AIRPOP MASKS

The release of a vaccine I've notice has created a confidence that both judges and my clients are becoming more demanding of a return to the courtroom for in-person appearance for this attorney's criminal defense caseload. Yet at a same time more infectious variants of COVID-19 are immerging here in Michigan and in just last two weeks I've had cases adjourned because of coronavirus outbreaks have shuttered courthouses for staff quarantines. Being told that I may not be able to get a COVID vaccine shot until this summer yet being ordered to participate in close contact with a high risk population of people for work it was time to up my mask protection.

I've started wearing an AirpOp multi-layer mask for added protection for situations when indoor, close contact with other people can't be avoided. AirpOp masks 99.3% particle filtration and 99.9% bacterial filtration providing me with some peace of mind when out and about for work. The outer hard shell of this AirpOp protects the inner micro-fiber filter from abrasion, temperature fluctuations and water plus is designed to promote airflow for balanced circulation making the mask more comfortable and functional to wear. The replaceable inner filter uses electrostatically charged, double TorayMicron nano-fiber core layers to block particulates like those that spread the COVID virus.

Here is why I am putting my trust into my AirpOp mask:

360° SOFT TOUCH SEAL | The inner filter has a patented medical-grade double membrane that is hygienic, thin, flexible & skin soft for continuous comfort. It creates an airtight seal around your mouth and nose so that airflow has to go through the filter and can't slip around it yet doesn't make the mask uncomfortable to wear. 

FLEX-FRAME CHASSIS | The flexible outer frame keeps the filter open in correct shape when snapped into the shell and reinforces the filter's structural integrity. While it works well the filters don't snap in as firmly as you'd expect so be careful to make sure your two pieces are as snug as they should be instead of just taking the connection for granted. That has been my only frustration with this mask design.

AERODOME DESIGN | The outer shell design of this two piece mask creates a canopy of clean air and balanced air circulation. I've felt a lot less constricted breathing when wearing this AirpOp compared to other masks.

40 HOUR WEAR TIME | The replaceable filters are designed for cumulative use of one week or no more than 40 hours. You can wear the mask for a work week before having to replace it. The mask originally comes with four filters so you are good for a month before needing refills. You can pop a filter in on a Monday morning and be good until the next week comes around.

If you are looking for some extra protection to get through the winter weather during this pandemic, check out masks from AirpOp. I've appreciated the protection and feel of my AirpOp mask when having to be in some uncomfortable situations. So AirpOp absolutely gets a Geek Daddy nod of approval!

For more information about getting one of these protective masks for yourself, go to airpophealth.com

SALIVA COVID TESTS

Need to get tested for Covid-19 and would prefer not to have a swab jammed up your nasal cavity? A reliable saliva-based test is now available for Metro Detroit residents. This COVID saliva test is available at the Birmingham Royal Oak Medical Group located adjacent to the Meijer in the City of Royal Oak. There is no charge for the test as it is covered under the Cares Act for those with or without insurance. However, an office visit is needed to order the test.

“We are offering this brand new COVID test by appointment only and same day appointments are available,” says Dr. Mumtaz George. “We’re asking people who have even the slightest doubt to protect themselves and those around them by calling our office to schedule this new non-intrusive COVID test. Due to high demand, we’re expecting a large amount of calls. If we do not answer the phone right away, please leave a message and our scheduler will return the call promptly.”

The test is simple to do and alleviates the discomfort of the nasal swab test. All one needs to do is make an appointment and provide a saliva sample, which can be done in the comfort of one’s own vehicle in the clinic’s parking lot. The new saliva test is over 99% accurate and the results can be found on the online portal in 24 to 48 hours. For more information call 248/288-9500 or visit birminghamroyaloakmedical.com. 

Clinic hours are Monday-Friday 9 am to 5 pm, Saturday 10 am to 3 pm, and Sunday Noon to 3 pm. This is just down the street from my house so if I need a Covid test this is how I'll get it done for sure. Wasn't looking forward to possibly having one of those swab sticks jammed up my nose. This seems like a way more convenient and comfortable way to get it done.

DIVE BACK INTO GOLDFISH SWIM SCHOOL

For the last few years our normal family routine has been spending Sunday afternoons at Goldfish Swim School as my kids have gone through lessons and participating in the swim team there. In mid-March as the coronavirus began spreading into Michigan little did we know that visit to Goldfish Swim School may have been our final chance to dive into their pool. As things began to get crazy with the pandemic impacting the State that Sunday in March was one of our last moments of normalcy as the next week my son and daughter's school shutdown while my wife and I's work places went into lockdown. As we all know now life has changed quite a bit over the last five months.

Originally, it was thought the virus would burn out and life would resume back to normal in a few weeks. Yet it is August and my wife and I are still working from home. It looks like the kids' school year will start off with online learning from home. And that Goldfish Swim School we enjoyed spending our Sundays at has been shuttered since our last visit in March. We were one of the last families in the pool before the pandemic closed the place down.

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Light turn out for swimming practice tonight but the pool is open at @goldfishswimschool --> chlorine in the water kills virus germs and outside their pool the facility is taking extra efforts to sanitize the rest of the place. #GoldfishPartner *********************************************** #goldfishswimschool #goldfish #swimschool #swimforce #coronavirus #corona #virus #pandemic #dadlife #swimdad #swimclass #swimpractice #competitiveswimming #swimlessons #swimmingclass #swimminglessons #swimming #pooltime #pool

A post shared by @ geekdad248 on Mar 15, 2020 at 2:38pm PDT

Fortunately for families some sense of normalcy may be returning as our local Goldfish Swim School just opened again. Kids can dive back into the water and resume swimming lessons starting today! The Swim Force has been cancelled so we may not be back but my kids have had a golden experience at this swimming school that we will always appreciate. Now during these tough times it is nice to know that Goldfish Swim School can brighten the days with swimming lessons for kids who have been sticking close to home for a very long time and are probably very stir crazy to get out and about.

During our time at Goldfish Swim School, the staff not only focused on building the kids swimming skills but also emphasized water safety. So you know Goldfish Swim School is going to be taking the safety of their re-opening during this coronavirus pandemic very seriously! Here are some of the ways that they'll be letting children dive back into the pool being conscientious of the ongoing public health crisis:

Screening Swimmers & Caregivers

• No one will be allowed in the building before being pre-screened for exposure to the virus and having their temperature checked.
• Only one caregiver per family allowed in with swimmers. No non-sibling swimmers allowed inside.
• The parent will have a designated socially distanced seat in the observation gallery corresponding to the lane their child will be swimming in.
• Wearing masks by everyone is required. Children can remove masks when in the water.

Building Adjustments

• Screening barriers have been added alongside the edge of the pool to separate children in their lanes when out of the water.
• Showers and some changing rooms will be unavailable. Please come having your child wearing their swimsuit. Please don't linger and leave immediately after classes.
• Shared amenities such as hair dryers have been removed.
• Decals promoting social distancing and circulation of traffic flow through the building have been added.
• The facility will be a cashless operation with all purchases being charged to your account.
• Will not have googles on the pool deck to borrow.
• Specially designated cleaning staff will be continuously sanitizing the facility throughout the day.

Swim Class Sizes

• Group lesson ratios will be 3:1 instead of the usual 4:1.
• Mini 3 lesson ratios will be 2:1 instead of the usual 3:1.
• Mini 1 and 2 lesson ratios will be 4:1 instead of the usual 6:1.
• Swim Force team training sessions and competitions are cancelled.
• No Family Swim or Birthday Parties at this time.

Staff Precautions

• All staff will be temperature checked and will complete a self-assessment upon arrival. Anyone experiencing a fever or any symptoms will be sent home. 
• All dry side staff members will be wearing masks and all wet side staff will be wearing face shields. 
• Staff will go through a number of trainings to help keep themselves and swimmers as safe as possible.

Dive back in! The pool is back open! Go to goldfishswimschool.com for more information.

OUR GOLDFISH SWIM SCHOOL EXPERIENCE

For the last few years swimming at Goldfish Swim School has been part of my family's regular weekly routine. After struggling to learn to swim through programs offered by our local parks and recreations department, my daughter excelled at Goldfish Swim School. It has been a golden experience!

She has consistently been in the pool at Goldfish Swim School every week for the last four years. Moving up from basic swimming lessons to participating in the Swim Force team my daughter loves swimming at Goldfish Swim School. So with the coronavirus pandemic closing our local Goldfish Swim School and reversing our summer travel plans turning this time into a staycation we decided to invest in putting a pool in our own backyard.

In addition to providing instruction on swimming skills, Goldfish Swim School always put an emphasis on kids learning about water safety too. As a parent that makes it nice to know that in addition to being able to swim, my daughter is also smart about being safe in the water. It provided us with confidence in getting our own pool for the family to enjoy at home.

Having graduated through all the programs at Goldfish Swim School, we didn't want my daughter to just stop swimming. As Dory says in Finding Nemo, "When life gets you down, you know what you gotta do? Just keep swimming." That seems like a good mantra during these tough coronavirus times!

So we've been having her recreate Swim Force practices, competing against her brother in races plus been having lots of fun family time swimming in our new pool. After a few months break from diving into the pool at Goldfish Swim School, jumping back into the water has brought a lot of joy to our family. Swimming is wonderful for adding exercise and entertainment into your day. Also a great way to destress from tension that may be in your life. So true with all the troubles caused by this virus that is impacting us all!

Thank you Goldfish Swim School for making swimming a cherished part of my daughter's life. We are keeping her enthusiasm for swimming alive! Hoping these tough times will pass quickly and kids will soon be back in the pool at Goldfish Swim School. We are putting our Goldfish experience to good use this summer!

GREEN GOO WELLNES BUNDLE

Thanks to Green Goo for sending a Geek Daddy a Wellness Bundle to help us cope with the pandemic. Green Goo has made a great reputation for themselves as one of the most effective all-natural brands on the market by using only plant-based ingredients to make potent, portable first aid and body care products. In addition to making soaps and balms, they recently teamed up with Spirit Hound Distillers to produce sanitizer to help combat the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. This dad blogger really appreciates this care package to help my family with keeping our skin healthy and bodies safe during all the turmoil that is going on.

Detroit is getting hit hard by this coronavirus. The city and its suburbs are one of the leading hot spots in the country when it comes to COVID-19 deaths. And despite being weeks into this epidemic, it is still nearly impossible to find Clorox wipes, Lysol spray or Purell hand sanitizer on store shelves. Having known a few acquaintances and friends who were about the same age and health as myself who have recently passed away due to the coronavirus plus dealing with high-risk populations at work, I would be lying if said wasn't a bit freaked out. So I was geeked that Green Goo sent these goodies our way.

Green Goo Hand Sanitizer contains 63.5 Ethyl alcohol from Spirit Hound Distillers. Also used to make beer and whiskey, this alcohol is now being used to clean germs from people and surfaces of the things around us. This WHO- and FDA-compliant hand sanitizer kills over 99% of germs quickly.

It works when it comes to protecting people from COVID-19 and is available to purchase online at a reasonable price. As a guy, I appreciate that it comes unscented. This is some Green Goo you won't mind rubbing your hands in!

Also included in their Wellness Bundle is the company's original Hand Goo, a bottle of Double Mint Castile Soap, a Pain Relief Jumbo Stick, and a tube of Cool Mint Lip Balm. A great pack of items to keep you clean and feeling good!

Have cuts, scrapes, blisters, minor burns, calluses or dryness on your hands? Sanitizer has a way of drying out and chapping hands.  Rub some Hand Goo on them. It soothes, moisturizes and protects hands as well as relieves pain.

Their Pain Relief Jumbo Stick is powered with arnica to temporarily help ease the aching of arthritis, sore muscles, and bruises. It emulates hot and cold therapies to help increase circulation for rapid relief. If you are feeling stressed or sore rub this Green Goo on your muscles to provide rapid relief.

Green Goo's innovative, plant-based lip balm protects, soothes, and mends chapped lips. It contains sun protection as well as moisturizer to help you keep a healthy looking smile. It comes in 3 flavors to choose from: Cool Mint, Citrus Zest or Sweet Honey.

Double Mint Castile Soap has a great, fresh scent and cools as it cleans. It is ideal for a post-workout shower or washing your hands after you have been out and about. It can be used as a hand soap, dishwashing liquid, laundry detergent, stain remover, all-purpose cleaner, and even a pet shampoo.

These Green Goo health and wellness supplies have come in very handy, so they absolutely get A Geek Daddy nod of approval. Not only are they wonderful to use but they are easy to purchase online with incredibly affordable prices. I highly recommend going to greengoo.com to pick up some things for yourself.

CORONAVIRUS EXPLAINED TO KIDS THROUGH ACTIVITY AND COLORING BOOKS

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, one of the United States' most respected treatment centers for juvenile illness, understands that kids may have a hard time understanding and grasping what is going on when it comes to the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. So St. Jude has created a coloring book for children and an activity book for tweens and teens that explains the virus in a way that is relatable to them. Additionally, the hospital has published a St. Jude Together online resource website for parents to help them talk with children about this public health emergency.

Learn About the Coronavirus Coloring Book developed for children ages 5-9:




Learn About the Coronavirus Activity Book is geared more toward “tweens” ages 10-13:



Also here are a few FAQ that St, Jude has complied answers for  providing kids regarding the pandemic:

What is COVID-19?

COVID-19 stands for coronavirus disease 2019. It is the illness that you get from the virus. 

What is coronavirus?

Coronavirus is a virus that can make you feel sick. It’s kind of like getting a bad cold or the flu. If you catch it, you may feel sick. You may get a fever, cough, or feel tired.

How do you know if you are sick?

Most people feel like they have a cold or the flu. You may have a fever, cough, or feel tired. Some people get a sore throat or have a runny nose or feel achy. It can be hard to notice if you are sick. That’s why it’s really important to tell someone if you start feeling bad at all.

Why do you have to wear a mask if you are sick?

Just like any sickness, you can spread germs to other people if you cough or sneeze. The germs stay inside the mask and don’t spread to others.

I am not sick. Why do I have to wear a mask?

Some people can get very sick because their body can’t fight the virus as well. Wearing a mask can help protect you from the germs that make you sick.

Can you die from coronavirus?

It is true the virus can make you very sick, but that doesn’t happen very often. Most children who get sick just have a few symptoms, like a cold or the flu. People who are very sick go to the hospital so they can have extra care. We don’t want you to be afraid, and there are lots of things that can keep us from getting sick, like handwashing and staying away from big crowds.

Can I catch coronavirus?

The virus spreads like a cold or the flu through germs. There are things we can do to keep you from catching it and spreading it to others. We are being extra good about washing our hands really well and even more than usual. Try to keep your hands away from your face, eyes, mouth, and nose. If you feel like you are going to sneeze or cough, do so into tissues or your elbow.

CRAZY CART SHIFT

Thanks to RAZOR for sending ageekdaddy.com a CRAZY CART SHIFT to try out.

My son has been pretty bummed out about not being able to play with his friends because of the social distancing requirements put in place combating the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. His spirits really brightened up though when this CRAZY CART SHIFT battery powered go kart was delivered to our doorstep courtesy of RAZOR. These go karts are specifically designed to spin and swerve around to give riders between the ages of 6 and 14 years old a thrill. Once it arrived he couldn't wait to take the CRAZY CART SHIFT out for a spin.

I've been taking my son and daughter over to a nearby elementary school to ride their RAZOR electric scooters that Santa brought them for Christmas and play around with this new CRAZY CART SHIFT we just received. The teachers' parking lot is in a secluded spot behind the building making for a nice place to have fun while staying away from other people during the school coronavirus shutdown. My kids have so much fun they want to go out there everyday whether it is sunny or cloudy outside.

Controlling the go-kart with a combination of steering wheel motions while accelerating and decelerating allows riders to drift which creates a variety of exciting skidding action. The CRAZY CART SHIFT utilizes a simplified drift system which automatically engages allowing riders to keep both hands on the wheel while focusing on steering and throttle control, just like professional drivers racing around a track!

Kids can turn a parking lot into their very own skid pad like the hot rods drift on at Roadkill Nights. Just with a little bit less horsepower. CRAZY CART SHIFT has a maximum speed of 8 mph and is recommended for ages 6 and up. So you don't need a driver's license to take a CRAZY CART SHIFT for a ride. Though the skills learned driving this go-kart could lead to a kid one day being one of the pro drivers who took this dad blogger for a spin at Dodge's Roadkill Nights event that takes place around the annual Woodward Dream Cruise here in Michigan.



A speed control switch hidden under the seat allows parents to select the appropriate maximum speed for a rider: 2.5 mph for young drivers or 8 mph for the full CRAZY CART SHIFT experience. Tweens like my son and daughter can have a blast at the regular setting while it is recommended riders between the age of 6 and 8 stick with the slower speed being locked in with the control switch.

Because the switch is hidden parents don't even need to tell kids their CRAZY CART SHIFT can go faster until they are ready. Because you know any child that realizes their go kart has a faster speed setting is going to constantly beg you to up the speed. Note the 8 mph speed setting is default so if you want to start off with the young driver mode that needs to be manually done when you first take the CRAZY CART SHIFT out of its box. Because my kids are older and have some experience riding Razor electric scooters they just took off from the get go in fast mode.

The CRAZY CART SHIFT is powered by Razor’s patented Power Core™ hub motor technology – a maintenance-free drivetrain system that is both powerful and efficient. Plus it has a durable frame constructed of a new high-impact polymer which makes the go kart both sturdy and lightweight. Your family will get a lot of use out of this toy without having to worry about maintenance and repairs. Plus it has a durable frame constructed of a new high-impact polymer which makes the go kart both sturdy and lightweight.

I was impressed that there is no assembly required when it comes to the CRAZY CART SHIFT. Pulled it out of the box, charged the battery and it was ready to go! For a first use the battery needs to be charged a full 12 hours. After that it takes a couple of hours to get a recharge. You just plug it into a regular wall outlet to power up. In regular mode the CRAZY CART SHIFT will give you 40 minutes of uninterrupted fun per charge and 80 minutes in little kid mode.

Because of the joy CRAZY CART SHIFT has brought to my family as well as that we've had a problem free experience this RAZOR toy absolutely gets A Geek Daddy nod of approval. It provides an easy to use thrilling experience that is sure to delight any kid. With my children out of school due to the pandemic I haven't wanted them sitting around the house playing video games and watching television all day. Problem solved with the CRAZY CART SHIFT! They've been wanting to go outside everyday to play with this Razor toy.



Can't get to an amusement park? Bring a thrill ride home to you with a CRAZY CART SHIFT from RAZOR. For more information go to razor.com