COVID-19 Archives - Foreign policy

What Do N95 Masks Offer That Other Masks Do Not?

Published on April 7, 2021April 6, 2021

We are facing one of the most tumultuous times in human history. Since the emergence of COVID-19, life has not been smooth sailing. The pandemic has had its toll on human beings, claiming millions of lives while crippling most economic activities.

One of the recommended ways of combating its spread is wearing mask—these protective garments aid in protecting you from contracting the virus. There are different types of masks available in the market, each designed to provide different protection levels. N95 masks are the most coveted amongst them because of their high levels of protection against COVID-19 infection.

What Are N95 Masks?

Also known as n95 respirators, they are made using multiple layers of synthetic fiber (polypropylene plastic polymer), enhancing their ability to filter out hazardous particles such as dust and germs, micro-organisms, and other pathogens.

The mask’s edges have a unique design that enables them to seal your nose and mouth region perfectly. Moreover, their elastic straps ensure that they are firmly held onto your face for hours on end.

N95’s expert design earned them approval by CDC, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), and the FDA ( Food and Drug Administration); see more to buy high-quality N95 masks. You can therefore rest easy when wearing these masks that your chances of getting COVID-19 infection are minimal.

Reasons Why You Need To Buy N95?

They provide unparalleled protection

N95 have undergone numerous rigorous tests, all of which confirm that they are well suited to protect you from COVID-19, among other airborne and flu-related pandemics. These masks meet the CDC guidelines for exposure control. They have a 160mmHg barrier ranking which conforms to ASTM F1862 requirements for splash resistance and fluid penetration.

It attains this because of its 95% ability to filter contaminants such as viruses, bacteria, and particles such as dust. As such, you can confidently wear them knowing that you are protected from micron size airborne particulates that cause COVID-19.

Allergy-free and Fuss Free

The N95 are made using non-woven plastic synthetic fibers. These fibers are subjected to an electrostatic charge to improve their ability to filter out impurities. They are also made using steel for the staples and aluminum that gives the nose clips their bend’s ability.

You, therefore, don’t have to worry about allergic reactions; suppose you are allergic to materials such as latex, silicone, and PVC, which are used in making other types.

Available in molded and flat mold options

You can choose between the two designs of this mask depending on the comfort you seek and your preferences. Here is a breakdown of the two designs to help you make your choice:

Molded N95 mask

They are lightweight. As such, you won’t be fatigued while wearing them.
It has a rigid outer cover that prevents the mask from collapsing.
Its inner layers are designed using a soft fabric that is friendly to the skin. You can therefore wear them for long periods without experiencing any discomfort.
Molded n95 have contours with the natural shape of the face. This feature enables them to reduce pressure on your face and the need to fiddle with their metal nose clip.

Flat N95 masks

It has a softer inner layer that maximizes comfort as you go about your business while wearing this mask.
Elastic head straps that hold them firmly on your face.
Their universal shape enables them to fit almost all types of face shapes and sizes.
The outer layers of these ones are suited to keep off different types of particles.
Enhanced Filtering Ability.

Most masks use mechanical filtration, such as diffusion, to keep off impurities. You can don such masks in places where you stand less chance of contracting the disease.

The filtration ability of the N95 is enhanced. Apart from using mechanical filtration, these ones also use electrostatic filtering. This type of filtering employs electric charges that attract and ensnare micro-organisms as small as 0.3 microns.

These include fluid droplets containing viruses, bacteria, and other harmful substances—no wonder they are recommended for healthcare workers and other frontline workers when handling COVID-19 related cases.

N95 masks are arguably the most tight-fitting ones

To effectively protect yourself from getting COVID-19, you need a mask that tightly fits your face such that no impurities can seep in via the side openings. N95’s design enables them to fit your face perfectly. They properly seal your face and nasal areas. N95’s tight fit makes them suitable to be worn in high hazard areas during the pandemic.

Can I Use N95 Respirators?

N95 are reusable; however, different factors determine whether or not they can be reused. If you wear it in low-risk areas and are still in pristine condition, there will be little harm in reusing them. Below is an outline of instances where you’ll need to dispose of your mask:

It would be best if you discarded them following use in an aerosol-generating procedure.

Please dispose of your mask when exposed to impurities such as blood, nasal secretions, or other bodily fluids.

Discard your masks following close contact with a person infected with COVID-19 or after visiting places with a high prevalence of the pandemic.

Discard your N95 when they are dirty from various impurities or when they show any signs of degradation.

The superiority of n95 masks over others is irrefutable. These masks are expertly crafted to protect you from COVID-19 infection. Though they are costly compared to other masks, their effectiveness makes them worthwhile.

That said, you still need to get vaccinated against COVID-19 to minimize the chances of contracting the virus. Furthermore, you need to adhere to the CDC guidelines, such as adhering to the social distance regulations, washing your hands with alcohol-based disinfectants, visiting a medical facility when you experience any signs of the virus, and avoiding crowds, among other measures.

How to Grow Despite a Pandemic with Giti’s Founder

Published on March 24, 2021March 24, 2021

Business/Fashion

Covid-19 has disrupted life for businesses around the world in an unprecedented manner. But, despite the huge challenge, some entrepreneurs were able to pull it through it hanging to their strengths and unstoppable dedication. Christopher Chong is one of these examples we can learn something from, especially for those who are starting out. He had a vital role in his clothing store’s exceptional growth during the pandemic and today he is sharing some insights with us. It all comes down to the company’s values and an ambitious vision for the future, this is the key take from this friendly meetup.

Growing despite all odds

Starting from nothing and growing to a team of more than 30 employees and counting is Giti’s biggest success, as you all can imagine. In the face of colossal challenges, some companies literally flipped the circumstances and managed to find a way out. A way to success. What’s better than creating jobs during the most tragic times since World War II?

The coronavirus crisis has caused unprecedented damage to businesses around the world and unemployment hit an all time high. But it has been a different story for those brands that pivoted online and found new ways to connect with customers globally. Successful companies focused on innovation and adapted in an exceptional manner in the face of Covid-19. Believe it or not, 2020 has been a growth year for most online retailers and this has been an incredible example. What made the difference was having a united and determined team and our interview is grateful for all of the loyal customers who come through week after week thanks to his team’s dedication, no matter what the circumstances are.

Challenges = Opportunities

As the ancient Japanese mantra reminds, in every challenge lies an opportunity to catch. When the pandemic started to strike the globe, we saw all types of different reactions. Most people panicked. The majority of business owners literally lost their mind and fell into depression. The minority who had the guts to react promptly instead have left 2020 behind their back as one of their best years ever. It still amazes how the same exact negative circumstance has generated such different outcomes. We’ll see in the next paragraphs how our interviewee has managed to build a brand focused on customer satisfaction, despite the circumstances.

Putting customers first

The business launched in 2003 from a small retail branch in The Oaks Mall in Gainesville, Florida with the goal to supply highly fashionable wear at affordable prices to the young adults in college towns. As soon as the store opened, they quickly became the source for the most current fashion in Gainesville. Now based in Miami, Florida, it sells unique clothing in a vast inventory of trendy styles. After talking to them, we clearly understood that the trait that identified them the most was the mantra of “maximizing customers’ shopping experience” by offering incredible customer service. Furthermore, post sale assistance is as important. In a digital world with tens of millions of retailers, most of which are dropshipping and have no “human touch” at all, if you are planning to start your own brand, put your focus and resources on the customer support department.

Crucial consistency

A founder’s armoury must be filled with a vast range of traits that enable them and their companies to succeed. But there are two main factors that led founders to owning a prominent company – consistency and studying the market. Founders must understand trends change all of the time and that it is all about keeping up with the current market trends. Shifting from brick and mortar to almost fully online is still a challenge for most business owners – but it’s proving to be the biggest reward too. Throughout massive transformation and ever changing circumstances, successful companies are often going from “locally known” to “worldwide renowned”. When that is achieved, they must keep accelerating towards new goals and refuse to ease up on their efforts.

Learning to adapt

We are all overwhelmed by this ever-changing, always-evolving society at some point. Whether we are seeking some relaxation time or needing some comfort and accomplishments, 2021 has proved more than ever that nowadays society changes at a lightning fast pace. Trends that took 5 years to develop, establish and then die off in 1980-90, now take 3 months. It’s one trend after another, in a non-stop loop. And it’s not just fashion, literally any industry and vertical is affected by this frenzy. Because of this, many services came up to help “insiders” navigate through this crazy world and allow us to not get outdated from one day to another. So, the vital attitude to have is the “adapting” mindset. We need to learn to notice what happens around us, learn fast and adapt even faster. Imagine what would be in 20 years from now ? Trends popping up on the daily. Old (yesterday) trends dying off today. Madness. Hopefully society will learn to take it easy at some point but learning to adapt is for sure a good mantra to live by whether the society will keep speeding up or slow down.

Powerful quotes

While he has absolute focus on his own vision and goals, Christopher has also made it his mission to help and inspire others. There are two powerful quotes which continue to inspire him – and he wants you to read the words carefully and take note of them. The first quote from Denis Waitley is: “Failure should be our teacher, not our undertaker. Failure is delay, not defeat. It is a temporary detour, not a dead end. Failure is something we can avoid only by saying nothing, doing nothing, and being nothing.”

The second quote from Ellen DeGeneres is: “When you take risks you learn that there will be times when you succeed and there will be times when you fail, and both are equally important.”

Take a note of these quotes and use them to inspire you on your journey.

Instagram @gitionline

The US Anticipates Solar Revolution in 2021

Published on March 19, 2021

Life

Covid-19 ended for the solar industry in the US in 2021. Well, not literally, but the solar industry grows at an incredible pace taking into consideration the coronavirus situation worldwide. The number one reason for the surge in demand for solar power is an extended solar panel tax credit at 26 percent. Coupled with that, solar panel companies like LA Solar Group lower solar panel installation costs to complement the market upswing. Plus, construction costs tend to decline approximately by 37 percent, which is a considerable contribution to solar growth. Considering positive changes in the solar industry, many companies initiated solar projects to be rolling in wealth. Let’s read further to acknowledge those.

1. Sunflower Solar PV Farm

Solar projects can’t be small. For the considerable benefit, they need to be massive. Sunflower Solar PV Firm operated by Recurrent Energy is one example of a large project in size of 100MW. The project aims to construct a big solar panel farm accessing Sunflower County, Mississippi’s 1,000 acres of land solely. It would have been nonsense if the project didn’t hold a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). Of course, it does. The facility that gets constructed on the vast territory will be directed towards electrifying 16,000 homes by providing a renewable resource – the sun’s energy. Imagine a substantial environmentally-friendly area projected for bettering society’s life – it can never be forgotten!

2. Commonwealth Solar Project

If the Sunflower Solar PV Farm can be considered a massive one, then I have no words for the Commonwealth Solar Project. Community Energy Inc operates the Commonwealth Solar Project, which aims to construct two solar power plants. With this number of solar energy facilities, we access a size of 220MW – HUGE! Okay, the size is great, but what is the focus of it? Let me come from the depth of the story. Community Energy Inc has a signed contract with the University of Pennsylvania for a period of 25 years. According to that contract, the university will purchase the energy generated by these two solar power plants. Considerable income source! Plus, the project will be expanded by 2023, when it enters its commercial stage of operation. Can’t wait to see how the project goes!

3. Happy Solar Park

Well, well, what do we have for the third solar project? Happy Solar Park that the Lightsource BP operates. Even though it is less in size compared to the Sunflower Solar PV Farm, it still can’t be considered small. Having a size of 132MW for a 700-acre area, the Happy Solar Park aims at decreasing the unemployment rate in White County, Arkansas. At first, during its construction stage, up to 250 job positions will be available to people. A huge contribution to the decrease of the unemployment rate. Afterward, the solar power facility will be able to supply the sun’s energy to more than 21,400 households in Conway. Besides such initiatives, the construction of Happy Solar Park aims to make money by selling the generated power to Conway Corporation – a company ready to purchase it. A multi-beneficial project in the solar industry will definitely make the world a better place for living.

4. Pecan Prairie Solar Project

Huh, if we thought that previously discussed projects are massive, we are blind! Let me introduce you to the Pecan Prairie Solar Project of a 500MW size. Can you imagine how considerable its impact is? Assumedly, calling it a large-scale project is the right way to go. This solar project is designed for Leon County, Texas, by ConnectGen company. Why does it use such an enormous amount of power? The answer is simple – to fulfill the goals of the project. It aims at electrifying beyond 50,000 households in Texas. Enormous social contribution requires equal investment! Besides social contribution, the project has all the chances to be a source of economic growth. By the way, people who work on this one already see the perks of designing such an environmental project. For instance, in the scope of the Pecan Prairie Solar Project, almost 10,300 job positions got available in the market. Plus, over 13,300MW of power is anticipated to be generated in the coming years up to 2023. Numbers are huge, so are the benefits!

5. Golden Triangle Solar Energy Centre

Let’s see what I have kept for last. The Golden Triangle Solar Energy Centre is a solar project designed as a consequence of a reward of 200MW from Tennessee Valley Authority to Origis Energy. The company decided to establish a solar energy plant in Lowndes County, Mississippi, on the land of 1,900 acres – another massive contribution to the world’s sustainability through the solar industry. Why did I keep it for the last? Because it differs from other projects with its framework. The organizers plan to start the project with a solar panel battery storing primarily 50MW of power. Afterward, they aim to make the facility produce power for Tennessee Valley Authority by 2022. What is the reason for choosing such a framework? Well, if other projects aimed at income generation and unemployment rate decrease, this one has solely environmental ambitions. The Golden Triangle Solar Energy Centre wants to reduce carbon emission by conserving approximately 225,000 kg of CO2 – seems like no-pollution life is close! However, similar to other projects, it also complies with Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). That is, the solar project aims at providing electricity to over 45,000 households. What is outstanding about this project is its extensiveness – creating the solar energy plant, owning it, and making it function properly.

Final Note

Taking into account that all the above-discussed 5 solar projects take place in the US in 2021, we can assume that the US is on the path of revolutionary and sustainable growth. Sunflower Solar PV Farm, Commonwealth Solar Project, Happy Solar Park, Pecan Prairie Solar Project, Golden Triangle Solar Energy Centre – five solar projects are surmounting the rate of the world’s sustainable development.

How the Future of TV and Streaming has been Reshaped so far

Published on February 26, 2021

Computing/TV

Online streaming has taken the whole world by storm. 2020 was the breakthrough year because different media networks launched their own video-on-demand streaming services such as HBO Max, Quibi, Peacock, etc. to turn the pandemic situation in their favor.

As expected, people gleefully accepted all these streaming services in huge numbers since they were forced to follow different restrictions like social distancing, self-isolation, and others appropriately.

However, this trend did not do justice with the cable TV companies because they are dealing with various issues like customer retention, innovation, advertising, etc.

Sadly, these issues will increase with the passage of time since people have already replaced their traditional TV viewing habit with online streaming.

The whole scenario indicates that traditional TV companies will need to transform themselves as quickly as possible to successfully compete with online streaming platforms in 2021.

At present, the future of TV companies does not look quite promising because they have not been able to innovate themselves as per the requirements of their subscribers.

But if we discuss the future of online streaming, it is progressing in the right direction. Continue reading this post to know how the future of TV and streaming has been reshaped overall.

How the future of TV and streaming has been reshaped so far?

As we all know, users prefer to subscribe to Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Disney Plus in the first place. But, they can also access other media services like YouTube TV, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, TVPlayer, Hostar and many more on a wide range of devices from anywhere as revealed by howtowatchinaustralia to fulfill their streaming needs under their budget.

In a nutshell, all these above-described services have changed the viewing habits of viewers globally. Apart from this, different factors like personalized packages, interactive content, live TV, etc. have reshaped the future of traditional TV companies significantly.

Personalized packages

The good thing about online streaming is that it has forced TV companies to offer customized TV packages in near future. It means consumers will not have to buy the entire package of channels to watch their favorite media content.

Interestingly, they will have the luxury to include their preferred channels in their subscription packages.

Interactive content

Interactive content is the new concept but has already been implemented by a leading online video on demand streaming platform, Netflix. The famous streaming service has allowed viewers to change the plot and dialogues in one of the episodes of Black Mirror.

According to this notion, viewers can participate and change the possible outcome of their favorite shows. Therefore, traditional TV channels or media networks will have to work on the same lines and broadcast such shows in the future to engage and entertain their viewers.

Live TV

Live TV has become an important part of online streaming these days. This trend has changed people’s traditional TV viewing habits and will continue to do so in the future.

When you tune into your conventional TV set, you have to sit in front of your TV screens to watch your favorite TV show or movies. Luckily, this is not the case with online live TV streaming services. For Instance, you can subscribe to Hulu + Live TV package and watch 60+ channels on your desired devices as per your preferences.

How is the online streaming industry changing the viewing habits of consumers worldwide?

The online streaming industry is using different tactics to transform viewing habits of their subscribers globally. All these tactics will certainly impact the future scenario of the TV industry.

For example, streaming platforms offer original content in the shape of TV shows, movies and documentaries to their subscribers regularly. Sadly, you cannot avail such an amazing feature when watching conventional TV channels.

Besides, you can enjoy tons of exciting features like offline viewing, simultaneous streams, virtual party, etc. on your preferred devices if you have subscribed to popular streaming platforms like Netflix, Disney Plus, HBO Max, Prime Video, and others.

Offline viewing is one of the most crucial features that allow users to watch TV shows, movies and other media content without using an internet connection. They need to download content on their devices be it Windows, Android, or iOS.

Wrapping Things Up

There is no denying that the COVID-19 crisis has significantly reshaped the future of cable TV and online streaming to a certain degree. In this age of digitalization, people have options galore when it comes to online streaming. They can easily subscribe to their favorite streaming services from anywhere accordingly.

This is one of the major reasons why users are preferring online streaming services over cable TV providers. As far as cable TV providers are concerned, they are facing hurdles in retaining their customers due to tremendous growth in online streaming viewership.

Therefore, we can expect that online streaming services will continue to improve in terms of customer base, content quality, and additional features. On the contrary, cable TV providers will have to enhance their performance on different fronts like content quality, pricing, etc.

Otherwise, video on-demand services will definitely replace a conventional cable TV package sooner or later.

How to Back Up Your Social Media Video – 2021 guide

Published on January 9, 2021March 21, 2021

Internet

Earlier Google’s photo backup platform automatically uploaded all the photos saved in your Android or IOS device. These included photos and videos stored in folders created by apps like Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram.

Google, the world’s largest search engine, has said that it has now discontinued this feature, and now you have to save these photos yourself or turn to a specific app meant for this feature. Check out oDownloader to know more about this.

For this, Google has cited a surge in the tendency to share photographs after the onset of Covid-19. A statement in this regard said that due to Covid-19, people are sharing more photos and videos.

Google insisted that no photos that were already backed up and organized through social media apps have been affected by this change.

So to conserve Internet resources, backup and sync have been turned off for device folders created by messaging apps like WhatsApp, Messages, and Kik. In such a scenario, you can change this at any time in the settings.

How to back up your social media video?

Social media is an integral part of our daily lives. However, the information needs to be backed up regularly. There is a difference between storing data online and cloud storage. Very few online backup providers back up social media videos.

Tools to back up social media content:

Let us find out the tools that are used to back up the social media video.

The tools are as follows:

a) Idrive: This versatile online backup service provider backs up videos on Facebook and Instagram. It stores the copies of the videos on its cloud servers.

Backup happens automatically. So, the videos that have been added since the last backup get saved. This tool ensures that backups are manually executed, from the web interface of idrive in the user’s Android or iOS device. It offers affordable subscriptions.

b) Acronis True Image: This tool backs up social media videos at a faster speed than Idrive. This speed is possible because they have a faster network backup. It backs up videos from Facebook and Instagram in a comprehensive manner.

The users do not need to back up the videos manually on this platform. The backup is automatic. If social media gets deleted, then it restores the backed-up data to a new profile. The users need to set up Acronis Backup cloud which encrypts the data with 256-bit AES. It provides the best online backup through an Android or Ios device. It doesn’t offer any free plans. The minimum cost is reasonable.

c) Cloudsfer Social media backup: It allows people to perform scheduled and manual file transfers.

d) pCloud: It is the best Dropbox alternative available in the market. This cloud storage service backs up videos from social media. It may only save videos from Facebook and Instagram.

Reasons behind backing up social media video:

Those who are active in social media need to create videos for Snapchat, YouTube, Facebook and Instagram. They need to save a copy in their smartphone because the server which houses their content may go down any time. The videos which are backed up maybe reshared on any other website. Even non-mobile videos may be backed up to the cloud. To find more about creating videos, visit Clipchamp.

Backup and Recover old photos from Facebook:

In Facebook settings, you will get the option through which you can also get backup of your accidentally deleted data. Learn the complete process step by step.

Open Facebook settings panel

First, click on the dropdown on the top right-hand corner of your page, then open the settings.

Everyone knows how to edit Facebook photos and videos and delete them, but here you will get to know how to backup the Facebook posts and recover them after you have deleted the photos and videos.

Click on Download Copy of Facebook Data

Now click on the option, Download a Copy of your Facebook Data at the very last of the settings page.

Click download archive

Now click on the option Start download archive shown on this page. After clicking, a popup message will be sent, which will say that it will be sent to your registered email id as soon as your user data is accessed.

Click OK on this message. Shortly, Facebook will send you an email link, from which you can download your Facebook data.

Backup and Recover old photos and videos from Instagram:

Step 1

First, you have to log in to your Instagram account. Then you have to go to the option containing the user details, and after clicking on the three dots you see in the above right-hand corner, you have to click on the option of the setting below.

After clicking, you have to click on Privacy and Security and then click on download data.

And here, you have to enter your email address and click on request download, and then you have to enter the password of your Instagram and click on Next. After that, you have to click on the done button under request download. From here, you will receive a mail on the email address you have entered.

Step-2

Now you have to open the mail and click on download data and open it in a browser like Google Chrome and enter your Instagram username and password here and log in. And click on download data.

Step-3

Now you have to download an app named ES File Explorer. After downloading, you have to search Instagram data in this file explorer, you will search by inserting your name, and your data will be visible, and you have to click and extract it. And you can keep this file anywhere.

Step-4

To see the file of Extrcat Instagram, you will need an application named Json Genie (Editor) from the Play Store. After that, when this app is downloaded, click on Open, click on open JSON file, you open that file from here, and then from here, you can see everything deleted and save it.

Impact of COVID-19 on Personal Injury Cases in 2021

Published on January 6, 2021March 21, 2021

Life

When the first news appeared at the end of December last year about a new, mysterious virus from China, few people paid attention to it. Even in China, they did not consider it a serious threat. By the end of January, Wuhan was in complete isolation, but this was still considered a local concern of China, where epidemics occur more frequently than elsewhere in the world. How we were all wrong. By mid-March, the whole world had stopped.

Perhaps for the first time in human history, the entire planet was quarantined. The number of people infected with the coronavirus was so large that hospitals had no room for patients with other problems. The whole world economy has stopped. It was important to maintain a constant supply of food and medicine and it was mostly successful. But all other businesses have been partially or completely shut down, leading to a global financial crisis.

There is no sector that has not been affected by coronavirus-related events. Person injury cases are no different. First of all, it slowed them down a lot because hospitals and courts handled only emergencies. But people are still getting hurt and now that life is slowly returning to normal, everyone is wondering how to proceed with person injury cases. We will do our best to give you the answers in this article.

Delay of medical examinations

We all know that in order to receive compensation for a personal injury, it is required to have all the necessary documents from the doctor. Only in this way will you be able to prove the degree of injury and how much it has affected your life and work. Without it, you will not receive any compensation or it will be a very small amount of money. But as we have already said in the introduction, during the coronavirus pandemic, many hospitals that were otherwise available to us became COVID-only. This created huge crowds at other hospitals that received patients who were not contagious. If your injuries were not life-threatening, you may have decided to go home and to see a doctor later.

This is a big mistake because it is necessary for him to examine you soon after the injuries occur in order to get maximum compensation. Also, many do not want to go to the hospital at all, for fear of becoming infected with the coronavirus. This is of course your right, but your personal injury claim will then not be successful. Our advice is to go to the doctor, and follow all the advice of the World Health Organization, such as wearing a mask and maintaining social distance.

Insurance companies are trying to reach a settlement as soon as possible

The financial crisis is also hitting insurance companies hard. Imagine how much money they had to pay to insured companies that suffered damage during a pandemic. Also, tourism has almost completely stopped, so the billions of people who pay for travel insurance every year have not done so now. And of course their shares on the stock market have lost significantly in value.

All this has brought insurance companies to the brink of bankruptcy. For this reason, they want to come to an agreement with you as soon as possible, in order to save money. They hope that you will jump to the first offer and that it will pay you significantly less than it is realistic. They also want to shorten the process as much as possible and not go to court at any cost. Don’t be naive and don’t fall for such attempts.

You need a lawyer more than ever

If you want your personal injury claim to be successful, you need a lawyer. And that’s always the case, but now during a pandemic it’s more important than ever. For the very reasons we mentioned earlier, which are the attempts of insurance companies to reach a settlement as soon as possible, you need an experienced lawyer in this field, in order for the whole process to end in your favor. Due to the situation, your face-to-face meetings may be difficult, but this will not be a problem due to the possibility of video call and email for sending complete documentation.

Visit cunninghamandmears.com to see which personal injury services are offered by lawyers specializing in this area of law. The lawyer has a lot of experience and will make sure to get the best amount possible for the settlement. And also the insurance company will know that since you have a lawyer, you are ready to go to court, which will deter them from trying to offer you an unrealistically low amount of money.

Mentally prepare for a long process

It is a long process anyway, and now it will be even longer. The courts operate at reduced capacity and generally handle urgent matters, such as bail orders and the like. So if you get to court, expect a lot of shifting and postponing the hearing and everything else. Now the hearings have started via video conference, so the situation is improving. Still, know that there is a long and exhausting process ahead of you even without litigation. It is up to you to gather all the documentation, hire a lawyer and wait.

Employment problems

Due to the situation with COVID-19, there is a recession all over the world. For this reason, millions of people lose their jobs, and it is almost impossible to find a new job during this period. This will serve the opposing side to offer you less money, as it will challenge the claim that you could not work as a result of the injury. They will state that this is not the main reason, but problems with the labor market and that they would certainly not be able to find a job. However, insist that you have lost significant money due to inability to work as a result of the injury.

Conclusion:

The most important thing is to stay calm and follow the whole procedure. It is clear to you that we are currently living in something called the “new normality” and that is why everything is different than we are used to. But if you persevere, you will succeed.

How Effective Are Neck Gaiters For COVID-19

Published on January 5, 2021

Coronavirus

For many people, it seems quite impossible than it has been more than one year since the first cases of the Coronavirus were reported and confirmed in China. And since those initial reports have been made, we slowly saw how the virus started spreading all over the world, affecting millions of people in all nations.

In the hopes of controlling and hindering the spread of the virus, healthcare professionals recommend that people use face masks whenever they’re stepping outside their houses, and as an alternative to these masks – which are uncomfortable – a lot of individuals started using neck gaiters in order to cover their noses and mouths. However, are these covers effective for COVID-19?

What Exactly Are They?

Basically, a neck gaiter is a closed loop of fabric and as the name implies, it most commonly stays around an individual’s neck, however, it can be pulled up in order to cover the nose and mouth. Since it comes in various shapes, sizes, and thicknesses, it’s a versatile accessory, especially since it can also be used as a headband, warmer, or even a wristband.

If you do some digging online, you’ll learn that they’re usually made from materials such as elastane and polyester. Additionally, it’s a breathable cover, meaning that it won’t obstruct your breathing, even if you’re, for example, running. It can also be washed, hence, you can use it over and over again.

Neck gaiters have been around for a long time, however, in the last year, people prefer to use them as an alternative to the traditional masks that they need to put on whenever they go outside their home. In most cases, people opt for them because they’re more comfortable and more breathable than masks that can often be quite annoying.

So, Are They Effective For COVID-19?

Now, this is something that will completely depend on the type and model you decide to purchase. What does this mean for you? Well, it means that you need to carefully decide which one you should buy, especially since this can influence the effectiveness of the cover.

For instance, if you opt for buying one that is made from polyester and that only has one layer of fabric, it definitely won’t be as effective in protecting the wearer from the Coronavirus. Instead, you must select one that is made from high-quality materials and that has several layers of fabric.

Hence, if you do want to use this alternative face cover whenever you need to go outside, it’s best if you decide to purchase one that is made from cotton and that has at least three layers of fabric. By choosing a type with these specifications, the entire face cover will be effective in protecting the wearer from the virus.

But, the aforementioned things aren’t the only important factors that you need to know. Whatever one you choose to use, it’s crucial that you ensure that it fits your nose, cheeks, and chin perfectly and comfortably. By ensuring this, you’ll also be ensuring that you’re entirely protected from the droplets that can transmit the virus.

To be extra sure about the quality of the face cover you pick, you can try lifting it towards the daylight and checking whether or not you can see the light shining through the mask. If you can see the light, then it’s quite possible that it won’t be effective in preventing the spread of the virus.

What Should I Consider Before Choosing?

So, if you decided to start using neck gaiters instead of the traditional face covers and masks, you’ll need to consider a few things before opting for a specific model. Why? Well, by doing so, you’ll assure that it’s comfortable, but more importantly, that it’s effective. So, some of the most important things that you need to consider include:

The Size – one of the first things that you need to consider is the size of the gaiter. In most cases, you’ll be able to pick between three options – S/M (53-55cm), M/L (56-58cm), and L/XL (59-62cm). However, there are also ‘one-size-fit-all’ covers, meaning that you could purchase one that can stretch.

The Fit – once you’re done determine what size you’ll need, your next step is to see if it fits comfortably on your face, but more importantly, you need to verify that it snugs your cheeks, chin, and nose well, especially since this can guarantee that you’re well protected from the droplets that can transmit the virus.

The Material – we already mentioned that they’re most commonly made from polyester and elastane, however, there are other options as well. For instance, you can choose a type that was made from fleece or wool for winter, and during summer, you can wear ones made from cotton or acrylic. Doing this will guarantee that you stay protected from the elements as well.

Breathability – you won’t want to wear a cover that will obstruct you from breathing, hence, ensure that you opt for something that’ll allow you to breathe without any problems. Additionally, you must assure that the model you buy has at least two to three layers since this will ensure that you’re safe.

The Style – although not quite important as the aforementioned features, you’ll definitely want to choose a fashionable model that suits your style. Fortunately, there are various websites that offer completely customized models, meaning that you can actually create your own gaiter. You can find more info about that on https://vivipins.com/custom-neck-gaiters/

The Comfort – last on our list is the fact that you need to ensure that you’re actually comfortable when wearing the mask. You won’t want it to be too loose – since it’ll definitely annoy you – but, you won’t want it to be too tight as well. Hence, ensure that it snugs your face comfortably.

Conclusion

Neck gaiters can be used as an alternative to the traditional face masks and covers worn by millions of people all over the world. However, before you opt for the first option that comes up in your search results, ensure that you consider all of the aforementioned features, especially since it’ll ensure that you remain protected.

So, now that you know that you can, in fact, wear neck gaiters instead of face masks, you shouldn’t waste any more of your time. Instead, you should open up a new search tab, and start looking for a particular model that will suit your needs, but more importantly, that’ll keep you protected from the Coronavirus.

Why Digital Marketing Will Never Be The Same Again After COVID-19 – 5 Survival Tips

Published on January 4, 2021March 11, 2021

Marketing

The year 2020 has been a learning lesson for entrepreneurs and marketers across the globe. Data from Yelp shows that 60% of the business in the U.S. that have shut down during the pandemic won’t reopen. And the pandemic isn’t even over yet.

While the world is still reeling under the economic and social impact of COVID-19, many businesses are improvising their routine operations and marketing strategies. From encouraging remote working to building online stores – business operations have drastically changed.

Moreover, 1 in 3 consumers claims that the pandemic has altered their purchase behavior.

With people still staying indoor to ensure their safety and wellbeing, it’s become imperative for brands to reach out to their audience using online marketing channels.

This, in turn, has compelled business owners and advertisers to realize the potential of digital marketing. While the switch to digital from traditional advertising had been on the rise, COVID-19 has escalated the process.

Changing Consumer Behavior

Today, consumers are spending most of their time indoors (primarily in their homes). Consequently, they aren’t just randomly browsing through the internet. Instead, they’re searching for creative solutions to their problems.

Whether they want to purchase groceries and apparel or home appliances and smartphones, consumers are doing it online. Also, they’re looking for ways to entertain and educate themselves on the web.

Brands that tap into this trend of increased internet usage right now will ultimately reap the benefits when the pandemic is over. In other words, you

In other words, you need to publish valuable and enriching online content to strike a chord with your target consumers. Whether you’re offering services or selling products, your online presence matters. Even healthcare organizations are stepping into digital means at present. If you’re from the healthcare niche, Prevention Digital, a healthcare digital marketing agency would play a significant role in laying out effective marketing strategies for your healthcare business.

need to publish valuable and enriching online content to strike a chord with your target consumers.

Altered Search Trends

According to Google Trends, the pandemic has resulted in a massive surge in the popularity of coronavirus-related keywords. Many marketers are targeting such keywords to drive increased organic traffic to their websites.

In other words, businesses have modified their SEO strategies to rank higher for relevant COVID-related search queries. Focusing on these keywords now will help you stay connected with your audience even if your business is temporarily shut.

However, it’s worth mentioning that consumers aren’t just looking for information on COVID-19. Instead, they’re actively seeking content that deals with the impact of the pandemic on their lives and offers solutions to their new-found problems.

A Competitive Landscape

The popularity of digital marketing will only escalate, even after the pandemic is over. As more business owners and marketers fully realize the importance of digital marketing, you can expect some cut-throat competition. This also means increased cost of digital advertising.

Brands that hop on the digital marketing bandwagon can leverage their early mover advantage once COVID-19 is gone. In a post-pandemic world, consumers will still continue to make most of their purchases online. And they’ll likely choose businesses that have handheld them through these testing times.

The landscape of digital marketing, therefore, has been thoroughly transformed. If you haven’t already built an online marketing strategy, it’s high time you do so. Recruiting a digital marketing agency, such as Lounge Lizard, might be a good idea at this point.

Even if you have an existing strategy, make sure you update it to fit with the changing scenario.

Digital Marketing Survival Tips

Here are five tips to up your digital marketing game in a post-COVID world:

1. Understand Your Audience’s Changing Needs

The pandemic has likely modified your audience’s needs and preferences. For instance, if you’re running a pet care store, your target consumers might be more concerned about things like:

Can pets get COVID?
Do pets spread coronavirus?
How to clean your pet after a walk in the park?

Instead of creating promotional campaigns, you need to focus on providing valuable and useful content to your audience. Make sure you connect with them and identify their most pressing concerns at the moment.

From online surveys and audience polls to social listening and Q&A sessions, you can use various channels to interact with your audience. You can even host a live session on Facebook or Instagram to connect with them. Also, monitor the comments section of your blog and social media posts.

2. Strike a Balance Between Evergreen & COVID-Related Content

Of course, focusing on COVID-related keywords is going to skyrocket your website traffic for the time being. But you should also continue to publish useful and engaging evergreen content to provide continuous value to your audience.

This is essential because coronavirus-related keywords will lose their importance after the pandemic is over. However, a well-written piece of evergreen content will continue to attract website visitors for years to come. All you have to do is identify topics that will always be relevant to your audience.

For instance, if you’re running a content marketing agency, possible topics for evergreen content include:

The Ultimate Guide to B2B Content Marketing
SEO Content Marketing Checklist for Beginners
A Step-by-Step Guide to Build a Tenacious Content Strategy

3. Focus on Omnichannel Marketing

Digital marketing is all about reaching your potential and existing customers through their most preferred online communication channels. It is, therefore, time to ditch the segregation among various techniques, such as:

Social media marketing
Search engine optimization
Influencer marketing
Email marketing

Now that your audience is spending most of their time online, you should reach out to them using all possible channels. Create a consistent brand persona and cross-promote your campaigns across different channels.

4. Don’t Ignore PPC Advertising

Declining sales and revenue have forced many businesses to skimp on their advertising dollars. This, in turn, means the level of competition associated with certain keywords has decreased. That’s why investing in a well-optimized pay-per-click advertising campaign will be a smart move.

If search ads, such as Google ads, don’t fit your budget, you should consider running PPC ads on Facebook. Facebook ads are more cost-effective and offer a wide range of razor-sharp targeting options. Also, they’re a great way to attract Facebook’s diverse user base comprising 2.7 billion monthly active users.

5. Leave Room for Changes

One of the biggest learning from the pandemic has been the futility of building long-term plans and strategies. This doesn’t mean you should stop focusing on the bigger picture. Instead, you need to ensure that your digital marketing strategy is flexible enough to incorporate unprecedented changes.

Do you have any other COVID-19-related digital marketing tips? Share your suggestions in the comments section below.

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