Taking care of healthcare workers

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No one can easily forget the panic caused by the alleged pandemic of 2009 – the swine flu. Especially not those holding healthcare jobs – they were dealing in risky situations, and in some parts of the world, they had to manage without the flu vaccine.

It’s true that the vaccine may not have been developed at the beginning of the virus attack. However, there’s a flip side to it — some recent reports suggest that about 39 per cent of those in healthcare say they wouldn’t take a flu vaccine, despite the looming threat.

A paper published last week said that the workers are “ethically obligated to get a flu vaccine.” I think it’s only justified that the people who are exposing themselves to virus attacks should help themselves before they can help others.

Choosing a bar code scanner

It could appear like a straight forward matter, choosing a POS scanner, but if you’re running on a tight budget, the scanning distance is probably the most important criterion that will have a say.

For instance, if you’re scanning from long distances, what you need is a laser scanner, but for shorter distances, such as at POS terminals, an image scanner should fit the bill (pun unintended!). Also, if the bar code is small, manual scanning is recommended, but for longer bar codes, consider automatic scanning.

One area that’s often overlooked is that of the scanner software. It’s important to make sure that your computer systems and the software you’re using for the scanner are compatible.

Internet playing Cupid?

Folks who have Internet access at home are more likely to be in romantic relationships than those who don’t, according to a recent poll.

A survey presented at the annual meeting of the American Sociological Association said that more than 82 per cent of adults who have Internet access at home also had a spouse or romantic partner, compared to just less than 63 per cent of adults who did not have access to the Web.

“Our research suggests that Internet access has an important role to play in helping Americans find mates,” said Michael Rosenfeld, an associate professor of sociology at Stanford University, was quoted as saying in the Gulf Daily News.

Researchers also found that the Internet is gaining importance as a place where couples meet, and especially same-sex couples.

“It is possible that in the next several years the Internet could eclipse friends as the most influential way Americans meet their romantic partners, displacing friends out of the top position for the first time since the early 1940s,” Rosenfeld added.

Sixty-one per cent of the couples who met on the Internet were same-sex couples, the study found.

“Couples who meet online are much more likely to be same-sex couples, and somewhat more likely to be from different religious backgrounds,” Rosenfeld said.

“The Internet is not simply a new and more efficient way to keep in touch with our existing networks; rather the Internet is a new kind of social intermediary that may reshape the kinds of partners and relationships we have,” he said.

The study, headed by Rosenfeld, analyzed data from a national poll of more than 4,000 adults.

Christmas ‘n’ lights

I can see it coming… and before you can say Santa, Christmas will be upon us. And will be ready to receive it? Well, while Christmas is about a lot of things, décor plays a major role in setting up the mood…. so if you’re ready with the décor, you’re halfway there.

You can’t say ‘decoration’ without following it with ‘lighting’. And just as LED (light emitting diode) is the hottest new technology in television, multi color LED Christmas lights are equally in vogue.

Popular for many reasons – for one, they simply don’t fade, since the color is not ‘painted’ on the exterior, but, well, the light that is emitted is the color. Lately, they’ve become very affordable, and you can buy them in several sizes (including C6, C7 and C9), shapes and sizes.

Now is probably the time to start planning your Christmas decoration… and with plenty of choices on the Web, that should be loads of fun!

Is your mattress 1- or 2-sided?

It could come as a surprise to those who take it for granted that a mattress bed is always double-sided… not true. At least, not since as recently as 2000, when Simmons unveiled the single-side, or ‘never turn’ mattress.

It seems quite logical that a double-side mattress would have a longer lifespan, but designers argue. Single-side mattresses are built with modern materials such as elastic memory foam and latex that actually resist wear and tire over time.

Experts do suggest that while the single-side mattresses are indeed one side usable, it doesn’t mean they can’t be rotated from end to end. In fact, it is even recommended to spread the wear.

What office furniture?

You could probably start your business with the most basic of office equipment – a desk, a chair and a computer. Chances are you might be successful, too, in your business. However, as you grow in your business, so will your office, and it needs to expand, and you’re going to have to look at office furniture accessories as well.

To start off, how about computer furniture? There will be a need for ergonomic furniture if you or your staff is doing data entry operations. A multifunction device, which can do printing, copying, scanning and faxing is very affordable lately, and also takes much less space than monster copying machines.

File and storage cabinets will be handy if your business handles a lot of paperwork. Then again, in today’s environment of cloud computing, storage may not be among your top concerns.

Meeting rooms will probably the most dollar-guzzling entities… since you’ll be meeting your potential clients there. It goes without saying that investment in a generous table and comfortable chairs will be a very sensible thing to do. Then of course you’ll have the reception area, which probably will call for a little investment in interior design as well as a comfortable sofa and/or chairs. Consider hanging a tasteful painting, as it will help people relax.

A faster track to lose weight

No one will blame you if you’re frustrated with not getting your desired weight loss results through workouts and dieting. While exercises and controlled methods do work, they also take their own time.

Diet pills are one way to make sure you lose those extra inches faster… and the good ones keep the weight off as well. Most of us could do with a little help in the form of diet pills, which expedite the weight loss process. A quick search online, and you will be inundated with a number of brands offering all kinds of promises and guarantees.

However, with continual research, you might come across the name Lipofuze more often than any other. These pills have lately gained reputation as a no-nonsense results provider. Some folks have gotten some fantastic results such as losing ten pounds in as many days.

Sizzle this summer

It’s that time of the year again. If you’re planning to sizzle alongside the weather, don’t forget the bright and hot fashions that are set to turn heads this summer. If sun and surf is your thing, you don’t want to miss out one some of the latest swimwear and accessories from top brands such as Coogi, Blac Label or Adidas.

Coogi, for one, is a brand endorsed by celebrities such as Jay Z, and produces an array of urban T-shirts, jeans, bottoms, swimwear and jackets for men and women in striking colors and great material. They still have their trademark knitwear, worn by Bill Cosby in the Cosby Show.

There’s something irrevocably entwined between summer and the feeling free, which, in terms of dresses, just translates into the fact you’re going to need a bigger wardrobe to be free enough choose from to match your mood.

And Coogi has the right range of attire to match the moods of this summer. Check them out before the best ones are sold out!

Hastening weight loss

It’s quite natural for people who are looking to lose weight to go on a diet. What most don’t realize right away is that weight loss is a package deal. Dieting alone doesn’t quite hack it.

For one, you can’t diet and yet have a haphazard eating style. Weight loss experts tell us consistency in meals is part of the solution. For instance, a small meal every three to four hours is a good idea, and it won’t make you feel bloated.

In case you wish to hasten the process of weight loss, you could look at some alternatives. You have the option of choosing the best weight loss supplement that’s out there online or over the counter that guarantees quick results. Most of these also claim to keep excess fat off permanently.

Doing business with used computers

Many enterprising minds have come up with the concept of starting a personal business in the field of electronics – both new and used equipment. However, some of the ‘extra brilliant’ ones have found success in dealing with wholesale computers.

One of the theories behind the success of wholesale PCs and laptops is quite simple – lately, any electronic gadget gets outdated so quickly that customers are lining up to get the latest versions. And, as a result, the old ones get discarded and wind up in the wholesale market.

Then again, there’s the ‘budget customer’ market, and it’s this market the wholesale businesses target. And it doesn’t even have to be a computer user… there are agencies that will buy computers in bulk just to collect the processors and other high-tech parts.