Heloise

Dear Heloise: Somehow a minor controversy has arisen regarding use of a bath towel more than once because of perceived dead skin cells acting as a culture for other bacteria. Although this is at least theoretically a potential, it must be taken in context. All day long, every human and animal is shedding dead skin, hair, fur, dandruff, bacteria and virus-laden exhaled air, and saliva when we eat and speak normally – not to mention coughing, sneezing, cat furballs and dog excrement in the neighborhood, etc. I don’t mean to sound too gross. Thank goodness we currently wear masks and have social distancing.

Dead cells on a once-used bath towel is a minor possible concern, if even that. The human and animal body is a marvel of biological self- protection without which all animal species would have long since vanished. Give Mother Nature and our Collective Creator a round of cheer and reuse that bath towel, if you wish. – John M. in Maryland

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EXTRA EXTENSION CORD

Dear Heloise: When traveling, I take an extra three-outlet plug, which I can use to plug my extra nightlight into, as well as chargers for camera, telephones, etc. – Astrid G., Manhattan Beach, California

Astrid, good idea with all of the high-tech equipment we carry these days. – Heloise

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FREEDOM IN EMAIL

Dear Heloise: When I am ready to start my day, I send an email to my daughter with the letter “K” in the subject line so she knows I’m all right. If I have to be away from the house, I’ll tell her when I’ll be out of pocket (OOP). Since I am in my 80s, it frees her from calling me, and I have peace of mind also. – Barbara S., North Little Rock, Arkansas

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PET PAL

Dear Heloise: This is our Cooper; he’s a Cairn Terrier. We adopted him from a shelter after he’d been living on the streets with his mother and sister until he was 9 months old. He is super smart and very lovable! – Connie S., via email

Readers, to see Cooper and our other Pet Pals, go to www.Heloise.com and click on “Pet of the Week.” – Heloise