🩺 Ask About the One-Time RSV Shot, Check the Baby Rattle Before It's Wrapped, Drop a Can at a Dunlap Pharmacy and Check In on the Men in Your Life: Your Healthy Valley Report

Or: One Shot That Isn’t Yearly, Seven Pastel Toys to Look For, a Food Drive by the Pill Counter and a Walk That Says “It’s OK to Talk”

By Thomas Seest, Dunlap.Today · Sunday, November 15, 2026

Good Sunday afternoon, Valley. The National Weather Service has Dunlap sunny, near 57 today, with a low around 30 tonight. Then comes a week that reads like a seed catalog: sunny every day, from 61 Monday up to near 69 Friday and Saturday, with mornings a little less frosty each day. Today’s report has four calm, practical things to know and do:

First, with fall coughs going around, a Dunlap clinic is reminding folks about RSV. The good news for older neighbors: the RSV shot is a one-time shot, not a yearly one, and the CDC recommends it for everyone 75 and older and for people 50 to 74 with certain health conditions. Second, a baby rattle and teether set sold on SHEIN is recalled because two knobs can come off. Third, Cates Street Pharmacy in Dunlap is collecting food for local families through Nov. 24. Fourth, November is Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month, and TCAT’s Bledsoe County campus is holding a Turkey Trot walk to mark it. It’s a good nudge to check in on the men in your life.

⏱️ What this means for you in 30 seconds

• 🫁 75 or older and never had an RSV shot? Ask your doctor or pharmacist. It’s one dose, one time. Already had one? You’re done for now.
• 🫁 50 to 74 with heart disease, lung disease, diabetes complications or a weak immune system? Ask if the RSV shot is right for you.
• 🧸 Bought a 7-piece pastel baby rattle and teether set on SHEIN? Take it away from the baby. Call SHEIN at 833-853-8668 for a refund.
• 🥫 Food drive: Cates Street Pharmacy, 104 Cates St., Dunlap, takes canned goods and pantry staples through Tue., Nov. 24.
• 💙 Check on a man you love this week. A phone call counts. If someone is struggling, call or text 988, any time.

🫁 The RSV Shot: One and Done for Older Neighbors

This combines a local reminder from Mountain Bend Medical Associates in Dunlap, shared on Dunlap.Today Nov. 14, with national guidance from the CDC. Mountain Bend Medical Associates, the family clinic at 29 Crestview Drive in Dunlap, posted a reminder that RSV, flu and COVID-19 all go around in the colder months. The clinic urged folks to talk with their provider about RSV prevention and flu shots. RSV is a common cold-type virus. For most people it’s a few days of sniffles, but it can hit babies and older adults much harder. Here’s what the CDC says, in plain words:

• Who should get it: everyone 75 and older, and adults 50 to 74 who are at higher risk.
• What “higher risk” means: things like heart disease or heart failure, lung disease such as COPD or asthma, diabetes with complications or diabetes treated with insulin, kidney failure or dialysis, a weakened immune system, severe obesity or living in a nursing home.
• A Valley note: the CDC also tells doctors they can consider whether a patient lives in a remote or rural community where getting to a big hospital is hard. That’s us, so it’s worth mentioning to your doctor.
• How often: just once. It is not a yearly shot like the flu shot. If you already got one, even last year, the CDC says you don’t need another one right now.
• When: late summer and early fall is best, but the CDC says eligible adults can get it any time.
• For babies: there’s a shot for moms-to-be late in pregnancy, or a protective antibody shot for the baby after birth. Ask the baby’s doctor.

What it means for you: Think of the RSV shot like putting a new roof on the barn. You don’t do it every year, but once it’s done, it keeps a lot of weather off. If you’re 75 or older, or 50-plus with one of those health conditions, ask about it at your next doctor visit or pharmacy stop. Ask the pharmacy what your plan covers before you roll up a sleeve. Not sure if you already had one? Your pharmacy or doctor can check your record. The Sequatchie County Health Department, (423) 949-3619, can tell you what vaccines it offers.

The everyday habits from Mountain Bend’s reminder still work for every fall germ: wash hands often, cover coughs, stay home when sick and wipe down doorknobs and remotes. Trouble breathing, chest pain, signs of dehydration or symptoms getting worse? Get care promptly. In an emergency, call 911.

👉 Read more (Dunlap.Today: RSV and flu season is here) · CDC: RSV in adults · CDC: RSV vaccine guidance for adults

🧸 Gift-Shopping Check: A Baby Rattle Set With Knobs That Can Come Off

This is a national recall posted Nov. 12 by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. The toy set was sold online only, on SHEIN. If a baby shower gift or an early Christmas present came from SHEIN this past year, take a quick look.

• What it is: a Baby Rattle and Teether Toy Set with seven toys in pastel colors and shapes.
• The problem: the purple and orange knobs can come off. That’s a choking danger for babies and toddlers. The set is made for children under 3, so it breaks the federal small-parts rule. No injuries have been reported.
• How to tell: look for SKU sk25070936134444119 in the upper right corner of the label on the package.
• Where sold: US.Shein.com, from November 2025 through July 2026, for about $10. About 2,657 sets were sold.
• What to do: stop using it and take it away from children. Contact SHEIN for a refund at 833-853-8668 (weekdays 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. our time), by email at recall@shein.com, or click “Product Recalls” at the bottom of the SHEIN website. You’ll be asked to confirm you threw it away.

What it means for you: Small loose parts and babies go together like a hen house and a fox. Whatever toys you buy for the little ones this year, check the age label, and give each piece a good tug. Many parents use the toilet-paper-tube test: if a piece fits through the tube, it’s too small for a child under 3. And if you saw yesterday’s report, this is the second online-only toy recall in a week, so it’s a fine week to look through the gift closet.

👉 Read more (CPSC: SHEIN baby rattle and teether set recall) · All CPSC recalls

🥫 A Food Drive by the Pill Counter: Cates Street Pharmacy Collects for Dunlap Families

This is local Sequatchie County news, from Cates Street Pharmacy’s own post as reported by Dunlap.Today on Nov. 14. Good food is good medicine, and one of our hometown pharmacies is turning its front counter into a Thanksgiving food drive for families in Dunlap.

• Where: Cates Street Pharmacy, 104 Cates St., Dunlap.
• When: through Tuesday, Nov. 24, during regular hours: Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• How: bring items in and leave them with the staff.
• Most needed: canned vegetables and fruit; canned tuna, chicken and beans; peanut butter and jelly; pasta, rice and macaroni; cereal and oatmeal; shelf-stable milk; soup and broth; and boxed meals.

What it means for you: It’s like the old church potluck. Everybody brings one dish, and nobody leaves hungry. Next time you pick up a prescription, tuck a jar of peanut butter or a few cans of soup in your bag. Need a hand yourself this Thanksgiving? Today’s Main Street Roundup lists the Thanksgiving meal boxes from Christian Worship Center in Whitwell, with pickup Sun., Nov. 22.

👉 Read more (Dunlap.Today: Cates Street Pharmacy Thanksgiving food drive) · Dunlap.Today: Main Street Roundup with Whitwell meal boxes

💙 Men’s Mental Health Month: A Campus Walk in Pikeville and a Phone Call That Counts

This is local Bledsoe County news, from TCAT Upper Cumberland at Bledsoe County’s announcement as reported by Dunlap.Today on Nov. 14. The 988 Lifeline is a free national service. TCAT Upper Cumberland’s Bledsoe County campus in Pikeville is holding a short Turkey Trot walk to mark Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month.

• When and where: Tuesday, Nov. 24, at 9 a.m., starting at Building 1 on the campus at 217 Charles Sheldon Sr. Way, Pikeville.
• Who: it’s for TCAT students, faculty and staff. Wear comfortable shoes.
• What happens: organizers say representatives will be on hand to share information, resources and encouragement, and will walk along with everyone.
• The message: help one another, break down the stigma and know that every conversation helps.
• Questions: TCAT Upper Cumberland at Bledsoe County, (931) 484-7502.

What it means for you: A lot of Valley men were raised to treat their worries like a sore shoulder: rub some liniment on it and keep working. But a talk is like oil on a squeaky hinge. It doesn’t cost much, and it makes everything move easier. You don’t have to be at TCAT to join in. This week, call a brother, a dad, a neighbor or an old fishing buddy and just ask, “How are you really doing?” If someone is having a hard time, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is free and open 24 hours a day by call or text. For an emergency, call 911.

👉 Read more (Dunlap.Today: Turkey Trot and Men’s Mental Health Awareness Walk) · 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

📅 This Week’s Sticky Notes (all times Central unless noted)

• Today, Sun., Nov. 15: Sunny, near 57. Low around 30 tonight.
• Mon., Nov. 16: Sunny, near 61. Free Chair Dancing at the library, 1 p.m. (also Wed. and Fri.).
• Tue., Nov. 17: Sunny, near 63.
• Wed., Nov. 18: CHI Memorial lung screening bus on Signal Mountain, about 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. our time (423-495-5864). Sunny, near 66.
• Thu., Nov. 19: Great American Smokeout (1-800-QUIT-NOW) and Rural Health Day. Mostly sunny, near 68.
• Fri., Nov. 20: Book Thanksgiving-week rides and refills by today. Sunny, near 69.
• Sat., Nov. 21: Gun deer season opens. See today’s Roads & Commute report for driving tips. Sunny, near 69.
• Mon., Nov. 23: First “Cooking Small, Living Well” class, 5 p.m. (423-949-2611).
• Tue., Nov. 24: Last day for the Cates Street Pharmacy food drive. TCAT Bledsoe Turkey Trot walk, 9 a.m.
• Thu.–Fri., Nov. 26–27: Thanksgiving. State offices, including the health department, closed.
• Mon., Dec. 7: Medicare open enrollment ends. See today’s Your Wallet This Week report.

✅ Your Healthy Valley Checklist

• ✅ 75 or older? Ask your doctor or pharmacist about the one-time RSV shot.
• ✅ 50 to 74 with heart, lung, kidney or diabetes trouble? Ask if RSV protection fits you.
• ✅ Already had an RSV shot? You don’t need another one now. Write the date on your calendar or shot card.
• ✅ Look in the gift closet for a pastel 7-piece SHEIN rattle set. Recalled? Call 833-853-8668.
• ✅ Give baby toys the tug test and the toilet-paper-tube test.
• ✅ Drop a few cans at Cates Street Pharmacy, 104 Cates St., by Nov. 24.
• ✅ Call one man you care about and ask, “How are you really doing?”
• ✅ Save 988 in your phone, for yourself or someone else.

Practical rule: one shot, one tug, one can and one phone call. Small things done this week add up to a healthier holiday.

This article is general information, not medical advice. Talk with your doctor, pharmacist or health department about your own situation. In an emergency, call 911.

— Dunlap.Today

📚 Plain-English Health Glossary

• RSV (respiratory syncytial virus): A common virus that usually causes cold-like symptoms but can be serious for babies and older adults.
• One-time vaccine: A shot you get once, not every year. Right now, the adult RSV shot is one of these.
• COPD: A long-term lung disease, including emphysema and chronic bronchitis, that makes it harder to breathe.
• Weakened immune system: When the body’s germ-fighting system doesn’t work as well, from some illnesses or medicines.
• Small-parts rule: A federal safety rule that says toys for children under 3 can’t have pieces small enough to choke on.
• SKU: A product code printed on a label that helps identify exactly which item is recalled.
• Shelf-stable milk: Milk in a sealed box or can that doesn’t need the refrigerator until it’s opened.
• 988 Lifeline: A free, 24-hour national phone and text line for anyone in emotional distress or crisis.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need an RSV shot every year like the flu shot?

No. The CDC says the adult RSV shot is currently a one-time shot. If you already got one, even last year, you don’t need another one now.

I’m 68 and pretty healthy. Should I get it?

The CDC recommends it for everyone 75 and older, and for people 50 to 74 who have certain health conditions, like heart or lung disease. If you’re not sure where you fit, ask your doctor. Mention that we live in a rural area, since the CDC says doctors can weigh that too.

Can I get the RSV shot and a flu shot on the same day?

The CDC says RSV shots may be given at the same visit as other routine adult vaccines. Your pharmacist or doctor can help you decide what’s best for you.

How do I know if my baby’s rattle set is the recalled one?

The recalled set has seven pastel toys and was sold on US.Shein.com from November 2025 through July 2026. Check the package label for SKU sk25070936134444119. If the package is gone and you bought a set like this on SHEIN, contact SHEIN to check.

Can I drop off food at Cates Street Pharmacy on a Sunday?

The pharmacy’s posted hours are Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. The drive runs through Tuesday, Nov. 24.

Can anyone join the Turkey Trot at TCAT?

The announcement says the walk is open to TCAT faculty, staff and students. If you have questions, call the campus at (931) 484-7502. Anyone can take part in the spirit of it by checking in on a friend this week.

🔗 Other Resources

• CDC: RSV in adults
• CDC: RSV vaccines, including for babies
• CDC: RSV vaccine guidance for adults (full list of risk conditions)
• Dunlap.Today: Mountain Bend Medical Associates’ RSV and flu reminder
• Sequatchie County Health Department · 16939 Rankin Ave. N., Dunlap · (423) 949-3619 · weekdays 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• CPSC: SHEIN baby rattle and teether set recall · SHEIN 833-853-8668
• CPSC: All current product recalls
• Dunlap.Today: Cates Street Pharmacy Thanksgiving food drive
• Dunlap.Today: TCAT Bledsoe Turkey Trot and Men’s Mental Health Walk
• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline · call or text 988
• Erlanger Sequatchie Valley Emergency Department · 423-949-2000
• National Weather Service forecast for Dunlap

🌻 Small Steps, Big Comfort

Nothing here calls for worry. RSV protection is one easy question at the pharmacy, and for many older neighbors it only has to be asked once. A two-minute look at a baby toy keeps a happy gift happy. A few cans at the pharmacy counter help fill a neighbor’s table. And a phone call to a friend might be the best medicine anybody gets all week. Enjoy the sunny, warming days ahead, and save a seat at the table for someone who might be alone.

For more calm, useful news for the Sequatchie Valley every morning, read Dunlap.Today. To find local clinics, pharmacies and businesses, visit Dunlap.Directory.