Here are good reasons to wear a mask

Q: What’s your take on whether or not it makes a difference if we wear masks — indoors, outdoors, with friends and/or strangers? — Jessie G., Plano, Texas

A: We’re certain masks are an incredibly helpful way to reduce the spread of COVID-19. They’re needed whether you’re indoors or outside, visiting with family or friends, or having dinner at a restaurant — in or out — and are distanced from strangers. Let’s look at the facts:

1. Masks substantially reduce the amount of virus that someone who’s infected may spread and reduce the infiltration into your nose, eyes and mouth of the virus in droplets.

2. People who are asymptomatic can put people in jeopardy if they don’t wear a mask.

3. If there were enough

N95 masks — they block more than 99 percent of droplets and 95 percent of aerosolized virus — we’d say use ’em. But for some reason, the Defense Production Act hasn’t been invoked to make an adequate supply available for frontline workers, let alone everyday folks. So, use surgical or cloth masks.

Q: I am ready to change my life and my health. What’s the best nutritional advice you can give me? — Lemar P., Memphis

A: In a study in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, the researchers from the U.S. and Europe explain when and what you need to eat to provide your heart maximum protection from clogged blood vessels, heart attack, stroke and related health challenges such as dementia.

They did a massive review of available data and concluded that a Pesco-mediterranean diet “is ideal for optimizing cardiovascular health.” The diet consists of vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, legumes, whole grains and extra-virgin olive oil with fish/seafood and fermented dairy products (kefir, yogurt). They recommend drinking water, coffee and tea (no added flavors, sweeteners or whole milk/cream). And they saw that the most benefits come if you also fast for 12 to 16 hours a day.

Pesco-mediterranean’s heart-healthy powers even beat other healthy diet styles such as semi-vegetarian, lacto-ovo vegetarian and vegan. That’s because, the study suggests, the omega-3s in fish such as wild salmon and ocean trout (never fried) reduce the risk of fatal and nonfatal heart disease. And when combined with the anti-inflammatory powers of a plant-based diet and the elimination of red meats and ultra-processed foods, you’ve super-powered your overall health.