6-8 ounces ofhotwater).
Flavored coffees and teas are always a lovely gift. I have compiled my favorites of these delicious drink recipes into a handy pamphlet. Would you like to receive one? It's easy! Visit www.Heloise.com to order, or send a long, selfaddressed, stamped (70 cents) envelope along with $3 to: Heloise/Flavored Coffees and Teas, Box 795001, San Antonio, TX 78279-5001. For an extra sweet gesture decorate the jar and print out the Friendship Tea recipe and include it! — Heloise
ORGANIZE YOUR STUDENT
Dear Readers: Take a few minutes each week, together with your child, to go through their school papers, bookbag, school supplies and computer. Make sure they have everything they need, and at the same time, get rid of unnecessary papers, trash and clutter. Try to lessen their burden by eliminating superfluous stuff.
This is a stressful time for parents and kids alike. Take this opportunity to bond with your student, whether they are learning online or in person. — Heloise
SLIPPERY CUSHIONS
Dear Heloise: The cushions on my sofa were always slipping out from under me. I bought some rubber shelf liner, placed it under the cushions, and there is no more slippage. An easy solution to an irritating problem. — Louise in Kentucky
Send amoney-saving or timesaving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, SanAntonio, TX78279-5000, or you can fax it to 1-210-HELOISE or email it to He loise@ He loise. com. I can’t answer your letter personally but will use the best hints received inmy column.