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MMR Vaccine is Critical, But Not to Help with COVID

DEAR DR. ROACH: We have friends who got the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine believing it will help with exposure to COVID-19. What are your thoughts on their thinking? — P.H. ANSWER: The World Health Organization has reported an increase in measles deaths since 2016, and that trend has accelerated in the past year. The COVID-19 pandemic certainly is having an effect on measles vaccination, and with a drop in vaccination comes a loss of herd immunity, meaning that a measles epidemic could spread in the population. Mumps and rubella are important too, but measles is incredibly ...

Couple Reaches A Stalemate in Marriage Without Intimacy

DEAR ABBY: My husband and I are both enlisted Army (he — 20 years, two Iraq deployments; I — 15 years, one Iraq deployment). We met in the service and have been married for 10 years. Three years after our wedding, my husband told me he was no longer physically attracted to me. It hurt. A lot. It has been seven years since that day, and we’re still together. I don’t feel loved, appreciated or valued. I’m a logic-driven person. Emotions don’t come easy for me. I have always been open about my thoughts and feelings, even the painful ones. Since that day, I resent him, ...

Hiatal Hernia Surgery Called for If Meds Fail to Help

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a 72-year-old female with MGUS. I was just diagnosed with an ulcer, Barrett’s esophagus, GERD and a hiatal hernia of 8 cm. My surgeon has put me on high-dose Prilosec and Carafate before bed. My oncologist has given the OK for surgery for the hernia, but friends have told me that the surgery is really dangerous. My surgeon is concerned about the hernia being so large. What do you think about this surgery, and is it a good idea at my age? I am having really bad issues with digestion. — F.H. ANSWER: A hiatal hernia is a larger-than-normal hiatus (hole) in the ...

Son With New Girlfriend Grows More Distant From His Mother

DEAR ABBY: I’m a mom of three young adults, a daughter and two sons. The oldest recently married. My youngest is finishing his last two years of college out of state. Three months ago, he met a young lady. I have tried constantly to be close with all my children, but the youngest has always kept me at bay. He expresses how different we are. Now that he has met this young lady, I think he’s trying to push me further away and continue on with her and her mom. It makes me sad because no matter how hard I try to be a good mother and be present, it doesn’t work. What do you suggest? ...

Savvy Senior: Is Social Security Income Taxable?

Dear Savvy Senior, I understand that a portion of my Social Security benefits may be taxable when I retire. Can you tell me how to calculate this? Ready to Retire Dear Ready, Whether or not you’ll be required to pay federal income tax on your Social Security benefits will depend on your income and filing status. About 35 percent of Social Security recipients have total incomes high enough to trigger federal income tax on their benefits. To figure out if your benefits will be taxable, you’ll need to add up all of your “provisional ...

Organic Potatoes

Dear Heloise: I like to buy organic potatoes that come in a bag but always heard not to store potatoes in the refrigerator. How can I keep them from growing sprouts if they can’t be refrigerated? — Vivien W., Sherman Oaks, Calif. Vivien, organic potatoes will start to sprout anywhere from 30 to 140 days after being harvested. They need to be stored in a cool area with a temperature of 40 to 45 degrees Fahrenheit and about 85% humidity. Examine them once a month to remove any sprouts. Be sure to discard any soft or mushy potatoes or those with black or green spots. Have you ...