5 things to help you stay healthy this summer
For months, most of us were quarantined at home, only venturing out for the essentials like groceries. But now, with many states slowly starting to reopen amid the coronavirus pandemic, people are beginning to head outside more.
Whether you're running errands, taking a social distancing walk, or planning a road trip, there are some extra precautions you can take to prevent the spread of coronavirus. That's where we come in. The team at Reviewed has been busy researching the essentials you need to stay healthy this summer.
Not only does the CDC recommend wearing a face covering in public, but many states and cities mandate it. As a result, a number of retailers have started selling face masks. But with so many options available, it can be overwhelming to figure out which ones are actually worth the money. That's why we decided to test a variety of face masks for comfort, fit, and quality to see which brand came out on top. And after many hours spent researching and wearing cloth masks, we found our favorite face coverings.
A new trend is emerging in the protective product arena: Face shields.
However, the CDC cautions that face shields should not be worn in place of a cloth mask. There have only been a few studies done on the effectiveness of face shields and it remains unknown if they offer adequate protection against the spray of respiratory droplets.
Why are so many people opting to wear face shields then? While the CDC doesn't recommend shields, the agency does say that "people may choose to use a face shield when sustained close contact with other people is expected." And wearing a face shield is better than wearing nothing at all.
Planning on traveling this summer? Whether you're flying, driving, or taking the train, the less public things you touch, the better. That includes trying to cut down on the number of stops you make or stores you have to go into. Some travelers suggest packing your own snacks rather than going into a gas station or touching the buttons on a vending machine. We recommend using these Lunchskins reusable sandwich bags (which are the best ones our experts have tested) because they're environmentally-friendly and will keep your food fresh for longer.
On a similar note, if you're traveling then you'll want to plan ahead for your beverage needs. If you don't feel comfortable drinking out of the cups provided at your hotel or rental accommodation, bring your own travel mug with you. That way you'll know that you're the only one who has used it and you can keep it clean as you go. Our favorite travel mug is the Zojirushi Stainless Steel Mug because it's durable and portable and kept our coffee piping hot for up to 24 hours.
Even if you clean your hands regularly and try to avoid touching things when out in public, your phone is still a bacteria hotspot. Keep it germ-free on the go with PhoneSoap's travel phone sanitizer. Our senior scientist tested out PhoneSoap in Reviewed's labs and found that it was incredibly effective at killing bacteria. Plus, it only takes six minutes and can be used for more than just your phone (like your keys and credit cards).
Looking for more product suggestions? Check out all our picks for our favorite products at Reviewed, where we've got you covered with lab-tested recommendations from cooking to smart home to tech and more.