DistillerSR's Latest Release Integrates Data Reuse and Scheduled Reporting for More Efficient and Transparent Literature Reviews
OTTAWA, ON, Jan. 11, 2022 /CNW/ - Evidence Partners® Inc., a pioneer in AI-enabled literature review automation software and creator of DistillerSR™, today launched new capabilities that enable research professionals to easily find, view, validate, and reuse previously collected reference data and PDFs across reviews and teams. The enhancements also allow project leaders to schedule reports and automate their distribution via email on a weekly, monthly, or even daily basis to keep all stakeholders up to date on the progress of their literature reviews.
For research professionals already burdened with searching and analyzing growing volumes of scientific literature, DistillerSR's CuratorCR module eliminates the time-consuming effort of repeatedly collecting data from the same references across multiple projects. The module enables research groups to easily create reference repositories, automatically identify previously collected data, and access metadata, such as author, title and response sets collected in DistillerSR, for reuse in other reviews.
"CuratorCR allows DistillerSR users to further improve efficiency and collaboration by facilitating the sharing and reuse of references and extracted metadata collected during the literature review process. By creating a centralized repository for coded references, CuratorCR eliminates the need to repeatedly screen and extract references, accelerating the completion of literature reviews through data reuse," said Peter O'Blenis, CEO, Evidence Partners. "Seamlessly integrated with DistillerSR, CuratorCR allows organizations to create valuable repositories of reusable coded references as a byproduct of review work they are already doing."
DistillerSR's reporting capabilities were also enhanced for this release. Reports can now be configured based on rolling date ranges and distributed via email automatically at specified time intervals. While scheduled reporting is applicable to all literature reviews, it is especially suited to teams conducting living reviews and ongoing literature surveillance.
Literature reviews are a cornerstone of evidence-based research but have traditionally been difficult, time consuming, and error prone. DistillerSR automates the management of literature collection, triage, and assessment using AI and intelligent workflows to reduce the time it takes to complete a systematic review by as much as 60 percent.
More than 300 of the world's leading pharmaceutical and medical device companies, contract research organizations, governments, NGOs, and academic institutions trust DistillerSR to securely produce transparent, audit-ready, and compliant literature reviews faster and more accurately than traditional manual methods. As a result, healthcare researchers can make more informed and time-sensitive health policy decisions, clinical practice guidelines, and regulatory submissions.
® Evidence Partners is a registered trademark of Evidence Partners, Inc. ™ DistillerSR is a trademark of Evidence Partners, Inc.
SOURCE Evidence Partners
Blue Cross Life Named Canada's Most Respected Life Insurance Company
Insurer places first among 18 companies in annual public ranking
TORONTO, Jan. 11, 2022 /CNW/ - Today, the results of an annual extensive national survey were released, revealing that Blue Cross Life Insurance Company of Canada (Blue Cross Life) has been named Canada's Most Respected Life Insurance company.
"Our organization is beyond thrilled with this milestone, as it's a terrific nod to our efforts in 2021 and inspires a great deal of confidence for our team as we head into the New Year," said Marie-Josée Martin, President and CEO of Blue Cross Life. "The strides we are making as an organization come as no surprise to us internally, but we are delighted to continue to see our work recognized by those outside of Blue Cross Life."
As a federally-licensed company, Blue Cross Life operates in each province across Canada. For more than 70 years, the Blue Cross name in Canada has stood for affordable, quality supplementary benefits for both groups and individuals.
Of the eighteen companies measured, Blue Cross Life placed first, followed by Canada Life, Sun Life and Manulife Insurance.
"After finishing high in last year's rankings, placing second, Blue Cross Life claimed the coveted top spot this year as result of its surging awareness and respect scores across the country," said Jeff Munn, Executive Director, of the Canada's Most Respected Award Program.
Established in 2019, Canada's Most Respected Award Program has measured the public respect scores of entities in eight sectoral categories based on national criteria. This year's annual award ranking of Canada's Most Respected Life Insurance Company is based on the results of a nationally representative sample of 4,082 voting adult Canadians conducted by Maru Public Opinion. The complete findings, along with the methodologies and rankings for this year's award are posted here: www.canadasmostrespected.com/awardee-categories.
"Respect is one of the ultimate markers of success, for any organization, in any industry," said Munn. "This award is chosen by the Canadian public, not a committee or group, so its prominence cannot be overstated. We congratulate Blue Cross Life on this well-deserved distinction."
About Blue Cross Life Blue Cross Life is a federally-licensed company with operations located in each province across Canada. The Company is owned by six shareholders, operating as Pacific Blue Cross, Alberta Blue Cross, Saskatchewan Blue Cross, Manitoba Blue Cross, Blue Cross Canassurance, and Medavie Blue Cross. The Company specializes in life insurance, living benefits and disability income protection products to supplement the portfolio of health and dental products distributed by its shareholder Blue Cross plans. The Company's products are marketed, sold and serviced by the regional Blue Cross Plans.
SOURCE Blue Cross Life
Glaucoma Awareness Month: Top NYC Doc Preventing Blindness in People of Color
New York, NY, January 11, 2022— Glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness in African Americans and people from the Caribbean, but there is a simple way to prevent the devastating effects of glaucoma: Don’t skip your eyecare visits, advises Dr. Daniel Laroche, Director of Glaucoma Services and President of Advanced Eyecare of New York.
What is Glaucoma? Glaucoma is a disease of the eye characterized by three components:
1. Damage and loss of the retinal ganglions cells and optic nerve described as cupping
2. Loss of visual field
3. Usually increased eye pressure (the mean normal eye pressure is 15mmHG)
In most cases of glaucoma, there is no pain, and the loss of vision occurs slowly from peripheral to central. Many people do not even realize it’s happening until they have lost a substantial amount of peripheral vision.
People at risk for glaucoma include the elderly, Black people, people with elevated eye pressure, primary relatives with glaucoma, persons with high myopia, high hyperopia, history of eye trauma and diabetes.
Early cataract surgery and trabecular bypass have become the best options to stop vision loss in patients with glaucoma. The current use of eyedrops and laser help to lower intraocular pressure but do not address the causative mechanism of the glaucoma being the enlarged lens. Incisional cataract surgery and glaucoma surgery is often needed to truly stabilize glaucoma.
All people should be screened regularly for glaucoma as part of a medical eye exam that includes gonioscopy (examination of the drainage angle), intraocular pressure measurement with Goldmann applanation tonometry and a dilated optic nerve examination. If there appears to be any damage to the optic nerve or abnormal pressure, then a visual field test should be performed, and optic nerve photos taken. Persons with thin corneas should be more aggressively monitored and treated for glaucoma as the disease tends to be worse in these patients.
If you have eye pressure or glaucoma and feel that you may be losing vision, Dr. Laroche recommends that you seek the care of a glaucoma specialist for a second opinion. DON’T GO BLIND FROM GLAUCOMA! People with conditions such as glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy that could lead to blindness if left unchecked need to stay particularly vigilant with checkups.
“Eyesight or human vision is one of the most important senses,” Dr. LaRoche says. “As much as 80 percent of what we feel comes through our sense of sight. By protecting the eyes, people will reduce the chance of blindness and vision loss while also staying on top of any developing eye diseases, such as glaucoma and cataracts.”
About Dr. Daniel Laroche
Dr. Laroche is an exceptional glaucoma specialist in New York. He studied and received his bachelor's degree from New York University and a medical doctorate with honors in research from Weil Cornell University Medical College. He underwent a medical internship at Montefiore Hospital and finished his ophthalmology residency at Howard University Hospital in Washington D.C., where he was the chief resident in his third year. He later completed his glaucoma fellowship at New York Eye and Ear.
Dr. Laroche is also the author of the new young adult book, How to Become a Successful Black Man, which educates and empowers young boys and men of African descent about their history, heritage and legacy. Dr. Laroche connects history to the present-day life experiences and challenges of the Black Man to instill self-confidence and personal growth to succeed. The book helps to address health and wealth disparities and can be ordered here: https://www.amazon.com/How-Be-Successful-BlackMan/dp/0578841770/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=daniel+laroche&qid=1623702468&sr=8-2.
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Bunzl Canada's wandaNEXT™ audit features close the loop on intelligent cleaning
Exclusive technology provides compliance and quality audits for enhanced facility cleaning and hygiene
BURLINGTON, ON, Jan. 11, 2022 /CNW/ - Bunzl Canada (bunzlcanada.ca) today announced the latest feature enhancements in the new release of its exclusive wandaNEXT™ cleaning management software, an integral component of its overall ConfidentClean™ suite of products and services.
wandaNEXT™ now provides the ability to monitor cleaning compliance and document quality through regularly scheduled audits along with its traffic monitoring, cleaning schedule optimization, activity management, consumption tracking, end-user feedback and reporting capabilities. These new features enable scheduled task completion and quality checks that include image upload and a quality rating system to accurately record and document facility condition in real time. Audits are completed against specific cleaning and disinfecting protocols that correlate to risk assessments for each facility area.
"Now more than ever, facilities in critical environments such as education, long-term care and assisted living must verify and validate that cleaning and disinfecting is being done correctly and at the right intervals," said David Smith, Cleaning, Hygiene and Sanitation Director at Bunzl Cleaning & Hygiene. "We design specific cleaning protocols based on a ConfidentClean™ risk assessment for each area. Adhering to those protocols is vital and the new wandaNEXT™compliance and audit features make it easy and convenient to assess, record, report and correct as required."
wandaNEXT™, developed by Visionstate IoT and now in partnership with Bunzl Canada, is a cleaning program management software with multiple IoT sensor-enabled data collection components such as traffic counting units and soap and paper dispensers. Its mobile application guides cleaning teams through customized cleaning procedures. The system's audit function and real-time reporting gives Facility Managers a clear line of sight so they can make scheduling adjustments, assign tasks, address training requirements, trigger supply orders and proactively address service requirements.
"With the higher transmissibility of the Omicron variant of COVID-19, facility managers need to be absolutely confident that cleaning is being done properly and effectively," said Brock Tully, Vice President, Bunzl Cleaning & Hygiene. "It's not only best practice, but fundamental to workplace health and safety - that's why wandaNEXT™ is such a critical component of our ConfidentClean™ closed-loop solution."
wandaNEXT™ has a growing installation base that includes healthcare, education, retail, commercial office, conference, airport and distribution facilities across Canada, the United States and Europe.
Bunzl Canada Inc. (bunzlcanada.ca) provides the cleaning and hygiene products and equipment, food and retail packaging, safety products and industrial supplies which keep over 45,000 Canadian businesses running optimally, every day. The company brings its customers the advantage of global sourcing, product innovation and national scale combined with responsive local service and deep category expertise. Bunzl Canada Inc. is a division of Bunzl Distribution USA, LLC.
About Bunzl Distribution
Bunzl Distribution USA, LLC (bunzldistribution.com), headquartered in St. Louis, Mo., is the largest division of London-based Bunzl plc, an international distribution and outsourcing group. With more than 100 distribution centre throughout the U.S., Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean, Bunzl supplies a wide range of products to food processors, supermarkets, retailers, convenience stores and other users.
SOURCE Bunzl Canada
Plastic Surgeries Boom as Variants Surge
New York, NY, January 11, 2022 — The paradigm has shifted in the world of plastic surgery, with virtual consultations streamlining the process and tightening the timeline between concept and completion. But top New York City plastic surgeon Dr. Richard Westreich cautions that consumers seeking cosmetic enhancements should never skimp on safety or due diligence.
“Your thought process and decision making about what you’re doing and who you’re doing it with should almost be more rigorous,” Dr. Westreich said in a recent interview.
The numbers of cosmetic procedures have hit new highs since 2020 thanks to the "Zoom Boom" and flexible work schedules. Experts fully expect the trend to continue throughout 2022.
Doctors say breast augmentation and Brazilian Butt Lifts are the top surgeries being performed; however, liposuction, rhinoplasty, eyelid surgery and facelifts are also on the rise. Less invasive procedures like Botox injections also are skyrocketing. Experts say the Botulinum Toxin market jumped from a -8.6 percent slump in 2020 to a 4.7 percent increase this year, and it’s still rising at an even faster pace.
Lower facial nonsurgical procedures and lip treatments will continue to rise, and noses will stay strong. Body procedures are booming now that people are going out again.
Dr. Westreich offers the following tips for those considering cosmetic procedures:
Tip 1: Make sure any doctor you schedule through a virtual visit allows you to cancel AFTER an in-person meeting for surgery. There is no substitute for face to face.
Tip 2: Results over name recognition. Your outcome will not be better than what they post online. That's considered their best work.
Tip 3: Don't rush. COVID-19 won't last forever, and you will have opportunities in the future that are different but workable. Make sure you're solid before moving on.
Dr. Westreich says it’s also very important that patients are vaccinated to stay healthy pre- and post-operation. “The average daily new COVID cases and deaths are increasing once again, and new variants are surfacing like Omicron. These mutations have proven to be more contagious and in many cases far more dangerous. This has caused a recent uptick in test positivity rates and virus-related hospitalizations for the first time in months. Despite these alarming statistics, many are still opting to have these elective medical procedures and must take all of the necessary precautions.”
More on Dr. Richard Westreich
Dr. Richard Westreich graduated Magna Cum Laude with a B.A. in Biological Basis of Behavior, Neuroscience concentration in 1995 from the University of Pennsylvania. He completed his medical school training at the New York University School of Medicine in 1999 with an M.D. and Honors in Cell Biology Research. Dr. Westreich then did his post-graduate training in Facial Plastic Surgery and Otolaryngology at the prestigious Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City.
He has been selected multiple times by Castle Connolly and New York magazine as one of the top doctors in facial plastic surgery. He is an assistant professor at SUNY Downstate Medical Center and is on staff at Lenox Hill and Mount Sinai Hospitals. He is a faculty member and teacher at a fellowship in Facial Plastic Surgery at Mount Sinai. His private practice is located on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, where he specializes in rhinoplasty, septoplasty, secondary and reconstructive rhinoplasty, facelifts, eyelid surgery and nonsurgical procedures.
He can be seen regularly on several national news programs, including ABC, CBS, FOX and Newsmax.
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Moving Nursing Applicants into the System: College of Nurses of Ontario partners with Ontario Health
TORONTO, Jan. 11, 2022 /CNW/ - The College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) and Ontario Health are partnering to help address the health human resource needs of the province by launching the Supervised Practice Experience Partnership. This partnership provides an opportunity for applicants, currently going through the registration process to become nurses, to participate in a work experience to help complete their evidence of practice and language proficiency registration requirements.
CNO and Ontario Health are partnering to address health human resource needs of the province by launching a new program
"We are relentlessly focused on modernizing our applicant assessment process to ensure the health care system has access to skilled nurses needed to deliver safe, quality care," said Anne Coghlan, CNO's Executive Director & CEO. "In December alone, we registered 850 nurses. With the launch of the Supervised Practice Experience Partnership, we are providing an immediate response to the workforce needs of the Ontario health care sector, while maintaining our focus on public safety."
CNO is responsible for protecting the public by promoting safe nursing practice. This includes ensuring applicants are qualified by having the appropriate knowledge, skill and judgement to practice as nurses. Through the Supervised Practice Experience Partnership, applicants gain relevant practice experience under the supervision of a preceptor, within a CNO-approved practice setting in Ontario, to meet the requirement to register as a nurse. A 2021 pilot of this program successfully moved applicants into the system in a shorter time frame.
"Ontario's nurses have gone above and beyond to keep our communities safe throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, and we are truly grateful for their compassion and dedication to providing exceptional care," said Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. "As we continue to respond to the Omicron variant, this new initiative is one more way we will add more nurses to our health care system to support Ontario's COVID-19 response and ensure patients continue to receive the high-quality care they need."
Ontario Health is matching applicants with program approved organizations to ensure applicants are available where the need is greatest. "We recognize that COVID-19 has created a growing need for more nurses in the province. With partners across Ontario, our focus is to connect our health care system to ensure Ontarians receive the best possible care," says Matthew Anderson, CEO, Ontario Health. "This innovative program provides much needed health human resources to support safe patient care during this challenging time."
Ontario's Fairness Commissioner, Irwin Glasberg, strongly endorsed the changes that CNO is making to its registration practices. "These changes expand opportunities for many applicants, especially internationally educated nurses, to put their professional skills and experience to work," says Commissioner Glasberg. "Ensuring fair, transparent and timely registration processes improves access to the profession, enhances the government's labour market goals and contributes to safe nursing care."
The Supervised Practice Experience Partnership is one of several ways CNO is modernizing its applicant assessmentprocess and responding as a system partner to support the needs of our health care system.
CNO will contact eligible Supervised Practice Experience Partnership applicants by email with details on how to apply to the program. Organizations wishing to become a partner can contact CNO.
SOURCE College of Nurses of Ontario
PIZZA HUT® AND BEYOND MEAT® STRENGTHEN PARTNERSHIP WITH DEBUT OF BEYOND ITALIAN SAUSAGE™ CRUMBLES AT LOCATIONS NATIONWIDE
Following a successful test, Pizza Hut Canada is adding Beyond Italian Sausage Crumbles as a permanent menu item to meet growing consumer demand for plant-based protein
To celebrate this expanded launch, the two leading brands are offering Canadians everywhere a chance to win a free Great Beyond pizza when they share their "little flexes" on Instagram
TORONTO, Jan. 10, 2022 /CNW/ - Pizza Hut® and Beyond Meat, Inc. (NASDAQ: BYND) today announced the launch of plant-based Beyond Italian Sausage™ Crumbles as a permanent offering at Pizza Hut Canada locations nationwide. Available on three irresistible Beyond Meat® dishes, Beyond Italian Sausage Crumbles are designed to deliver the meaty texture and mouthwatering savoury taste that fans love about Pizza Hut's traditional Italian pork sausage. These new menu items are exclusive to Pizza Hut and are back by popular demand after a successful trial in Toronto and Edmonton last summer.
"After seeing great excitement from Pizza Hut fans across Toronto and Edmonton last summer, we're beyond thrilled to give Canadian fans everywhere the opportunity to try and fall in love with these Beyond Meat menu items," said Amy Rozinsky, Head of Consumer Marketing, Pizza Hut Canada. "Pizza Hut and Beyond Meat have a shared vision to innovate new and exciting products that will delight our guests. Beyond Italian Sausage Crumbles offer a delicious plant-based twist on our classic pork sausage that you'll have to taste to believe."
As more and more Canadians adopt flexitarian diets, the two brands are making delicious, nutritious and sustainable protein options more widely accessible year-round. The three mouthwatering Beyond Meat menu items at Pizza Hut are:
The Great Beyond™: A specialty pizza crafted with savoury Beyond Italian Sausage Crumbles, paired perfectly with fresh veggie toppings that include sliced red onions and tangy banana peppers, served up on any Pizza Hut crust.
Beyond Italian Sausage™ Alfredo Loaded Flatbread: A crispy flatbread topped with flavour-packed Beyond Italian Sausage Crumbles, roasted red pepper, creamy alfredo sauce and mozzarella cheese.
Beyond Creamy Alfredo: A savoury pasta alfredo dish layered with Beyond Italian Sausage Crumbles, onions, mushrooms and mozzarella cheese that delivers a creamy, delicious bite.
For those who love to customize their orders, Beyond Italian Sausage Crumbles can also be added as a topping to any existing pizza offerings of any size. Made from simple plant-based ingredients without GMOs, soy or gluten, Beyond Italian Sausage Crumbles contain 20g of protein per serving, derived from peas.
"With the combined strength of our brands, we are continuing to increase the accessibility of plant-based protein for Canadians everywhere," said Deanna Jurgens, Chief Growth Officer, Beyond Meat. "At Beyond Meat, we believe that small changes like choosing plant-based protein on your favourite pizza, can make a positive impact on human health and the health of our planet."
To kick off this national launch and the New Year, Pizza Hut and Beyond Meat want to recognize the little flexes in life — like finally finding that lost sock at the bottom of the drawer, successfully parallel parking in one attempt or trying out plant-based protein for a more flexitarian diet. Instead of coming up with grand, overly ambitious New Year's resolutions only to quickly abandon them, this year Pizza Hut and Beyond Meat are celebrating the small, everyday victories by rewarding fans with a chance to win a free medium Great Beyond Pizza. Starting January 10, Canadians can enter by visiting @PizzaHutCanadaon Instagram and posting a comment with their little flex and tagging two friends.1
The delicious Beyond Meat menu items are exclusive to Pizza Hut on pizzahut.ca and through the Pizza Hut app or pick-up. From January 10 to January 30, Pizza Hut's popular Buy One, Get One (BOGO) deal will allow Canadians to try pizzas topped with Beyond Italian Sausage Crumbles at no additional cost when they purchase a regular-priced medium or large pizza.2 Then for six weeks starting on January 31, Pizza Hut's $5 $5 $5 deal will allow pizza lovers to order a pizza (or three!) with Beyond Italian Sausage Crumbles for only $5 with a regular-priced large pizza.
This national launch is part of a larger global strategic partnership between Yum! Brands, the parent company to Pizza Hut, and Beyond Meat to create delicious and innovative plant-based protein menu items to meet the growing consumer demand for more diverse protein options. Canada is the second market to permanently offer Beyond Meat menu items nationally. After a successful trial of Beyond Meat Pizzas in the UK last year, Pizza Hut brought them back as a permanent menu option at all Pizza Hut UK Delivery locations in July 2021.
About Pizza Hut Pizza Hut is proud to be one of Canada's largest pizza restaurant chains with over 450 locations nationally. Globally Pizza Hut is the world's largest pizza restaurant company with more than 18,000 restaurants in over 100 countries. No matter where you find a Pizza Hut, they are making sure each meal customers enjoy is safe, delicious, and unmistakably Pizza Hut.
About Beyond Meat Beyond Meat, Inc. (NASDAQ: BYND) is one of the fastest growing publicly-traded food companies in the United States, offering a portfolio of revolutionary plant-based proteins made from simple ingredients without GMOs, bioengineered ingredients, hormones, antibiotics or cholesterol. Founded in 2009, Beyond Meat products are designed to have the same taste and texture as animal-based meat while being better for people and the planet. Beyond Meat's brand commitment, Eat What You Love™, represents a strong belief that there is a better way to feed our future and that the positive choices we all make, no matter how small, can have a great impact on our personal health and the health of our planet. By shifting from animal-based meat to plant-based protein, we can positively impact four growing global issues: human health, climate change, constraints on natural resources and animal welfare. As of September 2021, Beyond Meat had products available at approximately 128,000 retail and foodservice outlets in over 85 countries worldwide. Visit www.BeyondMeat.com and follow @BeyondMeat, #BeyondBurger and #GoBeyond on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok.
Beyond Meat Forward Looking Statements Certain statements in this release constitute "forward-looking statements." These statements are based on management's current opinions, expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions or projections regarding future events or future results. These forward-looking statements are only predictions, not historical fact, and involve certain risks and uncertainties, as well as assumptions. Actual results, levels of activity, performance, achievements and events could differ materially from those stated, anticipated or implied by such forward-looking statements. While Beyond Meat believes that its assumptions are reasonable, it is very difficult to predict the impact of known factors, and, of course, it is impossible to anticipate all factors that could affect actual results. There are many risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from forward-looking statements made herein including, most prominently, the risks discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" in Beyond Meat's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on March 1, 2021, and Beyond Meat's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended October 2, 2021 filed with the SEC on November 12, 2021, as well as other factors described from time to time in Beyond Meat's filings with the SEC. Such forward-looking statements are made only as of the date of this release. Beyond Meat undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement because of new information, future events or otherwise, except as otherwise required by law. If we do update one or more forward-looking statements, no inference should be made that we will make additional updates with respect to those or other forward-looking statements.
_______________________
1 Contest runs from January 10 to January 24, or until supplies last. Contest open to all Canadian residents excluding Quebec. 1,500 pizzas available to win total.
2 Second pizza must be of equal or lesser value.
SOURCE Beyond Meat and Pizza Hut Canada
New York employment litigation attorney Peter Glennon is available for comment on New York City's stringent new vaccination requirements for private employers due to the Omicron variant of the coronavirus that went into effect yesterday.
He weighs in below:
New York City is once again aggressively promoting vaccine mandates that may run afoul of its powers and possibly violate anti-discrimination laws. With its stringent new requirements that all on-site workers be vaccinated, the city is testing the limits of how far a vaccine mandate can go in the U.S., especially when the vaccine appears to mainly reduce the severity of the illness and not its spread. Courts are already looking closely at the federal mandate, so we'll soon see whether the city must scale back its ambitious plans to promote vaccination. Of course, next week’s administration change may alter these rules before the Supreme Court decides on President Biden’s mandate.
The new requirements also raise questions about the city's Key to NYC program for customers of retail shops and restaurants, which currently limit the unvaccinated from going inside a restaurant for anything more than using a restroom or picking up takeout. With all employees required to be vaccinated, that raises the question of whether the limited “reasonable accommodations” options may be broadened to comply with disability laws for those who are unable to be vaccinated for medical reasons.
All of this is happening against a backdrop of a worker shortage. If more stringent requirements force potential workers who have been hesitant to go ahead and get vaccinated, they could help. But if they end up leading more people to drop out of the workforce at a time when small businesses are already struggling to fill vacant positions, the requirements could lead to more collateral economic damage.
Leading COVID-19 Testing Solutions Company Predicts Massive Surge in Workplace Testing Demand Following Reinstatement of OSHA Testing Mandate
New York (December 28, 2021) – A Biden administration rule that requires workers at companies with 100 or more employees to be vaccinated against COVID or undergo weekly testing is back on. Now, leading COVID testing solutions company, Reliant Health Services is predicting a last-minute rush as companies with over 100 employees scramble to put plans in place to stay compliant. Company leaders urge American businesses to move swiftly.
The 6th Circuit Court of Appeals lifted a stay on the rule on Dec. 17. The rule was blocked on Nov. 6, just one day after it was formally issued by the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
The White House welcomed the decision. “The OSHA vaccination or testing rule will ensure businesses enact measures that will protect their employees,” Kevin Munoz, a White House spokesman, said in a statement. “Especially as the U.S. faces the highly transmissible Omicron variant, it’s critical we move forward with vaccination requirements and protections for workers with the urgency needed in this moment.”
Reliant Health Services, a team of pandemic experts dedicated to limiting the spread of COVID-19 through advanced testing solutions, is forecasting a significant surge in demand for workplace testing, as OSHA will start issuing citations for lack of compliance on Feb. 9, 2022. Reliant’s turnkey workplace testing solution avoids the workplace disruption caused by large scale testing facilities set-up on company property. The rapid tests are FDA Authorized and Medically Supervised through a tele-health session (proctored), without the need for employees to visit a clinic and risk further exposure. It enables employees to test and receive results in minutes at their home, their desk, in their cars or wherever is convenient - minimizing workplace disruption and concerns about privacy. Result reports are delivered electronically in .pdf format within an hour of completing the test and programmatically integrate into HR systems and tracking platforms.
“Now is the time to act,” explains internationally renowned COVID expert, COVID media consultant for NBC, ABC and more, and Chief Medical Advisor for Reliant Health Services, Michael Daignault, M.D. “OSHA’s mandate is a smart move, and I urge all businesses to move as swiftly as possible, as the surge is going to be enormous.”
“It is critical companies align with a partner like Reliant who has the proven ability to rapidly scale-up testing operations with minimum workplace disruption at an economically acceptable cost. We are anticipating a last-minute rush as companies scramble to put plans in place to ensure compliance with the mandate. They really need to take action now to ensure they do not risk non-compliance fines, productivity loss, the risk of the unavailable testing supplies and a last-minute logistical scramble,” explains Monica Beeman, Senior Vice President of Special Operations at Reliant Health Services.
Reliant Health Services is a turn-key workplace and community COVID-19 testing solution. Our experience working with large scale testing initiatives has given us a perspective on testing that we are able to pass on to our clients and communities. Conducting consistent testing requires a nuanced approach to supply-chain logistics, management of human resources, and a compassionate approach to interfacing with the lives of employees and community members.
By reducing the friction in test coordination, we deliver a world class experience. By utilizing highly precise testing protocols, with minimally invasive specimen collection methods, we create the most comfortable and efficient experience possible for persons undergoing testing. To learn more, visit: https://relianthealthservices.com
Trends Shaping Canada’s Restaurant and Hospitality Industry in 2022 RC Show shares new food & beverage trends set to change how we dine; see how COVID-19 has shifted Canadians’ dining experiences moving forward
TORONTO, December 21 2021 -As COVID-19 continues to significantly impact the hospitality industry, how we dine in 2022 continues to change. RC Show reflects on the past year and looks forward to getting ready for the months ahead. With the theme of REVIVAL in mind, Canada’s largest foodservice and hospitality event has created its list of top food trends and innovations that will shape dining experiences and the restaurant industry in 2022.
From February 27 - March 1, RC Show 2022, aims to reunite the restaurant and hospitality industries and prepare businesses for the revival of the industry through a dynamic in-person and virtual broadcast event. The action-packed, three-day event will bring even more access to the industry’s top brands and suppliers as well as programming from global thought leaders who will be assembled to discuss key industry issues to support the relaunch of the industry.Here’s a taste of what you can expect at the RC Show and from 2022 dining experiences:
Food & Beverage Trends: This last year, food and beverage trends centred around comfort cuisine, touchless ordering and the innovative technology to bring dining experiences to our doorsteps. It was also a year of awareness and health - both personal and environmental - encouraging consumers and companies to consider what they were eating and serving respectively. With the pandemic continuing to encourage new ways to look at food, here’s what you can expect moving forward:
Buzzless Spirits
Socializing and spending time with others seems to be one of the greatest aspects missed during the pandemic. We miss connecting with others. Such social settings often make us feel inclined to drink because everyone is drinking around us. However, more companies, like Grüvi and Seedlip, are looking to create more inclusive social settings by creating delicious non-alcoholic beverages that can be consumed anywhere, anytime. Alcohol-free drinks are also a staple at Rival House and Lyres, whose range of award-winning crafted non-alcoholic spirits have been able to pay homage to classic favourites without anyone being the wiser. These new boundary-pushing non-alcoholic spirits provide the perfect alternative for patrons looking to stay social without the alcohol count.
Ingredient Awareness
2022 consumers want to know what is in the food they are consuming and they want foods jam-packed with nutrients to boot. They are demanding it. Brands like Ardent Mills are working to bring simple yet quality ingredients into the spotlight with their in-house made breads, pastas and gluten-free pizza dough. Others, like Loop Mission, are using otherwise rejected products to minimize food waste while informing consumers of what is going into their beverages.
Adaptogenic Food & Beverage
If 2021 taught us anything, it’s that we need to focus on our health and wellbeing, both physical and mental. 2022 is shaping up to be a new year of prioritizing healthy, organic and simple but quality food, beverages and ingredients. While most foods tend to emphasize customer’s physical health, there is a growing shift towards foods that also help your mental wellbeing. Beverage brands like Boreal Botanical Brewing are stepping the game up with adaptogenic drinks, beverages that contain ingredients which work to prevent the effect of stress on the body. Even the superfood beetroot is finally joining ingredients front and centre as a nutritional and circulatory health powerhouse in Dairy Farmers of Ontario’s new Grass Fed Organic Beetroot Honey Yogurt.
Food trends back by popular demand: Flexitarian diets, heritage and fusion cooking, virtual cooking classes, fermenting, preserving or canning foods, alternative sugars, mushroom drinks and convenient comfort foods.
Specialization: It’s not news that brands and restaurants have had to adapt to ensure their business stays afloat. Innovative chefs and restaurants were able to pivot to maintain their businesses and keep customers satisfied, with many of these changes set to last well beyond the post-pandemic. Here are a few of those changes that you can expect to see going forward:
Specialty DTC Grocery Goods
Some brands were able to weather the lockdown better than others, by innovating
products and their overall business model, adapting diner in-person experiences and finding a way to bring products/experiences directly to consumer’s doorsteps. Canadian-based company Giraffe Foods has found a way to bring restaurant products (in particular custom sauces and signature flavours) directly to diners by helping brands break into the retail space.
Restaurant and Beverage Kits & Subscriptions
Even though indoor dining has opened to the public, not everyone is ready to return to restaurants. Brands like Ascari Group have met that challenge headon and now offer custom kits field to the brim with house-made fare, curated premium luxury food products and premium spirits and mixes. Award-winning beverage expert and one of RC Show’s Bar Curators Evelyn Chick recently introduced Love of Cocktails, a place for people to connect, enjoy fun virtual cocktail making sessions and order customized cocktail kits to their home. Others such as Mildred’s Temple Kitchen, General Assembly Pizza and Chef Drop have found a way to innovate and create premium meal kits from top chefs and restaurants, recreating the full indoor dining experience from the comfort of any home kitchen.
Sustainability: The pandemic saw diners proactively seeking out brands that consider their carbon footprints and their impact on the environment. That level of consumer awareness will not go away anytime soon as consumers continue to make food and beverages choices which are environmentally conscientious.
B2B Waste Reduction Platforms
Consumers and brands are finally working together in an effort to reduce food waste and make environmentally-friendly dining decisions. Apps such as Too Good to Go give customers the option to connect with restaurants and save surplus food from going to waste. RESTOVERT/ RESTOGREEN aims to create an eco-responsible catering network, while brands like Alfred Technologies, work directly with companies and restaurants to prevent inventory waste. Other brands, such as Waterwise, are tackling different elements of the industry’s carbon footprint, focusing on both consumer and environmental health through sustainable, custom water purification systems.
Meal Upcycling
While some brands are working directly with consumers to reduce food waste, others are reworking ingredients gone to waste at their source to create completely new meals. Upcycling and food scrap cooking are leading the charge of reducing food waste by contributing to a circular economy. Brands such as Trendi are using “ugly” foods that would have been thrown away to create meal kits, and Upcycled Food Festis encouraging restaurants to innovate and bring the conversation surrounding food waste to the forefront by incorporating upcycled ingredients into their menus.
Innovative and Responsible Packaging
Packaging is also starting to get a facelift with diners moving away from traditional single-use plastics to more sustainable alternatives. Consumers are looking for brands that consider their carbon footprint at every step from food production to packaging and distribution. Companies like Calibre and Evanesce are turning to biodegradable and compostable materials for packaging, while ensuring everything remains recyclable.
Farm-to-phone
Restaurants and food companies are having to adapt to bring the dining experience to the customer’s front door. Another way companies have evolved to meet this demand is by bringing the freshest produce from farm to doorstep, through virtual farmers’ market apps such as Bae Greens or brands such asGoodleaf, who work to bring organic and vertically-grown greens directly to the end-user all-year round.
Technology: Technology was crucial to the restaurant and hospitality industry during the pandemic, as touchless ordering, digital menus and food delivery became staples to keep people staff. That won’t change in 2022.
Robot Retail
Robotics and AI have been making strides across every industry and the restaurant and hospitality sectors are no exception. Robot retail is making its way into our dining experiences – from sanitation and disinfection to serving and hosting, to ensure everyone’s safety. Brands like GreenCo Robots are leading the charge of robotics-led dining experiences, bringing innovative and high-tech solutions to problems brought about by the pandemic.
Contact-free Everything
The hospitality industry had to adapt and fast, making services contactless at every touchpoint. QR codes, touchless menus and payment options are just some of the new procedures that brands have had to adopt. But has this added too many steps? Brands such as BarConnect and Mealsy have answered that call with tools designed to create a safer space, reduce food waste, lower labour costs, increase table turnover and provide faster service all at the same time, as well as help out companies and customers minds at ease with automatic and digital vaccination certification options.
365 days of Alfresco dining
While some are choosing to remain at home, many continue to flock back to restaurants to reconnect with friends and enjoy long awaited in-person dining experiences. To help alleviate the stresses of reduced indoor capacities on restaurants and ease customers back into dining out again, restaurants and bars are turning to outdoor dining and businesses such as Unichairs Inc. and Pop Up Street Patios to help turn their limited outdoor spaces into stunning temporary patios. To combat the colder weather, brands such as Bum Contract and Mensa Heaters offer heating solutions that turn even the coldest Canadian climate into a cozy alfresco dining experience.
You can see these trends and much more at the RC Show 2022, a place for the industry to come together to REVIVE THEIR BUSINESS like never before. For more information on the show, visit www.rcshow.com.
Follow us and the conversation on social: #RCShow #FeedingtheRecovery #RestaurantsAreFamily @RestaurantsCanada
Follow us and the conversation on social: #RCShow #FeedingtheRecovery @RestaurantsCanada
About RC Show – since 1944
Canada’s leading foodservice and hospitality event showcasing cutting-edge products, pioneering people and transformative ideas. Attendees can shop, taste, learn, connect and grow their business with multiple days of business-building action, including featured areas, competitions, workshops and RC Hospitality Week events tailored to educate, motivate and lead the industry. RC Show includes the latest trends, a dynamic selection of innovative products, and influential speakers assembled from around the globe, designed to help operators grow their businesses. An annual event not to be missed. Learn more at www.rcshow.com
About Restaurants Canada Restaurants Canada is a national, not-for-profit association advancing the potential of Canada’s diverse and dynamic foodservice industry through member programs, research, advocacy, resources and events. Before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Canada’s foodservice sector was a $93 billion industry, directly employing 1.2 million people, providing Canada’s number one source of first jobs and serving 22 million customers across the country every day. The industry has since lost hundreds of thousands jobs and could lose as much as $44.8 billion in sales in 2020 due to the impacts of COVID-19. www.restaurantscanada.org
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