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When our editor’s son lost his first tooth she stayed up all night waiting for the elusive tooth fairy (okay, she stalked the TF. Our staff is just that dedicated). The following is the interview she managed to get despite the ever-so-slightly irritated fairy’s busy schedule.

photo: Daniel Kempe via Unsplash

RT: Tooth Fairy, sorry to spring this on you but you are a difficult fairy to reach. I mean, do you even have a phone or an email?

TF: It’s really alright, it’s just that you caught me off guard and you know I’ve got several more [children] to visit before daybreak, but I’m happy to answer a few questions. No, I don’t carry a cellphone. I operate on the Pixie Network. Oh, hey, shoutout to this Michigan mom who made me a mask. It fits perfectly!

RT: Okay, we have to ask. What is the Pixie Network?

TF: Every time someone says “Tooth Fairy” I get a little alert—not a text or anything drab like that. I have a crew of pixies with amazing hearing, and they scan the globe for phrases like “loose tooth” or “tooth fairy” and make note. They actually have created this giant global map for me in my office where they chart potential lost teeth, so that I can plan ahead. I never used to have that luxury and let me tell you: it is waaay nicer to end up in Barbados with a swimsuit than in a parka because you had to dash down from the North Pole at the last minute. And pixies are so uniquely qualified for the task because not only are they really good at being nearly invisible, they travel like a whisper on the wind. And they are very loyal.

RT: That’s amazing. We had no idea. Do you only attend to the lost teeth of human children?

TF: I mean, if your dog loses its tooth and doesn’t manage to swallow it I guess I can answer a very polite and hopeful plea but that’s not my job, really. I don’t oversee animals. I do, however, reward children of other species: gnomes, fairies, dwarves, elves, pixies (obv.) and the like. Trolls, however, are another matter. They don’t get their teeth at all until they are adults and there’s not enough gold in the world to get me near an adult troll’s pillow. I may be magical, but I have my limits.

RT: We’ll take your word on the trolls. So tell us, is your name actually Tooth Fairy or is that your job title?

TF: Well, at this point my job title is my name. I mean, I answer to it, regardless. My full name at birth (although records are spotty at best, having been recorded hundreds of years ago using the ink of elderberries, which is NOT age proof) was: Esmeralda Asteria Bonvecchio Fee Fee Dientaris. Few people know it or can pronounce it correctly, so generally, I just answer to Tooth Fairy or “Tee-Eff” for short.

RT: Is there anything our readers’ kids should know about their teeth and the exchange of teeth?

TF: Well, every household and child is different, but I’ve found over the years there is no one common denomination for a single tooth. I do love the current trend of making a neat little pillow or pouch to put the tooth in: makes it easier for me to find it. And I never mind when a little snack or note is left. Kids should know that teeth that are in better condition of course get a premium: free of cavities, well-brushed, low plaque, a nice sheen. These are all qualities that I look for and will leave a leeetle bit more under the pillow. I work closely with the Switch Witch, who works just after Halloween, to exchange candy for prizes. This helps improve the quality of baby teeth around the globe. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I really must get back to the grind.

RT: Thanks again, Tee-Eff. We really appreciate your taking the time to talk with us. Next time, we’ll find you through the Pixie Network.

TF: Yes, errrr…do that. I’ll be sure and get back to you right…ahem…away. Ta ta!

Shortly after saying this TF gave a little wave and poof! disappeared in a cloud of what looked like glittery smoke or baby powder, though it smelled as minty as toothpaste.

—Amber Guetebier

Featured image: Pexels via Pixabay

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Travel in 2020 looks different than in years past. There is a greater need for disinfection and cleanliness. Airbnb just announced that 1.2 million listings globally have been granted the Enhanced Cleaning Protocol (ECP) highlight since it launched in June.

Hosts on Airbnb continue to prioritize health and safety as guests look for healthy and responsible getaways. Listings receive The Enhanced Clean highlight after hosts attest to following sanitization guidelines to support safer travel. The program, which is available to hosts in 220+ countries and regions, is informed by guidance issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United States and Europe and advice from former Surgeon General of the United States, Vivek Murthy.

Airbnb offers unique homes with more space for their money and more control over their environment, such as entire-home listings with private amenities like kitchens and swimming pools. Bookings for listings opted into the Enhanced Cleaning Protocol are more likely to be for family stays.

Airbnb’s Enhanced Cleaning Initiative continues to evolve and expand as our community adapts to a new world of travel and health precautions. As of this month, hosts in more than 220 countries and regions have access to Airbnb’s expert-backed Enhanced Cleaning Protocol in 61 languages, including a detailed handbook and other resources. Additionally, Airbnb has issued Health and Safety Guidelines for its entire community.

The top ten countries with the highest number of Enhanced Clean listings on Airbnb are:

United States
France
United Kingdom
Spain
Italy
Mexico
Brazil
Australia
Canada
Greece

Airbnb hosts in other places have also started following the new cleaning standards. Barbados, Korea, Japan and Portugal are also top ranking locations for Enhanced Clean listings, compared to total listings available.

“Cleanliness and safety are top of mind for our hosts and guests. In the last weeks, hosts have embraced and adopted our new rigorous guidelines, with thousands more attesting to the Enhanced Cleaning protocol everyday. This effort shows how our hosts are dedicated to the highest standards and committed to keeping their guests and communities safe,” said Catherine Powell, Head of Hosting at Airbnb.

According to internal Airbnb guest review data, 95 percent of all Airbnb reviews show that guests are satisfied with cleaning, scoring it at 4 or 5 stars (out of five stars) after their stays. Since the program launched, Enhanced Clean listings have had an average cleanliness rating of 4.8 stars, according to guest reviews.

In addition, as more guests opt to travel by car instead of plane, the percentage of bookings made on Airbnb within 200 miles has grown in the last months. Below are the top ten destinations with the highest concentration of Airbnb Enhanced Clean listings:

Telluride, Colorado, US
Destin, Florida, US
Walla Walla, Washington, US
Panama City Beach, Florida, US
Oregon Coast, US
Peak District, Hope Valley, UK
Grant County, Washington, US
Big Sky, Montana, US
Mammoth Lakes, California, US
Winter Park, Colorado, US

Airbnb hosts need to comply with guidance from governments or health authorities in their local jurisdictions. They remain committed to working with local governments, medical experts and other authorities to help ensure appropriate precautions are taken and inform the reopening of communities and their tourism economies.

—Jennifer Swartvagher

All photos courtesy of Airbnb

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