January 2024
You Can Get a PowerBand for Your Apple Watch on Sale for $35 Right Now
The PowerBand fits onto any Apple Watch series and features a built-in MagSafe-compatible charger, and it’s on sale for $34.97 right now (reg. $49.99) through January 14. When your Apple Watch has a low battery, you can just uncover the USB charging connector, connect it to a USB outlet, and sit the back of your watch on the small hidden magnet charger that’s built into the watch band. The band itself is made from an adjustable, lightweight, ultra-thin nylon weave.
You can get the Power Band on sale for for $34.97 right now (reg. $49.99) until January 14 at 11:59 p.m. PT, though prices can change at any time.
Since the OG Anunoby trade, Miles McBride’s Knicks role has grown — and he’s rising to the occasion
Perhaps no Knicks role player has stepped up more than Miles ‘Deuce’ McBride for New York since trading RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley.
Everyone Who Needs the RSV Vaccine (and Where to Get It)
Respiratory Syncytial Virus, or RSV, presents for most people as a bad cold. Its symptoms include coughing, congestion, and a low fever. However, it is one of the main illnesses that can lead to hospitalization and complications, especially in children and older adults. Untreated, it can be deadly. Fortunately, there are now vaccines available. Let’s break down who needs to get vaccinated and when.
Babies
Parents breathed a sigh of relief when a RSV vaccine became available for infants. The Centers for Disease control recommends that all infants under age eight months get the RSV vaccine in the fall, along with their flu shot, though they can be given the shot later in the season if they haven’t had it yet. Babies between eight and 19 months should also get vaccinated if they are immunocompromised. Preemies are at particular risk.
The RSV vaccine provides increased immunity for several months and, because it is now on the required vaccine schedule, it is offered at no additional cost by your healthcare provider—either because it is fully covered by insurance or by the Vaccines for Children program, which covers Medicaid-eligible children, plus children who are American Indian or Alaskan Native. Babies can get vaccinated at the pediatrician or family doctor’s office according to the usual vaccination schedule or as recommended by the doctor.
Adults over 60
Adults over age 60 are at risk for complications from contracting RSV. The CDC says, “Adults at the highest risk for severe RSV illness include older adults, adults with chronic heart or lung disease, adults with weakened immune systems, and adults living in nursing homes or long-term care facilities.” A different vaccine from the one available for children is recommended for adults over 60. It can be administered along with flu and COVID shots.
There are a few places to get your vaccine. Your primary care doctor or pharmacy carries the RSV vaccine, for starters. And similarly the early COVID shots, there are some RSV shot clinics like public health clinics, Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC), and Rural Health Clinics (RHC).
These preventative shots are usually fully covered by insurance, but you may need to make sure your provider is in network. The CDC says, for adults, “If you have Medicare Part D, your healthcare provider may recommend you get an RSV vaccine at a pharmacy. In some states, a prescription may be needed to get the vaccine at a pharmacy. Discuss with your healthcare provider or pharmacist where the best location to get an RSV vaccine is in your area.”
Pregnant people
During weeks 32-36 of pregnancy, the CDC recommends the RSV vaccine. Getting recommended vaccines during pregnancy helps protect the baby from illnesses for up to six months postpartum. They’ve seen hospitalizations cut in half for infants born to people who were vaccinated against RSV. Pregnant people will likely get their vaccine at their prenatal appointment but can ask about getting it from a primary care doctor or pharmacy.
Other adults and children over eight months
Most people are not particularly at risk from RSV infection. As with any respiratory illness, when sick with RSV, people should avoid others, especially sensitive populations. Currently, vaccines for people under 60 are not recommended or covered by insurance. If you think you’re at risk for RSV due to other health conditions, speak with your healthcare provider about how to minimize exposure.
RB TreVeyon Henderson and DE JT Tuimoloau are the latest top Ohio State players returning for 2024
The Buckeyes are bringing a ton of key pieces back from their 2023 team.
Nine Countries You’ll Need a Tourist Visa to Visit in 2024
If you’re planning any international travel in 2024, you need a valid passport—and thankfully, current processing times are much quicker now (6–8 weeks) than they have been in recent months. But depending on where you’re headed, you may also need to budget time and money for a tourist visa, as many countries require U.S. passport holders to apply ahead of time.
Note that if you’re headed to Europe, you don’t need to factor in tourist visas—yet. The European Union last year announced that Americans would need to receive “travel authorization” through the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) before arrival, potentially as soon as early 2024. While not technically a visa, the process does require filling out an application, paying a fee, and waiting up to four days for approval. However, the ETIAS launch has been pushed back until mid-2025.
Don’t assume you can simply get on a plane and go. To be safe, always check the U.S. State Department’s page for the country or countries you’re planning to visit to learn more about entry requirements, including visas, as well as travel security advisories. Note that many visa applications require documentation, such as vaccine certificates, bank statements, and confirmed airline tickets.
These countries require tourist visas in 2024
These are some of the countries that require U.S. passport holders to obtain a tourist visa in advance for entry:
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Australia: Apply through the Electronic Travel Authorization app before traveling. Visas are valid for up to three months in a 12-month period. The fee is $13, and processing can take up to 21 days.
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Bolivia: Apply in person in advance at a Bolivian Consulate (tourist visas are available upon arrival at any land or air border). Visas are valid for a 30-day stay and up to 90 days per year. The fee for a visitor visa is $160. Processing takes up to 10 days for consular applications.
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Brazil: Brazil will require visas for entry beginning April 10. You can apply online in advance. The fee is $80 with processing times of up to five days. Visas are valid for up to 90 days.
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China: Fill out the Chinese Online Visa Application (COVA) form. You’ll also need to go in person to a Chinese embassy or consulate. The fee for a visitor visa is $140, and processing takes four business days. Visas are valid for 30 days over a 90-day span.
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Egypt: Apply online for an e-visa, which is valid for one entry and a 30-day stay. The fee is $25, and processing can take up to seven days. You can also obtain a visa upon arrival at an airport.
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India: Apply online for an e-visa at least four days prior to travel if your stay is less than 60 days. If you plan to stay longer, you’ll need to apply in person at an Indian embassy or consulate. The fee varies (up to $25), and processing may take up to 72 hours.
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Kenya: Apply for an e-visa in advance and allow three days for processing. Visas are valid for three months from the date they are issued. The fee is $34.
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New Zealand: Apply in advance for travel authorization (not technically a visa) online through the New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority. This is valid for three months within two years of issuance. The fee is approximately $10, and processing takes up to 72 hours.
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Vietnam: Apply for an e-visa online in advance. The fee is $25 for a single-entry visa and $50 for a multi-entry visa, and processing takes up to three days. E-visas are valid for 30 days.
Many other countries require travelers to obtain visas but allow application upon arrival (as well as advance e-visas in some cases). For example, a $30 Cambodian tourist visa can be obtained at any border crossing, or you can apply for an e-visa at least three business days before you arrive—with an additional processing fee. Indonesia also offers both options.
Vermont state police officer saves 8-year-old from freezing pond
This Nix Mini 2 Color Sensor Is on Sale for $60 Right Now
This Nix Mini 2 Color Sensor can scan and read the color of just about any surface—great for matching paint colors, like having a color-dropping tool in real life—and it’s on sale for $59.97 right now (reg. $99) until January 14. It was featured at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) this year and is a gadget assists designers, DIYers, and photographers working on home or art projects by simplifying color grabbing and matching. No two colors are quite the same when you’re painting or doing a DIY project, and with the Nix Mini 2 you can scan a surface and get matches to brand-name paint colors or sRGB, HEX, CMYK, or LAB colors. The scanner works by sending the color information right to your phone via its app and makes it easy to organize your favorite colors or palettes for future reference—or share with friends or customers to get their opinions. The Nix Mini 2 makes accurate readings even if you’re in direct sunlight capturing the hue of a flower or in a dark room scanning a wall, and it blocks out ambient light and uses its own pre-calibrated light source.
You can get the Nix Mini 2 Color Sensor on sale for $59.97 right now (reg. $99) until January 14 at 11:59 p.m. PT, though prices may change at any time.