New study shows innovative Ecological™ alcohol-free hand sanitizer is an effective alternative to alcohol sanitizers
Guest amenities expert Hunter Amenities pivots business model to produce microbial locally-produced, alcohol-free and paraben-free hand sanitizer
TORONTO, Aug. 24, 2020 /CNW/ - A study has shown that Hunter Amenities' innovative new line of Ecological™ and Ecossential™ non-alcohol, paraben-free, and vegan sanitizers are capable of killing 99.999% of germs1, making them an effective alternative to alcohol sanitizers. Both Ecological and Ecossential sanitizers are scent free and do not cause dryness of the skin, two common consumer complaints about alcohol-based sanitizer.
The study examined the efficacy of Ecological Hand Sanitizer with Conditioning Aloe (active ingredient: 0.15% Benzethonium Chloride) and Ecossential Hand Sanitizer (active ingredient: 0.13% Benzalkonium Chloride). The study tested 25 different microorganisms most commonly present on human hands including Enterobacter aerogenes, Escherichia Coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Hominis, Enterococcus faecalis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aureginosa, Micrococcus luteus, Staphylococcus epidermis and Candida Albicans. These are some of the most common sources of contamination and epidemic breakouts. The Canadian produced hand sanitizer is non-irritant, hypo-allergenic and tested under Dermatological control.
Hunter Amenities new line of sanitizers for both the Canadian and USA markets represents an innovative pivot for the company, one of the world's largest manufacturers of guest amenities.
"The hospitality industry was the first and hardest hit as COVID-19 travel restrictions came into effect and social distancing was introduced – for the first time in Hunter Amenities' history, no one was travelling and staying at hotels," says John Hunter. "Unprecedented situations call for innovative ideas and for us, that meant producing a hand sanitizer that fits the values of quality and sustainability that we've built our business on while keeping Canadians safe."
"Hand sanitizer is new territory for Hunter Amenities but developing thoughtful products isn't," says John Hunter. "It's that attention to detail which has enabled Hunter to become a key partner for four, five and six-star hospitality corporations, boutique hotels, spas and cruise lines for more than 39 years."
The company has secured business with major retail players such as Shoppers Drug Mart, Pharmaprix, Loblaws, including Fortinos, No Frills, Zehrs, Atlantic Superstore, Provigo, Maxi, RCSS, Your Independent Grocer, Valumart, Extra Foods and Wholesale Club, London Drugs, Rexall, Amazon, walmart.ca, Grand & Toy, Staples Canada, and many convenience and gas stations across North America. Ecological hand sanitizer is also being provided to passengers flying with Air Canada.
Hunter Amenities has also received approval for its other global manufacturing locations to produce 70% alcohol sanitizer.
1 Kill Study #QL341589 dated July 29, 2020 by Q Laboratories, Cincinnati, OH
About Hunter Amenities Hunter Amenities is a global manufacturer of consumer goods products in the personal care, home care categories for the hospitality, airline, cruise line and retail industries, with offices and manufacturing plants in 4 countries and more than 20 distribution locations around the world with $200 million in reported revenue globally. Hunter's corporate office is in Burlington, Ontario, Canada and employs more than 1,500 people across Canada, Australia, Malaysia, China and India. For more information, please visit www.hunteramenities.com.
SOURCE Hunter Amenities International Ltd.
Wearing face masks can adversely affect attitudes towards social distancing, new research shows
Wearing face masks can adversely affect attitudes towards social distancing, a new study shows.
People felt comfortable sitting or standing closer to others while wearing a mask, a team of behavioural scientists at Warwick Business School found.
They also indicated that they would maintain a smaller distance from others who wore masks.
Those who believed face masks were effective at preventing the spread of COVID-19 were more likely to relax the distance, if they or the other person were wearing a mask.
That could make it harder to re-establish social distancing measures if they are required to help control the virus in the event of a second wave of cases.
The findings are revealed in a new pre-print paper, Risk compensation during COVID-19: The impact of face mask usage on social distancing.
Ashley Luckman, a research fellow at Warwick Business School and lead author of the study, said: “Our findings appear to be a classic case of risk compensation.
“Wearing masks brings down the overall risk of spreading COVID-19, so people feel safer and are more willing to take other risks, such as decreasing the physical distance between them and others.
“If the government’s aim is to minimise transmission of the virus, its guidelines must be clear enough to prevent this trade-off, emphasising that masks are not an alternative to social distancing.”
The researchers showed 800 participants in the UK pictures of people sitting, standing, or walking and asked them to indicate how close they would be willing to stand in different scenarios.
These included indoor and outdoor settings and whether both people, just one, or neither wore a mask.
In each scenario, people were more likely to tolerate a reduced distance if they or the other person wore a mask. On average, participants wearing a mask felt comfortable standing 1.8 metres from another person. Without a mask they preferred to remain more than 2 metres apart.
This contradicted expectations that people would politely keep a greater distance from others who wore masks.
Those with the strongest belief that masks prevented them catching COVID-19 were prepared to stand closer to others if they wore masks, while those who believed they were at the greatest risk of being hospitalised by the virus were more likely to keep a larger distance.
Daniel Read, Professor of Behavioural Science at Warwick Business School, said: “Our results could be particularly relevant for countries where mask usage is now high, but social distancing guidelines have been relaxed.
“If countries need to return to greater levels of physical distancing due to a second wave of cases, that may be harder to implement than it was when mask use was low at the start of the pandemic.
"We need more evidence to determine at what point the risks of reducing physical distance outweigh the benefits of wearing a mask.
“Clearly, the greatest benefit results from using masks to complement social distancing, rather than replacing it."
Patient Protection Pledge
Lawmakers, Candidates, Constituents Join Together to Show Their Support For Healthcare Price Transparency
A promise to stand with patients and their right to know the price of healthcare services before receiving care
Washington, D.C.— Today, Independent Women’s Voice (IWV) announced the launch of the Patient Protection Pledge, a promise to stand with patients and their right to know the price of healthcare services before receiving care. The pledge was designed to let constituents know which lawmakers and candidates are committed in their support for any bill that would require upfront genuine healthcare price transparency and cash prices for all medical products, procedures, provides, and services.
There is no issue that more dramatically pits the business-as-usual DC swamp against the interests of ordinary Americans. President Donald Trump recently called transparency, “the biggest thing ever done having to do with costs in health care.”
The Pledge endorses full price transparency in health care, an issue which nearly 90% of Americans say is important to them. A whopping 98% of women age 40 and under support it, a critical cohort for Republicans and Democrats. Yet, efforts to make price transparency a reality have been clouded by healthcare lobbyists and special interest groups—like PBMs and PhRMA—who want to keep patients in the dark.
America’s current healthcare system is opaque, keeping consumers price-blind. It is wrong and unacceptable that Americans are not able to see healthcare prices in advance. We would never agree to buy anything else without knowing how much it is going to cost. Prices in health care should work the same way.
“Economists estimate that making healthcare prices transparent could drop healthcare costs for individuals and businesses down to the prices that cash-paying patients pay today, which average 40% lower than negotiated rates,” said Heather R. Higgins, CEO of IWV. “Leaders in Washington should support price transparency in health care—taking a stand for patients and against the dominant healthcare lobby enticing them to vote otherwise.”
“Less than 10% of healthcare spending is on emergencies. 90% should be shoppable. Patients deserve the right to know the price of healthcare services before receiving care, including real cash prices and negotiated rates with health plans, so they can make informed choices when shopping for care and coverage.”
Healthcare price transparency would allow patients to plan ahead for how to pay and shop among providers. It would open the door for Americans to make informed, value-driven decisions about their care.
Early signers of the Pledge include:
Senator Mike Braun (R-IN)
Rep. Mike Burgess (R-TX)
Rep. Tom McClintock (R-CA)
Newt Gingrich, Former. Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives
Dr. Art Laffer, American economist and former member of President Ronald Reagan's Economic Policy Advisory Board
Larry Van Horn, Executive Director of Health Affairs at Vanderbilt University
Rep. Ralph Norman (R-SC)
Rep. Bill Flores (R-TX)
The Patient Protection Pledge is a project of IWV. Co-sponsors of the Pledge include Free2Care and Patients for Real Prices.
BND Inc. Announces that they are the official Boditech Distributors in Canada
Canadian Facilities now have access to international diagnostic tests that were previously scarce or unavailable in Canada.
TORONTO, Aug. 25, 2020 /CNW/ - BND Inc. formerly known as Bio Nuclear Diagnostics Inc. Announces the Availability of Boditech Diagnostic Tests in Canada. BND Inc., a national leader in providing Disposable Medical Supplies and Diagnostics across Canada, announced today it is now distributing diagnostic tests. BND established molecular testing in smaller regional centers with Focus Diagnostics ground-breaking near point of care molecular system for Flu testing. BND is also well known for being the primary source for masks, gloves, and other personal protective equipment for the cities of Toronto and Hamilton, and many other municipalities across Canada. Now BND Inc. is also able to provide diagnostic tests to provide clinicians with lab accuracy in a cost-effective way.
"This ensures immediate results for patient health checks and screenings that can be delivered at the near point-of-care testing (POCT) centres," says Rakesh Nayyar, VP of Diagnostics at BND Inc. "We are focused on continuing to deliver innovative products across the country that will improve patient care. Canada is known for being a leading country in providing world class access to medical care and being able to provide Boditech Diagnostics means that we are giving the very latest diagnostics and technology to our customers."
About BND Inc.
BND Inc. is the Canadian leader of Medical Supplies and Diagnostics for the healthcare industry. Our proven track record has been built by partnering with medical institutions to stretch their healthcare dollars.
Supplying the highest quality products in the industry and proud to be a leader with ISO 13485-16 MDSAP certification.
About Boditech Med
Boditech Med markets its own brand of point-of-care diagnostic products to more than 70 countries. Headquartered in Seoul, South Korea, Boditech is a public company listed on the KOSDAQ. A world leader in in vitro diagnostics, Boditech Med has a product portfolio of 33 diagnostic reagents.
SOURCE BND Inc.
New Book Acts as a Guide for Readers to Navigate Negative Thoughts and Manifest Powerful Connections
Author Asha Tarry wants to help people to live a meaningful life in her book titled ‘Adulting as a Millennial: A Guide to Everything Your Parents Didn’t Teach You’.
In her new book, Adulting as a Millennial: A Guide to Everything You Parents Didn’t Teach, author Asha Tarry helps her readers to live a meaningful life.In her work, Tarry has found that many people struggle with negative thoughts about their past, present, and future life. She also notes that they are tolerating lackluster relationships instead of manifesting powerful connections in their lives.
Tarry is an award-winning community mental health advocate, psychotherapist, and certified life coach. While she has faced her own challenges while writing her new book, especially amid the COVID-19 crisis, she made a commitment to sharing her knowledge and resources with the goal of transforming lives.
Tarry wrote Adulting as a Millennial: A Guide to Everything Your Parents Didn’t Teach You with one person in mind – the person her readers are becoming. As a counselor and coach of millennials, she has witnessed the social and emotional challenges that accompany imposter syndrome, anxiety, and insecure relationships.
Tarry’s book is about creating abundance in everything people want to place their focus on. She offers insightful questions to help her readers to activate powerful new thoughts and provides action steps to create a lifestyle of independent action. Tarry also includes anecdotes from transformative situations that changed her own life and hopes to inspire thousands to change theirs.
Tarry says, “My life changed when I decided to change it.” She adds, “I grew tired of the mundane career choices I made, the unsatisfying relationships I stayed in and the limited amount of income I was earning, so I started to do things differently. When I did, incredible things started to happen for me.”
Visit https://lifecoachasha.com/ for more information about Asha Tarry’s new book Adulting as a Millennial: A Guide to Everything Your Parents Didn’t Teach You.
Asha Tarry
Asha Tarry is an author, an award-winning community mental health advocate, psychotherapist, and certified life coach. As a treating provider, Asha has 20 years of experience providing evaluations, diagnoses, treatment, and life-enhancing skills to children, adults, families, and couples. A significant portion of Ms. Tarry’s work has been conducted in marginalized communities with survivors of intergenerational trauma as well as with professionals in search of a fulfilling life. As a writer and speaker for several publications, which once included one of the nation’s largest online medical news outlets in the black community, BlackDoctor.org, Asha has effectively demonstrated anecdotal evidence that therapy works and that mindfulness is a holistic way of healing oneself on a continuous basis. Asha’s work as a mindfulness practitioner has been utilized by professionals in the United States, Asia, and Europe with partnerships through Thrive Global, an Arianna Huffington company, to prevent employees from experiencing workplace burnout. The goal of Asha’s work is to enlighten, educate, and create safe spaces for everyone, from children to the elderly to live more emotionally empowered and mentally resilient. Her upcoming book is called Adulting as a Millennial: A Guide to Everything Your Parents Didn’t Teach You.
Follow Asha Tarry on Instagram at @ashatarrymental
Gifted Storyteller’s Journey with Parkinson’s and Other Challenges of a Long Life
Boston, MA, August 25, 2020 — When Parkinson’s disease descended like a dense fog on master storyteller John J. Clayton, he was forced to pivot his perspective, change his expectations and write from a place he calls “… both alive and not alive. Like a kind of ghost …”
Parkinson's Blues: Stories of My Life begins with the arrival of the dark unexpected. In a Monty Python skit, someone in a drab living room complains about being nagged by questions. “I didn’t expect the Spanish Inquisition,” he complains. Suddenly Michael Palin, in red 16th century costume, bursts into the room. “Nobody Expects the Spanish Inquisition!” he shrieks.
Who expects the onset of Parkinson’s? Or cancer? Or stroke? Or the loss of a child? The terrible surprise—the life we didn’t expect—isn’t limited to Parkinson’s. It’s the existential condition of everyone’s life. In fourteen sketches, John J. Clayton links the experience of PD with the experience of childhood sickness, family battles, the struggle to make a good life out of a painful life. The sketches express the hope that we can grow spiritually in the midst of the terrible.
Through 14 eloquent stories — all of which underscore that Clayton’s gift and spirit remain fully intact — Clayton links the onset of Parkinson’s disease with other unexpected, and challenging experiences.
Parkinson’s Blues explores the anticipated pain and unexpected comedy of Parkinson’s in a manner that is deep, graceful and dignified.
Author John J. Clayton has published nine volumes of fiction, both novels and short stories. His collection of interwoven short stories, Minyan, was published in September 2016; his collection Many Seconds into the Future in 2014. Mitzvah Man, his fourth novel, arrived in 2011.
Clayton’s stories have appeared in AGNI, Virginia Quarterly Review, TriQuarterly, Sewanee Review, over twenty times in Commentary, in Notre Dame Review, Missouri Review and The Journal. Two personal essays have been recently published in Jewish Review of Books. His stories have won prizes in O.Henry Prize Stories, Best American Short Stories, and the Pushcart Prize anthology. His Radiance, a collection of stories, was a finalist for the National Jewish Book Award.
Clayton grew up in New York City; received his B.A. at Columbia, his M.A. at NYU and his Ph.D. at Indiana. For much of his career he taught modern literature and fiction writing as professor at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. He has also written two books of literary criticism: Saul Bellow: In Defense of Man and Gestures of Healing, a psychological study of the modern novel.
Deep Flavors Makes Delicious Kosher Cuisine Accessible for Home Cooks
Dallas, TX, August 25, 2020 — If you love cooking kosher or simply enjoy trying new foods and creating memorable meals in your home kitchen, Deep Flavors: A Celebration of Recipes for Foodies in a Kosher Style from Kenneth M. Horwitz offers an abundance of tempting dishes designed for cooks, whether Kosher or non-Kosher, with helpful tips for proper preparation.
“Cooking is worth some effort and attention to detail,” Horwitz writes. “The positive reactions from family or guests, as well as your own enjoyment, will make it worthwhile.”
“Effort” and “attention to detail,” however, don’t have to equate with “difficult.” In fact, throughout Deep Flavors, Horwitz shares his wisdom for sourcing ingredients and breaking recipes into simple steps — and how to do some of this prep work well in advance so that delicious meals can be served in spite of hectic schedules.
Between the covers of Deep Flavors, Horwitz offers an eclectic menu that includes traditional Jewish dishes plus other regional and international favorites reinterpreted to observe some or all of the rules for kosher foods. The result is a diverse anthology of recipes that will appeal to broad audiences everywhere — Jewish and otherwise.
Horwitz, a CPA by trade, explained in an interview with Today’s CPA that, “My approach to cooking is really an extension of what I do in my professional practice. I solve problems. One of the ‘problems,’ at least in my house, is that since we maintain a kosher house, but eat eclectically, is how to convert recipes so that they are kosher …”
Horwitz’s Texas State Fair Blue Ribbon-winning Spinach/Mushroom Lasagna, for instance, is a completely original vegetarian lasagna accessible to Jews and vegetarians, with a unique twist on ingredients that gives it a complex flavor profile. Even recipes for classic foods such as brisket and roast turkey contain newly imagined taste combinations and techniques to elevate them while maintaining recognizable hallmarks of each dish. Another recipe that epitomizes the standard set by Horwitz, yet remarkably simple to execute, is the Dill French Toast: savory, unique, and delicious.
Horwitz’s ultimate goal was to create recipes that are easy to read and easily followed by any-one with a basic knowledge of cooking. He provides detailed instructions with enhanced explanations and alternatives, additive for both the novice and the more experienced cook.
A Readers’ Favorite reviewer, who gave Deep Flavors a 5-star rating, referred to the book as “… an essential addition to any cookbook fanatic's collection and to anyone who believes in spending the time and effort to make the ‘food’ experience a real work of art …”
With 51 years in a general tax and transaction practice as a CPA and lawyer, Ken Horwitz developed a creative and focused approach to finding and fixing problems — a skill that translates well to the development of and modification of recipes based on traditional family favorites but tailored to one’s personal tastes and dietary needs.
His professional drive and the care given to his work have earned him multiple awards, including the Honorary Fellow for a lifetime of distinguished service and the 2017 Chairperson of the Year by the Texas Society of CPAs. Currently residing in Dallas, Texas, Horwitz enjoys sharing his passion for cooking with his wife and his children’s families. Horwitz believes that one of the highest compliments he has received came from a longstanding client who uses numerous lawyers. He said, “Ken, you are the only lawyer we use whose work we have not had to fix.” Horwitz’s goal is for Deep Flavors to reach that same standard.
Deep Flavors Publisher: Inspire on Purpose ISBN-13: 978-1-941782-51-4 ISBN-10: 1-941782-51-5 Available from Amazon.com
###
The Train It Right Life - Over Training, Responsibility and Egos - Welcome back to another episode of my podcast! This weeks episode I talk about how people tend to want to do more and more and end up over training, taking ownership/responsibility to both things that happen for you and to you as well as men and their egos! Enjoy!
4 Tips to Bounce Back From Running Injuries Faster
Injuries are bound to happen at some point. It can be frustrating to have to stop running because you have suffered an injury. However, if you take the proper steps, then you will be able to bounce back in no time. There are several things that you can do in order to recover from an injury.
Get Therapy
Physical therapy is beneficial for both major and minor injuries, especially when related to the movement of joints and ligaments. Specialized care offered in services like assistive stretching therapy can help strengthen your legs against future inflammation as well as help your legs heal correctly from current issues. Therapy also gives you valuable insight into stretches and warmups you can continue on your own to help maintain the health of your body during future runs.
Get Rest
It can be frustrating to have to rest and take it easy. However, this is one of the best things that you can do in order to recover more quickly. Resting allows your body to naturally repair itself. This means not taking on tough runs too early, keeping your legs elevated and using alternating heat and cool pads to reduce inflammation, and getting plenty of sleep to encourage regenerative healing.
Keep Moving
Even though it is important to rest, you do not want to spend all of your time in the bed. Getting the right amount of exercise for the healing process is all about maintaining a balance. Gentle exercises like those prescribed in physical therapy help promote blood flow and keep your legs flexible during the healing process. Casual walks also help encourage your legs to take on weight again without stressing the injury. As long as you avoid aggravating the injury and keep your exercises small, regular exercise can be an extremely beneficial part of the healing process.
Follow a Healthy Diet
It can be tempting to load up on comforting junk food while you are at home recovering. However, it is important for you to follow a nutritious diet. A healthy diet is essential for healing as it gives your body what it needs to repair itself. Fruits, vegetables and whole grains are great for keeping up your energy and fighting infections, while plenty of lean protein gives your body the building blocks to repair damaged tissue. Excess sugar and empty carbs, however, can slow down your healing process by increasing inflammation.
Recovering from a sports injury can be quite difficult. However, you can speed up the process by stretching, getting the rest you need and engaging in physical activity. You will also need to eat a healthy diet. Additionally, it is a good idea for you to get a massage on a regular basis.
True Story of Survival Opens Minds and Dialogues about Mental Health
New York NY, August 20, 2020 — Mark Henick stood precariously on the wrong side of the railing on a crumbling, concrete overpass. The bridge spanned two realities and, for Henick, had become a symbol of escape — in one form or another. A voice behind him tried to help. A crowd gathered. Siren lights flashed in his peripheral vision. Surrounded but still alone, Henick let go.
So-Called Normal: A Memoir of Family, Depression and Resilience from Mark Henick is a vital and triumphant story of perseverance and recovery by one of North America’s foremost advocates for mental health
Henick’s near-death experience on the overpass that night would alter his emotional orbit just enough that his exit from a psychiatric ward following that suicide attempt in 2003 would be his last. His transformation didn’t happen overnight — it was a gradual process punctuated with new challenges and setbacks — but slowly, his patterns reversed and he began a profound, “upward” spiral toward recovery.
So-Called Normal chronicles Henick’s youth and the events that led to that fateful night on the bridge and the experiences and transformation that followed. It is a vivid and personal account of a boy who had to deal with the breakdown of his parents’ marriage, an abusive stepfather, bullying and trauma — all while trying to navigate his progressively worsening mental health. In the backdrop is a community that didn’t talk about mental illness, one where silence and maintaining the comforts of “normal” was paramount. So-Called Normal is not a “misery memoir” about suicide — it’s a gripping, inspirational story of survival.
Author Mark Henick’s TEDx talk about being saved from death by a stranger is one of the most watched in the world and has been viewed millions of times. His search for “the man in the brown jacket” whose bravery and strong arms kept him from falling to his death went viral around the world (and was successful!). Henick has been on television and radio and has written many articles on mental health. He has hosted more than 60 intimate conversations about mental health with notable public figures and celebrities on his podcast, So-Called Normal, and has executive produced and hosted the Living Well podcast for Morneau Shepell. Henick has served on the board of directors for the Mental Health Commission of Canada, and was the president of a provincial division of the Canadian Mental Health Association — the youngest person in either role. He has worked as a frontline clinician, a program manager and the national director of strategic initiatives for CMHA. Currently the CEO and principal strategist for Strategic Mental Health Consulting, Mark Henick is in high demand as an international keynote speaker on mental health recovery.
