5 Important Reasons To Protect Yourself With A Face Mask

 

Health experts' recommendations to wear face masks are increasing in recent times, as coronavirus cases continue to climb in many areas of the world. And a lot of it has to do with what scientists are learning about face coverings' effectiveness.

Latest research reports indicate that face masks like the three-layer mask and N95 mask act as a powerful tool that can help control the coronavirus's prevalence. Here are five reasons to wear a mask based on scientific research.

1. Masks protect other people

The basic coronavirus transmission happens through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person sneezes, coughs, or talks. Face masks can block these droplets. They act as a shield to keep the virus at bay and halts the transfer of the virus from an infected individual to a healthy person.

It's beyond doubt that wearing a face mask cuts down substantially the probability of acquiring the virus through daily life interactions.

2. You may be an asymptomatic carrier

It used to be that masks were advised only for people who knew they had COVID-19 as a precautionary way to protect others around them. Some studies have found that over 45% per cent of people with coronavirus infections never develop symptoms of COVID-19. This makes it extremely difficult to pinpoint potential transmitters of the virus.

That is why wearing a mask, even if you believe you are virus-free, is recommended by WHO. It's an effective way to prevent spreading the virus to others unknowingly.

3. Masks protect you as well

The more people who stop the transmission of the virus with face masks like three-layer mask or the N95 face mask, the less virus there is circulating in the community. This reduces the collective risk of contracting the virus in society as a whole.

4. Face Masks help a downcast economy to rebound

Face Masks offer an economic boon and quick recovery. You can buy face masks online at an inexpensive price to protect your health and enhance work productivity in the future. Market experts say that wearing face masks are an effective alternative to imposing crippling lockdowns.

Recent spikes in coronavirus cases have increased fears that we may need to go back to the lockdowns to contain the onslaught of the economically damaging coronavirus. The widely prevalent use of face masks can significantly slow the growth rate of virus cases, and slowing the rate of new cases would set the flailing economy on a recovery path.

5. There are few options left

In the absence of a vaccine and more promising drug therapies to treat people down with COVID-19, the preventive measures of physical distancing, hand washing, and mask-wearing are showing positive results in slowing the virus spread. Buying face masks online and using them properly is the best low-cost strategy that is relatively simple to implement with enormous benefits to the health of the people,

Key Takeaway

The effort to buy a face mask online and use it for protection against the raging pandemic is minimal. It's the cheapest and most efficacious intervention presently known to humanity in the absence of a time-tested vaccine.

Top Reasons To Purchase A Mask Online

 

During these unprecedented times, it is important to purchase a mask online and also request people who have not yet purchased to do so immediately. Wearing a mask goes a long way in thwarting the spread of the infection and keep the virus at bay.

Now the question arises as to how wearing a 3 layer mask can prevent the spread of the Covid-19 virus. The use of a mask implies that when people sneeze or any saliva or fluid that may come outside the mouth of people doesn’t percolate into the surroundings. Although not completely foolproof, it at least ensures a fair degree of security.

Wearing a mask also prevents people from inhaling any contaminated air. It is not fully understood as to the extent the virus circulates in the air. Everything is pretty much based on speculative evidence and also observed evidence. Yet doctors warn that the virus could be an air-borne one too, albeit not as prominent as some of the other viruses. So to be on the safer side, it is important to wear a mask—all the more reason to purchase a face mask online.  

Here are some other reasons to wear a mask:

Be a leader in the community

When you wear a N95 mask, you set an example for others to follow. You take care that you protect others and protect yourself adequately. Others seeing you will follow suit.

It is not just rude but criminal to infect others

Many people are asymptomatic and can be having the virus inside their bodies. They could infect vast numbers of people because of their carelessness. Ensure that even if you don’t have any symptoms, you should not only protect others but stay protected. It is your right to not get infected, and it is your moral duty not to infect others. So start right away by purchasing a mask online.

To save lives

Wearing a 3 layer mask saves lives. It is a fact. Doctors have also vouched for this fact. In fact, a recent study conducted essayed this fact as well. In communities where people wore masks and sanitized their hands, the spread of infections was comparatively less. So to saves lives, purchase a face mask online and ask others to do so too.

So that the economy can function

The economy, businesses – small and big, and in general people are suffering. Frequent closure of business districts and commercial centers has hampered the lives and sustenance of people. If you and everyone can start wearing masks diligently, and not for once removing them when in public, then you could, in your own way, start to contribute to the economy. Because when everyone does the same, by wearing an N95 mask, the virus spread slows down and slowly recedes. Businesses that have been closed down for long, can open. The economy will be back again.

Conclusion

For more information on the efficacy and use of masks, contact your region’s health department. Check with them if they have any health guidelines. Ensure that you ask all your family members, friends, colleagues, and relatives to start wearing masks and start sanitizing their hands. After purchasing a mask online, you can encourage others to do so too. 

From trash to treasure: How Bisleri is saving the planet one bottle at a time?

 

The current hot topic for the entire world is that of environmental pollution. Heaps and heaps of garbage have piled on the sacred space of our planet. The plastic wastage has crossed the limits over the years. So much so that half of the planet is now a garbage bin of this non-biodegradable waste.

Among such dark times, Bisleri has come forward to protect our environment and save it from the dangers of plastic waste.

Plastic recycling

In an excellent initiative, Bisleri has come forward to start plastic recycling where they take the used Bisleri water bottle and convert it into useful commodities like T-shirts, shoes, bags, etc.

Benefits of plastic recycling

Bisleri plastic recycling has made a giant leap forward in terms of creating a sustainable environment. This initiative has led to

·     A better way of plastic waste management and its disposal

·     'Bottles for change' initiative creates awareness about the segregation of waste, plastic recycling, among people through several campaigns and drives.

·     It helps the waste collectors in their cause of reducing pollution

·     The initiative supports child education as Bisleri has partnered with NGOs

·     Recycling of plastic has provided products such as cloth fabric, handbags, window blinds, etc.

To date, the Bisleri plastic recycling initiative has successfully recycled an astonishing 3035 tonnes of plastic along with supporting the underprivileged women and children of the society. It has also garnered huge support from people as the initiative welcomes students and adults to join in on saving the environment.

The Reason Why Men Are Tempted To Buy Luxury Lifestyle Brands

 

The latest luxurious news of today is that men all over the world are tempted to buy luxury lifestyle brands because of male sex hormones as opposed to money. This has been suggested by research from the University of Pennsylvania. 

How testosterone is a deciding factor in buying consumer products 

A study says that male sex hormone—testosterone influences men to buy products from luxury brands. This is quite the latest luxurious news today. 

It is evident even without the study that men own status products to signal their high rank in social hierarchies. Men obviously want to become more admirable for the opposite sex. 

Even a little portion of testosterone directs men towards luxury brands. Be it cars, pens, watches, or clothes, the status attached to those helps men garner attention from the female gender. Hence, the male sex hormone, testosterone is a significant factor in driving male consumer behaviour. This is because, in animals, testosterone plays a significant role in behaviours related to social rank. 

Owning a luxury lifestyle and lavishness is a strategy of men to signal one’s position in human social hierarchies. 

The research by the University of Pennsylvania 

Many studies have already suggested that humans use consumer goods to display their social status. But in the studies done in the past, the role of hormones was not known. In the University of Pennsylvania research, the team recruited 243 men, who were in the age range of 18 to 55 years. While some were given a testosterone dose in the form of a gel, others received a placebo dose. After giving the doses, the men were asked to choose between two products of similar quality but a different perceived status symbol.  

While one of the products boasted a trademark of high brand status, other was a standard household product. The brand status judgement was also decided from a previous survey carried out on men. The researchers found that the men with testosterone dose displayed greater interest towards high-status brands. 

The effect of testosterone on human males is similar to non-human animal behaviour. In animals, testosterone level typically rises during the breeding time. The testosterone promotes the showcase of traits signalling the organism’s fitness to potential mates and competitors.

The findings of the research do not imply that women prefer men who wear a Rolex or drive a Porche. The use of brands to show status does not typically have to work. The fact that men believe it works is enough. Also, the products associated with status have different impacts for different cultures.

Must-Read Books That You Should Read At Least Once In Your Life

Books have always been a favorite for millions of readers all over the world. When it comes to must-read books, the fact of the matter is ‘anything goes.’

We have nonetheless compiled a small but highly recommended list of selections below for you to dive into while you wait out the COVID-19 lockdown.

1. ‘1984’ by George Orwell

This singularly brilliant work (originally published in 1948) is a stark reminder that fact is definitely stranger than fiction.

·         So much of the authoritarian subtext and government-centric subjugation of everyday people that have been written in ‘1984’ still resonates with us today

·         This is especially true of recent events, which has made this work one of those good books to read that are quite worth it

·         The dystopian theme in the book couples nicely with the totalitarian effect of Orwell’s words

·         The protagonist Winston Smith takes readers through a world that heavy-handedly counters free will, free love, and freedom of expression

·         There’s more to the words ‘home quarantine’ affecting the characters in this book

2. ‘The Lord of the Rings’ by J.R.R.Tolkien

The fact that we even need to highlight this singular trilogy of books to read (originally published in 1952) is a no-brainer.

·         Everyone and their grandmother have heard of Tolkien, most notably his adapted-to-film trilogy ‘Lord of the Rings’

·         Delve into the world of Middle-Earth, its cultures, denizens, languages, foods, peoples, wars, and of course, dark villains and brave heroes

·         This literary trilogy alone has been inspiring fantasy fiction for decades and counting, making it one of the top home quarantine must-read books

·         The three books comprising this excellent trilogy include: ‘Fellowship of the Ring,’ ‘Two Towers,’ ‘Return of the King’

·         There’s even an inside joke about these tales, namely that Tolkien created an entire language and then crafted a story to use it in

Also Read: 5 Tips for Senior Citizens to Remain Healthy During Coronavirus Lockdown

3. ‘The Book Thief’ by Markus Zusak

One of those unforgettably good books to read, this one (originally published in 2004), is a story set in 1939 Germany.

·         Nazis, the struggles of Jewish people, and the values of friendship and bravery when they matter most are all ideally covered in this exquisitely written work of fiction

·         It is as heart-rending as it is informative

·         The book may seem ordinary at first, but a few pages into reading it will set anyone straight

4. ‘The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy’ by Douglas Adams

Science Fiction is fast becoming a source of not just entertainment but a vision of what lies ahead for humankind.

·         The words ‘stay home stay safe’ do not really matter in this book, nor does ‘social distancing’

·         The reader is made to experience some of the most mindblowing scenarios ever written

·         One of the best books to read, this one (originally published in 1979), tracks Arthur Dent on what is a brilliant adventure through the galaxy

·         At the end of the book, you will be left with a renewed respect for life and your place in the Universe

Conclusion

This home quarantine, inspired by the COVID-19 lockdown, can be fruitful if you intend it to be. Reading books, especially must-read books like the ones detailed above, will not only help you stay home and stay safe but learn something that will last the rest of your days.

The unsung Corona warriors

With 4.81 million cases worldwide, Covid-19 continues to wreak havoc across the globe. From under-developed nations to the developed ones, the novel virus has traversed beyond national boundaries. Whether you are in a part of the globe where the sun rises, or somewhere where it sets, the concoction of fear & loss is just too high.

As the medical workforce continues to wage war on the front lines against overwhelming odds, each life saved is a battle worthy of its tale, and each life lost is as anguishing as the last. There is another brotherhood of man, waging a very different battle, but fighting the same war. They are the journalists who continue to report live news from the frontlines itself.

But this is not an enemy one can see. It creeps in stealthily and spreads too with equal fidelity. Needless to say then, that the people who bring us news are no less susceptible to the virus than the healthcare personnel. They continue to cover media related news from hotspots to green zones, from state borders where migrants are flocking in thousands, to hospitals where the healthcare system is continuously being overrun. 

Curbing false media related news

Coronavirus has spread at an alarming rate. But, misinformation about the pandemic spreads at an equal pace. The virus is deadly, but misinformation & fake news is as harmful. This is where our reporters ply their trades, keeping the public aware of the latest developments, government directives, and expert views that go a long way to tackle the present health crisis. 

News reporting from Ground Zero

These journalists report news from the epicenter of rural & urban red zones, risking their lives from the virus under the scorching summer heat only to keep us informed about the daily progress of this war. With the shutting down of businesses and an entire country under lockdown, it also means that several of these correspondents face pay cuts in the face of the looming economic crisis that ensued.

Media houses failed to gauge the severity of the issue and hence, setup inadequate measures to protect their on-field correspondents. It was only after 53 journalists from Mumbai were tested positive for the virus, that these media houses started a massive screening process for their 'news warriors.'

"The lives of the reporters have become similar to that of doctors, policemen, and the workers as we all are exposed to many threats in the course of our duty. Despite taking several safety measures, we just can't ensure our complete safety from this deadly pandemic", said Illa Kirti, Chief Reporter of the Navbharat Times. 

Safety measures

Since the Mumbai incident, even the correspondents are working from home using phone and messaging services to transmit information. However, this lack of mobility & trusted information channels has only made news reporting more complex.

For those who still have to cover on-field news, social distancing has been in effect with the reporters also wearing face masks & gloves to protect themselves. But despite all measures in place, the families of the correspondents find themselves battling anxiety for the safety of reporters. This anxiety is justified, given that even after all the precautions, new cases in the media fraternity are still emerging, with 28 positive COVID cases in the Zee news media outlet. 

The threat of the Coronavirus is genuine, looming, and an enduring one. The best scientific and medical minds around the globe have warned of a cascading effect of the virus. As such, the best we can do is keep ourselves healthy and embrace social distancing guidelines as a part of the 'new normal.' While we may loathe about the present scenario for not being able to meet our loved ones or a casual dining party, we must applaud the selfless work of our healthcare & news warriors, who put their lives at risk so that we stay safe, healthy and well informed about the threat that grips our world today.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Q. With more & more journalists being affected, will this impact news coverage?

A. Though many in the media fraternity are being exposed to the threat of contracting the virus, the media houses are increasingly taking precautions to keep their employees safe. Strict measures are applied for the safety of these reporters with minimum crowd interaction.

Moreover, the latest Supreme Court's decision to allow free discussion of the pandemic means that news reporting would not be affected to a high degree. 

Q. Is inter-state travel allowed during a lockdown?

A. Inter-state travel is not permitted under the current norms. However, it can be undertaken in case of any medical emergency. In case of an emergency other than for medical reasons, one must obtain approval from the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of the area concerned before he/she is permitted to move out. A medical screening may be necessary for obtaining such approval.