Public health officials urge L.A. Country residents to stay close to home 

As COVID-19 case rates continue to decrease in L.A. County, more sectors will be opening. With that possibility in mind, the health department has announced: 

Pasadena Public Health’s Travel Advisory states “except in connection with essential travel, Californians should avoid non-essential travel to any part of California more than 120 miles from one's place of residence, or to other states or countries. All persons arriving in or returning to California from other states or countries, should self-quarantine for 10 days.” Remember, the incubation period for COVID is 14 days. To calculate a quarantine period, use this formula: the day you enter or return to the county is Day 0. The next day is Day 1, and count up to 10 days. Quarantine ends at midnight on Day 10. If you develop symptoms at any point in the 14 days after your return, you should contact your primary care provider and discuss if you should be tested for COVID. 

March is National Nutrition Month, and the American Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics invites everyone “to learn about making informed food choices and developing healthful eating and physical activity habits.” This year’s theme is “Personalize Your Plate,” which theme takes into consideration that everyone has individual life and health situations to consider. Today we’ll focus on breakfast. The name itself comes from its purpose: to “break the fast” from dinner the night before. Breakfast can be as simple as a piece of whole grain toast with peanut butter and banana, or a smoothie made with your favorite fruits and liquid choice of juice or milk/milk alternatives, or a piece of fruit with a slice of cheese. These quick and easy “grab ’n go” breakfasts fuel your body with calories for the day ahead. Other benefits of breakfast include: improved mood, increased energy and increased alertness and concentration—all of which have a direct effect on learning and school performance. Studies show that students who eat breakfast score better on tests and participate more in class. With all these benefits of “breaking the fast,” what’s not to like about breakfast?

In honor of National Women’s History Month, it’s important to recognize the contributions that women have made to science and medicine. Marie Curie is recognized for her contributions and research in radioactivity. Not only is she the first woman to receive a Nobel Prize (in Physics), she was the first person to be awarded two Nobel Prizes (the second in Chemistry). Her research resulted in the discovery of two radioactive elements, radium and polonium, and the development of the x-ray. Marie Curie’s life’s work has affected anyone who has ever broken a bone or had pneumonia and has touched millions of lives.