Blog | Page 14 of 54 | Howard Fensterman Charities

How Gas Prices are Affected During the Pandemic and What You Can Do About It

Man in panda mask in front of a car — Photo by Erik Mclean on Unsplash

Have you ever driven on a highway and noticed a car come flying from behind you and then speed right past you? This disrespect for the road may anger some and others might not care, but one thing is for certain. Their gas tank will hit zero faster than yours will.

This is because the faster you drive, the more gas you are using; in other words, the amount of fuel being used is proportional to the speed at which you are driving. In mechanical terms that means that, if you are driving at 50 mph, the pistons in the engine would cycle at say, 50 times per minute. (We are using hypothetical numbers to simplify this example). That means that gas is injected into the piston’s cylinder 50 times per minute.

If you speed up to 100 mph, the engine has to work harder, which means that the pistons have to cycle twice as much within that one minute and consequently, so does the amount of gas that needs to be ignited.

The bottom line: The slower you drive, the more gas you save!

Don’t Hit the Pedal

Another nifty method for saving gas is by not pressing on the gas pedal when you are going downhill. Better yet, put the car in neutral. Yes, that’s right. Taking your car out of drive lowers the RPMs (revolutions per minute) which in turn causes less gas to be sent to the engine. Any doubts? Try it then look at your odometer to see how the needle goes down.

Of course, this is not a recommended solution if you are driving in a city or crowded location, but where the area is hilly or mountainous, this method works great!

One person reported that he went to upstate NY and each time he went downhill he geared the car to neutral. His calculations showed he was averaging 45 MPG per 100 miles.

Here’s How You Can Calculate Your MPH

1. Let the car’s fuel tank go towards (but not all) empty.
2. Then fill up with the desired amount.
3. Once the car’s gas tank reaches where it was before, divide the range (in miles) by the amount you paid and that is your MPH.

Example: Using the Upstate NY scenario. The man let the car reach close to empty, then bought 3 gallons in Tioga NY. (Price doesn’t matter in these calculations). As he proceeded down the highway, his car was reaching empty when he reached Parsippany NJ. About a 63 mile stretch.

Car Sizes vs. Gas Used

Why are you driving that SUV? Do you really need it? Do you have any idea how much more gas you are using when compared to driving a sedan? Try this gas calculator to find out! You will be surprised what the difference is.

But if you find an SUV to be the most practical vehicle for your purposes, shop around. There are differences in gas mileage between them. Also, you want to consider a hybrid one.

Going Electric!

<span>Photo by <a href="https://unsplash.com/@olav_tvedt?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText">Olav Tvedt</a> on <a href="https://unsplash.com/s/photos/pump-gas?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText">Unsplash</a></span> Of course, there are electric cars. Right now, Tesla has the market lead, but more and more vehicle manufactures are jumping on the bandwagon, so one day, maybe sooner than later, expect to find gas pumps in the fields of antiquity. Currently, there are electric charging stations in various designated areas around the country, but more are being added every day.

If you are a homeowner, you have the added advantage of charging your car overnight, but you need to have your voltage upgraded, usually in your garage. An added benefit is with the added power, it is a help when selling your house; albeit, it won’t change your selling price much, but it is still one more incentive for someone to purchase yours over other people’s homes.

Follow the Standard Rules

Pumping Gas — Photo by Vlad Tchompalov on Unsplash

Don’t let your car idle. If you are waiting for someone and you know that it will be more than a minute when they will arrive, shut the car off. Also, some of the newer conventional vehicles are designed to shut off when waiting at red lights.

If you don’t have one of these cars, you can, at your option, shut your car off when waiting at a light, but do it for lights that you know are stay red for a longer time than the normal time period.

The Current Status on Gas Prices

The answer to how things are now and how gas prices will be in the future remains to be seen. Just last week, President Biden closed the pipeline. Some say that this was a terrible thing to do because it will have a negative effect on the economy, while others say it is a great thing to do because it helps the environment.

Well, we are not here to discuss the politics of it, but we are here to discuss the facts and the consequences of these facts, whether good or bad and the fact is that gas prices have risen since the closing of the pipeline.

How the current administration is going to resolve this remains to be seen. Maybe the president will have a new plan for the US economy, but for now, we have to be more vigilant in finding ways to save money on gas. What we have mentioned should be a good start!

The New COVID-19 Strain – What We Know So Far?

Checking COVID-19 speciman — Photo by Trnava University on Unsplash

Before we were even able to get accustomed to the new COVID variant that has hit the UK, another one is cooking in South Africa, but in order to understand how they worked to control the UK variant, let’s take a look at what they did before we tackle a discussion on the South African one.

It was just before Christmas 2020 when we heard of this new strain. What was done about it?

- The U.K. imposed fresh and more severe lockdowns across London
- Several countries worldwide placed a travel ban on the U.K. to curtail the new variant’s spread.
- Tier-four restrictions were placed for Christmas in Scotland, Wales, and England.

What is this new variant all about? How did it come to becoming the most common form of the virus in the U.K.? Is it more contagious? Is it more dangerous? Will the vaccine work against this new COVID-19 strain? Let’s explore the answers. But before we get started, let’s first look into why this new strain is a cause of concern for people worldwide.

The New COVID-19 Strain and the Concerns

Woman lying down with ask — Photo by Cade Renfroe on Unsplash

Genetic changes are a natural phenomenon that occurs every time a genetic material is copied. When any virus replicates inside the infected cells, the new copies are genetically different from the parent virus. The same is the case with the COVID-19 virus. But why is the new variant a cause of concern for people in the U.K. and around the world?

As the COVID-19 virus continued to modify genetically, a particularly interesting mutation was the one that altered the spike protein. It affects how the virus penetrates inside the cells and causes infections. The new variant, known as the VUI-202012/01 (the first Variant Under Investigation in December 2020), has 17 mutations, which are a lot of changes in any specific microorganism.

These changes have increased the transmission of the virus and the new strain is around 70% more transmissible than the previous one. The increased hospitalization in an already overworked healthcare sector is a concern, not only in the U.K. but throughout the world.

Is the New Variant Causing More Severe Infections?

As of now, no evidence suggests the increased severity of infections. However, the effects are still under consideration. While there is still no evidence that the new variant can cause more severe illnesses, the high transmissibility is still a concern. Since it can infect anyone quickly, a high-risk person with preexisting medical conditions such as diabetes is more likely to end up in the hospital. So the new COVID-19 strain is a concern for the old and vulnerable high-risk category for COVID-19 as it could lead to an increasing number of people needing hospital treatment.

Will the Vaccine Still be Effective Against the New Strain?

As of now, there is no evidence that the current vaccine used in the U.K. against the COVID-19 virus will not be effective against the new strain. So, it is reasonable to assume that, at least for now, the vaccine will still be effective against the new COVID-19 strain.

All three leading vaccine manufacturers have worked on an mRNA vaccine that trains the immune system to attack several different parts of the virus. Even if the spike has mutated, the vaccine can still be useful. However, if the virus’s genetic coding continues to change at the same speed and we see a lot more mutations, then maybe it will be a concern. In that case, vaccine manufacturers and governments worldwide will have to work together to tweak the vaccines, just like the flu vaccine, to make them more effective against the ever-mutating virus. Fortunately, modifying an existing vaccine is a lot easier than creating a new one.

How Far Has the New COVID-19 Strain Spread?

Conductor on train with mask — Photo by Liam Burnett-Blue on Unsplash

The U.K. government has taken timely and strict measures to control the spread of the new strain. It is believed that it either emerged in the U.K. or has been imported from another country with a lower ability to observe and track coronavirus mutations. It is also thought that the highly mutated form of the virus bred somewhere inside the body of an infected patient with a compromised immune system. The patient’s immune system couldn’t fight the infection; instead served as a breeding ground for endless additional mutations.

The new COVID-19 variant that was found in the U.K. is heavily concentrated in London, the South East, and eastern England. The number of infections elsewhere in the country is still relatively stable. Data from Nextstrain suggests that some cases in Denmark and Australia have been reported as well, which came from the U.K. A few cases were also reported in the Netherlands.

Is it Normal for Viruses to Mutate?

As mentioned earlier, virus mutations are completely natural and are due to the same mutation that the flu vaccine needs to modify every year.

If you look at the COVID-19 virus, it changed its forms several times and is no longer the same that was initially detected in Wuhan, China. The initial virus mutated and then the D614G version began to materialize in Europe, which eventually spread around the world. Moreover, another mutation called the A222V also spread in Europe. And today, we have the new COVID-19 strain that was first detected in England.

Scientists and researchers around the world cannot predict how many more mutations the world will experience for COVID-19.

New COVID-19 Strain Protocols

We know that the new COVID-19 strain is far more contagious than the initial COVID strain and is the driving force behind the rapid upheaval in infections across London and other parts of the U.K. However, there is still limited evidence that this new strain can cause more severe infections and stronger symptoms. Timely efforts by the concerned authorities may only prove effective if people stick to the rules to prevent infections.

Even with the new variant and all the concern it is causing, the best way to prevent infections is to keep washing your hands, wear a face mask, maintain a distance of 6 feet from others and limit your number of physical contacts.

Additionally, even though the infections are still increasing, the number of deaths are not increasing respectively. That is a good sign and signals that our front-line scientists are really getting a better hold on this disease.

How to Secure Data During COVID-19

HTML Code shown on a screen — Photo by Sai Kiran Anagani on Unsplash

During these trying times, unscrupulous individuals have been displaying their nefarious methods in every way possible that ends up costing businesses money, as well as you and I.

Some of their plans are email phishing methods to scare you into paying money for COVID testing or vaccinations, infiltration of your computer or corporate computer servers. Lately, it is the process of stealing vaccine information so that they can sell it on the black market. And the list goes on.

The first thing you should do is to get familiar with the technical security terms that are associated with Internet security. In a later article, we’ll focus on how these technologies are used to attempt to scam you into getting unauthorized testing, buying unauthorized vaccines, as well as many other methods of fraud that they can think of.

If you never heard of an asymmetric block cipher or what an AES-256 symmetric algorithm is, you are not alone, but after you finish reading this article, you will have a clearer understanding of these data encryption terms and be able to understand how they work to keep your private information safe.

Encryption – What Does it Mean?

Man at desk with laptops Let’s start with what encryption does. According to the Google dictionary, encryption is: “the process of converting information or data into a code,”; thus, when data is sent through the Internet, such as your social security number, the number is converted into an unrecognizable pattern that only your computer and the receiving computer understands.

More specifically, your computer will change the number using a coded pattern (encryption) and when this pattern is received by the recipient computer, it changes the pattern back to its original form, called decryption.

But how does the receiving computer know how to unencrypt the message?

It is sent a cipher and a key that explains how to decrypt the code. Only these two computers have the cipher and key needed to unravel the code.

What is a Cipher?

A cipher uses mathematical algorithms to encrypt and decrypt a message and the process by which this is done is called cryptography.

Cipher Example:

Message: APPLE
Key: 37852
Encrypted Code: DWXQG

Cipher: Subtract numerical value listed in the key from the letter in the encrypted code. Substitute result with corresponding letter = message.

Unless you know how the cipher is programmed and you know the key, you will not be able to break the code. Millions of ciphers are created every day.

What are Some of the Technical Security terms that are Used Today?

Computer screen displaying cryptic data — Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash

Let’s start with the RC4 cipher. There are a number of versions, but before we discuss them, a technical vocabulary lesson would be appropriate here.

- Bit: The most basic element in computer software. One bit represents that either it is ‘on’ or ‘off’. In other words, if the bit has electricity running through it, it is depicted as a ‘1’, but if it is a ‘0’, it is ‘dead’ – no electricity is running through it. This state of on or off is detected by the computer and represents a value as mentioned before as a 1 or 0. When these bits are placed into a pattern, specifically a pattern of eight bits, where each one will have (1) or not have (0) an electrical current, the pattern will represent a character (A,B,C, a,b,c,1,2,3, !,@.#,%, etc.). For example, the letter A would be represented by 01000001. That means that there is no current for all the bits except the second and eighth bit. Additionally, the letter B is represented by 01000010. These eight-bit patterns are called bytes and the process is called the Binary System (only uses two digits). A complete listing of the binary characters is called the ASCII Table. Putting these bytes together represents data. (e.g. The code ER759* is data. There are six bytes, which total 48 bits). If you look at the ASCII table, then you can determine which bits are ones and which are zeros; additionally, you can then determine which bits are receiving electric current and which are not and then the characters (ER759*) will be displayed on the screen. That’s 48 bits or six bytes, also known as characters.As an example, let’s consider the above six-character message as a password that is going to be sent through the Internet.

- Key: A random set of bits that are created explicitly for scrambling (encrypting) and unscrambling (decrypting) data. These keys use algorithms that are designed to ensure that every key is unpredictable and unique. Keys do not have to be the same amount of bytes that the password is. They can be longer, depending on how the formula in the algorithm is written. The longer the key, the harder it is to decipher.
- Pseudorandom: A random set of characters that have been deduced via an algorithm based upon a mathematical calculation (refer to the cipher example above).

- Stream Cipher: An algorithm that encrypts one byte at a time as it streams. It uses pseudorandom bits for the key.
- Block Cipher: This cipher encrypts data in blocks using a symmetric key (see below). They encrypt 128-bit blocks at a time.
- RC4: RC4 is a stream cipher based on the use of a random permutation.
- RC5: This is an algorithm using a variable block and key size.
- RC6: This is an upgrade to RC5.
- Asymmetric Key: Asymmetric encryption is an encryption scheme that uses two keys to encrypt and decrypt messages. It uses a public and private key. This type of encryption takes longer to decrypt by the receiving machine.
- Symmetric Key: Symmetric encryption is an encryption scheme that uses the same key to encrypt and decrypt messages. This type of encryption is faster than asymmetric encryption, but is easier to decrypt; however, it is estimated that it would take billions of years to decrypt a symmetric cipher using the computer systems that are available today.

There are known cases where criminals have attempted to access websites in order to obtain information on COVID-19 vaccines, as acquiring them would be a winner for them. So there is no doubt that they would try every method at their disposal to gain access and that doesn’t rule out breaking into a secure website.

In order to break the code (password) and read the encrypted password (if you don’t have the key), the computer would have to cycle through each of the 8-bit characters 128 times to find the correct one. Then it would have to do the same for the second character the third and so on.

In this case, in order to find the correct pattern, it would have to test each character, simultaneously with the other characters until it gets it right. No human can do this for a six-character password (or even fewer characters). It would require a computer program called Brute Force and even with this program, it could take billions of years to decipher it and the longer the password, the longer and harder to decrypt, because you have to add in another calculation of 128-bit cycles for each character, which makes it exponentially more difficult.

The 128-bit encryption method refers to the first 128 characters listed in the ASCII table. For greater encryption, it can use the entire ASCII table, which consists of 256 characters, but experts have pointed out that the 128 encryption method has never been broken yet.

What is the Most Popular Encryption Method Used Today

The most popular encryption method used today is the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) method. It uses a symmetric block cipher using 128-bit data and 128, 192 or 25-bit keys.

So there you have it. I brief but decent explanation of data security. In our next lesson, we’ll discuss how criminals get around this unbreakable code in an attempt to acquire your password.

COVID-19 Vaccine FAQs for New York State Citizens

Everyone is anxious to get the COVID-19 vaccine, but with short supply and limited resources, many are anxious and frustrated because they don’t know when the vaccine will be available in their area.

As of today, New York City mayor Bill de Blasio has said that he will be closing all city locations that were providing the COVID-19 vaccine since the city has run out of supply. A similar announcement has come from Governor Cuomo.

However, everyone, including our political leaders are expecting millions of new vaccines to be coming, hopefully soon. With that said, we will proceed with the FAQs below in the hope that this vaccine dry spell will be short-lived.

Where Can I Get Vaccinated?

Some of the locations in the NY downstate area are:

Jacob Javits Center, NYC
Jones Beach, Nassau County
Stony Brook University Hospital, Suffolk County
NYC Health Dept. – Elmhurst Clinic, Queens
NYC Health + Hospitals, Queens
Gotham Health, East New York, Brooklyn
NYC Health + Hospitals, Jacobi Hospital, Bronx

For more NYC locations, click here.

For all NYS locations, call 833-697-4829. The trick is to keep calling until you can get past the automated system. It has been said that calling later in the evening is easier to get through. The COVID-19 Vaccination Hotline is open 7 AM – 10 PM, 7 days a week.

How Do I know if I Qualify?

Phase 1a, which includes all medical staff and first responders as well as teachers is already active.

Phase 2b, which was activated on January 11th consists of anyone over the age of 65, immunocompromised individuals, fire department personnel, police, public safety officers and corrections officers.

This webpage from the NYC Department of Health can help you determine if you qualify for the vaccine at this time.

What are the Side Effects?

Did you know that feeling pain from the vaccine is actually an indicator that the vaccine is working! If you don’t feel anything, don’t be dismayed. Each individual may feel the response to the vaccine differently and when they get the second dose, they may feel something or pain when they didn’t for the first one.

The bottom line is that the side effects are usually mild and will go away after a day or two or much sooner.

- Pain, swelling or redness where the shot was given
- Feeling tired
- Headache
- Muscle pain
- Chills
- Joint pain
- Fever
- Nausea or vomiting
- Feeling unwell
- Tender or swollen lymph nodes

I’m hearing so many different stories about the vaccine. How do I know which are true and which are not?

We understand how frustrating it can be not to know the true facts about the coronavirus vaccine. Here is the information you need to know about COVID-19 vaccine myths.

How Can Businesses Help to Stop the Spread of the Virus?

We all know about the masks and social distancing and how important it is to follow these policies, but in addition to this, there are other things that people can do, especially business owners.

There are posters that restaurants and other business owners can use, such as this one to display in their shops. NYC has a complete list of COVID-19 posters available for retailers.

Financial Management Implications of Businesses Incurred Due to Coronavirus

Man at desk with laptops COVID-19 has inevitably affected businesses of all sizes around the world and has led to numerous financial management difficulties. Public companies, in particular, have had to deal with a number of financial reporting issues such as financial assets, preparing cash-flow estimates and recoverability of assets, to name a few.

Although finance professionals and experts are trying their best to support businesses during such tough times, there’s a dire need to balance accuracy and speed in terms of the future financial implications that this pandemic will bring.

Banks and multiple other financial services providers are also bearing the brunt of these consequences; however, it is believed that banks are the ultimate safety net that will have to save the economies from crumbling and stabilize the financial conditions.

Financial Circumstances to Consider Immediately

A plethora of implications have surfaced from COVID, where some require immediate attention due to their high impact, while others might take time to filter through.

Some of the most crucial circumstances that should require immediate consideration include:

- The availability of finance through banks, governments and other sources of finance.
- Movements in the stock markets such as pension fund liabilities and financial buffers.
- Supply chain issues
- Changes in the workforce such as homeworking, shortages, reduced pay, travel and expenses, etc.
- Financial changes including currency rates, business rates, taxes, insurance premiums, interest rates, etc.
- Contractual obligations.

Financial Management Implications – Checklist

It is important to note that the nature and circumstances of each business are very different, which means that not all businesses might be experiencing the same kind of financial management crises.

Therefore, it is important to filter out the issues faced by your business and then take appropriate measures to curtail the problem.

Cash Flow and Liquidity

Many businesses have been facing serious cash flow and liquidity problems that have further led to issues like generating cash, dwindling cash savings, finance function operations, and many others. Some are even finding it hard to update their cash flow and liquidity forecasts, given the uncertainty of the situation.

Fewer customers is what is the severe impact right now, but other factors, such as still having to purchase business items and spending money on gas for delivery businesses, to name a few are having a financial impact as well.

Working Capital and Short-Term Finance

This is another financial implication incurred by most businesses all over the world due to coronavirus. Further issues have resulted in regards to inventory, debtors, creditors, and generating short term finance.

Medium and Long-Term Finance

This includes factors like equity, debt and dividend policy where businesses might need to take advantage of low-interest rates, consider a capital injection, which, however, isn’t likely to be available and also consider reducing dividends.

Financial Risk Management

There’s a lot of risks involved for businesses such as currency risk, problems with insurance, general risk management, discrepancies in the supply chain and overall general risk management.

Financial Controls

This includes changes in company policies and operations, the unavailability of systems to give procedures for record-keeping, authorization of expense policies, internal recharges, and balance sheet reconciliations, to name a few.

How Can Businesses Deal with Financial Management Problems?

It’s quite hard to propose exact or precise solutions to financial management problems that businesses are facing these days, mainly due to the overriding uncertainty caused by the pandemic. However, there are many ways through which businesses can deal with these problems by considering some of the following options.

- Carrying out tasks within the presently available finances instead of creating additional burden or workload for other departments.
- Find new, creative ways to produce paper-based products such as invoices and checks to cut back costs.
- To generate short-term cash, businesses can look into vouchers, discounts, and offers to boost demand and, in turn, create some income.
- Developing new ways to carry out banking necessities and accessing payments.
- Save immediate cash that may come from factors like event cancellations and travel bans.
- Contacting creditors and asking for assistance.

The Role of Banks In the Current Financial Crises

As mentioned before, banks will simply have to step up, and for that, they need to provide companies and businesses with all the financial help and support they require for survival.

From development loans such as the KfW loans in Germany to dedicated funds such as the German economic stability fund, the application of all these requests from small to medium-sized enterprises need to be processed and approved as soon as possible.

Banks are required to play a double role where they extend financial and monetary help to businesses on the one hand, but on the other hand, they need to balance security as well.

Financial institutions further need to take into account and address topics like suspension of mortgage payments, governmental stabilization measures, and deferral of loan payments, among many others.

Furthermore, there’s a dire need to promote digital transformation in banking as most departments are working from home, and so many countries have imposed a serious lockdown.

Financial institutions need a digital transformation in order for them to be able to extend their services to business partners and companies.

Key Takeaways

As the current situation still remains uncertain and risky, businesses and financial sectors need to adopt strategic measures in order to deal with the prevailing financial problems. From being alert to new opportunities and reinforcing different kinds of policies, everyone needs to be vigilant of the situation at hand.

How to Get Groceries Safely During a Pandemic | A Guide to Safe Shopping

With the onset of the second strain which is more contagious than the first, we must be even more vigilant when going outside, but one of the basic necessities is making sure our families have enough food each day. So if you are staying home to avoid exposure, there is always that run to the supermarket that we can’t live without.

So how do we cope. Let’s discuss the safest ways to stay healthy and safe when outside.

Knowing the Danger

The danger resides in people, not the food. You may be worried about picking up the virus from things like the conveyor belt or carton of eggs, but the biggest risk is being indoors with people who are infected. While getting the virus from contaminated surfaces is entirely possible, the bigger risk is inhaling respiratory droplets. You should focus on staying at least six feet away from people and getting in and out of the store as fast as you possibly can. Make sure you make a list and go through the store as efficiently as possible.

Face Covering

It is vital to cover your face, especially the nose and mouth and is mandatory in many states. This can reduce the risk of contracting the virus by 75% if you, as well as others around you, are wearing it. If you are infected and don’t know it, it can save other people from contracting the virus too.

Go Alone

You should always try to go to the store alone. Bringing another person will just crowd the aisle and increase the risk of your household getting the infection too. If there are three people in your family quarantining together and all three head to the store, you have essentially tripled the risk by three.

Sanitize Your Hands and Carts

When you are in the store, the first thing you should do is to sanitize the handles of the basket or cart since they are high-touch zones. While many stores are doing it for customers already, it definitely will not hurt to bring your own disinfecting wipe or sanitizer. Make sure to avoid touching your face until your hands are sanitized again.

Make sure to not use your phone while you are there either.

Gloves Aren’t as Effective as You Think

Gloves are not magic shields that make you invincible. A lot of people wear gloves all day long but go around doing normal activities. If you have touched a contaminated service with gloves, it is contaminated too. If you handle your phone, food or anything else with the same gloves, it will become contaminated too. Frequent washing and sanitizing your hands is a better strategy.

Giving the Cashier Space

Grocery shopping may be stressing you out, but the workers in the store are under greater stress since they are interacting with customers indoors all day long. Make sure you stand as far away as you can, at least six feet during checkout.

Go for No-Touch Payments

Using no-touch options like Google Pay or Apple Pay is better. If not that, you can also use a credit card with a chip reader. You should try and avoid cash as much as you can since it can harbor plenty of microorganisms that could be harmful. If you do use your credit card or cash, you should make sure to sanitize everything after the transaction.

Disinfecting Groceries Shouldn’t Drive You Crazy

You may have heard of extensive routines to disinfect your groceries in many viral videos. But most experts agree that hand-washing and disinfecting each item is not really that necessary. The probability of getting infected through a contaminated surface is fairly low. The respiratory droplets have to land on the exact spot that you are touching, you need to get enough residue to start the infection and then transfer the virus to your face.

The bottom line is that all you need to do is to follow hygiene practices such as washing your hands while unpacking, before cooking and after you are done eating. Time is also on your side. After 24 hours, depending on the surface, most virus strains are not infectious and after 72 hours it is in extremely trace amounts. So you can leave your groceries on the shelf for a couple of days and it should be fine. However, you should wipe down your countertop after you are done unpacking your items.

If you do want to wash the groceries, you should not use disinfectant wipes or sprays. It’s better to use soap and water. Fresh produce should also be rinsed in water before consuming, but not soap! Ingesting soap is definitely a bad idea.

Your Clothes

If you have people who are at greater risk (such as seniors, immune-compromised or children), you should definitely shower when you come back home and change out of your clothes. Otherwise, washing your hands and changing your clothes is enough of a precaution to protect you.

Order Online

If you are still anxious after ensuring all of the tips above, you should consider ordering online. You can pay ahead and maintain social distancing. Just make sure to tip the delivery man generously since these workers are putting themselves at risk for you.

Conclusion

These are simple precautions you can take that will reduce your chances of getting infected. It certainly won’t hurt to become a germaphobe while we continue to endure and adapt to this current environment.

Going to the Hospital for Non-COVID Care and Emergencies? Keep These Things in Mind

Are you suffering from a non-COVID medical issue and you feel you should go to the emergency room or you are planning on getting a medical procedure either in the hospital or via a doctor’s office? If yes, then you are
probably concerned about getting COVID. This is, indeed, a legitimate concern because no one wants to hold their life hostage by contracting coronavirus. And as we are all aware, hospitals are wildly exposed to the deadly coronavirus, but they are also one of the cleanest and disinfected institutions in the country – Just for that reason! (And normally, hospitals are pretty clean to begin with).

In this article, we’ll cover as to whether or not you should go to the doctor or hospital for an issue that is not coronavirus; and if yes, then what pointers you should keep in mind to stay safe and secure during your medical visit.

Sho Visiting the Doctor or Hospital Amid the Coronavirus Pandemic?

Today, hospitals and health clinics are busy testing and treating people who may have the novel coronavirus. So, what should you do if you or your loved ones are suffering from illnesses other than coronavirus? Should you take the doctor’s appointment or self-medicate?

The first thing you should do is be patient. No need to panic because it will only make things worse, and that’s probably the last thing you would want in these challenging times. You should contact your doctor first and ask them what will be most suitable in your current state. If it’s simply a general checkup or a non-emergency treatment, you shouldn’t think twice and postpone/cancel your appointments. Amid the pandemic, it’s highly recommended to avoid health care clinics and hospitals as much as possible.

A better alternative is to check with your health practitioner if they provide telemedicine. Now what is telemedicine, you may wonder? In simpler terms, telemedicine is a form of practice that allows doctors to consult their patients via video-conferencing tools. Telemedicine is the best example for carrying out remote healthcare. With this modern healthcare service, so you can avoid non-urgent visits to the hospital and doctor’s clinics. All your checkups and non-emergency care can be performed from your home with the help of technology. However, in case you are suffering from a severe medical concern that can wait nor be taken via telemedicine, you should see if the doctor in your area is handling non-coronavirus patients.

Tips for Visiting the Doctor During Coronavirus

Female doctor with mask on holding a globe As the lockdown has eased in many countries, many medical practitioners are re-opening for non-COVID patients. If you have taken a doctor’s appointment, make sure you follow all the necessary safety precautions. Here are some essential tips on how to stay well during your doctor’s visit:

Wear a Mask

Keep in mind that many healthcare institutions do not allow people inside if they are not wearing a mask. On the other hand, several medical clinics and hospitals provide patients with a mask at the entrance door if they are not wearing one. To be on the safe side, wear a cloth mask at the clinic. Sneeze or cough in your mask. Or, cover it with tissue paper.

Sanitize or Wash Your Hands

Man washing his hands in a sink — Keeping your hands clean with soap or sanitizer is one of the best protections against spreading the COVID virus

While you are in the clinic/hospital, sanitize or wash your hands as many times as possible, especially if you touch any equipment or furniture there. Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds and use an antibacterial sanitizer. Avoid touching your face, nose, eyes, or lips, as these body parts can be a primary source for the infection to get into your body. While healthcare centers accommodate hand sanitizers for the public use, it’s always best to carry your own when you visit the doctor.

Practice Social Distancing

When you visit a doctor’s clinic or hospital, keep your distance from other people. Many medical care places have markers on the floor to know how far apart you should stand. Ideally, you should keep a distance of about 6 feet, i.e., 2 meters away from others when waiting in a line or sitting in a visitors’ room. Avoid crowded spots at all costs. If you visit a small clinic or hospital with limited space and it’s already crowded over there, you should either wait outside unless the crowd thins out or visit another medical care center near you.

Consider Touchless Payment Methods

When it is time to check out, choose a touchless payment option if possible. This can include a mobile payment method. Use your credit or debit card for a non-contact payment option. As soon as you are done with the payment, sanitize your hands using a sanitizer with at least 60% of alcohol. It will be wise if you consider wearing gloves, too. Once you’re out of the clinic or hospital, throw away the gloves to the nearest bin. Remember not to touch your face with gloves on!

Conclusion

Practicing proper hygiene and safety control is the safest way to visit your doctor. But before you head out to visit your healthcare professional, call them first and see if they are considering in-person visits. If not, consider rescheduling at a more appropriate time or see if they can provide virtual healthcare assistance to you.

8 Positive Impacts of COVID-19

Wherever a dark world materializes, there will always be a white lining, no matter how dim the darkness is or how small the white lining may be. The COVID-19 pandemic is no exception. Despite the dreaded current state, some outcomes could have a positive influence on humanity.

In this post, let’s explore some of the positive impacts the coronavirus has had on our lives.

#1. New Meaning to “Genuine Relationships”

Older man with young child — Photo by Humphrey Muleba on Unsplash

We have all been accustomed to living a busy life. But what exactly is the definition of being busy? It was about rushing through the days and running around to meet the ends. Unfortunately, there was no end in sight. If you were one of those lucky few who would go for a vacation once or twice a year, even then, you knew pending emails were waiting for your return.

With COVID-19, life has slowed down to a crawl and the decrease in our pace is a positive one. While you are all still working and meeting ends, there is a new meaning to genuine relationships. You get time to spend with your family and your loved ones. Now how bad can that be?

Work-from-home arrangements may seem like a nuisance when you have kids and endless chores waiting for you, but on the flip side, you are getting all the time with your family and loved ones that you have always wished for. This proximity has given a new meaning to some precious relationships in life.

Moreover, you have identified ways to stay connected with the ones that you don’t live with. You may not fly around the world or have get-togethers over the weekends to meet your friends or others in your family, but with virtual options (some extra time), you can connect with them at the click of a button.

#2. New Levels of Gratitude

A positive impact of COVID-19 that is seldom highlighted is people experiencing new levels of gratitude. Gratitude is one of the core values that today’s generation seriously lacks. It is only natural to take everything for granted in a digitalized world where you have everything at your fingertips. From connections, relations, work, leisure, friends and family, we never got a chance to question all of these essentials because they were never taken away from us.

But with the pandemic surging in most parts of the world, there was a crisis that was completely new to us. The pandemic has challenged human’s need as a social animal. And while it is a severe crisis involving a huge cost, it has undoubtedly played a positive role in teaching gratitude among people and raising it to a new level.

#3. Improved Hygiene and Lifestyle

Back in the day, we would raise our eyebrows when we meet someone who is a ‘germaphobe’. But now are the days when practicing hygiene was a luxury and not a necessity (although it should always be a necessity). From frequent hand washing and sanitizing to covering your mouth as you cough or sneeze and disinfecting surfaces, we have come a long way in maintaining a clean and hygienic lifestyle.

Humans alive on the planet today will likely continue to practice good hygiene throughout their lives and pass it on to future generations as well; indeed, this planet may be the cleanest it has ever been!

#4. Global Connectedness

The entire world is devastated by the coronavirus pandemic. The rich European nations, along with the world’s developing countries are facing this crisis together. And governments globally are supporting each other in saving lives and creating opportunities for a better world. The United Nations, too, appealed for an immediate ceasefire across the globe to have the resources to fight the pandemic more effectively.

#5. Remote Working – The New Normal

Man working on computer wearing a mask As the entire world executed COVID-19 closures, many companies switched to an entirely new working environment of remote working that gradually became the new normal. Many businesses now are fully functional, with 100% of employees working remotely. From a financial perspective, it means zero costs of physical locations, resulting in higher profits. When companies save cost, they can pass it on to the employees and other stakeholders, including their customers.

Moreover, with remote work arrangements becoming the new normal, there is a diminishing geographical boundary. People today can get a job based on their skill and not on their physical location. If the current remote working arrangement continues post-COVID, which it is most likely to do, we can expect the trend to take globalization of labor to a whole new level.

#6. Endless Innovation

Quarantining may be the most depressing time of the century, but it is also the period of many technological innovations in order to compensate for the employee quarantining. Today, individuals and organizations are coming up with ideas, tips and subsequently getting creative by devising previously unknown techniques to communicate and keep sales going. Whether it is about promoting your business product or service or about connecting with your teams and loved ones, the boredom during lockdown does have its positive points.

#7. Digitized Education

Regarding education, the pandemic is indeed one of the bleakest events for us today. But on the brighter side, technology has played an essential role in keeping everyone connected via remote training and other post-COVID health methods to learn but stay distant.

Physical school and university closures were a saddening event, especially for children, whose physician social interactions have come to a virtual close. How well they have adapted to remote learning is an ambivalent process. Some catch on fast while others have not grasped it well. For those that have gained from remote learning, we salute you and we can say that some positive aspects of COVID-19 education are working.

For those that are having a difficult time not being able to socialize with their friends, as well as not being able to adapt to remote learning, we say hang in there. The vaccines are coming!

Additionally, the sheer resilience shown by students and their parents around the world is a clear sign that nothing can stop the learning process!

#8. Enhanced Environment

COVID-19 induced lockdowns and closures have a positive impact on the environment. The global carbon emissions have decreased substantially, which has resulted in a significant improvement in air quality. The air is now cleaner and healthier than years before.

Other aspects of nature have also benefited from curtailed human activity. Reduced mining activities around the world have contributed to reduced seismic noise. With this improvement, we can now expect the seismologists to better detect the waves at a weaker frequency to improve human ability to predict earthquakes.

Moreover, with less than optimal industrial activity, we can expect a reduction in industrial waste dumped in the water. Furthermore, limited leisure activities in and around water are also likely to contribute to an enhanced environment.

There is also less driving and airlines have reduced their flights. All adds up to a cleaner environment.

Bottom Line

business-woman-shakes-hand We hope this article has helped brighten your day just a bit. The amazing connection that the coronavirus has created is indeed one of the most desirable aspects of the disease. And while these positive impacts come at the cost of human lives and global economic and physical depression, it is now up to us on how we want to take it forward.

If we stand united, regardless of our nationalities and personal interests, there is no way humanity cannot win over this virus. And once we survive through it, a new and improved world will be waiting for us with open arms.

What Was this Experimental Antibody Cocktail that Donald Trump Got?

Illustration of Donald Trump with a mask On October 2nd, 2020, the White House announced that President Trump will be receiving an experimental treatment for the COVID virus after he tested positive.

Although his symptoms are relatively mild, he started a course of Remdesivir, which is an antiviral drug. In addition to Remdesivir, he was treated with an experimental drug cocktail as a precautionary measure, which ultimately resulted in the president being cured within 48 hours.

What Are Antibodies and How Do They Work?

Man getting injection Antibodies are molecules produced by our body’s immune system to fight against infection. They are being studied to help with the development of a vaccine against COVID-19.

The vaccines essentially induce our body to produce more antibodies, which then assist in preventing the virus from infecting more cells because a high level of antibodies can neutralize the virus. However, these antibodies also differ in their type and therefore, function. Different types of antibodies bind to different parts of the human red blood cells.

It is through these antibodies that we build immunity to viral infections. For example, the vaccine known as the flu shot was invented to build our immunity against influenza. An antibody test checks for these antibodies in your blood to see if your body has responded to this newly introduced infection.

Different from the test for coronavirus, which looks for indications of the active virus, an antibody test shows that you may have had the virus in the past and may still be contagious. This is because your antibodies stay in your body for some time even after the infection has been taken care of.

Trump and Regeneron

The antibody cocktail that Trump has received has been made by the biotech company Regeneron, whose CEO knows Mr. Trump personally. He has received this cocktail in addition to several other drugs, including vitamin D, zinc, melatonin, daily aspirin and famotidine, the heartburn medicine, also known as “Pepcid.”

This drug remains unapproved for emergency use by the FDA. However, in cases where there is a danger that the patient might die, this drug can be administered to them, provided that other options have remained unfruitful as per the Right to Try Act.

It was Mr. Trump’s own medical staff that requested the company’s permission to use their drug and Regeneron was more than happy to oblige. Since this is not the first time this drug has been used for compassionate use cases and the decision about whether or not to give out the drug is made on a case-to-case basis, Regeneron was willing to let the President use it.

The drug that was taken by the President initially, called Remdesivir, is also an unapproved antiviral drug that showed positive results in clinical trials concerning hospitalized patients who were at a later and therefore, more dangerous stage of the disease. However, it is not yet proven to be a safe enough drug to use for this purpose, let alone effective.

Some of the drugs from the antibody cocktail that Trump is using right now have been studied with regards to the coronavirus, but for now, none of them have been proven to be effective. But since Mr. Trump signed the “Right to Try” law in 2018, he can, as a patient, request his doctors to give him an experimental treatment from a company whose products haven’t yet been approved by the FDA. Given that this drug passed the safety trials, it was well within the patient’s rights to request the drug, especially since a law allowing such a request was available.

Regeneron is one of two companies that have covered the most ground in trying to find a cure for the coronavirus by developing “monoclonal antibodies”. These are basically powerful antibodies that serve to fight infections and produce more antibodies in large amounts. Simply put, they make the body’s own immune system stronger so that it can fight against the viral infection and eradicate it by itself.

Regeneron said that this cocktail of two antibodies has shown results in the form of reduced recovery times and reduced signs of viral infections in the nasal region. Regeneron also reported that the patients they used the drug on were initially not producing antibodies of their own, and their symptoms would improve greatly within a week.

The dose Trump was given, however, was higher than the dose normally given to patients, twice as much to be exact.

The final result and which has been approved by the FDA is Pzifer’s vaccine that is currently being given to first responders and the elderly. This vaccine does not contain Remdesivir but does contain an assortment of other ingredients needed to fight off the disease.

Decluttering During the Pandemic

Cluttered Room — Photo by Humairah L. on Unsplash

Aside from the disruptions the coronavirus has caused, it has given people a lot of free time since many of us are finding ourselves quarantining or just working from home.

Whether that’s a good thing or not is debatable because for many, idle time means an onslaught of unpleasant things, such as anxiety about the future.

Additionally, some are finding that being ‘cooped up’ in the house is causing unexpected issues with relationships, not just husbands and wives, but whole families. Simply put, having so much free time may not be the best thing for a lot of people.

Sadly, there isn’t anything anyone can do about the many available hours the pandemic has granted our planet and the results that this pandemic has perpetuated upon our social lifestyles is something that is going to be researched for many years to come.

So, what can we do about it? Staying positive is the number one priority, and by utilizing a positive attitude, we can find ways to take advantage of this free time to our benefit. This situation can be analogous to our “Thinking Out of the Box” techniques which would definitely apply here whether you are in a state of depression or not. But there are other methods of keeping busy and can even be added to your short-term bucket list of accomplishments.

If this year has taught us anything, it’s how unpredictable life can be and how meaningless material things are. If you believe that, consider getting rid of all nonessential items in your home and Marie-Kondo-ing your way out of materialism.

Not sure where to start? Don’t fret because we have got you; here are all the essential tips on decluttering your home during the pandemic.

Don’t Think of it as “Getting Rid of Stuff”

Decluttering doesn’t have to be a nerve-racking process that reduces you into a sweating mess for fear of losing items you love. If you step into it thinking that you have to extricate things you once loved from your life, you will be anxious throughout the process and not enjoy the outcome.

You are supposed to feel light and free after going on a decluttering rampage, and if that’s not how you think, then perhaps you don’t have your mind in the right place. To truly benefit from eliminating all the unnecessary items in your house, you should focus on making the right choices instead of the part where you get rid of things.

For instance, pick up an item and ask yourself, “Will it make me happy?” “Will its absence affect me?”

Another way to go about making the right decision could be asking yourself if you love the item in question. For example, you look at a present you got a few years ago and you can’t decide whether you want to keep it or toss it. To arrive at a conclusion, ask yourself, do I like it? The first answer you hear your mind say will tell you what you need to do.

Give Away Items You Have Many of

There is an endless list of material things that we excessively buy even though we don’t need them, such as shoes or bags or watches, etc. Some people can be passionate watch collectors, while others can be obsessed with buying Air Jordans. In other words, everyone has one particular good that they are guilty of overbuying.

All those products that you have a bunch of, you should give away some of the models. Tossing out prototypes of the same item might be hard for you, but it will be a relatively easier decision because you’ll instantly know which ones you want to keep and which ones you want to throw out.

To get over the initial nerves of getting rid of something you so lovingly bought, think of the process as freeing yourself from unnecessary possessions. This way, you will have a different direction to think in and who knows, it just might work?

Have an Ordered Disorder

Decluttering doesn’t always have to mean you should throw away stuff. You can categorize items and stow them out in an organized way without much hassle.

- To do that, all you need to do is label the things you wish to sort. Make two piles; keep it and toss it.
- After you have the two piles ready, begin organizing the items you have categorized as ‘keep it.’
- Put them in separate boxes based on their urgency of use. Keep the things you will not be needing anytime soon in one container and put it in the garage or any other storage place. For all the remaining items, use organizers to keep them sorted and in reach at all times.

Focus on Rooms That are the Most Crammed Up

Storage rooms, garages, and attics are often the most stuffed rooms in a home because most homeowners dump all the ‘not-in-use’ items without any system in place.

Use your available time to sort out the messiest rooms. Don’t just cram things from all over the house in your garage or attic; instead, work out a system. Label all the boxes, keep them in neat piles, and categorize them in whichever way you like. You can use colors or the utilization of things to organize the stacks of storage containers.

Decide What You Want to Do

Just because you don’t want to use something doesn’t mean no one else can. Many times, things we find useless serve others for many years. So, instead of throwing away items you don’t want to use any longer, donate them or sell them to make a profit.

The internet is bursting with buyers looking for stuff at reasonable prices. Avail the opportunity and put up your belongings for sale on social media or websites to earn a little. And if you are feeling generous, consider donating the thing you have decided to get rid of.

To donate, try the local Goodwill Center or Salvation Army donation center. If those are closed, then look up online sites to give away your things. Online portals such as Facebook Marketplace and the Nextdoor app allow sellers to list items they wish to put up on the market for interested parties to see and contact.

And thanks to the e-payment system, you don’t even have to worry about receiving payment. Set up a PayPal account or register with Venmo to receive or make payments without fear of fraud.

Take a Breather and Declutter Your Life

Your overthinking or constant worrying isn’t going to change the fact that the world is in the middle of a pandemic. So why exhaust yourself emotionally and mentally over something that’s so completely beyond your control? Instead of getting worked up about the unprecedented circumstances, do something productive. Getting rid of unnecessary possessions is one way of doing it.