To do this week: Replace your face masks

🤒 Can you get the flu and the coronavirus at the same time? by Grace Dickinson

😷 How long can I safely be around someone with the coronavirus? by Grace Dickinson

♻️ How can I recycle my campaign lawn signs? by Nick Vadala

🤓 How to wear a mask and not fog up your glasses by Nick Vadala

👨🏾‍🍳 Thanksgiving: Old Traditions and New Celebrations: Jose Garces (Food / virtual / free) Renowned Philly chef Garces leads a virtual cooking class, where he makes one of his favorite meals and discusses his career, restaurants and non-profit Garces Foundation. The event is free to attend but registration is required. (Free, Nov. 23, 7-8:30 p.m., ibx.com, add to calendar)

If it’s loose. A snug fit is key. If the elastic of your ear loops starts to loosen, it’s time to reach for something tighter.

If you can see through the fabric when you hold your mask up to the light. That’s a bad sign,and may indicate that the fabric is deteriorating, or was too thin from the start.

If you have to keep adjusting it. A mask needs to cover your nose and mouth in order to work. If one of the straps falls off and you have to keep touching your mask to keep it in place, this defeats its purpose.

If it’s ripped (even a little). This is perhaps the most obvious sign of all. If your mask is ripped, it needs to go. It doesn’t matter how small or large the hole is.

👉 These are the current Philadelphia guidelines

👉 These are the current Pennsylvania guidelines

👉 These are the current New Jersey guidelines

What are we thankful for? What are you most grateful about how you’ve handled this year’s tough times? What did you learn? Name three people you are most grateful for in your life, and explain why. Did you actually accomplish something on your bucket list during quarantine? Pick up a new skill?

What can we learn about our family? How did the first Thanksgiving meal you ever prepared turn out? Did you ever spend Thanksgiving alone? What was your best Thanksgiving ever? What was grandma and grandpa or mom and dad’s first holiday like together?

What can you look forward to? What do you hope to accomplish next year? How can the people around the table help? Where will you go when it’s safe to travel? What do you want to do when we are free to walk around mask-less? What are some ways you plan to give back when it’s safe?

Store your guns safely. One way to help prevent accidents and tragedies, especially with children, is to use a gun lock or gun safe. Scott Charles, a gun violence educator and trauma outreach coordinator for Temple University Hospital, distributes free cable gun locks, and if you’re in Philadelphia, you can even request one to be mailed to you. Gun safes, meanwhile, can be as little as $50, and provide an extra step of security — especially against theft. Guns should be stored unloaded, and ammunition should be kept securely away from the firearm itself for extra security.

Document your firearms. That means keeping a list of serial numbers and model(s), photos of each firearm, and all paperwork. Keeping this documentation means that, in case of theft, you can provide police with information about what was taken.

Communicate openly about gun safety. Talk about gun safety with the other people in your home — particularly if you have children, Charles says. Be SMART, a program by Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund and Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, suggests a number of tips for talking to kids about guns. You should also check with the families of your children’s friends about whether they have guns, and what they do to secure them. Also talk to grandparents, who may not be accustomed to having kids around.

Get training. While it’s not required in Pennsylvania, consider training so you know how to properly handle your weapon. Many local gun retailers and firearm ranges offer courses. You should learn how to safely handle your weapon, and consider training on basic gun safety and safe cleaning, too.