C MASKS URGES THE PUBLIC TO PROTECT EACH OTHER WITH FASHIONABLE, NON-MEDICAL FACE MASKS
Skin-friendly fabrics and modern designs add allure to protective face coverings
Vancouver, B.C. (June 4, 2020):JC Masks is transforming non-medical face masks into must-have fashion accessories with skin-friendly fabrics and designs that add undeniable allure. The first mask manufacturer to use virtual 3D modelling to ensure a precise fit, the Vancouver-based company aims to make it easier for the public to follow recommendations by health authorities to stop the spread of COVID-19.
Founded by designer and businessman Jeff Clark, who has spent three decades working in the fashion industry, JC Masks was born to address the mass shortage of non-medical face masks that resulted from consumers seeking to protect themselves and their loved ones during the global pandemic. Clark made 150 masks that were snapped up in two days – so, he launched JC Masks to share his products even more widely.
The masks are available in four size options – small, medium, large and youth – and each is crafted using virtual 3D modelling to ensure a perfect fit. The exteriors are made with skin-friendly fabrics like cotton, rayon from bamboo, Tencel, hemp, and organic blends. Each mask style offers unique benefits – for example, the Cannabis One line is made with hemp, which is weather-resistant, boasts excellent breathability and is one of the strongest materials available. The Knit Reusable mask is crafted with hypoallergenic and odour-resistant bamboo, which is ideal for workouts; it also keeps skin dry, cool and comfortable. “We need to do everything possible to control and defeat this virus – and an important step people can take is to wear a mask when they’re out in public,” said Clark. “Ultimately, it’s our responsibility to protect each other, and I hope these masks will make it easier to do so.”
Committed to giving back, JC Masks has pledged to donate masks and 10 percent of profits to Mission Possible, which helps people struggling with homelessness and poverty; Hogan's Alley Society, whose mission is to advance the social, political, economic and cultural well-being of people of African descent in Canada and the Pacific Northwest; and the Canadian Mental Health Association Vancouver-Fraser, which champions recovery from mental illness and addiction in the community. JC Masks has also committed to provide support and donate masks to local charities and organizations in need.
JC Masks are made and manufactured in Vancouver, and can be shipped across North America, with free delivery on purchases over $50. Each mask is made-to-order, with prices starting from $18.95 CDN. For more information, visit www.jcmasks.com.
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About JC Masks: JC Masks was born to address the mass shortage of non-medical face masks that resulted from consumers seeking to protect themselves and their loved ones during the global pandemic. The company is transforming face masks into a must-have fashion accessory, with an impressive array of designs and skin-friendly fabrics that allow consumers to prioritize their health while staying fashionable. www.jcmasks.com
Lecturer and pals hoping to pedal into record books after non-stop 30-hour indoor cycleMammoth team effort to raise money for Motor Neuron Disease Association (MNDA) and Rugby League Cares, inspired by former rugby league player
04 June 2020 University of Bradford lecturer and clinical lead in the Faculty of Health Studies Jamie Moseley took part in an attempt to beat the world record for the longest static cycle ride.He was part of a 19-strong team, which included Super League stars Keith Senior, Ewan Dowes, Chev Walker, Wayne Godwin, and Gareth Carvell, among others, who between them cycled thousands of miles over a 30-hour period.Jamie, who is originally from Huddersfield and now lives in Rothwell, Leeds, managed just over 577 miles during his 30 hours - averaging over 19 miles per hour.The record attempt came about after Jamie and his friends decided to raise money for charity Rugby League Cares and Motor Neurone Disease Association after friend Rob Burrows was recently diagnosed with the life altering condition.Originally, they had planned to cycle 900 miles in five days from Headingley, Leeds to Toulouse, Spain in time for the Leeds Rhinos vs Catalan`s Super League fixture but the coronavirus outbreak meant they had to think of something else.Father-of-two Jamie, 45, who spent six years as a physiotherapist in Super League, with stints at Bradford Bulls and Hull FC, is part of the Physiotherapy and Sport Rehabilitation team at the University of Bradford, which has been recognised nationally with a Collaborative Award for Teaching Excellence (CATE) from Advance HE, the most prestigious team award available for learning and teaching in Higher Education.This highly sought after award recognises the team’s creation of a pioneering Physiotherapy Clinic, developed in collaboration with employers, students and staff. It is open to the public and takes regular referrals from GPs, charging just £20 for six sessions, a fraction of the cost compared to the private sector. Their work has transformed teaching and practice in physiotherapy and sports rehabilitation and is being used as a positive example by other institutions.Jamie said: “The original plan was to cycle from Leeds to Catalan for the Leeds game as part of this but Covid put an end to that but rather than pack it in we took it indoors. The previous record was 28 hours continuous in a spin studio. We did 30.”The team cycled from 6.30am on Saturday May 30 all the way through to 12.30pm on Sunday, recording the event on the indoor cycling app Zwift, Garmin and Strava, data from which has now been sent to the Guinness World Records for verification.Jamie admitted the challenge was tougher than he expected: “I am a sporty person. I’ve done a few iron man challenges, I like to run and cycle, but this was one of the hardest challenges I’ve done.“I went through several rough patches, where I had no energy. It was tough to keep going, especially from 2am to 4am but then other times I suddenly found lots of energy. I think I did some of my best numbers from 4am to 6am.”At one point they had 20,000 people viewing them on YouTube.To keep him going during the marathon stint, he prepared 25 500ml bottles of water mixed with carbohydrates and electrolytes. He also munched his way through bananas, flapjacks, bagels and even packets of jelly babies, chocolate and crisps.He said: “The diet was designed to keep me going, not just physically but mentally, with lots of easy sugars, some salts and so on. I kept off caffeine during the day, so I could have some at night to keep awake.”Jamie, who took part in a cycling challenge from Barcelona to Leeds more than a decade ago, said he was proud of the achievement and was now having a well-deserved rest… ahead of his next challenge.“The day after, I could not stand up without feeling sick,” he said. “It was a bit easier the day after that. I don’t think I’ll be cycling as far again but I would like to do the North Coast 500.”You can still donate to the cause here.
COVID-19 Pandemic Spotlights the Need for Primary Care Physicians
Dwindling reliance on primary care physicians is burdening health care system
and limiting care resources
As soon as someone is exposed to Covid-19 or begins showing symptoms, the initial wave of questions hits them hard and fast. Do I have symptoms consistent with Covid-19? Should I get tested? If so, where? Is my case serious or can I wait this out? How do I protect the people around me? What is my most affordable care option?
The answers to these questions and the more that will follow lie in the hands of trained and ready primary care physicians (PCPs); a resource many Americans are overlooking in their battle to combat Covid-19. Rising demand for emergency and urgent care services is well documented, as are the consequences. For example, emergency department (ED) crowding, increased costs, pressure on services, and waiting times. Especially, during the COVID-19 Pandemic, hospital EDs are in most cases, not the ideal place to determine if your symptoms may be COVID-19. The excessive load that these non-essential visits place on an already over-taxed system in addition to subjecting oneself to others who are infected is less than ideal. One of the most notable reasons listed for visiting EDs is the lack of a designated PCP.
By far the most economical first step in diagnosing and treating Covid-19, PCPs have been increasingly underutilized in recent years. According to a 2019 study by Reuters Health, in a little over a decade, the number of patients in the U.S. with primary care providers dropped by 2%. While 2% may not seem like a big drop, the study's lead author, Dr. David Levine, an associate physician at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston and an instructor in medicine at Harvard Medical School, along with the co-authors; concluded that the drop in patients with primary care providers is equivalent to the population of New Jersey. The most dramatic decline was among those who were in their 60s and healthy with a 10% fall.
Primary care isn’t about healthy people getting an annual physical, it’s about having a relationship with a particular primary care provider, so that when you do get sick that doctor knows something about you. Additionally, having a relationship with a PCP ensures that they have all of your records and can better assist you with health issues or diagnosis.
PCPs are not just the first line of defense, but possibly the best equipped and readily accessible. PCPs are prepared to analyze Covid-19 symptoms as well as related respiratory illnesses that can also be confused with this illness like allergy, asthma, and various infections. They will see you through diagnostics and treatment options; plus, as generalists, they are also able to identify multiple, diverse pathologies, and refer patients appropriately to specialists when necessary.
To limit exposure and spread of Covid-19, PCPs are elevating telemedicine services as an effective way to initially vet patients concerned about COVID-19 symptoms. Additional practice procedures include examining patients outside to limit exposure and contagion, and providing additional in-office screenings for patients and staff.
The best action to take when combating Covid-19 is to call your PCP. It’s a critical step to getting personalized care while minimizing costs, decreasing exposure, and potentially skipping the overburdened hospital system.
About the AAAPC
The Academy of Allergy and Asthma in Primary Care (AAAPC) is a national non-profit organization, which supports innovative care models of allergy and asthma care in the primary care setting and assists physicians in expanding their role to provide allergy diagnostics and therapy to the under-served patient population.
New Company to Advance Research into Made-in-Canada Therapy for Patients with Chronic Pain
June 4, 2020 - adMare BioInnovations, Canada's Global Life Sciences Venture, along with partners McGill University and AmorChem II Fund l.p., a leading early-stage venture capital fund, is advancing made-in-Canada research that aims to provide new opiate-sparing pain-relieving drugs.
adMare and AmorChem have created a new company, Neurasic Therapeutics, based on breakthrough research from Dr. Philippe Séguéla, professor of neuroscience at McGill University in Montreal, that was validated and further advanced by adMare BioInnovations. Dr. Séguéla is a world-expert in ion channel biology and molecular pharmacology. His research lab at the Montreal Neurological Institute (the Neuro) is renowned for investigating genes, cells and circuits involved in pain perception and analgesia.
Neurasic's potential drug therapy targets acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs), a gene family of neuronal receptors activated by protons that play a role in multiple neurological disorders. Early research has shown that blocking ASICs elicits analgesia (the inability to feel pain) in chronic pain conditions, therefore eliminating the need for opiate-based drugs. Dr. Séguéla and adMare have developed a proprietary method to identify molecules that block the ASICs.
"This drug development program is an excellent example of academic research that has the potential to provide the best-in-class treatments that patients need. adMare is proud to have been able to validate and advance this work, generate valuable IP and data, and bring together McGill and AmorChem to create a very commercially-attractive opportunity," says Gordon C. McCauley, President and CEO of adMare BioInnovations. "We are excited to maximize the potential of Dr. Séguéla's discoveries on ASICs, along with the return on public investment in research."
"We have been following Dr. Séguéla's work for a few years and see much promise in his research. The validation provided by the collaboration with adMare was an important factor in our decision to invest in this platform. We believe that Neurasic will benefit greatly from our three groups' combined expertise in early-stage investing and preclinical development in this field," added Maxime Ranger, General Partner at AmorChem and President of Neurasic.
"Early stage investing requires important financial resources and sustained collaborative work. It is therefore crucial to foster ties between Canadian stakeholders, and AmorChem is happy to partner with adMare and Dr. Séguéla in building a Canadian anchor company in the pain space. AmorChem is particularly pleased to be providing Neurasic with Maxime Ranger's solid start-up management experience," says Inès Holzbaur, Managing Partner at AmorChem.
Dr. Guy Rouleau, CEO, Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital (The Neuro) added, "Dr. Séguéla and I are thrilled with the launch of Neurasic Therapeutics. This drug development program paves the way towards innovative strategies to reverse the opioid crisis impacting Canadians countrywide. The creation of Neurasic also spearheads our vision that the Neuro could leverage its position as an open science institute to build attractive business models for its high-value technologies. Neurasic was enabled by NeuroSphere, McGill's neuroscience accelerator funded through HBHL, which was instrumental in driving this new endeavour and securing key partnerships to make this vision a reality."
"Healthy Brains, Healthy Lives (HBHL) is very proud to be part of Dr. Séguéla's efforts to find safer alternatives to opioids through Neurasic Therapeutics," said Krystle van Hoof, Managing Director and CEO, HBHL. "We're dedicated to fueling neuroscience discoveries and innovations at McGill, and NeuroSphere, our neuroscience accelerator, allows HBHL to proactively ensure that critical medical breakthroughs reach patients. We will continue to proudly support Dr. Séguéla and Neurasic in their efforts, and will build on this first success to help advance other ground-breaking innovations in the near future."
About adMare adMare BioInnovations is Canada's Global Life Sciences Venture, building the Canadian life sciences industry from sea to sea. We do this by sourcing therapeutically and commercially promising research from leading academic and biotech partners to create new companies of scale, providing specialized expertise and infrastructure to help existing companies scale up, and driving the growth of those companies into Canadian anchors by training the next generation of highly-qualified personnel. admarebio.com
About AmorChem AmorChem is a leading early stage venture capital fund, investing ground-breaking academic innovation. The AmorChem team utilizes its deep understanding of fundamental science to uncover its therapeutic potential and focuses its core expertise in translational research to accelerate therapeutic drug discovery and development across a broad spectrum of disease areas. The fund capitalises on both its venture capital expertise and its entrepreneurial experience to spark the creation of start-up companies and help shape them into the next generation of biotech companies. amorchem.com
About The Neuro The Neuro – The Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital – is a world-leading destination for brain research and advanced patient care. Since its founding in 1934 by renowned neurosurgeon Dr. Wilder Penfield, The Neuro has grown to be the largest specialized neuroscience research and clinical center in Canada, and one of the largest in the world. The seamless integration of research, patient care, and training of the world's top minds make The Neuro uniquely positioned to have a significant impact on the understanding and treatment of nervous system disorders. In 2016, The Neuro became the first institute in the world to fully embrace the Open Science philosophy, creating the Tanenbaum Open Science Institute. The Montreal Neurological Institute is a McGill University research and teaching institute. The Montreal Neurological Hospital is part of the Neuroscience Mission of the McGill University Health Centre. theneuro.ca
About Healthy Brains, Healthy Lives Healthy Brains, Healthy Lives (HBHL) aims to accelerate translational discoveries and create a global centre of excellence in neuroinformatics at McGill University. Supported by the Canada First Research Excellence Fund, Quebec's Ministère de l'Économie et de l'Innovation and the Fonds de recherche du Québec (FRQS, FRQSC and FRQNT), HBHL builds on McGill's scientific excellence and global leadership in areas of neuroscience that hold great promise for delivering implementable, clinically effective outcomes in brain and mental health. mcgill.ca/hbhl
Musical Savant Inspires Heartbroken Pianist In Return Of The Song
San Antonio, TX, June 4, 2020 — Caroline Carlyle, a gifted pianist, has abandoned her unfinished compositions and traded her old ambitions for the comfort and familiarity of being the town’s favorite piano teacher. The music that once filled her heart died along with her fiancé in the floodwaters of Guatemala six years ago. Struggling with aching loss and a splintered faith, she has long since given up on rediscovering the inspiration that once came so easily.
Until, that is, a prodigious, musical savant enters Caroline’s life, shattering her glass cocoon, capturing the attention of many of the townsfolk, and awakening Caroline’s courage and sense of purpose. Inspired by her new acquaintance, Caroline embarks on a quest to track down the beloved rare piano she played as a child. Her search leads her to Rockwater, the Kentucky estate of a wealthy gentleman who will forever alter the trajectory of Caroline’s life.
Return of the Song is the compelling first book in the Rockwater Suite series from Phyllis Clark Nichols. Readers will find themselves immersed in the fictional town of Moss Point, Georgia, where quiet glimmers of romance and undercurrents of mystery complement the town’s Southern beauty and charm. They will discover the hope of life after loss and the rekindling of love and purpose.
With change in the air at Moss Point, secrets will be revealed, events will converge and characters will collide — all of it building to an unexpected crescendo. Who will ultimately help Caroline find the real music of her heart again?
Author Phyllis Clark Nichols weaves her faith and her Southern culture into character-driven stories that bring hope and light as they explore profound human questions. A classically-trained musician and retired cable executive, she enjoys art, books, nature, cooking, travel and stories about ordinary people who live extraordinary lives. In addition to the Rockwater Suite series, Phyllis is the author of the Family Portrait series and the inspirational Christmas novels, Christmas at Grey Sage and Silent Days, Holy Night. She and her husband live in the Texas Hill Country. Please visit her at www.phyllisclarknichols.com.
PharmaChoice Canada enters an Agreement with Infoway to offer PrescribeIT® to Its Network of Independent Pharmacies
TORONTO, June 4, 2020 /CNW/ - PharmaChoice Canada is pleased to announce an agreement with Canada Health Infoway, to offer PrescribeIT®, Canada's national e-prescribing service, to its network of independent retail pharmacies.
PrescribeIT® is a national e-prescribing service developed by Canada Health Infoway (Infoway), which enables prescribers to safely and conveniently transmit a prescription electronically between a prescriber's electronic medical record (EMR) and the pharmacy management system (PMS) of a patient's pharmacy of choice.
"PrescribeIT® enhances pharmacy workflows by streamlining clinical communication between prescribers and pharmacists allowing pharmacist to dispense with confidence" said Jamie Bruce, Executive Vice President, Canada Health Infoway.
The four-year agreement, signed with Infoway on April 30, 2020, covers more than 900 independently owned pharmacies across the PharmaChoice and RxHealthMed banners of PharmaChoice Canada.
"At PharmaChoice Canada, our independent pharmacies serve their communities by playing an active role within their patients' health care team and in the midst of this global pandemic continue to manage the safety of those patients and the pharmacy teams that care for them" said Kamran Nisar, Director, Pharmacy Services, PharmaChoice Canada. "PrescribeIT® seamlessly integrates our pharmacy management systems and streamlines communication with our patients' physicians. With PrescribeIT® prescriptions are electronically transmitted to a patient's pharmacy of choice which allows for facilitation of patient safety and continuity of care."
About PharmaChoice Canada
Founded in 1999, PharmaChoice Canada has more than 900 independently owned pharmacies representing both the PharmaChoice and RxHealthMed banners across the country. At the core of PharmaChoice Canada is our belief that locally owned pharmacies play a vital role in healthcare delivery to the more than 400 communities in which we serve.
Canada Health Infoway is working with Health Canada, the provinces and territories, and industry stakeholders to develop, operate and maintain the national e-prescribing service known as PrescribeIT®. PrescribeIT® will serve all Canadians, pharmacies and prescribers and provide safer and more effective medication management by enabling prescribers to transmit a prescription electronically between a prescriber's electronic medical record (EMR) and the pharmacy management system (PMS) of a patient's pharmacy of choice. Learn more at www.prescribeit.ca.
About Canada Health Infoway
Infoway helps to improve the health of Canadians by working with partners to accelerate the development, adoption and effective use of digital health across Canada. Through our investments, we help deliver better quality and access to care and more efficient delivery of health services for patients and clinicians. Infoway is an independent, not-for-profit organization funded by the federal government. Learn more at www.infoway.ca.
Tania Ensor Senior Director, Strategy, Marketing & Stakeholder Relations, PrescribeIT® Canada Health Infoway 416.707.6285 Email Us Follow @PrescribeIT_CA
Inquiries about Canada Health Infoway
Karen Schmidt Director, Corporate/Internal Communications Canada Health Infoway 416.886.4967 Email Us Follow @Infoway
SOURCE PharmaChoice
Swoop Announces Support for Canada's Healthcare Workers Through The Frontline Fund
CALGARY, June 4, 2020 /CNW/ - Today, Swoop announced a new charitable initiative with The Frontline Fund, raising funds in support of Canada's healthcare workers and hospital foundations.
Beginning Thursday, June 4, Swoop will be making disposable masks available at check-in, for a suggested minimum donation of $2.00, with 100 percent of after-tax proceeds going directly to The Frontline Fund until August 31, 2020. Additionally, Swoop will donate $5.00 per traveller, per booking from new bookings made during the month of June1.
"As Canadians, we owe the health care professionals who protect our communities a debt of gratitude and our continued support in the battle against COVID-19," says Charles Duncan, President of Swoop. "Swoop is proud to offer our support by contributing to funding for supplies, support and research."
Since the onset of the pandemic, Swoop has relied on the guidance of public health professionals, implementing enhanced measures to ensure a healthy travel and work environment. Faced with the question of how best to support the health care workers that protect our communities, Swoop turned to the Frontline Fund: a coalition of 165 hospital foundations enabling Canadians and Canadian corporations to support in ways big and small.
"On behalf of The Frontline Fund and the participating hospital foundations from coast to coast, we are so grateful to corporate donors like Swoop for supporting us in the fight against COVID-19," says Caroline Riseboro, President and CEO of Trillium Health Partners Foundation and a member of The Frontline Fund steering committee. "We also thank Swoop travellers who will support the cause and, in turn, support fellow Canadians who are frontline workers."
The Frontline Fund was created as a way for all Canadians and Canadian corporations to help arm frontline healthcare providers as they battle this public health emergency and to support northern communities and Indigenous health. Organizations, such as Swoop, are providing their support for the unanticipated incremental costs that continue to climb as the COVID-19 situation continues to evolve, adding pressure to healthcare budgets that are already strained.
The funds raised go towards supporting three main areas:
Supplies – personal protective equipment like masks, disinfectants, and disposable clothing; ventilators, diagnostic and testing equipment, digital infrastructure needed to enable virtual patient care;
Supports – Peer-to-peer mental health support, counselling, accommodation and food for healthcare workers that need to self-isolate, recognition and appreciation initiatives;
Research – Support for clinical and basic research, COVID-19 clinical trials, and vaccine development.
1 Swoop pledges to donate $5.00 CAD per traveller, per booking on new, web bookings made between June 1 (12:01 a.m. MT) and June 30 (11:59 p.m. MT), up to a maximum donation of $50,000 CAD to The Frontline Fund.
About The Frontline Fund
The Frontline Fund was created by leaders in the healthcare fundraising sector who formed a national coalition to help leading Canadian hospitals and foundations raise urgently needed funds to support the highest priority needs of participating hospital foundations, including to support COVID-19 and support for the Northern Territories and Indigenous health. The goal is to provide Canadians with an easy, streamlined way to support hospitals in the form of financial assistance. The hope of this national collaborative effort is to raise awareness for this urgent need and to provide an easy, one-stop solution for Canadian individuals and businesses who want to help. To learn more, visit FrontlineFund.ca.
About Swoop
Established in 2018, Swoop is Canada's leading ultra-low-cost airline, independently operated as part of the WestJet Group of companies, offering point-to-point scheduled service to destinations in Canada, the U.S., Mexico and the Caribbean. Swoop offers completely unbundled products and services, creating the unique opportunity for travellers to control their costs and customize their experience by purchasing only the extras they desire.
Swoop operates a modern fleet of nine Boeing 737-800 aircraft, equipped with in-seat power and Wi-Fi connectivity. Swoop's mobile app allows travellers to quickly and easily book flights, manage bookings, check-in, view boarding passes, track flights and access Wi-Fi service in-flight. For more details on Swoop, visit FlySwoop.com.
SOURCE Swoop
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW BEFORE YOU RETURN TO YOUR FAVOURITE SPA/ SALON!
TORONTO, ONT – THE PUBLIC IS CONFUSED! THE PUBLIC IS SCARED! AND THE PUBLIC IS ALSO EXCITED! but they don’t know what to do, what to think and what will happen when their favourite Spa and Salon reopens.
Much has been made of the new norm as businesses begin to open their doors to the public. We have already experienced significant impacts on our modified behaviour in examples such as self-distancing lines at checkouts, no return policies, enforced wearing of masks, interacting with staff behind shielded plexiglass and other containment measures.
“The hands-on services and treatments provided by hairdressers, aestheticians, manicurists and massage therapists are going to be especially challenged to adopt similar restrictions in an effort to protect their staff and clients,” states Jeff Alford, president of The CBON Group, Canada’s largest supplier of professional infection control products.
“One thing consumers do know is that they will likely be encountering a very different world when salons and spas start once again to take appointments,” continues Alford. The professional beauty industry is in turn going to be welcoming back a very different kind of client, one that is more aware, more educated and more scrutinizing of workplace environments and sanitizing practices in place to keep them protected. “The new norm in the age of coronavirus is going to be accompanied by social awareness where consumers assume greater responsibility for their own physical safety and personal welfare”.
The general public has witnessed protective measures imposed on them by retail stores, restaurants, banks, transit, etc. However, they have also exercised their own personal safety responses by wearing masks and gloves, shopping online, avoiding busy store hours or simply just staying at home. When salons and spas do re-open, consumers can continue taking measures to reduce the risk of infection when getting a haircut, manicure, facial or a massage.
Here are tips from Alford that he suggests the public can look for as they return to their favourite salon or spa.
Advanced Awareness of Salon/Spa Policy Changes
Even before you book an appointment, you should be aware of what measures your salon or spa are taking to keep you safe while in their care. Their website, social media channels or email notifications should be announcing changes in policy that might include, required use of face masks, restrictions in services (like no hair drying), reduced (or extended) hours, no walk-ins, no waiting areas, no outside food or drinks, etc. Become familiar with those policies and make sure you’re comfortable with them before making a booking. You do not want to become a social media sensation by causing a scene when you show up and are potentially taken by surprise.
Communicate with Your Professional Beauty Facility
Perhaps your local salon or spa isn’t all that tech savvy with making updates through digital media. You can also give them a call when booking your appointment and inquire about changes in policy. You can ask if staff will be wearing masks, what additional cleaning and disinfection practices are in place and whether they are undertaking any screening measures (e.g. checking for flu-like symptoms, temperature taking or filling out forms). This knowledge will give you the confidence to continue with your booking or contemplate an alternative destination. Safety is not only about you, but the practices enforced upon the people around you as well.
Before You Enter…
Before entering your salon or spa, you should see notification of any changes communicated through signage or posted letters at the door or window. This will let you know that policies are being universally applied to everyone. Remember, the risk of infection does not just come from within the facility but also from other patrons.
Reception, the First Line of Defence
A salon or spa’s primary objective during this outbreak is to prevent the introduction of viruses that can lead to infection. Larger establishments may have a designated greeter at the door who can screen clients before they enter the premises. Smaller salons or spas should have a physical barrier or reception desk that prevents clients from freely entering before being processed. Hand sanitizing gel, availability of personal protective equipment (PPE) like masks and gloves, disposal of outside coffee cups, form-filling, etc. may all be part of the new norm. If these measures are not in place, you may need to ask yourself why and what other precautionary steps are not being taken to keep you safe?
Social Distancing is Possible
While maintaining distance may not be possible when obtaining professional beauty services, your salon or spa should still be taking measures to respect the 2-meter separation rule whenever possible. This may include removal of waiting areas, limiting capacity and by-appointment-only service to avoid over congestion. It may also involve removal or decommissioning of every other workstation, shampooing sink, blow drying area, etc. to ensure distancing. If your salon or spa do not have these precautions in place, you may be exposing yourself to a higher risk of infection through exposure to other customers in close quarters.
Getting Ready for Your Appointment
Your professional beauty provider should clean and disinfect their workstations and treatment areas between every appointment. All disposable items used with a client should be discarded. Any manicure/pedicure tools should be high level disinfected in a soaking tray. All points of client contact including work surfaces, chairs, treatment beds, face cradles, magnifying lamps, etc. should be disinfected with a Health Canada approved hospital grade disinfectant for the requisite contact time. Some products may take as long as 10 minutes to do their job, so you should be prepared to wait in between appointments. If your salon or spa has fast client turnover that does not allow for proper sanitizing protocols to take place, you should be aware of the heightened exposure to infection you may be facing.
Ask Your Professional Beauty Practitioner
The coronavirus outbreak has required beauty professionals to brush up on their germ and infection prevention knowledge. Some may have already had sanitizing best practices in place prior to COVID-19, but additional training and education may now be required. There are numerous online courses available to the cosmetology trade with opportunities to receive certification. So, you should be able to engage with your professional and have them address any health-related questions. Better still, he or she should start your appointment by letting you know what measures they have in place to keep you safe prior to the commencement of any treatment or service and conclude with “do you have any questions or concerns before we get started?. If your facility is not doing this or is unable to respond to your infection prevention questions, how safe should you feel?
In the new norm, social awareness will play an increasingly larger role to ensure you’re using the services of a salon or spa that is well positioned to protect you from the risk of infection. This is true during a pandemic like coronavirus but also during seasonal flu outbreaks or to prevent everyday infections associated with the spread of viruses, bacteria and fungi in personal care establishments. Social awareness will not only be practiced at a facility but also through word of mouth, online reviews, social media engagement, etc. to ensure your friends and family also have the same level infection prevention knowledge and monitoring. Only then, can we all know and be confident that we’ve done everything possible to contain the risk of an outbreak resurgence and keep everyone safe and protected.
ABOUT THE CBON GROUP
The CBON Group is Canada’s Leading supplier of infection control products for the Beauty industry. For over a Decade the company has been educating professionals online and offline in all infection control protocols. For more information, please visit, www.thecbongroup.com
Episode 1: I Have A Lot To Say
Welcome To The Train It Right Life. My name is Alicia Bell. I am an IFBB Figure Pro. I live in the greater Toronto area. Burlington to be exact. I am a Kinesiologist and an Online Coach. And I have a lot to say. Find out more about me, being a pro athlete, training, health, food, fitness, sex and life on this podcast as I bring you through my thoughts and experiences.
After Pivoting into Online Workouts, Longevity Fitness Reopens While Continuing to Bring Their Signature Fitness Philosophy to Customers Via Virtual Sessions
After the coronavirus pandemic swept across the U.S., fitness centers have begun cautiously reopening their doors. Longevity Fitness in Charleston, South Carolina, long known for its pristine and spa-like setting, has been on the forefront of the movement to protect the health and well-being of their clients while offering them a wide range of ways to stay fit. The fitness studio (one that counts Bill Murray amongst its loyal clients) is kicking off a phased reopening while offering a wide variety of online workouts – from classes to private training sessions. It’s all part of Longevity’s mission to help its clients stay in optimum shape both physically and mentally. The boutique club reopened the first phase of its physical studio for private sessions and access to the open gym floor by appointment only. As of June 1st, Longevity Fitness began adding back reduced class sizes of its Pilates and group training. The phased reopening is just another step in Longevity’s successful navigation of a pandemic that has thrown many fitness clubs for a loop. Since its inception in 2015, Longevity Fitness has built a dedicated following as a boutique fitness club known for its cleanliness, spa-like elements, alluring scent, and open and airy feel. When coronavirus caused the center to temporarily shutter, owner Jennie Brooks and her team quickly pivoted to find a way to offer signature Longevity training sessions at home. Since then, the studio has hosted a wide variety of livestream classes led by their certified personal trainers, Pilates and yoga instructors. Online classes feature workouts that can be done from home with minimal equipment (a mat, dumbbells, resistance bands, etc.). Classes include a variety of Pilates mat-based workouts, Stretch, HIIT and strength-focused routines, TRX, and more. Anyone can access Longevity Live classes via the private Longevity Fitness Charleston LIVE Facebook group. Donations for the classes are appreciated and can be made by signing up for a class through the Mindbody App or Longevity Fitness Charleston website. The team at Longevity Fitness is also continuing to add to their library of Longevity On Demand workouts that are available via subscription. Subscribers get access to the full selection of Longevity On Demand classes, including a special “Body By Bill” TRX workout video featuring Murray himself. In addition to online classes, Longevity Fitness’ trainers will continue to offer live, private virtual sessions with clients to help them stay accountable, connected and on track – even if they opt to do so from home. Longevity Fitness owner Jennie Brooks founded the club to have a boutique hotel vibe with a focus on wellness as a lifestyle. She and her team of dedicated staff are looking forward to continuing to build a happy, health-conscious base of clients across the country – whether they opt to visit online or in person. To learn more about Longevity Fitness, visit www.longevityfitnesscharleston.com.
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Vancouver, B.C. (June 4, 2020): JC Masks is transforming non-medical face masks into must-have fashion accessories with skin-friendly fabrics and designs that add undeniable allure. The first mask manufacturer to use virtual 3D modelling to ensure a precise fit, the Vancouver-based company aims to make it easier for the public to follow recommendations by health authorities to stop the spread of COVID-19.
The masks are available in four size options – small, medium, large and youth – and each is crafted using virtual 3D modelling to ensure a perfect fit. The exteriors are made with skin-friendly fabrics like cotton, rayon from bamboo, Tencel, hemp, and organic blends. Each mask style offers unique benefits – for example, the Cannabis One line is made with hemp, which is weather-resistant, boasts excellent breathability and is one of the strongest materials available. The Knit Reusable mask is crafted with hypoallergenic and odour-resistant bamboo, which is ideal for workouts; it also keeps skin dry, cool and comfortable. “We need to do everything possible to control and defeat this virus – and an important step people can take is to wear a mask when they’re out in public,” said Clark. “Ultimately, it’s our responsibility to protect each other, and I hope these masks will make it easier to do so.”
