With William R. Hummer, DDS

While most dental practices were closed or operating on a limited basis during the height of the COVID-19 shelter-in-place mandates, as of mid-summer, most are open for regular business again. However, it will likely be some time before things return to business as usual. We spoke to San Leandro-based dentist Dr. William Hummer to learn how the pandemic has impacted dental practices’ daily operations and what patients should expect regarding scheduling and care. Read more

I’m happy to be writing for the Diamond Certified Consumer Report again after a short hiatus. Since March, so much has happened to all of us (I was in a scary car accident, my husband had foot surgery and I broke my leg to boot!) that I don’t really know what getting back to “normal” means right now. But let me share a few observations.

Most of us are beginning to resume some activities, albeit with many adaptations. I’ve continued having groceries delivered, but now I make brief forays into stores that have best practices. Read more

With wildfires threatening residential areas in multiple parts of California, Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a State of Emergency. Once again, Northern California residents must grapple with fire, heat, and smoke affecting their homes and communities.

As previous wildfire events have taught us, recovery is a slow and often confusing process. Below, you’ll find resources to help you get started and make sense of your options.

You can visit our wildfire preparedness page for information on preventing future wildfires. Read more

After being hit particularly hard during the COVID-19 pandemic, California seems due for a summer reprieve. Unfortunately, this is unlikely to be the case. Not only are many areas of the state seeing a resurgence of novel Coronavirus cases, we now face another, more familiar yet equally concerning issue: wildfire season. Each summer, wildfires destroy thousands of acres and homes throughout California, and this year looks to be no exception. That’s why residents (particularly those situated in the wildland-urban interface) must be vigilant about maintaining fire-safe conditions on their properties. Consider the following advice for defending your home against wildfires. Read more

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While the recent coronavirus pandemic has yet to reach crisis levels in the United States, it nonetheless has had a dramatic impact on daily life for some areas of the country, including the San Francisco Bay Area. From low supplies of products like hand sanitizer and toilet paper to the closure of theme parks and cancellation of live events, all Bay Area residents are feeling the effects of COVID-19, even if few are experiencing its symptoms. Read more

Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas that can be released by HVAC units, portable chemical heaters, and gas appliances and heating systems. Most people assume they’re safe from harm if their heaters are running normally, but in reality, any heater that hasn’t been properly maintained can put the home and its occupants at risk for carbon monoxide poisoning. For example, if the furnace’s heat exchanger cracks, it can leak fumes into the home, presenting a serious issue that may go completely unnoticed. Venting issues (such as a pipe that breaks or gets blocked) can also increase the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Read more