 Omicron isn't theoretical anymore — it’s here. So many people I know have COVID right now, and testing lines in New York are hours long. Extra precautions in light of this wave are necessary if you’re planning on celebrating the holidays with loved ones. Senior reporter Catherine Pearson spoke with experts on how to properly use at-home rapid testing to reduce your risk of COVID. Rapid testing won’t bring your chances of illness down to zero. I’m worried how this is going to affect all of us as we move through the winter season. Please continue to mask up (you might want to consider double masking again), get your booster if you're eligible, prioritize good ventilation indoors and take care of yourselves.
One little programming note: We’ll be taking a much-needed break for the holidays, so tomorrow will be our last newsletter until 2022. Wishing you all a restful remainder of the year!
❤️,
You Oughta Know  The holidays are a time for catching up with loved ones you haven’t spoken to in a while. Sometimes, that can lead to some uncomfortable conversations. One case where this happens is in conversations with couples who are having trouble conceiving. Reporter Nicole Pajer spoke with experts and people who struggle with fertility about the most hurtful comments you can make about pregnancy, miscarriage or IVF.
A Minute And Change Got a spare minute? Use it to change your life. Our “A Minute And Change” series will help you become happier, healthier and more productive by doing one thing a little differently. This week’s tip comes from therapist Racine Henry on how she stops doomscrolling without getting off social media entirely:
I limit myself to the explore page of either Instagram or Twitter and click around until something piques my interest. Or I watch random videos on Facebook of people making an extravagant cake or applying a complicated makeup look. I will never do any of the things I watch, but it’s entertaining and there are endless videos available.
Crushing On This 'Gram 
Before You Go... I’m sharing this story I wrote recently about the exhaustion many of us are experiencing right now and how traditional self-care advice isn’t going to fix it. What can we do when taking care of ourselves feels futile? I got some insight from people going through the same emotions.
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