Posts made in January 2021

Katy Perry Collaborates with Pokémon for P25 Music

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The Pokémon Company International officially launches celebrations today for Pokémon’s landmark 25th anniversary. As an iconic video game and entertainment franchise beloved by millions of fans of all ages around the world, Pokémon has been bringing people together since its launch in 1996. In 2021, Pokémon will continue that tradition by aligning with another universal unifying force music. Headlined by pop icon Katy Perry, the star-studded program created in partnership with Universal Music Group (UMG), the world leader in music-based entertainment, accompanies fan-focused activations celebrating 25 years of Pokémon across the franchise’s portfolio of video games, mobile apps, animation, merchandise and more. To help fans kick off this celebration, a live-action video, uniquely highlighting moments in the brand’s 25-year history and a journey through the Pokémon world’s many regions, can be viewed beginning today on the official Pokémon YouTube channel here.

Global Music Celebration: P25 Music

Every party needs a great playlist. To celebrate 25 years, The Pokémon Company International is teaming up with UMG through their brands strategies division, Universal Music Group for Brands, to make 2021 the biggest Pokémon party in history and everyone is invited. Pokémon is working with some of the biggest names in music, from rising artists to award-winning global superstars, for the program, titled P25 Music. Pop icon Katy Perry was revealed today as a premier collaborator in the massive, yearlong music campaign.

Pokémon has been a constant in my life from playing the original video games on my Game Boy, to trading Pokémon TCG cards at lunch, to the adventures of catching Pokémon on the street with Pokémon GO. I’ve even visited the Pokémon Café, in Japan while on tour! It is an honor to be chosen to help celebrate a franchise that has given me so much joy in the last 25 years, and to be able to watch it evolve in the ways its provided that kind of electric joy for the kids in my life and around the world said Katy Perry.

In Katy Perry, we see a kindred spirit to Pokémon, whose world is bright, fun and uplifting; said Colin Palmer, vice president of marketing at The Pokémon Company International. Katy is a wonderful ambassador to help us celebrate 25 years of Pokémon, and we can’t wait for music fans everywhere to experience the exciting collaborations we have planned; We are honored to celebrate the 25^thanniversary of Pokémon and the significant cultural impact this beloved franchise continues to have around the world. Working together, we have developed dynamic year-round programming involving artists from across UMG’s labels because what better way to create a global celebration than through the power of music; said LJ Gutierrez, General Manager, UMGB.

Details about Katy Perry’s participation, additional artist surprises and more about the P25 Music program will be announced throughout the year.

25 Years of Adventures: A Journey Through the Pokémon World

Since the first video games launched in 1996, the franchise has explored a new region in the Pokémon world with the introduction of each core series game. In 2021, The Pokémon Company International will invite fans to relive their journeys through each of these regions in a yearlong program, beginning with the most recently discovered Galar region from Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield and ending with the classic Kanto region from the original Pokémon Red and Pokémon Blue games. Beginning today, fans can visit a new website that will serve as the hub for this and all fan celebration activities as they are announced throughout the year, located here.

Anniversary Partners: Celebratory Programs and Merchandise

Pokémon adventures are always better with friends, so The Pokémon Company International is teaming up with other iconic brands to help fans celebrate the journey throughout the year with unique promotions and merchandise. Collaborations in the brand’s 25th anniversary year include programs from Build-A-Bear Workshop, General Mills, Levi’s, McDonald’s and more. Fans can also look forward to even more special merchandise tied to the anniversary celebrations from licensees including Jazwares, Scholastic, Mattel, Funko, PowerA, and The Wand Company. Additional partners and the ways they will celebrate the anniversary will be announced throughout the year.

Special Collections: The Pokémon Trading Card Game & Pokémon Center

The Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) is a cornerstone of the brand, and fans can look forward to special 25th anniversary-themed collections of the Pokémon TCG later in 2021. In the meantime, fans will soon be able to collect oversize cards featuring Pikachu and beloved first partner Pokémon from the various regions featured in the franchise-spanning retrospective. Fans can also expect 25th anniversary-themed products from Pokémon Center, the premier destination for official, high-quality Pokémon merchandise in the US and Canada. To kick off the celebrations on Pokémon Center, fans will be able to preorder the limited-edition 25th anniversary-themed skateboard by industry craftsman Bear Walker starting Jan. 19.

More Celebrations Across the World of Pokémon

The details revealed today are a glimpse into what the world can expect from Pokémon in 2021. With 25th anniversary-related activations planned for Pokémon animation, Pokémon video games, mobile games including Pokémon GO and Pokémon Masters EX, and more big announcements from the franchise, fans have a year full of new journeys ahead.

Refresh Your WFH Vibe for 2021

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This new year feels different with the COVID quarantine still in broad effect. It’s hard to find a way to make things feel new while many of us continue to work from home. Here are a few recommendations from Desenio on how to refresh your office using new wall art and calendars as well as a some tech tips that may help you refocus for the new year.

The Minimalist

If you like keeping things simple and work best in a clutter-free environment, you likely identify yourself as a minimalist. Art prints that follow a neutral colour scheme will look great in your working space, and these modern and minimalist styles are perfect for your walls. Another step you can take to clear out clutter is cleaning up your phone and computer home screens. Free up space in your device’s memory and your mind by removing excess apps, programs, photos, and documents that no longer serve you and your 2021 goals. If you prefer to keep yourself digitally organized, try Notion a new interface that provides tons of flexible layouts to help you keep track of all of you personal goals, long term achievements, and workflows.

The Creative

Some might feel stressed out by your creative chaos, but as someone who prospers in a fast-paced environment, you love surrounding yourself with anything that might serve as inspiration for your latest project. To take your home office to the next level, add some abstract art to your walls with prints featuring organic shapes and figurative art. Use social media to your advantage and follow accounts that will aid in your creative process or try starting a journal to jot down your thoughts to help further develop your ideas. Moleskin notebooks are a classic option for journaling but for those not sure of making an investment Muji has tons of inexpensive quality options.

The Fashionista

With a love for all things fashion, you know how to get things done in style. Your home office is likely a place where colour-matched desk accessories and coffee table books set the tone. Our black and white fashion prints of the season will make the perfect finishing touch to your fashionable home office, and look great matched with pink and metallic accents. If having a fully realized and consistent aesthetic is your dream and you have an iPhone or iPad, try the widgetsmith app to fully redesign your home screen into aesthetic perfection.

Whichever aesthetic you aspire to have, try use this time at home to focus on long term goals instead of short term New Years fads.

CES 2021: The Latest in Innovation

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CES, the Consumer Electrionics Show, convened digitally this year. This is the first time that CES has ever been conducted fully virtually due to the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic. The event produced and owned by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA) featured technology related to Digital Health, Smart Cities, Immersive Entertainment, Lifestyle, 5G and Internet of Things (IOT), Artificial Intelligence, Automotive, Startups, Tech Enabling the New Normal, and more. Some notable brands who participated in the conference portion of the event include Sony, GM, Intel, Audi, Panasonic, Samsung, and Mercedes-Benz. Despite the virtual interface, the overall reception of this year’s event was positive.

More than 500 companies participated in the exhibition event, though some garnered more social media buzz than others. According to analytics from Talkwalker, a social listening and analytics company, Samsung had 11 thousand social media mentions related to the event. This was aided by the ever present social media monster that is the BTS army who blew up this tweet before the event had even started. Some other products that generated a lot of buzz are Razer’s N95 facemask with gaming lighting and over this Keurig-but-it’s-ice-cream contraption.

The next CES show will be January 5-8, 2022.

Learn About Paying A Personal Loan Off Early

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A personal loan is something that can be very helpful to a lot of people. When you are in need of money, you may not be sure how you are going to get those funds. That is when you may have learned about personal loans, and how you can use those to your advantage. Now you are wondering whether you can pay back the loan in quick time.

Paying Back Personal Loans

When you get a personal loan, you likely entered into an agreement about when you would be paying back the money. Most of these involve monthly installments, where you are paying a small amount each month and eventually your balance is paid. It can take anywhere from one year to a few years depending on your terms.

There may be situations where you are thinking about paying off the loan sooner. Perhaps you have come into some money, or maybe you are wanting to get this loan out of the way so it is not on your mind anymore.

Paying A Personal Loan Off Early

Many people ask, can you pay off a personal loan early, and it is a legitimate question. The answer is that in 99 percent of cases, you are free to pay off a loan as early as you want.

There are some cases where you may be charged a prepayment penalty, but it is usually less than what you would pay in interest if you paid the loan on time.

The only question you have to ask yourself is whether you are in a financial position to do so. Some people get the idea in their mind that a loan must be paid off right away, and it results in them using too much of their savings on that repayment.

What you must ask is whether you have the money to make the full repayment of the loan, and whether or not doing so would benefit you.

Advantages of Early Repayments

One of the most significant advantages of paying back a loan quicker is avoiding interest payments. When you take out a loan, you are agreeing to an annual interest rate on the balance that is left at the end of each month.

That means if you have money left following each payment, you are going to get an interest charge at the end of the next month on that balance.

If two people borrow $1,000 with the same annual interest rate, but one person pays off the loan in six months compared to twelve months, they would make fewer interest payments.

Another advantage to repaying a loan quickly is that you no longer have it hanging over your head. Perhaps your mental and emotional health is suffering from being in such debt, and you cannot wait for the day that your loan is paid off.

Taking care of the problem early would alleviate you from a lot of that tension. But you must be smart about how you pay back any loan.

Deciding on When to Pay Off a Loan

Perhaps you received a financial windfall at work or through a government tax refund. That is money you can use to pay back your loan, but it could also be put to other uses.

Is the loan you are thinking of paying off your only debt? If you have other debt, you should consider the interest rates on those loans or credit cards. There is no sense in paying off one loan in its entirety if it prevents you from making regular payments on other debt.

Being strategic about repayments is the only way that you can preserve your financial situation. Sometimes it is better to pay off a loan over time, rather than putting all your money into one basket.

Avoid Future Financial Problems

Think about the reason why you borrowed money in the first place. Was it to manage your regular expenses or to pay bills? If that is the case, you may be better served by putting unexpected earnings into your savings account, rather than paying off loans in their entirety.

You can never be sure about how much you will earn in the future. Perhaps you may need some of those savings a few months down the line.

The choice of paying off a loan early is one that is entirely up to the borrower. Unless you have huge interest charges on that loan, it is not necessarily the best course of action to pay a loan off early. You may be better off putting that money in savings or using it to pay other debt.

Amethyst Stone Meaning, Value & History

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Amethysts have been used by humans for millennia as decorative adornments, and this particular example of quartz is widely appreciated for its eye-catching violet hue and its alluring shimmer.

If you are keen to find out more about amethysts, read on for an introduction to everything you could ever want to know about this type of semi precious stone, from its etymology and history to its symbolism and meaning in modern culture.

Creation, location & value

Amethysts are found in several places around the world, sourced from the geodes that are left behind after volcanic activity has occurred.

The largest producer is Brazil, but there are also amethysts mined in places like Madagascar, South Korea, Russia and Canada, to name but a few.

The popularity of amethyst rings for women means that there is always plenty of demand for this gem, and it is the richness of the color which plays the biggest role in determining the value of individual stones. The deep purples of the amethysts mined in Siberia make them amongst the most sought-after and expensive, while also meaning that the carat count is not as relevant to cost as it is with other gems.

Jewelry set with amethysts can still be costly, although this typically comes down to the inclusion of other precious gems and rare metals, rather than the amethyst itself.

History & name explanation

While there is no specific evidence of humanity having interacted with amethysts in the unknowable mists of prehistory, it is safe to assume that any of our ancestors that found it would have been just as enamored with the glittering, shimmering color of these stones.

Thankfully the Ancient Egyptians are well-documented users of amethysts, and would go a step further than 21st century designers by choosing to use them as a medium for engraving. Etching images and symbols into the stones took expert craft skills and is a testament to how advanced this civilization was.

The name itself is actually derived from the language spoken in Ancient Greece, with the literal translation being ‘not drunk’. This entertaining etymology came about because Greeks believed that by wearing an amethyst around their neck, they would be able to stave off the effects of imbibing too much alcohol. Clearly preventing inebriation is not something that amethysts can actually do, but it is intriguing to see what attributes the ancient peoples of the Mediterranean ascribed to these stones.

From these earlier uses, amethysts would continue to spread globally over the course of many centuries, appearing in Britain during the middle ages and even being adopted in the Anglican branch of Christianity specifically because of their alleged anti-intoxication capabilities.

Interpretations & birthstone status

It is not just drunkenness which is legendarily avoided by wearing amethysts; throughout history a number of different capabilities have been associated with these stones.

One claim is that they can be used to ensure that the wearer maintains a level head, even when the circumstances around them might give them cause to go a little haywire.

Others believe that amethyst is packed with healing powers, allowing it to do everything from reducing anxiety and annoyance to pulling people out of pits of despair and grief. It could even improve your memory and make you more ambitious and motivated, if you buy into the more outlandish claims.

Irrespective of your position on the actual abilities amethyst brings to the table, there is no doubting that it is widely known as the birthstone for the month of February. While you do not need to have been born in this window to wear amethyst jewelry, if you are a February baby then it could be the push you need to pick between several precious stones when buying your next piece.

Jewelry uses & synthetic production

We have touched upon the various ways in which amethysts have been harnessed throughout history to enhance and augment jewelry of many types, and it is worth looking at the sheer variety that is on offer today to show how far the industry has come.

It is not common for amethysts to be used in engagement and wedding rings, as well as in everything from necklaces and earrings to bracelets and beyond.

While amethyst is semiprecious in nature, it works well when used alongside diamonds, since the brilliance of the latter’s crisp white reflectivity is a great counterpoint to the deep purples of the former.

Another point to mention is that lab-grown amethysts are a possibility, and are essentially indistinguishable to their naturally-occurring counterparts, without the use of equipment and techniques that are prohibitively expensive for general use. This is less of a problem than in the context of lab-grown diamond detection, for example, since amethysts are not at rare and can be mined with relative ease, as discussed above. Even so, it is worth being aware of this before you buy amethyst jewelry, so that you know exactly what you are getting ahead of committing to an order.

Sister stones

The quartz family of which amethyst is arguably the most famous member is fairly large, and color is the distinguishing factor between the varieties.

If violet is not for you, then yellows of citrine could tick the right boxes instead. The pinky hues of rose quartz is another popular option, while the gothic styling of smoky quartz is an intriguing alternative to the more radiant siblings on show.

Ultimately you need to consider all of your options and use your own aesthetic eye and tastes to determine whether amethyst is the right stone for you. There are also other things to keep in mind, such as the kind of cut that the stone should come in, and the metal in which it should be set to deliver the best results.

There is no wrong choice here, but rather a wonderful world of gemstones to discover, each with its own history, meaning and cultural importance which could sway you if it clicks with your personality.

Donald Trump Impeached Again

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By Dana Feeney

The House of Representatives has voted to impeach President Donald Trump for the second time in his four-year term as president, which started in January of 2017. He is the third president to be impeached and the first president ever to be impeached more than once. This second impeachment comes shortly after the riots in the capital last week on January 6th, 2021. Trump is being impeached on the charge of “incitement of insurrection’’ because of the statements he made on January 6. He told his supporters to “fight like hell” because the Democrats were stealing the election. You can watch the speech here. During the riots, Trump supporters carrying a variety of racist and white supremacist paraphernalia swarmed the Capitol and forced their way into the building to stop the count of electoral votes. The riot caused the deaths of at least five individuals, including a Capitol police officer.

Because of the insurrection, Democrats pushed for Vice President Mike Pence to enact the 25th amendment, which he could use to declare Trump unfit to serve as president and remove him from office. Republicans blocked this move. U.S. Congressmen David N. Cicilline (RI-01), Ted Lieu (CA-33), and Jamie Raskin (MD-08) introduced the article of impeachment to the House of Representatives on the morning of January 11, 2021. The article of impeachment is co-sponsored by 211 members of Congress according to Cicilline’s press release. You can read the full article of impeachment here. On January 13, 2021, the House of Representatives voted to impeach Trump with a 232 to 197 majority. 10 Republicans voted to impeach, more members of the president’s party than in any prior impeachment.

Impeachment does not mean removal from office; impeachment is adjacent to an indictment. The difference in American law is that indictment applies to criminal charges, while impeachment is the accusation of misconduct in a political setting. Any civil officer in the United States can be impeached. In the case of the President or Vice President, the first step is the introduction of the article(s) of impeachment in the House of Representatives. After the article(s) of impeachment are introduced to the House, the House then votes on each article of impeachment, and if any pass by a simple majority, more than 50%, the articles will be tried in front of the Senate. During the Senate trial, the chief justice of the Supreme Court presides over the Senate trial, the Senate body functions as the jury, a committee of House representatives, called “managers,” act as the prosecution, and the president and his or her lawyers act as the defense. All articles of impeachment are argued on the Senate floor, then are voted on by the Senate body to either convict or acquit; to convict, there must be a two-thirds majority. Only two presidents, Bill Clinton and Andrew Johnson, were impeached and reached the Senate trial, both were acquitted. Despite an extensive impeachment investigation, Richard Nixon was never impeached because he resigned.

Yesterday, January 13, 2021, the House voted to impeach Trump with only six days until the inauguration of Joe Biden. It is highly unlikely that Trump will be removed from office before the end of his term as president. The Senate is not set to be in session until January 19, 2021, and neither Democrats nor Republicans benefit from rushing the trial to be any sooner as this Senate trial will be a lengthy process that requires preparation from both the prosecution and the defense. Despite Trump losing the support of some members of his party, it is unclear how likely it is that Trump will be convicted because, even Mitt Romney, who voted to impeach in the first impeachment, has implied he is unsure that this is the right way to go. Many Republicans may hesitate to vote to convict because of the 74 million people who voted for Trump; these are the people who control whether Republicans will be reelected in the future. The main person who could cause a possible shift is Mitch McConnell, the Senate majority leader. If McConnell chooses to vote to convict Trump, other members of the Republican party may do the same. McConnell released this statement on January 13 saying that “there is simply no chance that a fair or serious trial could conclude before President-elect Biden is sworn in next week.”

Trump has been silent since besides releasing this video condemning violence and has not acknowledged the second impeachment. He has been banned from social media, including Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitch, and Snapchat. Along with these bans, the tech industry has made broad statements against this recent violence. Apple and Google have removed the app Parler from their app stores. The app was used by Trump supporters and white supremacists to communicate and coordinate the attack on the Capitol. Further, Amazon Web Services, which hosted the app, has cut off its service to Parler on the premise that it violated its terms of service. One feature of the app was that users could upload a photograph of their government-issued ID or driver’s license to become a “Verified Citizen.” The app lost the support of its security services, which protected user data, leaving it vulnerable to hackers who stole the data and turned it over to the FBI to be used to identify terrorists present at the riot. Read more about it here. Additionally, there are accounts publicly identifying people in photographs from the riots on platforms including Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. Federal officials are identifying and arresting individuals who were at the event.

The riots have caused many security changes in Washington D.C. and state capitals across the U.S. as Joe Biden’s inauguration grows closer and threats of further violence continue to spread online. These changes include the resignation of the U.S. Capitol Police chief, Steven Sund, increased police and national guard presence in Washington D.C. and the implementation of high security barriers around the Capitol building. Many D.C. businesses inside of the security perimeter are already making changes in preparation for the inauguration. Some are boarding up their windows in preparation for possible protests while others are preparing to serve guests who come to D.C. for the inauguration. In response to various local, state, and federal officials asking people not to travel to Washington, D.C., Airbnb has canceled all reservations in the Washington, D.C. metro area during the inauguration week, according to this press release. Some hotel chains in the city have stated that they will be hosting guests; as of now, nothing has been done to prevent this.

The events in this article, including the Senate trial, the consequences of the riots, and the coming inauguration, are all ongoing.

RIHANNA x ESSENCE

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ESSENCE, the leading media, technology and commerce company serving Black women, kicks off 2021 with a stunning January + February cover art exclusive. Legendary artist Lorna Simpson collaborates with global fashion and beauty founder Robyn Rihanna Fenty, who recently launched Fenty Skin globally in stores in the U.S. and the U.K.

Their goal was to reinterpret the narrative of modern-day beauty in the gorgeous photographic cover collage, Of Earth & Sky, and in images comprising a 12-page portfolio feature inside the January + February issue. Over the past 15 years of her acclaimed three-decade career, Simpson has created collages that recontextualize images of Black women from vintage pages ofEbony and Jet magazines. Like all of Simpson’s celebrated works, these original pieces are more than what meets the eye.

Simpson channels Rihanna as her muse throughout the spectacular artistic rendering—reimagining the artist in a way that has neverbeenseen before. Rihanna looks ethereal in designer pieces including from her signature Savage X Fenty line as well as Prada, Givenchy, Hood by Air, Thelma West, Rick Owens and more.

“…I needed to create images of Rihanna to place within the environments of source materials from my archive,” said Simpson. “For the project to have the same kind of dramatic visual intensity as my collage work to date, I had to consider the atmosphere and lighting of specific source materials before arriving to set. Knowing Rihanna’s charisma and commanding presence, my effort was then to be as present and prepared as possible to capture her exquisite performance for the camera…”

The package also features the piece, Anthems of Possibility, written by Simpson’s daughter, writer and actor Zora Simpson Casebere. She weighs in on how Rihanna helped shape her womanhood at an early age and how serving as a stand-in model on set for her mother was a full-circle moment.

“…At 13, I was deeply grateful that at a formative time in my life, it was Rihanna’s voice and art that became my portals to so many questions about sexuality, sexual exploration and sexual autonomy,” expressed Casebere. “Now, on set, I assisted my mother as a model as she explored how she might later place Rihanna within the visual contexts she’d selected from vintage Ebony magazines, old Associated Press photographs and 19th-century lithographs of mineral specimens.”

“When Rihanna arrived at the set—my first time seeing her in real life—I was mesmerized. She was the very definition of grace, charisma and influence,” continued Casebere. “Wearing a magnificent Maximilian black headdress, she requested the song ‘Thick’ by DJ Chose, then met the camera with power and possibility—power in how she moved her body through space, and possibility in how she dismantled and moved beyond institutional boundaries…”

The gorgeous issue will also pay homage to Vice-President Elect Kamala Harris’ historic win with reflections by five influential Black women: Donna Brazile, Leah Daughtry, Karen Finney, Star Jones and Minyon Moore. In addition, the issue features an interview with Barack Obama talking about his new book and journey as the nation’s first Black president. Plus, iconic actress Cicely Tysonshares an eye-opening excerpt from her new memoir.

For more on this issue, visit ESSENCE.com or pick up the January + February 2021 issue on newsstands next week. (Photographic Collages, Lorna Simpson)

ABOUT ESSENCE COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

Essence Communications is the number one media, technology and commerce company dedicated to Black women and inspires a global audience of more than 31 million through diverse storytelling and immersive original content. With a multi-platform presence in publishing, experiential and online, ESSENCE encompasses its signature magazine; digital, video and social platforms; television specials; books; as well as live events, including Black Women in Music, Black Women in Hollywood, Street Style and the ESSENCE Festival. Essence Communications is owned by Essence Ventures, an independent Black-owned, consumer technology company merging content, community and commerce to meet the evolving cultural and lifestyle needs of people of color.

COVID-19 Trial Tests if Common Drug Can Keep Patients Out of Hospital

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At-risk people diagnosed with COVID-19 across the United States and Canada can participate in a clinical trial testing whether a common drug can keep them from getting sicker and keep them out of the hospital.

The trial, conducted by Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, is based on a discovery by the University of Virginia School of Medicine’s Alban Gaultier, PhD, and a former graduate student, Dorian A Rosen, PhD.

Gaultier and Rosen found last year that the antidepressant fluvoxamine may stop the deadly inflammation known as sepsis, in which the immune response spirals out of control. The drug’s apparent benefit for dampening dangerous inflammation prompted the Washington University researchers to begin investigating its potential benefit for COVID-19, which can also cause dangerous overreactions of the immune system.

“If this clinical trial is proven successful, fluvoxamine could become a standard treatment for patients newly diagnosed with COVID-19, especially patients at risk,” Gaultier said. “Even the best vaccines do not protect 100% of the population, and discovery of safe and affordable treatments to prevent COVID-19-associated complications is critical.”

Fluvoxamine and COVID-19

Earlier this year, the Washington University researchers launched their first clinical trial of the drug in patients with COVID-19. That trial compared fluvoxamine with a harmless placebo in 152 adult outpatients. None of the 80 participants who received fluvoxamine became seriously ill after 15 days, while six patients who received placebo did. Of those six, four were hospitalized, for periods ranging from four to 21 days. One was on a ventilator for 10 days.

Based on those initial results, Washington University is now launching a much larger trial open to residents across the United States and Canada. The trial is seeking approximately 880 at-risk participants, age 18 and older, who have tested positive for COVID-19 and are experiencing mild symptoms.

Participants will be provided with either fluvoxamine or a placebo for approximately 15 days. No face-to-face contact is required; everything necessary will be sent to the participants’ doorsteps.

Contactless Check-Ins

The researchers will track the patients by videochat, email or telephone to determine if fluvoxamine provides a benefit and helps keep participants out of the hospital. During brief daily check-ins, trial participants will report their oxygen levels, blood pressure and temperature, along with whether they are feeling shortness of breath or have had any other problems.

The study team will continue to follow the participants for approximately 90 days after they have finished taking fluvoxamine or the placebo.

The trial is open to people who have at least one risk factor for severe COVID-19, such as being 40 or older, being part of a high-risk racial/ethnic group (such as African-American, Hispanic, Native American or biracial), or having one or more medical conditions such as obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, a lung disease or an immune disorder such as rheumatoid arthritis.

For more information about the trial, visit this website.

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Hits High Point During Winter

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Carbon monoxide is winter’s “silent killer.” Unintentional carbon monoxide deaths kill more than 400 Americans each year and sicken many others. It’s a colorless, odorless and tasteless gas undetectable to the human senses, so people don’t realize that they are being poisoned. Tragically in 2020, California lost a number of residents from carbon monoxide poison related to faulty wall heaters and other sources of carbon monoxide. Watch the video https://youtu.be/3BT_hDb4uqE.

Products that are typically involved in poisonings include malfunctioning fuel-burning appliances such as furnaces, ranges, water heaters and room heaters; engine-powered equipment such as portable generators; fireplaces; and charcoal that is burned in homes and other enclosed areas.

Symptoms can be variable, ranging from headache, fatigue, shortness of breath and dizziness to loss of consciousness and chest pain. Carbon monoxide poisoning can happen slowly or swiftly depending on circumstances. In an effort to raise public awareness, California Poison Control offers 10 tips to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning:

1. Have all heating equipment installed properly, and have a home or rental’s heating system inspected by a professional prior to turning the heat on when cold weather begins.

2. Carbon monoxide detectors should be installed in all homes, apartments, mobile homes and workplaces. When a detector goes off, assume that a real danger is present, and get all people and pets out of the structure immediately. Do not re-enter until a heating professional, the gas company or the fire department has declared the area safe.

3. During home renovations, ensure that appliance vents and chimneys are not blocked by tarps or debris. Make sure appliances are in proper working order when renovations are complete.

4. Do not cover the bottom of natural gas or propane ovens with aluminum foil.

5. Never use fuel-burning camping equipment inside a home, garage, vehicle or tent unless it is specifically designed for use in an enclosed space and provides instructions for safe use in such an area.

6. In climates with snow, make sure that chimneys and vents do not become blocked with snowfall.

7. Never operate a portable generator or any other gasoline engine-powered tool either in or near an enclosed space such as a garage, house or other building, or outside of an open window. Keep the generator as far from the house as possible.

8. Do not use charcoal or hibachi grills indoors to cook with or for heat under any circumstances.

9. Do not attempt to heat your home by turning on the oven or clothes dryer and leaving the door open.

10. Never let a car engine run inside a closed space such as a garage. Drive out promptly after starting the car, and turn the car engine off as soon as you drive into an enclosed space. Never have a garage door closed with a running vehicle inside, even for a few seconds.

About California Poison Control

CPCS is dedicated to providing the most up-to-date information regarding poison prevention. In case of an accidental poisoning, consumers should immediately call the nationwide number from any state –1-800-222-1222. Pharmacists, nurses, physician-toxicologists and poison information providers are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to help.

Weekly tips about safety are available by texting TIPS to 20121 for information in English or text PUNTOS to 20121 for Spanish. Follow CPCS on Facebook and on Twitter @poisoninfo. CPCS is part of the University of California San Francisco School of Pharmacy and is responsible to the California Emergency Medical Services Authority.

8 Ways to Shop Online Smart and Safe

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Introduction

The past couple of decades has seen brick-and-mortar become overshadowed by their online counterparts. And while some shops have been able to avoid this—the popularity of Microcenter among tech enthusiasts has kept it alive—many stores have either closed down or have shifted their focus onto online storefronts.

This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, either! But learning the ins-and-outs of online shopping can take a while, and newer online shoppers are often tricked or scammed into spending more than they actually need to. Today, let’s go over a few tips and tricks for online shoppers that will work in 2021 and beyond.

8 Tips for Online Shoppers

1. Use a VPN for Regional Pricing

Not all currencies are equal in value. Therefore, products are priced differently from country to country. This is especially true for software such as video games and creativity programs, which regulate prices depending on where the software is being sold.

Unfortunately for some countries, these changes in price means spending more on a product thousands or millions of others spent less money on. There is one trick, however, that works a majority of the time: VPNs.

Virtual Private Networks allow you to change your server location, essentially tricking websites into thinking you’re located in a country of your choice. In other words, a VPN download allows you to get the best pricing available.

Be careful where you do this, however. Certain software storefronts like Steam ban accounts that are involved in doing this. And yes, you will most likely be detected.

2. Set Alerts For In-Demand Items

Certain products—products like new graphics cards or processors, for example—sell out quickly, and the recent COVID pandemic has hurt shipping times enough to ensure that many won’t be able to get their hands on certain products until the middle or end of this year.

To avoid playing the waiting game, set up alerts for products you want on multiple storefronts. Sites like Amazon, Newegg, Best Buy, and other online merchants allow you to receive emails or texts whenever a product you want becomes available.

3. Download Honey for Potential Savings

Online storefronts can’t and don’t tell you everything about a product, especially when it comes to pricing. If Amazon were to display the price history of its own products, that would hurt sales. Therefore, that data is off-limits to consumers. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t programs dedicated to doing that.

Honey, a shopping-dedicated app, displays the pricing history of products for most major online storefronts. Honey will tell you if you’re receiving the best price or if the product is at its “historical low”.

Along with a product’s price history, Honey will also automatically enter potential savings coupons, though these codes are iffy at best.

4. Wait for the Nearest Holiday

Sometimes you want a product then and now. However, certain products and equipment are best bought during certain holidays. For example, TV purchases are best done during Black Friday or major sporting events such as the Superbowl.

Take a look at what you’re hoping to purchase and when you think it may go on sale. If there’s a holiday near, it’s best to wait and see if it goes on sale. But there is one downside to this: the product you want may sell out on said holiday (such as a Black Friday deal).

It’s certainly risky waiting for a sales holiday, but hey, if you want a deal, you have to take risks! And waiting for the holidays before making a purchase is a low-risk tactic.

5. Invest in Smart Rewards Programs

If you find yourself shopping on a certain website, think about joining their smart rewards program. A good example of such a program would be Best Buy’s membership program, which rewards you the more purchases you make, offering you discounts and coupons.

Other online storefronts may offer optional subscriptions—Amazon Prime, for instance—that reward subscribers with free access to services and offer early deals. The point is, if you use a website frequently, make sure you’re being rewarded for it.

6. Sign Up for Promotional Deals

Keeping up with all the deals websites release to the public on a daily basis is difficult, if not outright impossible. Fortunately, most shopping sites let users sign up for promotional deals and offers that they would receive either through email or text.

Some of these sites may even allow users to filter the type of promotional deals they receive. If not, however, that’s ok! You may be able to find deals you never even thought about looking for!

7. Look Out for Cashback Offers

Companies love offering cashback offers on their products. But why would a store like losing money? Well, they don’t!

Despite some products being sold with cashback offers, many buyers never cash out due to the frustrating process of receiving said cashback. Usually, fulfilling a cashback offer requires the buyer to sign and mail a form to the company—a process many don’t want to put themselves through because it’s so dated and time-consuming

But if you happen to come across an item you want and it’s being sold with a cashback offer, then why not use it? Even if you never use it, it’s nice to have the option.

8. Be on the Lookout for Coupon Codes

Earlier, I mentioned Honey and one of its features that applies discount codes at checkout. I also mentioned that Honey’s discount codes are, at best, finicky, and at worst, useless.

If you desire a more personal touch to discount codes, then check out the multitude of sites that are dedicated to logging coupons and discount codes for various sites.

That said, not all of the codes found on these sites will work, but many of them are user-entered, meaning there’s a decent chance at least one of them works.

Conclusion

Online shopping is the same thing as regular shopping, except you can shop from the safety of your couch instead of going out. And just like in-person shopping, there are ways to find the best deals. With these tips, your online shopping experience will see a major improvement.