COVID and Schools
Schools and camps are starting to reopen!
As a mother, I'm uber eager for my kids to get back to a routine and see their friends again, but as a physician, I am nervous (as the Tiktok accurately depicts... I have never felt Ross so deeply... )
The CDC has released recommendations to minimize risks of COVID spread in classrooms, including:
- reduced class sizes and/or staggered/rotating schedules
- no mixing of teachers, rooms, and classmates (also called cohorting)
- no sharing of materials
- physical distancing (at least 6 feet apart and masking when distancing is not possible)
So should you send your kids back to school/camp? I wish I could tell you the “right” answer. There are so many factors to consider - like your work/home situation, your child, whether the facility is able to implement the proper measures, etc etc. Personally, we are keeping our kids home this summer - but we are lucky to have flexible schedules, have help nearby, and our kids have each other.
You will have to make the decision that is best for you and your family, but I would suggest being aware of the above recommendations, understanding the risks and what to look out for, and not being afraid to ask your teachers/facility questions and to show you their plans and precautions.
Will you send your kids back? Or have you already? Would love to hear your thoughts and experiences!
How I Control “MASKNE”
(read to the bottom for a GIVEAWAY!)
Did you know that June is acne awareness month? With masks becoming universal, you might be more fondly calling it "MASKNE." 😷 This occurs because of the heat, sweat, and bacteria getting trapped underneath your mask, in addition to irritation and rubbing on the skin.
Ways to reduce your "maskne":
- Wash your face before donning your mask 🧖🏼♀️ and avoid make-up underneath - this will reduce the oil, sweat, and bacteria buildup
- Use a good moisturizer - especially in the areas that the mask rubs
- Only wear clean masks - do not reuse dirty disposable ones and make sure you wash your reusable ones regularly, ideally with fragrance free detergent. Natural materials like cotton breathe best.
- Avoid harsh products (like retinol or benzoyl peroxide) - this might make any irritation worse, so proceed with caution
One of my favorite ways to combat maskne and breakouts (from quarantine snacking 😁), has been using Rodan+Fields UNBLEMISH Clarifying Mask every few nights. A 2020 New Beauty award winner, this luxurious sulfur mask has been clinically shown to reduce excess oil, calm skin, decongest pores, and reduce blemishes over time. I am giving away a tub of this amazing mask as well as the cutest (and sold out) Alice+Olivia mask.
Head over to my Instagram @vickichanmd or Facebook Vicki Chan Kim for Giveaway details! Good luck!!!
Making a living vs A life worth living
This has been my husband's motto from Day 1.
Back when we were in medical school and studying for exams, he would suddenly sit up and say things like, "Wouldn't it be fun to own a restaurant?" or “How about this for a fun new invention?” What?! Given that we were both poor, in debt students, I would remind him not to quit his day job anytime soon.
"But wouldn't it be FUN?!" he would press.
Fast forward almost 20 years, and I admit, he was on to something. Because it's not just about making a living, but making a life WORTH living. And for us, that indeed includes FUN, love, giving, and the freedoms to make choices in our lives.
Style Series - 1 Black Dress, Multiple Ways
I have to admit, I have been living in dresses for the majority of this shelter in place. #pantsoptionalpandemic 😉 My go to has been a simple black sheath dress I got eons ago from J.Crew. I love it for the myriad of ways it can be worn:
- relaxed alone or with a slouchy cardigan
- for work with a belt, blazer, and heels
- casual chic with a sweater and boots
It’s shelter in place, but make it fashion! 😂
COVID Confessions
“What’s the big deal? Why can’t we all just go back to normal? Only COVID+ patients need to shelter and wear a mask. That’s not me!”
As a physician 👩🏻⚕️, noncompliance is something I deal with and talk about every day. We are all human, which means forgetting medications, missing appointments, or not following health recommendations (like diet and exercising) is to be expected. In fact, according to studies, up to 60% of my ophthalmology patients do not take their prescribed eye drops properly! 👀
So when my colleagues began asking their COVID+ patients 🦠 about their exposures and how they have been isolating, I was not too entirely shocked at some of their answers (though still very shocking, read for yourself. these are not my patients, but a sample taken from an anonymous publication)
This is why we must insist EVERYONE mask. 😷 And why social distancing is still very VERY relevant. COVID numbers are climbing across the country as shelter-in-place relaxes and businesses reopen. As annoying and burdensome as some of these rules and mandates are, they are for YOUR safety. (And in case you forget to be compliant if you get sick... 🤒)
Style Series - Make It Work
Apparently yesterday was National Pink Day! Who knew? 💕
Did anyone else watch the original "Project Runway" and remember Tim Gunn's "Make it work!"?
This totally spoke to me. My entire life and career thus far has been about "making it work" - getting into medical school, choosing a specialty, matching, becoming a mother, starting a side business, and figuring out how to juggle it ALL... (It’s still all a work in progress 😅)
So not surprising, I often apply this sentiment to my own clothing - Not thrilled at how something looks or want to change it up a bit? Tailor it, belt it, tuck it in, put it down, flip it and reverse it... 😂