Healthcare professionals are at the most significant risk of contracting an infection and therefore require adequate PPE (Personal Protective Gear) to protect them from the infection and prevent cross-contamination.
Gloves, aprons, and gowns are essential protective gear that must be worn by all healthcare workers when performing a procedure or surgery. However, keep some important points in mind, or they may increase the risk. You can click here for more information.
PPE – Not a Substitute for Hygiene
Please be aware the PPE is no substitute for hygiene. Please ensure proper hand hygiene before putting on and removing PPE. Ensure you wash your hands with soap and sanitiser before and after using any of the PPE gear. Most importantly, buy only HACCP-certified gowns and aprons that come with waist ties, neckties, dispenser boxes, and waterproof materials.
Single-Use and Fast Disposal
Disposable gowns and aprons are for single-use only and should not be washed for reuse. They should be disposed of immediately after removal.
Safe Material
Gowns are made of liquid-proof poly-coated material. It has long sleeves with cuffs and an adjustable neckline with neck binding ties. Cover gowns, on the other hand, are meant to cover the entire body and are made of fluid-resistant, non-woven polypropylene material.
Isolation gowns are meant to provide high protection to wearers and patients with highly contagious infections. These are made of single-ply polypropylene material with no stitches. They have glued seams to prevent the passage of fluid or bacteria.
Aprons, too, are made of poly-coated material and are generally worn over other protective apparels for added hygiene and protection because of exposure to various hazards in the hospital. Plastic aprons are used in different areas like operation theatre, patient wards, isolation wards, and ICU.
Use of Disposable Aprons
Disposable, single-use plastic aprons are recommended for general clinical use when coming in contact with patients, material, or equipment, leading to contamination of uniform and other clothing with microorganisms.
Aprons are also to be worn when coming in contact with blood, bodily fluids, or chemicals. If there is a risk of an excessive splashing of blood or bodily fluids, full-body gowns may be recommended.
Removing the Aprons
When removing the apron, roll it downwards from the chest with the outer surface going in to avoid touching the contaminated outer surface with hands. Remember to dispose of it in a hazardous waste bin only.
Disposable aprons and plastic gowns are made of Polypropylene and Polyethylene fabrics, which are comfortable and skin-friendly to be worn throughout the day and for long hours. The fabric is durable, comfortable, and tear-resistant. They are readily available online at reasonable rates. For more details, you can click here.
To conclude, while PPE or any protective gear is meant to protect the wearer and others from contracting infections, it is only effective if used, worn, and disposed of correctly. You must keep the above-mentioned points in mind while buying and using PPE.
Getting it wrong at any stage will simply defeat the whole purpose and contaminate the surface or body, leading to infections.
It’s been a big week for Apple and its fans. The California-based tech giant held its annual September keynote virtually on Tuesday, announcing the launch of two new iPads, two new watches (more on those later) and a first for the company in the form of a fitness streaming platform called Apple Fitness+.
Speaking of the inspiration behind the platform, Jay Blahnik, the senior director of fitness for health technologies, said, “Apple Fitness+ was built around a very simple inspiration — which we live every day — that the entire service is built to help more people close more Activity Rings more often.”
Across multiple briefings and an exclusive interview with Blahnik, we got a deeper look into the platform and what it’s going to offer customers when it launches in Canada later this year. From an ever-expanding class catalogue to a focus on inclusivity (love to see it) and more, here are the key things you need to know about Apple Fitness+.
The workouts
Apple looked at data from its workout app to determine the 10 most popular types of workouts its users do through Apple Watch – from here, they built a team of world-class trainers to deliver classes every week in these categories. When the service launches you’ll be able to choose from treadmill walk, treadmill run, HIIT, rowing, dance, cycling, yoga, core, strength and mindful cooldown. Plus, once you start using the platform and the algorithm learns what types of classes/trainers you like, it will intelligently recommend new classes and trainers for you to try in your favourite categories, as well as new options as a compliment to your existing routine.
Photograph courtesy of Apple
There are four ways to filter the classes to find what you’re looking for: trainer, class type, duration and music. Blahnik says keeping the search process simple – and not veering into beginner, intermediate and advanced options among other toggles – was a deliberate choice. “We have worked very hard to make the process of choosing a workout as a simple as possible. Some people want recommendations, some people know exactly what they want, some people only want the latest workouts and other people want to enjoy the process of discovery. We built Fitness+ to make it easy for all of these types of users to navigate the workout library without feeling overwhelmed.” That’s not to say that the workouts don’t offer varying levels of difficulty to cater to every fitness level. In each class, one of the trainers from the Apple Fitness+ squad will do the modifications so there’s something for the beginner right up to the more advanced athletes and workout junkies. Plus, there’s a preview option offered for every class, where the trainer gives an overview of the class and tells users what equipment they’ll need (which is usually nothing or simply a set of dumbbells).
New classes – which are available in 10, 20, 30 and 45 minute lengths – will be dropped weekly, allowing users to plan out their week of workouts in advance. All workouts will be automatically added the workout catalogue so you can always go back and take a class you liked whenever suits you. For now, all of the workouts are designed to be taken inside your home or a gym.
The trainers
Apple had assembled quite the crew for its instructor team for launch. Canadian Kyle Ardill is in the line-up, and there’s a face that will be very familiar to Toronto SoulCycle fanatics in the form of Tyrell Désean. The search for the trainers took several months, with Apple visiting a variety of classes in studios, parks, and other locations to scout the very best talent for the program. Speaking of the selection process, Blahnik explained, “Of course we wanted the Fitness+ Trainers to be specialists in their field, but we also wanted each of them to have their own inspiring fitness journeys and life experiences that we believe would resonate and inspire our users. And it was really important to us that they had a passion not just for the very fit, but also for the beginner. We wanted Fitness+ to be a service where everyone was invited to the party, regardless of your fitness experience or ability.” He adds, “Some of the trainers have spent their entire careers in fitness, and others are newer to the industry. It was important to us that the team represented a wide range of ages and life experiences as well as expertise.”
As mentioned in Jay’s quote above, the whole point of Apple Fitness+ is to get more people closing their rings more often – and the platform takes metrics engagement to a whole new level. Once users have chosen a workout, they’ll see the metrics from their watch appear right on the screen for an added level of motivation. The metrics are intelligent, too – for example, when an instructor asks you to check your heart rate, your heart rate will automatically become the focus metric on screen. In other scenarios, if an instructor has called for 30 seconds of a particular exercise, a countdown timer will appear on screen so you know exactly how much longer you have left. “Seeing this information animate at exactly the right time with the right information can be incredibly motivating, and make it easier to get through your workout,” Blahnik says of the feature. Not into seeing your metrics one day because you’re keen to just focus on the workout? You have the option to hide them whenever you’d like. And for ring-closing fans, if you close a ring during your workout, the celebration that usually appears on your watch face will happen on whatever screen you’re doing your workout on instead so you don’t miss it.
Photograph courtesy of Apple.
At present, the platform has been designed as a fairly solitary exercise (excuse the pun) with little interaction opportunities between users. However, all of your workouts will count towards your badges, challenges and awards and if you have Activity Sharing on, your friends will be able to see your workouts. There is one in-built motivator on screen in the form of the Burn Bar which allows you to see how you stack up against other people who have taken the workout, which is perfect for those that enjoy a little (or a lot) of healthy competition.
The messaging
In music to our ears, Apple is really emphasizing the inclusive nature of the program. This is certainly a platform designed for all levels of fitness and to encourage anyone who wants to get into a more regular routine to do so in a very easy way. There’s a beginners program on offer to help anyone who hasn’t previously taken studio classes to get comfortable with the moves and style of the classes, and as mentioned above, all classes feature modifications so users can take it at their own pace. Offering a variety of class lengths was also important for this reason, with Blahnik noting that they wanted to celebrate and encourage any activity, no matter the duration. “We wanted to build a fitness service where dance workouts were given as much love as HIIT workouts, where 10 minute workouts were as celebrated as 45-minute workouts,” he says. “[We wanted to build] a service where everyone felt invited to the party, regardless of what motivates you, moves you or inspires you.” In a heartwarming addition, the instructors also wanted to find a way to make classes more accessible so they all learned sign language to be able to communicate the most important messages throughout the classes.
The Watch
Users will need an Apple Watch to access the platform and Apple launched two brand new options this week alongside Fitness+.
Apple Watch Series 6 (prices start at $529) features a beautiful new screen with an updated always-on retina display which is 2.5 times brighter than the Series 5 when outdoors. It’s packed with a host of suped-up tech features, 18-hour battery life and faster charging capabilities. Perhaps its most impressive feature is the new blood oxygen sensor and app which allows users to measure their blood oxygen saturation right on their wrist, providing a new level of health information to users to help them understand their overall fitness and wellbeing. Series 6 also sees the introduction a brand new blue aluminum case (which joins the silver, space grey and gold options), as well as a (PRODUCT)RED option with matching bands. There’s also a new graphite option available in the stainless steel offering, alongside an updated yellow gold colour. As for the bands, Apple is launching a brand new, first-of-its-kind solo loop – a continuous, stretchable band offered in a variety of sizes (nine, to be exact) so all users can find their perfect fit. The solo loop is offered in silicone, as well as a soft braided yarn. Apple Watch Hermès will also see new band inclusions in the form of the Hermès Attelage Single Tour and the slimmer Attelage Double Tour bands.
Photograph courtesy of Apple
Photograph courtesy of Apple
Photograph courtesy of Apple
Photograph courtesy of Apple
Photograph courtesy of Apple
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The company also introduced Apple Watch SE (prices start at $369), a more affordable version of the watch, packed with all of the essential features. Apple Watch SE has the largest and most advanced retina display and features the same accelerometer, gyroscope and always-on altimeter as Apple Watch Series 6 (and wellness and safety features like fall detection, emergency SOS and noise detection). It is available in three aluminum case finishes – gold, silver and space grey – and with a variety of bands, including the new solo loop and braided solo loop.
Photograph courtesy of Apple.
The details
Apple Fitness+ will be launching in Canada towards the end of the year (watch this space for exact dates). The cost for the platform will be $12.99 a month or $99.99 for the year. Classes are offered in English with the option of French Canadian subtitles.
Four 30-something mothers share their thoughts about keeping their professional and family lives on track during the pandemic as they grapple with the disproportionate burden of responsibility placed on them
from Verve Magazine https://ift.tt/3hJHpnV
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While Diana Nguyen, founder of the consignment site Lux Second Chance, knows that the concept of “luxury is based on scarcity”, she actually launched her business to provide more opportunities for consumers and collectors to get their hands on their favourite pieces.
“I love consignment,” says Nguyen, noting that she’s personally been a fan of that way of shopping for over 15 years–before it became one of the buzziest ways to buy hard-to-acquire items or the season’s latest trends. “But it’s not about the brand itself,” she notes of her high-end habit. “I’m a minimalist, so it’s about the quality.”
When Nguyen returned to Canada after working in the banking sector in Asia five years ago, she wanted to slow down the pace of her professional life and find a way to nurture her interest in tech and fashion. She’d noticed that in Canada, much of the consignment industry at the time was localized, and she wanted to develop a way to sell high-end goods from around the world–a kind of one-stop shop for the best of what fashion has to offer.
Starting off by selling 23 of her own handbags, Nguyen’s idea flourished thanks to her site’s ability to bring together an impressive inventory of pieces by brands like Hermès, Chanel, Goyard and Celine. “Our site [features] a bunch of [consignment] stores on one platform,” she notes, adding that Lux Second Chance’s reach has expanded from the Canadian market to include sellers in the U.S. and Europe.
One might be surprised by the fact that people are still keen to get their hands on a Birkin or Boy bag given the current economy, but Nguyen points out that there are several reasons why a business like hers has maintained–and grown–its clientele in the last few months.
“Luxury buyers aren’t shopping frivolously right now,” she says. “They’re shopping wisely.” That purposeful pursuit is motivated by a sense that “classics never go out of style”, as she says, and that many people would rather make an investment in a luxury good than on the stock market–and Nguyen has done the research on this. She compared the value of some stocks to that of an Hermès Birkin bag, and found the iconic tote actually outperformed shares.
Nguyen also says that seeking out items online means buyers have more options to peruse, since many luxury brands don’t sell their higher prices pieces via e-commerce. Coupled with the restrictions quarantine set in place for shopping IRL, it means that sites like Lux Second Chance are very of-the-moment.
In recent months, Nguyen has noticed an uptick in people buying cross-body and belt bags–“for those who want to go hands-free”–but that versatile items like Prada’s multi bag and large totes have sold well, too. “Backpacks are also making a comeback,” she hints. Further speaking to an interest in the mix of fashion and function, she says customers have been purchasing lots of chain link necklaces and rhinestone earrings–anything to give a bit of zest to all the video calls we’re now making.
She predicts that we’ll be seeing a rise in the chic sweatshirt as we head into fall, and that comes as no surprise. Classic and comfortable, they’re the super hero of a thoughtful WFH wardrobe.
Today, Canadian athleisure brand Peace Collective launches its new Self F/W20 collection, fronted by Never Have I Ever actress Maitreyi Ramakrishnan.
The collection aims to highlight the important of loving ourselves. The brand worked with Ramakrishnan – who recently spoke to FASHION about the importance of skinclusivity, particularly in the gaming world – to bring the collection to life, speaking with her about the importance of self-love, as well as taking time to recharge when life gets busy. “I think self love as a concept is whatever somebody needs for themselves. At the end of the day nobody knows who you are better than you. Trust yourself to know what you need and if you need help from others, go for it, ask for it,” the Tamil-Canadian actress shares in a video on Instagram supporting the collection.
Photograph courtesy of Peace Collective
A portion of the proceeds from this collection are being donated to CAMH in support of the hospital’s mental health program. On Instagram, Peace Collective wrote, “1 in 5 Canadians will experience mental illness in any given year, yet mental health remains stigmatized and taboo. It continues to be on unequal footing with physical health and not given the same attention.” They continued, “CAMH is one of the world’s leading mental health research hospitals. When you give to CAMH, you give researchers time to make breakthroughs, patients time to heal and families more time together. Recovery is Possible. Suicide is Preventable. All We Need is Time.”
The collection is made up of the brand’s signature sweats, featuring the words “More Self Love” on crewneck sweaters, tees and sweatpants. Everything in the collection is made in Canada from organic cotton and there are three colourways available – navy, neutral and black. There’s also caps and totes available in the collection.
I cannot thank you all enough for making my new Skinnytaste- Meal Prep cookbook #1 on Amazon this week!!!! Your support means so much to me, thank you for allowing me do a job that I love! Let me know what recipes you can’t wait to make, and then tell me your favorites as you make them!
Today, Canadian retailer Dynamite kicks off its newest campaign with two familiar faces – Jasmine Tookes and Josephine Skriver. The models (who also happen to be best friends and business partners) front the new fall collection, and are also the first duo to star in the brand’s new #IAmDynamite muse series.
Photograph courtesy of Dynamite
The series “encourages customers to bring their aspirations to life,” says the brand – a message that clearly resonates with both women. “I love the message that [Dynamite is] spreading to empower women to strive to be their best selves,” says Tookes, adding that the similarities between the messaging of the campaign and the Instagram-based, lifestyle-focused community she and Skriver have built on Instagram called JoJa, “were too great to ignore.” On the topic of aspirations, we ask, having achieved so much already, what’s next for the pair to conquer? Tookes say she wants to build JoJa out into a “full lifestyle brand” and hints that something big is coming. “We are currently in the process of building something that we are both very excited to share with the world and hope that it can inspire and bring together many women. It’s a lot of work to stay healthy from the inside out, the mental load for women today never stops. So we like to remind ourselves that it’s a marathon, not a sprint, we need to take breaks for ourselves, too, but the end result is going to be spectacular.” For Skriver, the ultimate achievement “is happiness.” She continues, “I believe different things at different points in your life will bring that to you and it’s not always cut and dry. It could be travelling, doing a fun new project, starting a family, or building a company. The most successful person is always the happiest person, and not the other way around. If I can keep a smile on my face, I have conquered all that I need to.”
Photograph courtesy of Dynamite
When it comes to making herself feel dynamite, Skriver says she relies on daily self-affirmations. “It is so important to love yourself and to be positive when looking in the mirror. It’s not always easy but every morning I try to wake up and tell myself, ‘You are a woman! You are strong! You are beautiful!’ Then I get ready, put on an outfit that expresses who I am and how I feel and then start my day ready for whatever the world throws at me.” Clothing plays a key role for Tookes, too, alongside friendship. “I put on my favourite outfit, blast some of my favourite music and get together with my best friends. I think having an amazing support group can make anyone feel dynamite,” she tells FASHION.
Photograph courtesy of Dynamite.
And speaking of clothing, the pair both share the same love of layers when it comes to dressing for fall. “I love being able to mix and match pieces and to mix different cuts, textures and colours,” says Skriver, adding that the Dynamite collection has “the perfect layering pieces” – including the faux leather puffer jacket which is her favourite piece in the whole line-up. “I can wear it with anything – jeans, tights, a dress. You can’t go wrong with it.” Tookes adds, “I love being able to start to wear layers again for fall. It’s a great time to experiment because you can wear dresses, chunky knits, jeans, joggers, tees – almost every item in your closet has a time and place during fall.” As for the pieces she’ll be wearing on rotation from the collection, Tookes points to the camel knit set she wore in the campaign. “It is so cozy and comfortable but also looks so chic. This is an item I could wear everyday. It has quickly become a staple in my closet and will see lots of love this season.”
Scroll through the gallery below to see our favourite pieces from the collection:
