As I write this column, I am listening to Peter Frampton—the subject of our Inclusion Body Myositis Diagnosis" href="/link/5e1d325556074cad90790607f42aafe1.aspx">cover story—singing and playing guitar at a concert recorded at the Oakland Coliseum on July 2, 1977. The video, which shows the stadium packed with nearly 50,000 adoring fans shoulder to shoulder, makes me yearn for the day when we will all be able to congregate freely in large crowds and enjoy live performances again. But I am full of optimism, and not just because Frampton's music is so stirring and uplifting. Good news is just around the corner: Several COVID-19 vaccines may be brought to market by the end of the year, experts say. We also know that wearing masks, washing our hands, and social distancing work well. Moreover, the medical community has learned best practices to care for those infected with coronavirus, and mortality rates have slowed.

But I, along with many of my colleagues, also worry about new challenges that come with the fall. Schools and college campuses have reopened, and the weather is getting colder in some parts of the country, sending us indoors. The flu season adds to the potential gravity of being infected with COVID-19, as we noted in our last issue, and the holidays, including Thanksgiving, will require tough decisions for many families who traditionally have large gatherings.

We all need to keep up our guard, continue to practice the recommended public health measures, and remain vigilant just a bit longer. Toward that end, this issue has several stories that we hope will encourage you to stay the course. "Masked Marvels" explains the science behind masks and delineates differences between types of masks so you can make the best choice for yourself and your family. "Too Loud a Solitude" offers advice for staving off the loneliness affecting so many people who feel more disconnected during the pandemic, while "Essential Workers" focuses on caregivers finding new and creative ways to keep themselves and those they love healthy and engaged with low-risk activities. Our exercise story in Healthy Living, "Jump-Start Your At-Home Fitness Goals," offers motivation to exercise while quarantining. Frampton, who has inclusion body myositis (a chronic muscle disease), uses elastic bands and free weights as part of his workout routine and climbs the stairs in his house instead of relying on a StairMaster.

This issue also features several articles on stroke prevention, including how to modify your diet, why quitting smoking is so important, and the connection between COVID-19 and stroke. Because many clinical trials on Alzheimer's disease and other conditions are paused, we bring you an update on neurologic research during the COVID-19 pandemic as well.

Listening to Frampton croon "Oh won't you show me the way," I am reminded how much you, our readers, guide our stories and honor us by telling your own. You show us the way by sharing your inspiring journeys, including Tanya Page's interview in Pictures of You and Puja Shankar's Speak Up essay, in which she relates her saga of developing and recovering from Guillain-Barre syndrome. Likewise, your letters and suggestions always lead to new topics and ideas for stories. And because you've asked, our next issue will bring you important information on COVID-19 vaccines and suggestions on how to hasten recovery from the coronavirus.

Until then, stay safe and stay healthy,

Orly Avitzur, MD, MBA, FAAN, Editor-in-Chief