My larger than life father-in-law died unexpectedly last fall. Throughout the past year I’ve spent countless hours reading tributes and listening to stories – always thinking about what made him so beloved by his colleagues, friends and family. Ironically, by chatting and journaling about what made my FIL special, I was channeling one of his [...]

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Is your family’s summer calendar filled with question marks? If so, you are not alone.  Many families have kept their options for 2021 open, whether by choice or by necessity. Some have found it hard to schedule summer camps and youth programs, which are in shorter supply than they were before the pandemic. Other parents [...]

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The past several weeks we’ve remembered the events of March 2020: the first COVID-19 case in the United States, the first documented virus-related death, the announcement that schools would be closed and the declared state of emergency. Compared to one year ago, there is so much hope these days – COVID-19 rates are dropping, vaccinations [...]

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We are all hopeful that 2021 will bring more indoor and in-person quality time with family and friends. If you have loved ones over the age of 65, you may be particularly eager for them to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. You may also be wondering how your interactions with one another will change after they [...]

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Did your family postpone enrolling a little one in child care due to COVID-19? You are not alone! Enrollments at child care centers across the country dropped during the early months of the pandemic but are on the rise. With vaccinations underway, you may be looking forward to enrolling your child in during the new [...]

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Election stress is real, and it doesn’t take sides. Mental health professionals coined the term “election stress” in 2016 during what then seemed like the most divisive U.S. election in living memory. Four years later, anxiety about the 2020 election is even greater and it is compounded by worry and exhaustion from the viral and [...]

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Dr. John Lynch, medical director of infection prevention & control and employee health programs at Harborview Medical Center, loves Halloween. He also has two daughters, ages 11 and 13, who are eager to dress-up and go door-to-door. Lynch was initially unsure about whether trick-or treating could be done safely during a pandemic. So, he did [...]

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Most of us can name friends and family members who have lost jobs or income due to COVID-19. More than 20 million people in the United States have become unemployed since the start of the pandemic, including some UW colleagues who have been furloughed or whose jobs have been eliminated. Job or income loss is [...]

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Some children were understandably afraid when face masks became common this spring. Not skipping a beat, local child care providers simply reminded them that “super heroes wear masks.” Quite appropriately, the child care providers were wearing masks themselves. Walk past one of our UW Children’s Centers during outdoor time and teachers’ super powers will be [...]

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