It has been a good news-bad news week for Camila Banus, who plays "Days of Our Lives" spitfire Gabi. She and her longtime boyfriend got engaged in Florida. Then she tested positive for COVID-19. Suddenly, she lost all sense of taste and smell. She says she practically inhaled a jar of Vicks VapoRub. Still no sense of smell or taste. She also has a gruffness in her voice. So far, no fever or chills.

What does that mean for the "Days" set? Really nothing. The show had stopped taping for the holidays. It will not return to taping until the first week of January. Banus, 30, has been on "Days," on and off since 2010. Earlier this year, the powers that be and the actress could not come to terms on a new contract. Banus turned to social media to let folks know she was looking for a new acting gig. At the same time, the world was hit with COVID-19. There were no gigs, no auditions and lots of actors wondering if and when the show business was going to be open for business. Banus decided acting was as essential to her as breathing.

She is back. Without giving it away, the drop-dead gorgeous actress says her upcoming storyline is as exciting as anything Gabi has done. Brandon Beemer (Shawn) and Martha Madison (Belle) will be ongoing at "Days," at least until spring. After that, they do not know — or they do know and they are not talking. Beemer, the best-looking man on daytime television, admits that it can be frustrating when you are not sure when you are coming or going. He loves doing the show. Whenever he gets the call, he is thrilled and heads to the studio. Madison concurs.

The characters are entwined with so many in Salem. Shawn is the son of Hope and Bo, brother to Ciara. Belle is John and Marlena's daughter. Careerwise, it makes sense. He is one of Salem's top cops. She is a tough lawyer.

It appears "General Hospital" gets it. Realizing how much viewers love Martin, "General Hospital" has made Michael E. Knight's character Laura's half-brother and Valentin's lawyer/friend. Knight was only slated for a few episodes. You knew he was going to stay around when they gave him his own office. Actors who dwell on soaps will tell if you do not have your own place to be you, then most likely will not be staying along.

Josh Swickard (Chase, "General Hospital") went from happy to angry last week. Told there was a T-shirt with his likeness, he thought, "Cool." Then he saw the shirt and realized it was uncool. It suggested he was a member of QAnon, the far-right conspiracy group. Wrong. Swickard has demanded that the shirts stop being produced or sold. He denied he had a connection with the group and its teachings. He said his lawyer is checking to see if any legal remedies are available.

To find out more about Lynda Hirsch and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

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