In 2021, the news was dominated by COVID-19. All the new variants and vaccine rollouts seemed to blind most of us to other scientific discoveries throughout the year. So, here is a breakdown of some of the most remarkable findings you probably didn’t hear about.
8 ways travelers can save time and travel safer
Many people shelved their wanderlust during the pandemic. Now that things are back to normal, it’s time to start exploring life again. If you’re dreaming about a big vacation, you’re not alone.
A study by Expedia says 37% of American travelers are planning international and domestic trips next year. As they say, go big or go home — but no matter where you go, you should prioritize your safety. Tap or click here for five tips to keep you safe while you travel.
If you plan to hit the road next year, prepare to be flexible. Things are still a little shaky, which is why you should do more advanced planning than usual. Luckily, we put together a quick to-do list: Check off each of these to ensure you have a safe and enjoyable vacation.
1. Know what you’re getting into
Before you pack your bags, research your destination. You want to know if you’re entering a highly contagious area or not. You can get a scope of the situation by checking out an official COVID-19 data tracking map.
These maps can help you figure out if you’re entering a potential danger zone. Ever since South Africa identified the Omicron variant, the new strain made headlines and spread like wildfire. NPR reports that 19 U.S. states have detected the omicron variant.
Stay safe by using the CDC’s COVID Data Tracker. This comprehensive tool gives you valuable information on community transmission on the county level.
Once you’ve gotten a handle on the situation, it’s time to follow step two.
2. Back up your data
If you’re taking important devices while on vacation, you need to take precautions. There are many opportunities for you to lose your gadgets, from your Uber ride to the airport to your hotel stays.
Say you use a device during your flight. If you find out later that you left it on the airplane, you could be in big trouble. Calling up the airline might reveal that your device is in another country!
Apple's new cleaning cloth is $19 - Or you can buy this pack of 24 for less
Amazon
You probably know just how easy it is for tech gadgets to build up dirt, grime and other grody particles. That’s especially true if you eat at your computer or tap your phone screen with sweaty fingers post-workout. You don’t want your devices to become a hub of bacteria, especially in the era of COVID-19.
The Chinese communist government issues a personal warning to Elon Musk
Why does China care if Elon Musk shares a Covid-19 lab leak story? Here’s what you should know, in 60 seconds.
Keep your COVID vaccine card safe with a holder - A 5-pack is $6 right now
Credit: Amazon.com
You probably went through a lot to get your COVID-19 vaccination card. You researched vaccine distribution spots, drove down to the location and braved the needle. If you went early on in the pandemic, you might have struggled to make an appointment due to high demand.
Use this calculator to determine your risk of contracting COVID-19
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As the Delta variant forces us to change strategies when dealing with COVID-19, more tools are available to give us a hand. Each state has its own policies and rate of infection, which also factor into the mix.
The Mayo Clinic has an interactive map that shows a rolling average of daily COVID cases for the past week across the U.S. It also has an option to look ahead for two weeks. Tap or click here for more information on this helpful tool.
Shocker: 5G and airline safety
Remember when people blamed 5G for spreading COVID-19? Now, people say it’s interfering with airline landing systems. Here’s why, in 60 seconds.
Latest moronic viral challenges involve condoms and garlic
Viral challenges often sound unsafe and pointless. Think of the cinnamon challenge and the COVID-19 challenge. It seems like they’re only getting worse.
Protect your vaccine card with these affordable, durable sleeves
Vaccines have been rolling out in the U.S. at a blistering pace. But records aren’t being kept digitally as to who has received a dose. The only way right now that someone can prove their protection is with the issued paper vaccine cards.
Does 5G cause cancer or other health problems?
The 5G revolution is here, and boy, has it caused a splash. Conspiracy theories spread through forums like tornadoes, whipping up fear about contamination and health issues. People are toppling cell phone towers, thinking they cause COVID-19. But how valid are these concerns? Kim sits down with radio wave expert Kenneth Foster, a University of Pennsylvania professor with all the facts. After this episode, you’ll be ready for the newest generation of wireless technology.
Watch out for fake COVID cards!
As we begin returning to offices, restaurants, and retail outlets, here’s a word of caution. No business should ever accept a COVID-19 vaccine card as proof that someone has been vaccinated. The online scams are rampant!
Vaccination cards: The new Dark Web danger
Not too long from now, you’ll need proof that you’ve been vaccinated against COVID-19 to travel. You might even need proof to get a job! Here’s the problem, though: No one can trust the so-called proof.
True or False: It's OK to post your vaccination card online
All over Facebook and Instagram, people are posting pictures of their COVID-19 vaccination cards. Seems innocent enough, but it’s another way for scammers to make money off your back … or, in this case, your arm.
Can you really trust fever scanners?
There’s a false sense of security growing in America. While it’s a joy to report that the number of Covid-19 cases and deaths are declining, millions are still sick and even more are contagious. Unfortunately, fever scanners aren’t helping at all.
COVID-19 vaccines for sale on the Dark Web
It was only a matter of time before COVID-19 vaccines, whether real or fake, would begin appearing for sale on the Dark Web. But it’s happening now and here’s what you should know.
Watch out for these Covid relief scams
As COVID-19 vaccinations roll out across the country, cybercriminals want their shot at stealing your money. If you aren’t careful, these two scams could drain your bank account.
25 fun gift ideas for your Valentine
Amazon
Holidays have looked a lot different than normal over the past year. The pandemic has made it difficult to celebrate things like Christmas, Thanksgiving or birthdays due to social distancing.
This Valentine’s Day won’t be any different. The pandemic is still an issue across the nation, and we’re all still trying to stay at home as much as possible to avoid spreading COVID-19. Not sure why the pandemic has made months feel like years? Here’s why.
Here's how to order an FDA-approved COVID test on Amazon
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Vaccines for COVID-19 are being administered across the U.S., but infections are still at an all-time high. To make matters worse, cybercriminals are taking advantage of the vaccine to rip people off. Tap or click here for four ways scammers are out to get you.
Kim's top 10 tech tips of 2020
Komando.com
Covid-19, murder hornets and a presidential election: There’s no doubt 2020 has been a year for the books. Luckily, we had some amazing tech to make our daily lives easier. Zoom, for example, helped us socialize and work, even when we were stuck at home.
Bonus episode: An hour of The Kim Komando Show
Enjoy a full hour of The Kim Komando Show, compliments of the Komando Community. Try it out yourself free for 30 days and get access to Kim’s show as a podcast on your schedule at getkim.com. In this hour, a simple hacking trick is behind a months-long cyberattack targeting multiple U.S. government agencies — and it affects you, too. Plus, the FTC ordered Big Tech companies to explain how and why they collect your data. And don’t fall for these COVID-19 vaccine myths spreading like a virus on social media.