Should you Wear a Mask? US Health Officials Re-examine Guidance Amid Covid-19 Crisis

It's the debate heard 'round the world: Should you or shouldn't you wear a face mask during the coronavirus pandemic?

That's something White House and US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention officials are discussing, according to Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation's top infectious disease expert.

While the World Health Organization on Monday stood by its recommendation only to wear a mask if you are sick or caring for someone who is sick, a growing number of officials and health experts argue that people should wear masks to help prevent spread of the virus.

"We are not going to be wearing masks forever, but it could be for a short period of time after we get back into gear. I could see something like that happening for a period of time," President Trump said during Monday's White House briefing.

The idea of recommending broad use of masks in the United States is under "very active discussion" at the White House, said Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, adding that the White House Task Force will be discussing it Tuesday.

Speaking to CNN's Jim Sciutto, Fauci said on CNN Newsroom that "the idea of getting a much more broad communitywide use of masks outside of the health care setting is under very active discussion at the Task Force. The CDC group is looking at that very carefully."

"The thing that has inhibited that a bit is to make sure we don't take away the supply of masks from the health care workers who need them," Fauci added. "But when we get in a situation where we have enough masks, I believe there will be some very serious consideration about more broadening this recommendation of using masks. We're not there yet, but I think we're close to coming to some determination.

"Because if, in fact, a person who may or may not be infected wants to prevent infecting somebody else, the best way to do that is with a mask. Perhaps that's the way to go."

Fauci warned, "You don't want to take masks away from the health care providers who are in a real and present danger of getting infected. That would be the worst thing we do. If we have them covered, then you could look back and say maybe we need to broaden this."

Meanwhile, many health experts already have turned to social media to make the argument for the public to wear masks, signaling a shift in some medical opinions around the topic.

Different Types of Masks Under Debate

In this debate, there are different types of masks in question: N95 respirator masks, surgical masks and cloth masks, which could be homemade.

"The N95 masks that we wear in health care should not be worn by the general public," Dr. James Phillips, CNN medical analyst and assistant professor of emergency medicine at George Washington University, said during an appearance on New Day on Tuesday morning.

"There's not any great proof that that's going to make a big difference. Those are used to prevent getting the disease from health care workers that are in close proximity to patients with it," Phillips said.

He added that surgical masks or cloth masks are different.

"Those are designed to keep the droplets that may be infected from coming out of your own mouth and nose on to other people, thus, spreading the disease. It makes logical sense that if everyone, including those who may be spreading the virus, was wearing that mask as sort of a shield over their face to prevent droplets from getting out into the air, that it would limit the transmission of the virus," Philips said on New Day.

"Now, cloth masks are not recommended to try to prevent you from getting disease, that's been shown to not work -- that's why we don't wear cloth masks in the hospital," he said. "I think the CDC and the federal government will end up coming out with a recommendation for people to wear masks, specifically to prevent droplet spread. I think that's coming."

Dr. Scott Gottlieb, former commissioner of the US Food and Drug Administration, wrote in a Twitter post on Sunday that a recommendation from the CDC "for consumers to wear cotton masks (with guidelines on how to fashion these products from household items) can improve safety and reduce spread and not strain the hospital supply chain."

Also on Twitter, Tom Inglesby, director of Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, wrote in a thread on Sunday that "members of the general public should wear non-medical fabric masks when going out in public in one additional societal effort to slow the spread of the virus down."

The Countries Where Masks are Mandatory

Austria, the Czech Republic and Slovakia have all made face coverings in public mandatory. Many Czechs are even sewing their own masks as the world experiences a shortage.

Authorities in the German town of Jena on Tuesday said it planned to make wearing a mask mandatory in shops and on public transport, as well as other public places. Even a personal scarf or cloth over the face will do.

Meanwhile, in China, where the pandemic began, the Chinese CDC has recommended to "wear a mask when going out."

WHO and US CDC experts have long argued that people who are not sick nor caring for someone who is sick should leave masks in the medical supply chain for health care workers who need them most.

"What the World Health Organization and the CDC have reaffirmed in the last few days is that they do not recommend the general public wear masks. Here's why: On an individual level, there was a study in 2015 looking at medical students -- and medical students wearing surgical masks touch their face on average 23 times," US Surgeon General Dr. Jerome Adams said during an appearance on Fox & Friends on Tuesday. That small behavioral observation study, published in the American Journal of Infection Control, was based on 26 medical students at the University of New South Wales.

"We know a major way that you can get respiratory diseases like coronaviruses is by touching a surface and then touching your face," Adams said. "So wearing a mask improperly can actually increase your risk of getting disease."

The US CDC currently recommends that if you are not sick, "you do not need to wear a facemask unless you are caring for someone who is sick."

Some experts who have made the argument for people to wear masks have pointed to past research showing the effectiveness of masks against the spread of influenza and to early research on Covid-19

.

A study published in the Journal of Hospital Infection in 2013 found that surgical masks could help reduce exposure to infectious influenza virus in the air. Preliminary data on how the virus shed from 13 Covid-19 patients at the University of Nebraska Medical Center supports "the use of airborne isolation precautions," such as masks. That early data currently is not published in a peer-reviewed journal.

A Global Shortage

As the debate continues around whether the public should wear masks, the world faces a serious shortage of medical supplies for doctors.

WHO officials warned during a media briefing in Geneva last week that there is a "significant shortage" of medical supplies globally, including personal protective gear or PPE.

"We need to be clear: The world is facing a significant shortage of PPE for our frontline workers -- including masks and gloves and gowns and face shields -- and protecting our health care workers must be the top priority for use of this PPE," Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove, WHO infectious disease epidemiologist, said during the briefing.

All elements of the supply chain for supplies appear to be under "extreme strain," said Dr. Mike Ryan, WHO executive director of health emergencies programme.

"There are problems in the supply chain all along that chain. The simple issue is demand," he said. "There are shortages of PPE, shortages of ventilators and other products for the medical response to Covid. We also have to avoid shortages in other medical supplies, as supply chains come under strain."

CNN's Amanda Watts and Angela Dewan contributed to this report.

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How to Strengthen your Immunity During the Coronavirus Pandemic

Strengthen Immunity : Exercise, Meditation, Sleep and Stress Management

As the CORONAVIRUS (Covid-19) situation intensifies, you might be wondering : How can I keep myself healthy?

The answer lies in following the latest guidelines on social distancing, proper handwashing and your local stay-at-home directives.

But there are also ways to strengthen your own immune system. Diet is one of them, and we covered that here in part one of our immunity boosting series.

Yet what you eat is just one factor. Being physically active, meditating and managing stress, and getting adequate sleep help, too. Keep reading to find out why those habits boost your immunity and how you can take advantage of their benefits.

Find Time for Fitness

Engaging in regular physical activity is a great way to help manage stress and strengthen your immune system. In fact, research shows that "fit individuals" -- defined as those who partake in regular physical activity -- have a lower incidence of infection compared to inactive and sedentary individuals. What's more, being physically active may help reduce the risk of chronic diseases that could further weaken your immune system, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes and obesity.

How to stay fit when the gym is closed and you are stuck at home

How does exercise help? For one, physical activity helps to flush bacteria out of the lungs, decreasing your chances of getting a cold, flu or other illness. Exercise also reduces levels of the body's stress hormones, such as adrenaline and cortisol, explained MaryAnn Browning, CEO and founder of Browningsfitness. Lower levels of stress hormones may protect against illness.

"[Exercise] also stimulates the production of endorphins -- chemicals in the brain that are the body's natural painkillers and mood elevators," Browning said.

For at-home fitness essentials, Browning recommends getting a set of yellow, green and red resistance bands (the colors correspond with varying levels of resistance). "These can be used for back, bicep, triceps, shoulders and leg work," Browning said.

She also recommends looped bands to go around the calves or thighs, which strengthen the glutes and can help prevent knee and back injuries.

For an at-home cardio workout, Browning recommends jumping jacks, high knees, butt kicks, burpees and switch jumps -- during which you'll jump to turn 180 degrees and then back again -- for 15 seconds each. Then repeat the circuit five to 10 times, depending on what you can handle.

Getting the recommended amount of physical activity is tied to lower risk of cancer, study says

And don't forget about the joy of dancing! My girls and I love blasting our favorite tunes and engaging in impromptu dance parties for a wonderful mood-lifting indoor activity, no equipment required. Try making up fun dance routines, or have someone play DJ and compete in "freeze dance."

If you are looking for something a bit more structured, there are plenty of online options to choose from. My girls and I have enjoyed the Yoga with Adrienne YouTube channel,t which offers free yoga videos. Free on-demand programs are also available at YMCA360.org, and include boot camp, Barre, yoga and low-impact programs for seniors.

Another option is Melissa Wood's Health Workouts, which can be accessed online or via her app. "You can use light weights or your own body weight, and they're quick yet super effective. They have been an absolute godsend to me during this time!" said Jamie Plancher, who has a masters in emergency and disaster management and has been "tracking Covid-19 like a hawk."

"I'm obsessed with Alexia Clark's workouts," said Lindsey Schwartz, who is currently homeschooling her children in New York City. "Everyday is something different ... she's the queen of making sure you use as many muscles as possible in a circuit and knows how to keep it interesting."

While that program has a subscription-based app, you can also find free workouts on Alexia Clark's Instagram and IGTV.

Meditate

If you haven't tried mediation, now might be a good time to start. A recent review involving 20 randomized, controlled trials including more than 1,600 people suggested that meditation may help keep our immune system functioning optimally.

Daily meditation could slow aging in your brain, study says

A stressful circumstance like what we are experiencing now can negatively affect the immune system, but "a consistent meditation practice can help us better respond to stressful situations," explained Ellie Burrows Gluck, a Vedic meditation teacher and the co-founder and CEO of MNDFL, a meditation studio in New York City that also offers live-streamed, at-home practices with meditation experts at MNDFL TV.

"Life is messy, and although meditation isn't a cure all it can help us to remember to breathe and that we'll never be able to clean it all up," Gluck said.

To start meditating, simply bring your full attention to your breath. Sitting with uplifted posture may help, and eyes may be closed or open. When you notice your mind wanders with thoughts like, "What am I going to have for lunch?" come back to your breath without judgment.

Gluck says once you've been practicing for a while and have learned how to choose between your breath and your thoughts, you can "apply that same mechanism of choice to [your] response to stressful situations." Most studies show you need to practice a minimum of 10 minutes a day for 8 to 10 weeks to see the benefits over time, Gluck added.

When meditating, it's a good idea to aim for consistency when it comes to the style of meditation; the time of day and length of your practice; and your surroundings. You might choose your favorite spot on the couch or a designated corner with a meditation cushion, Gluck advised.

Manage Stress

Research dating back over 25 years has revealed that psychological stress increases susceptibility to illness (PDF).

Prolonged or chronic stress can negatively impact the immune system by reducing the body's ability to defend against viruses and bacteria, explained Allison Forti, licensed clinical mental health counselor and associate director of the Online Master's in Counseling Program at Wake Forest University.

Additionally, when under stress, it's not uncommon for people to engage in coping strategies such as drinking excessive alcohol, smoking cigarettes, eating a poor diet, or not getting enough sleep, which can also negatively impact the immune system, Forti added.

To calm our anxiety during this stressful time, first acknowledge that it is okay to feel stressed, anxious and afraid. "It is okay to feel panicked ... look for ways to ground yourself in a safe and healthy way that does not cause harm to others," Forti said.

Maintaining a sense of connection with friends and loved ones is important. Email, call or FaceTime relatives, and have live-streaming cocktail hours with friends, like my husband and I did this past Saturday evening. (Good news: You can responsibly "drink and Zoom.") And children can benefit from staying connected, too. One of my mom friends recently organized a pajama party via Zoom for my daughter and her friends.

It's also important to avoid judging your feelings and thoughts, Forti explained. Acknowledge them with a sense of care and appreciation, and release the expectation that things should be normal right now. For example, if you are feeling stressed about not fine-tuning the perfect homeschooling schedule or web-based activities for your children, that's ok.

"Holding on to rigid patterns of thinking exacerbates stress and anxiety," Forti said. "Flexibility is required during this time of uncertainty and rapid change."

In my home, that means working with several interruptions, and allowing my girls to have some access to TikTok on my iPhone, along with some extra cookies.

For those experiencing high levels of stress or anxiety, it may be helpful to be mindful as you consume media updates. "Be aware of how the news affects you. Does it trigger your anxiety? Alternatively, does it make you feel safe because now you can choose what to do with that information?" Forti said. You may wish to ask a friend to keep you informed of major alerts so you do not have to check the media, Forti advised.

Don't Skimp on Sleep

Lastly, get your z's. Not doing so can negatively affect your immune system, according to the National Sleep Foundation.

To keep your immune system strong, the NSF advises aiming for seven to eight hours of sleep each night. But if your mind has been keeping you up or you simply can't get that amount, fill in the gaps with naps.

According to the NSF, taking two naps that are no longer than 30 minutes each — one in the morning and one in the afternoon — has been shown to help decrease stress and offset the negative effects that sleep deprivation has on the immune system. If that's not realistic, a 20-minute catnap during a lunch break or before dinner can help too.

Lisa Drayer is a nutritionist, an author and a CNN health and nutrition contributor.

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Charlotte Lawrence Says she's Tested Positive for Covid-19

Charlotte Lawrence has revealed that she has tested positive for the coronavirus.

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The 19-year-old "Joke's On You" singer says she tested positive a few days ago, but believes she will be fine.

"Hey guys. A couple days ago, my doctor informed me that I too have COVID-19. A lot of us will," she wrote on social media.

She continued: "I am going to be completely fine. But many who get it won't be if too many people get sick too quickly."

She urged her followers to think about the well being of others and stay inside.

"So this is not me asking for prayers, for love, for sweet messages. This is me pleading for you all to protect those less able to survive this virus. Stay inside. Please. Whether you feel sick or not, stay inside," she wrote, adding, "Think about your parents. Think about your grandparents. I love so many people who might have a very rough time getting through this. Think about someone else getting your loved ones sick because they didn't listen, because they thought they knew better. Because they were selfish."

Charlotte Lawrence

✔@charlottelawr

i’m feeling okay and am gonna be completely finewe have the power to slow this down. protect those who need it https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/prevention.html …

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11:54 AM - Mar 18, 2020

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Lawrence ended her post telling others we "have the power to slow this down."

"So please, please isolate yourself," she said.

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Michael Yo Shares Emotional Post about Recovering from Coronavirus

Michael Yo is an American actor, stand-up comedian and television host who co-hosted The Insider on CBS, and currently hosts Yo Show on Yahoo! TV.

Comedian Michael is recovering from a hospitalization for coronavirus.

Michael Yo fought back tears as he revealed he'd recently been diagnosed with both pneumonia and the coronavirus.

The comedian, 45, posted an emotional video to Instagram, thanking his family for their love and his friends for their jokes during an eight-day stay in the hospital.

"Thank you to my amazing wife the rock to my foundation and to everyone that reached out. To all my comedian, personal friends and #JRE family it meant a lot," he wrote in a caption.

Yo said: "I'm at home now, self-quarantined since I was at the hospital for eight days. A lot of people have been asking what happens, so basically, I went to the hospital. I have pneumonia and corona at the same time which if you're watching the news, it's the deadly combo right there. Man, it was scary. When I checked in, the doctor said, 'This is going to go good fast and then it's going to go really bad fast.'"

He thanked friends for bringing supplies to his wife, Claire Schreiner, and son, Oliver, saying "It meant so much" and that he loved watching people dropping off boxes at the front door through his Ring doorbell videos.

Yo also thanked the nurses and hospital staffers, saying "To the first responders out there, you guys are amazing. You're risking your life for us."

He grew emotional when talking about the people he saw in there who were "dying alone" because family is not allowed to visit.

"I don't care what you're reading, I was in there," he said, adding, "people are dying alone."

The comic said fellow comics helped him recover by sending him coronavirus jokes, and that he still managed to laugh while sick.

"No matter how bad it gets we gotta keep laughing," he said.

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How to Watch Movies with Friends Online

Host a movie night with friends while social distancing.

Even a favorite stay-at-home activity like watching TV can get lonely sometimes, especially if you’re used to hanging out with your friends and watching together. And although you can stream and text, FaceTime, or share your screen on Zoom, sometimes that just doesn’t cut it. If you’re looking for a way to make your social-distancing series binge more, well, social, there are browser extensions that let you host watch parties digitally.

Here are four apps you can use to host movie nights with friends online, along with step-by-step instructions on how to start watching.

To use these apps, you will need your own subscription for each service, and everyone watching will have to be signed onto their own account. These extensions work on top of your existing subscription to sync the videos with your friends — they don’t provide non-subscribers with a free viewing.

NETFLIX PARTY

Netflix Party syncs up your streams with those of your friends and adds a live chat on one side of the screen. The app is only for use with Netflix and is only available for Chrome.

To Host a Netflix Party:

Download the extension Open up Netflix and start playing a videoThe Netflix Party extension icon next to your address bar should change from gray to red. Click on it.A window will pop up instructing you to “Create a Netflix Party.” You have the option to either give yourself total control over the playback, or leave it open to everyone. Click “Start the party.”Another window will pop up with a link. Click “Copy URL” and share it with your friends. If you need to, you can find this link again by clicking the Netflix Party extension icon.Netflix Party will automatically give you an icon. By clicking on the icon, you can change it (there are a few alternatives) as well as your nickname.

To Join an Existing Netflix Party:

Click on the link.Click on the Netflix Party icon.

METASTREAM

Metastream allows you to live chat while watching videos on a range of platforms, including Netflix, Hulu, YouTube, Twitch, and Crunchyroll. But Metastream will open Netflix in another window. The app is still in beta, so there are some kinks — for example, we experienced some issues using it with Hulu on Chrome; Metastream recommends using Firefox when watching Hulu, which worked better when we tried it.

To Host a Metastream Watch Party:

Download the extension for Firefox or Chrome Navigate to https://app.getmetastream.com/ Type in a display name and click “Get Started.”Click “Start Session” on the next screen.Click the “Invite” button on the left to get a link to share; click “Copy” and send it to your friends. In the same window, you can also make the session public, private, or offline, and change the number of users allowed (you can have an unlimited number of users). Close out of that window.Your friends will click on that link to join the session. When they join, you’ll see a box on the left with your name and theirs; you’ll have to click the green check mark by their name to let them in. To grant them permission to add videos and change playback, click on the three dots next to their name and then click “Toggle DJ.” The Metastream screen can be a little busy. You can make things clearer by setting up your chat to play on the right-hand side. Click the three dots on the far right of the bar at the bottom of the home screen. Click the “Chat” button. When the chat window opens, click the rectangle icon in the top right corner of that window.If you click on the cog icon, you can pick an avatar and change your username.

To watch something, you have a few options. Click the “Add Media” button in the center of the main screen and then you can either:

Paste the URL for the video in the bar either at the top or the bottom of the screen and then click “Add to Session.” Click one of the video sources in the middle of the screen. That will take you to the home screen for that source. Find the video you want. Then click the “Add to Session” button in the top right corner.

Doing either of these things will put that video in a queue, so you can set up a list of things you want to watch.

SCENER

Scener lets you video chat with your friends while watching Netflix, and there’s also a live chat function. You can watch with up to 10 people total. It only works for Netflix, though, and you can only use it through the primary profile for your account.

To Use Scener:

Download the Chrome extension and create an account. Click on the extension’s icon to the right of the address bar.Sign into Netflix. Click “Create a private group.” Type in a name for your group and then click “Next.” Scener will give you a link to share with your friends to invite them to the group. Click the “Copy” button next to the link. Then click “Done” to close the window. Send that link to your friends. They’ll have to click on it to join.Once they’ve joined, click the “Watch Together” button.Click on the settings button next to the purple icon with the chair in the center-right of the screen. A few more icons should pop up. Click on the top two icons, the camera and the microphone, to enable video and audio. You should be able to see and hear your friends now.Play a show or movie.

You can Add Friends on Scener. To do that:

Type your friend’s username into the search bar in the top right corner. Click the “Add Friend” button next to their name.Click on their name and then click “Watch Together” to start the watch party.

Scener has a virtual remote control you can pass between friends. Whoever has it gets to control what you and your friends are watching, rewind, or pause and play the movie or TV show, like an actual remote control. To pass the remote, hover over a friend’s icon. A remote button should appear under their icon. Click on that to give them the remote.

The only issue with Scener is that if you’re signed on, it’s hard to hide the extension when you’re not using it. So every time you use Netflix, the extension will open up with it; if you want to use a different Netflix extension, like Netflix Party, you’ll have to disable the Scener extension. Here’s how:

Go to chrome://extensions/Find the Scener extension and click “Details.”Toggle “On” to “Off.”You can also disable it by right-clicking on the Scener extension and then clicking “Manage Extensions.” When the screen opens up, just toggle “On” to “Off.”

Scener has been experiencing some issues; the company says it’s facing more demand than usual and is working on fixing the problems.

TWOSEVEN

TwoSeven also has a video chat feature, but it supports more services. In addition to Netflix, you can use it to watch Amazon Prime Video, HBO Now, YouTube, and Vimeo. If you pay the subscription fee, you can also use the app with Hulu and Disney Plus. The subscription prices range from $5 to $20 a month, but because of COVID-19, TwoSeven is offering all of those paid features for $3 a month.

To Host a TwoSeven Watch Party:

Download the extension for Firefox or Chrome and create an account by clicking on the extension icon and going to the site. You will have to confirm your email.Click on the TwoSeven icon next to the address bar, then click “Go to twoseven.xyz ”Click“ Get Started.” Here you can change your avatar and username by clicking on the icon in the top right corner, to the right of the cog icon. Select “Account” to access your profile settings.Click “Start Watching.”You’ll get a pop-up window that lets you create a private room. You can either allow the other participants to have control of the webcam and mic or let the admins only have access. Make your selection and then click “Just Me.”Click on the icon in the top right corner which has two people and a plus sign. Click on “Copy Link” and share that link with friends. Once you do, they’ll be added to the watch session.Click on the camera and microphone icons on the right-hand side of the screen to enable video and audio.There is also a live chat feature at the bottom of the screen. Click on “Messages” in the lower right-hand corner to open it.Click on the button for your chosen video source at the top of the screen. For Netflix, this will take you to your account’s home screen and you can click on a movie or show there to start watching. To watch YouTube videos you’ll have to paste in the URLs.

Once you add someone to the watch session via a link, you can add them as a friend to make it easier to include them in future watch sessions.

To Do That:

Click the icon with two people (not the one with the plus sign).Find their name and click the icon with a person and a plus sign. This will send them a friend request; they will need to accept it.When you receive a friend request, you can accept it by going to the TwoSeven homepage (if you have an existing watch session open, make sure to open it in a different tab otherwise you’ll leave the session). Any friend requests should appear on the right-hand side under “Pending Requests.” Click on the green check mark to accept.

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Microsoft Gets Ready for a New Era of Windows

Microsoft reorganized its Windows + Devices team last month, placing Surface chief Panos Panay in charge of both Windows and hardware. While it’s still early days for Panay, we’re starting to get an idea of how things might change with Windows. That starts with a new Windows Insider leader, Microsoft’s beta program that sees millions of people testing Windows 10.

“In my first 30 days as the Windows leader, as I’ve been spending time listening, learning, and working with the team to build a vision for the next era of Windows, I’ve been in awe of the Insiders group and the level of dedication and depth of knowledge they have,” explains Panay in a new blog post today. “To keep this momentum going and continue to grow and innovate in Windows, it’s clear we need the right person to lead this powerful community into the next era, which is why I’m excited to announce Amanda Langowski as the new lead for the Windows Insider Program.”

Langowski is a Microsoft and Windows veteran, having worked at the company for more than 20 years. Langowski previously worked on Windows beta programs, Windows Mobile, Windows Phone, and the all-important flighting team that makes sure builds of Windows are available for engineers inside and outside of Microsoft.

Langowski will now take over as the face of Windows 10 testing and lead an important feedback loop, a role that Dona Sarkar previously led for the past few years. Sarkar has taken a new role in the Microsoft Developer Relations team and remains at the company, while the previous Insider chief, Gabe Aul, left Microsoft last year for a virtual and augmented reality engineering role at Facebook.

Microsoft’s Panos Panay.

As Panay says, Microsoft is now getting ready to build a vision for where Windows goes next. The software maker has tried a variety of ways to entice creators to Windows over the past five years, but it has walked back some of those changes. The pace of Windows 10 updates has certainly slowed over the past 12 months, leaving testers and Windows fans wondering what’s coming next.

Microsoft is obviously focused on Windows 10X for dual-screen devices right now, but there will be plenty of changes coming to the desktop version, too. Panay hasn’t finalized his vision for the direction of Windows, but you can expect to see a renewed focus on the OS at Microsoft. That will no doubt include some of the pumped energy Panay is famous for, but also a focus on simplifying the operating system and cleaning up some areas that haven’t been looked at for quite some time.

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella’s bold goal was “we want to move from people needing Windows to choosing Windows, to loving Windows,” five years ago. It’s fair to say Windows 10 has certainly improved over the past five years, but a fresh vision for where it needs to go and a face for Windows is very much needed.

I expect, and certainly hope, to see a bigger focus on Microsoft adapting the OS to the people who truly use it every day and rely on Windows. That’s not to say there won’t be some big new features that the company will develop, but PowerToys for Windows 10 and the Windows Terminal have been some great additions.

We’re starting to see some of the simplifications for Windows show up, with new icons and even some tweaks to the Start menu. Panay celebrated a billion Windows 10 users with a teaser video last week, and it’s clear the Windows team is looking at cleaning up parts of the UI. Microsoft is ready to listen again, with new leadership involved at the top of Windows and how the company receives feedback. We’re now waiting to hear exactly what the next era of Windows will bring. Some of those answers might not be too far away.

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Samsung Galaxy A31 Specifications

"Samsung Galaxy A31 goes Official with 48MP Quad Camera, 5,000mAh Battery"

Samsung Galaxy A31 is powered by a 2GHz octa-core MediaTek Helio P65 processor that features 2 cores clocked at 2GHz and 6 cores clocked at 1.7GHz. It comes with 4GB of RAM. The Samsung Galaxy A31 runs Android 10 and is powered by a 5000mAh non-removable battery.

The Samsung Galaxy A31 has arrived to add a bit of class to the affordable smartphone market. Compared to its M31 cousin, it's more slender thanks to the taller aspect ratio of its 6.4" Super AMOLED screen. Also, the phone has an in-display fingerprint reader instead of a rear-mounted one.

The screen has 1080p+ resolution and an U-shaped notch on its top edge to house the 20MP selfie camera. The 20:9 aspect ratio makes the A-series phone 2mm narrower than the M31, it's also a fraction thinner and lighter.



The quad camera on the rear looks and functions similarly to the M-phone. It's made up of a 48MP main sensor (f/2.0 aperture, 0.8µm pixels), 8MP ultrawide-angle cam (123°), a 5MP dedicated macro shooter and a 5MP depth sensor.

Samsung didn't give much details about the chipset, but leaked benchmarks point to a MediaTek Helio P65 chipset. It has two Cortex-A75 CPU cores, which are newer and more powerful than the four A73 cores inside the Galaxy M31. Even so, the performance battle between the two will be close.

Anyway, the phone comes with 4GB of RAM and 64GB storage as standard with a 6/128GB option for those who want more. The microSD card slot can be used to add up to 512GB more to the storage pool.

    

Samsung Galaxy A31 in Prism Crush Black, Prism Crush Blue, Prism Crush Red and Prism Crush White

The Samsung Galaxy A31 is powered by a 5,000mAh battery, which supports 15W fast charging through the USB-C port.

The phone will be available in Prism Crush Black, Prism Crush Blue, Prism Crush Red, Prism Crush White (the front bezel and camera hump are always black). Availability and price information will be revealed soon.

A quick comparison between the Galaxy A31 and M31. The M-series phone has a 64MP main camera (larger sensor with f/1.8 aperture), 32MP selfie cam, larger 6,000mAh battery, also its base memory configuration is 6/64GB. So, we really want to see that pricing info now (the M31 was INR 15,000/$205 at launch).



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How to Avoid Caffein?

Caffeine is the most widely consumed stimulant in the world. Try these tips to cut down caffeine consumption, ease caffeine withdrawal, and get more restful sleep.

It’s found naturally in the leaves, seeds, and fruits of several plants. Common sources include coffee and cocoa beans, kola nuts, and tea leaves.

It’s also produced synthetically and added to sodas, energy drinks, and certain dietary supplements intended to boost weight loss, energy, and focus.

While caffeine is known for its energizing effects, it can also cause a caffeine crash, characterized by increased fatigue and sleepiness.

This article explains what a caffeine crash is and provides 4 ways to avoid its energy-draining effects.

What is a Caffeine Crash?

Caffeine stimulates your nervous system by increasing brain activity, thereby enhancing focus and cognition while delaying fatigue.

These effects can occur with low to moderate caffeine doses of 20–200 mg. They typically present within 60 minutes after consumption and last for 5 hours on average.

After the stimulating effects wear off, it’s common to feel less alert or focused. However, experiencing extreme tiredness, an inability to concentrate, irritability, or a headache may indicate a caffeine crash or dependence.

A caffeine crash may result from a lack of sleep, consuming the substance too close to bedtime, or consuming too much. The symptoms range from mild to severe and last anywhere from hours to a week, depending on individual factors.

Fortunately, there are ways to prevent — or at least reduce — these productivity-killing effects.

Here are 4 tips to help you avoid a caffeine crash.

SUMMARY

A caffeine crash can result due to poor sleep, consuming caffeine close to bedtime, or consuming too much. It’s associated with tiredness, the inability to concentrate, and irritability.

1. Focus on Sleep

Many people turn to caffeine — whether from coffee, soda, or energy drinks — to increase alertness and promote wakefulness in the morning or throughout the day, especially after a poor night’s sleep.

Although achieving a good night’s rest may not be possible every night, it’s essential for preventing caffeine crashes.

Consuming caffeine when tired or energy-deprived will only temporarily relieve those feelings. Once the effects wear off, you may feel more tired than before.

In response, you may consume more of the substance. This pattern has been called the “coffee cycle,” and over time, it can lead to excessive use of caffeine.

The energizing effects of caffeine are stronger when you’re sleep deprived than when you’re well rested. As such, prioritizing sleep may be a way to eliminate or reduce your reliance on caffeine to keep you awake and alert, thus preventing caffeine crashes.

Regularly getting adequate sleep is not only effective for preventing caffeine crashes, but it’s also important for good health.

Long-term poor or inadequate sleep is linked with a higher risk of chronic illnesses like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, obesity, and dementia.

Experts recommend sleeping 7–9 hours per night.

SUMMARY

Regularly achieving adequate sleep can help decrease your reliance on caffeine for energy and prevent the crashes that may result from inadequate sleep.

2. Don’t Consume it too Close to Bedtime

Achieving adequate sleep can be difficult if you consume too much caffeine throughout the day or too close to bedtime.

Caffeine has an average half-life of about 5 hours, ranging from 1.5–10 hours depending on factors like age, overall health, whether you smoke, and genetics.

In other words, half of the total amount of caffeine you consume remains in your body after approximately 5 hours. Thus, to avoid the substance affecting sleep, it’s generally recommended you avoid consuming it within 5–6 hours of bedtime.

In one study, participants who consumed a pill containing 400 mg of caffeine — equivalent to about four 8-ounce (240-mL) cups of coffee — 6 hours before bed experienced disrupted sleep and difficulty falling asleep resulting in 1 less hour of sleep.

This disruption in sleep or difficulty falling asleep can increase sleepiness and fatigue the following day.

In fact, regular caffeine intake is associated with shorter sleep times, reduced sleep quality, and excessive daytime sleepiness.

Depending on your tolerance to caffeine and when you usually go to bed, it may be best to only consume it early in the day.

SUMMARY

Sticking to moderate amounts of caffeine early — rather than late — in the day can help you achieve a good night’s rest and reduce daytime sleepiness, which can otherwise result from consuming caffeine too close to bed.

3. Limit your Intake

Owing to caffeine’s long half-life, the more caffeine you consume throughout the day, the longer it will take to leave your body.

Consuming excess caffeine will not only lead to symptoms of a caffeine crash once it wears off, but it can also cause other mild to severe adverse effects.

While caffeine is commonly believed to cause dehydration, it only has a diuretic — or urine-producing — effect when consumed in excess and by non-habitual consumers.

When consumed in appropriate amounts, caffeine is safe for most people.

Studies suggest that healthy adults can safely consume up to 400 mg of caffeine per day, equivalent to about four 8-ounce (240-mL) cups of coffee.

Since genetics also influence how fast someone metabolizes caffeine, a lower amount in some may be more appropriate.

It’s recommended that pregnant women consume no more than 300 mg of caffeine per day, with some studies recommending no more than 200 mg per day.

People with anxiety or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) may want to limit or avoid caffeine altogether as it can worsen these conditions.

Caffeine may also interact with certain prescription and over-the-counter medications. Therefore, it’s good practice to check with your physician or pharmacist to determine whether caffeine is appropriate and safe for you, and if so, in what dose.

SUMMARY

Consuming too much caffeine can cause agitation, an elevated or irregular heart rate, and stomach upset. Healthy adults shouldn’t exceed 400 mg of caffeine per day and pregnant women should consume no more than 200–300 mg per day.

4. Don’t Quit Cold Turkey

If you regularly consume caffeine, you may have developed caffeine dependence.

Studies show that caffeine dependence can develop after just 3 days of use and from daily doses as low as 100 mg.

Withdrawal symptoms resemble a caffeine crash and include headaches, decreased alertness, mood changes, and fatigue — all reversible by consuming caffeine.

Symptoms typically begin 8–12 hours from when you last consumed caffeine, peak after 1–2 days, and last for up to a week.

One of the first studies on caffeine withdrawal from the early 1990s demonstrated that regular caffeine users who abruptly stopped consuming caffeine experienced moderate to severe headaches, mood disturbances, and fatigue.

If you regularly consume caffeine and want to decrease or eliminate it from your diet, it’s best to decrease your intake slowly over several days to weeks rather than quitting cold turkey.

On the other hand, if you regularly consume caffeine and experience caffeine-crash symptoms from skipping your morning coffee or other caffeine-containing beverage of choice, simply consuming that beverage should improve the symptoms.

SUMMARY

You can become dependent on caffeine even if only consuming it over a short period of time and in relatively small doses. You can avoid withdrawal symptoms by sticking with your usual caffeine intake or reducing your intake slowly over time.

The Bottom Line

A caffeine crash is characterized by symptoms like headaches, excessive tiredness, an inability to concentrate, and irritability.

You can avoid or reduce the severity of these symptoms by getting adequate sleep at night, avoiding caffeine too close to bedtime, and by consuming no more than 400 mg per day if you’re a healthy adult.

If you regularly consume caffeine, you can avoid crashes by sticking with your usual daily intake. Alternatively, if you wish to reduce or eliminate your intake, do so slowly rather than going cold turkey.

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How to Increase Immunity

Immune System Boosters: Feeding your body certain foods may help keep your immune system strong. If you're looking for ways to prevent winter colds and the flu, your first step should be a visit to your local grocery store. Plan your meals to include these 15 powerful immune system boosters.

15 Foods That Boost the Immune System....

1. Citrus Fruits

Most people turn to vitamin C after they've caught a cold. That’s because it helps build up your immune system. Vitamin C is thought to increase the production of white blood cells. These are key to fighting infections.

Popular citrus fruits include:

Because your body doesn't produce or store it, you need daily vitamin C for continued health. Almost all citrus fruits are high in vitamin C. With such a variety to choose from, it's easy to add a squeeze of this vitamin to any meal.

2. Red Bell Peppers

If you think citrus fruits have the most vitamin C of any fruit or vegetable, think again. Ounce for ounce, red bell peppers contain twice as much vitamin C as citrus. They’re also a rich source of beta carotene. Besides boosting your immune system, vitamin C may help maintain healthy skin. Beta carotene helps keep your eyes and skin healthy.

3. Broccoli

Broccoli is supercharged with vitamins and minerals. Packed with vitamins A, C, and E, as well as many other antioxidants and fiber, broccoli is one of the healthiest vegetables you can put on your table. The key to keeping its power intact is to cook it as little as possible — or better yet, not at all.

4. Garlic

Garlic is found in almost every cuisine in the world. It adds a little zing to food and it's a must-have for your health. Early civilizations recognized its value in fighting infections. According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative HealthTrusted Source, garlic may also help lower blood pressure and slow down hardening of the arteries. Garlic’s immune-boosting properties seem to come from a heavy concentration of sulfur-containing compounds, such as allicin.

5. Ginger

Ginger is another ingredient many turn to after getting sick. Ginger may help decrease inflammation, which can help reduce a sore throat and other inflammatory illnesses. Ginger may also help decrease nausea.

While it's used in many sweet desserts, ginger packs some heat in the form of gingerol, a relative of capsaicin. Ginger may help decrease chronic pain and may possess cholesterol-lowering properties, according to recent animal researchTrusted Source.

6. Spinach

Spinach made our list not just because it's rich in vitamin C. It's also packed with numerous antioxidants and beta carotene, which may increase the infection-fighting ability of our immune systems. Similar to broccoli, spinach is healthiest when it’s cooked as little as possible so that it retains its nutrients. However, light cooking enhances its vitamin A and allows other nutrients to be released from oxalic acid.

7. Yogurt

Look for yogurts that have "live and active cultures" printed on the label, like Greek yogurt. These cultures may stimulate your immune system to help fight diseases. Try to get plain yogurts rather than the kinds that are preflavored and loaded with sugar. You can sweeten plain yogurt yourself with healthy fruits and a drizzle of honey instead.

Yogurt can also be a great source of vitamin D, so try to select brands fortified with vitamin D. Vitamin D helps regulate the immune system and is thought to boost our body’s natural defenses against diseases.

8. Almonds

When it comes to preventing and fighting off colds, vitamin E tends to take a backseat to vitamin C. However, vitamin E is key to a healthy immune system. It’s a fat-soluble vitamin, meaning it requires the presence of fat to be absorbed properly. Nuts, such as almonds, are packed with the vitamin and also have healthy fats. A half-cup serving, which is about 46 whole, shelled almonds, provides nearly 100 percent of the recommended daily amount of vitamin E.

9. Turmeric

You may know turmeric as a key ingredient in many curries. But this bright yellow, bitter spice has also been used for years as an anti-inflammatory in treating both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Also, researchTrusted Source shows that high concentrations of curcumin, which gives turmeric its distinctive color, can help decrease exercise-induced muscle damage.

10. Green Tea

Both green and black teas are packed with flavonoids, a type of antioxidant. Where green tea really excels is in its levels of epigallocatechin gallate, or EGCG, another powerful antioxidant. EGCG has been shown to enhance immune function. The fermentation process black tea goes through destroys a lot of the EGCG. Green tea, on the other hand, is steamed and not fermented, so the EGCG is preserved.

Green tea is also a good source of the amino acid L-theanine. L-theanine may aid in the production of germ-fighting compounds in your T-cells.

11. Papaya

Papaya is another fruit loaded with vitamin C. You can find 224 percent of the daily recommended amount of vitamin C in a single papaya. Papayas also have a digestive enzyme called papain that has anti-inflammatory effects.

Papayas have decent amounts of potassium, B vitamins, and folate, all of which are beneficial to your overall health.

12. Kiwi

Like papayas, kiwis are naturally full of a ton of essential nutrients, including folate, potassium, vitamin K, and vitamin C. Vitamin C boosts white blood cells to fight infection, while kiwi’s other nutrients keep the rest of your body functioning properly.

13. Poultry

When you’re sick, chicken soup is more than just a feel-good food with a placebo effect. It helps improve symptoms of a cold and also helps protect you from getting sick in the first place. Poultry, such as chicken and turkey, is high in vitamin B-6. About 3 ounces of light turkey or chicken meat contains 40 to 50 percent of your daily recommended amount of B-6.

Vitamin B-6 is an important player in many of the chemical reactions that happen in the body. It’s also vital to the formation of new and healthy red blood cells. Stock or broth made by boiling chicken bones contains gelatin, chondroitin, and other nutrients helpful for gut healing and immunity.

14. Sunflower Seeds

Sunflower seeds are full of nutrients, including phosphorous, magnesium, and vitamin B-6. They’re also incredibly high in vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant.

Vitamin E is important in regulating and maintaining immune system function. Other foods with high amounts of vitamin E include avocados and dark leafy greens.

15. Shellfish

Shellfish isn’t what jumps to mind for many who are trying to boost their immune system, but some types of shellfish are packed with zinc.

Zinc doesn’t get as much attention as many other vitamins and minerals, but our bodies need it so that our immune cells can function as intended.

Varieties of shellfish that are high in zinc include:

Keep in mind that you don’t want to have more than the daily recommended amount of zinc in your diet. For adult men, it’s 11 milligrams (mg), and for women, it’s 8 mg. Too much zinc can actually inhibit immune system function.

More Ways to Prevent the Flu

Variety is the key to proper nutrition. Eating just one of these foods won’t be enough to help fight off the flu, even if you eat it constantly. Pay attention to serving sizes and recommended daily intake so that you don’t get too much of a single vitamin and too little of others.

Eating right is a great start, and there are other things you can do to protect you and your family from the flu, cold, and other illnesses. Start with these flu prevention basics and then read these seven tips for flu-proofing your home. Perhaps most importantly, read up on the flu vaccine and decide whether it’s right for you.

How to boost immune system fast?

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