Columns

Vaccines Must Be Held to the Highest Standards Of Safety

DEAR DR. ROACH: I read recently that a coronavirus vaccine is scheduled for release in late October or early November in the very early stages of clinical trials. Although the manufacturer has offered assurances that the vaccine is safe, this seems awfully early. I understand that only one vaccine in history has been released this quickly, which was the anthrax vaccine. I am 77 years old and reasonably healthy, but my age puts me in the higher risk category for contracting COVID-19. Would you recommend I get this vaccine as soon as it becomes available? — P.L. ANSWER: I understand ...

Changing a Diaper Causes Family Friction At Baptism

DEAR ABBY: My sister-in-law “Brenda” often takes it upon herself to change a baby’s diaper during social gatherings with family. She never bothers to ask the baby’s parents if it’s OK to do this, and they never solicit her help. For years, I found it a bit strange, but never said anything to Brenda or another family member. Some time ago, my in-laws and immediate family were at my son’s baptismal party. Several babies from my wife’s side as well as my own were there. My wife’s relatives aren’t well-acquainted with mine. Before our wedding, neither of our families had ...

Parents Disapprove of New Boyfriend Of Different Race

DEAR ABBY: I’m a 22-year-old woman who was adopted. I recently started dating an amazing man who happens to be of another race. My parents, whom I love very much, told me that if I stay with him, they will disown me. They have made many horrible comments about my relationship, and I’m at a loss about what to do. I love them, but I also love my boyfriend. Please give me advice. What should I do? — HOPELESS IN INDIANA DEAR HOPELESS: You need to figure out which is more important to you, the hope for a future with this amazing man who is new in your life, or your relationship with ...

AAA Offers Safe Driving Tips as Pandemic Changes Everything

AAA East Central wants to remind motorists that hanging items from a rear-view mirror, including protective masks, is a safety hazard. With varying requirements about masks/facial coverings in place, many motorists are keeping masks in their cars, and many are hanging them from their rear-view ...

From Screen To Screen

Dear Heloise: In a recent column, a reader mentioned finding an app whereby television viewing was possible on their smartphone. You mentioned that was great, but you were restricted to the small screen. Actually, that might not be true. Many phones have the ability to “cast” what is on the screen to a smart TV. This allows the video on the phone to be watched on the larger screen of the television. Tablets frequently have this ability too, as well as direct cabling ability if they have the appropriate output on the tablet, an HDMI port. One might need the assistance of someone ...

Careless Son-in-Law Leaves Trail of Chaos In His Wake

DEAR ABBY: My son-in-law “Kirk” has issues with closing doors, kitchen cabinets and refrigerator doors. Three times my daughter has had to throw out food because it spoiled. He doesn’t close cereal boxes, bags of candy or chips, either. My husband and I tolerated Kirk’s behavior until a recent visit to our home. He again left the door to our garage open, where our inside cat could have escaped. He was rough when opening our recliner, and he also didn’t turn the cap all the way down on the seltzer bottle, but I know better than to shake the bottle before checking the cap ...