Travel Expert Jennifer Weatherhead Shares Timely Information and Inspiration About Great Getaways for the...
Physicians Must Reject Hobson’s Choice, Writes President of the Association of American Physicians and...
Sheila Page, D.O., a family physician in Aledo, Texas, and president of the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons (AAPS), is featured in the winter issue of the of the Journal of American Physicians and Surgeons. She writes: "Today physicians often feel constrained to pick from among options that are not in the best interest of patients but are 'covered' by insurance or approved by officials."
"An apparently free choice when there is no real alternative is a Hobson's Choice, and physicians must understand the political structure in which this type of 'choice' is embedded," Dr. Page explains.
"During the COVID pandemic, people often faced a Hobson's Choice of taking a shot that they believed put their life, health, or fertility at risk, or be barred from their education or career," she noted.
"Voters generally believe that they have two choices, Republican or Democrat, and that they represent extremes of political ideology. However, when they are in office, politicians behave as if they belong to the same club," she writes.
"Physicians have accepted the Hobson's Choice of either abiding by ridiculous regulatory burdens or refusing to treat the senior population," she explains. They "accept the Hobson's Choice of either standing against the oppression or keeping their 'place at the table.'"
"The phrase 'we need to keep our place at the table to avoid being on the menu' entirely misses the point," she states. "The profession is on the table already being carved up. How many times have we been told we must choose the lesser of two evils? Either choice is still evil!"
"We must identify the enemy within," Dr. Page writes. "The medical profession must grasp the extent to which it has been manipulated by pharmaceutical, insurance, and other systems tied to medicine. We have been burdened with regulations and threats to our licenses by the same people who are selling us the solutions."
"There is tremendous profit in the existing system, but we must nevertheless offer healing and hope, learn how to fight back effectively, and reject the Hobson's Choice," she concludes.
The Journal of American Physicians and Surgeons is published by the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons (AAPS), a national organization representing physicians in all specialties since 1943.
Contact Information:
Jane Orient
Executive Director
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(520) 323-3110
Press Release Service by Newswire.com
Original Source: Physicians Must Reject Hobson's Choice, Writes President of the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons (AAPS)
Roadtrippers and Campspot Team Up to Share an Outlook on 2023 Road Travel and...
Report: 67% of U.S. Consumers Expect to Spend Under $500 on Holiday Expenses This...
AUSTIN, Texas - December 6, 2022 - (Newswire.com)
Today, Jungle Scout, the leading all-in-one platform for e-commerce sellers, released its Q4 2022 Consumer Trends Report, a survey of more than 1,000 U.S. consumers on spending and behavior during the 2022 holiday season. The report examines how shoppers navigate the current economic climate and finds that consumers are expected to spend nearly 40% less on holiday-related expenses this year compared to the 10-year national average.1
Insights from the report include:
Consumers are tightening their wallets ahead of the holiday season.
- 33% of consumers are reducing holiday expenses, and the top ways they plan to cut back include spending less on gifts and decorations.
- More than half (58%) of consumers are searching for deals and discounts when holiday shopping.
Holiday shopping is increasingly influenced by digital media and technology.
- 20% of U.S. consumers get holiday gift ideas from social media, with Facebook leading as a source of inspiration, followed by Instagram and TikTok.
- Virtual gifts like streaming and music subscriptions are among the most popular gifts of 2022.
Fiscally responsible self-indulgence will be a top priority for consumers in 2023.
- 54% of consumers are making travel plans for 2023 — up 16% from last year.
- While re-evaluating finances is a priority for 79% of consumers, some say things like dining out, getting manicures and smoking or vaping remain non-negotiable expenses in 2023.
"Consumer expectations and priorities will shift in 2023, as inflation continues to impact spending," says Michael Scheschuk, President of Small & Medium Business at Jungle Scout. "As e-commerce advances, consumers will seek personalization at every stage of the customer journey. Brands should diversify sales channels and consider expanding into social commerce through popular platforms like TikTok, allowing them to engage with new audiences in more authentic and memorable ways."
See the full report for more details and methodology.
About Jungle Scout
Jungle Scout is the leading all-in-one platform for e-commerce sellers, supporting more than $50 billion in annual Amazon revenue. Founded in 2015 as the first Amazon product research tool, Jungle Scout today features a full suite of best-in-class business management solutions and powerful market intelligence resources to help entrepreneurs and brands manage their e-commerce businesses. Jungle Scout is headquartered in Austin, Texas, and supports 10 global Amazon marketplaces.
1 National Retail Federation. 2022. "What to expect from consumer spending this holiday season."
Contact Information:
Cathryn Hurdle
Public Relations Strategist
[email protected]
(613) 639 9067
Press Release Service by Newswire.com
Original Source: Report: 67% of U.S. Consumers Expect to Spend Under $500 on Holiday Expenses This Year
‘Reel2Media Announces Its New Alexa Skill ‘North Pole Plus’
SEATTLE - December 6, 2022 - (Newswire.com)
Award-winning audio production company 'Reel2Media' has today released its latest Amazon Alexa Skill 'North Pole Plus' designed to bring joy to girls and boys (and even their parents) this festive season.
Last Christmas, 'North Pole Live' allowed users to listen in on Santa's workshop, bringing the magic of Christmas direct to living rooms across North America. Now, its creators are taking things to another level with 'North Pole Plus' - a bundle of six Santa-themed Amazon Alexa skills that capture the magic of Christmas in one festive interactive audio package.
From tracking letters to Santa to singing down the sleeps 'til Christmas or listening to the radio station of choice for Santa and his elves, North Pole Plus provides parents with FREE content to entertain and occupy their children throughout December, providing experiences that will enhance a family's overall Christmas experience.
The six 'North Pole Plus' skills are:
The heart of North Pole Plus and the station of choice for Santa and his elves. Ho Ho Radio broadcasts live from the North Pole, delivering news, weather, Christmas music, and even 'commercials.'
An audio advent calendar in the form of a catchy song that changes every day
Listen live to what Santa and his elves are getting up to, via a hidden microphone inside Santa's workshop.
Elf-voiced news and weather updates delivered live from the North Pole.
A fun and easy-to-play memory game that will have young kids coming back day after day.
Even kids' letters to Santa have gone hi-tech. Letters can now be tracked every step of the way with the help of Santa's mailroom workers.
North Pole Plus has been created by award-winning audio production company Reel2Media. Talking about the decision to expand their original North Pole Live offering into 'North Pole Plus,' Reel2Media Co-Founder Anthony Gay said: "When we were creating 'North Pole Live' last year, we immediately recognized and were excited by the creative opportunities for expansion. It was very much something we knew we wanted to explore this year, and the success of 'North Pole Live' only confirmed to us that this was something we should pursue. We couldn't be happier with the end result. North Pole Plus combines tradition and nostalgia with cutting-edge interactivity and true theatre of the mind that will leave children and adults alike feeling warm and fuzzy this festive season. We hope that it will become part of many pre-Christmas routines, helping build excitement and anticipation as the big day draws closer."
North Pole Plus is completely FREE to use and now available from the Alexa Skills store, or just say "Alexa, open North Pole Plus" to get started. Merry Christmas!
ABOUT REEL2MEDIA
Reel2Media is a new audio content company from the team behind ReelWorld - a global leader in audio branding with over 25 years of experience working with the world's biggest radio stations on their imaging and jingles. ReelWorld provides station sound for thousands of radio stations around the world, including Z100 New York, BBC Radio 1, KIIS LA, and Heart UK.
Reel2Media was formed in 2019 with the purpose of helping brands engage audiences using the power of sound.
Combining rich storytelling, music, and high production values with the latest audio and smart speaker technology, Reel2Media creates innovative and interactive audio experiences, podcasts and sonic branding, delivering content that adds value. Content people want to listen to. Content that connects brands with their audiences.
For more information, visit www.reel2media.com.
Contact Information:
Kate Dunston
Digital Marketing Manager
[email protected]
Press Release Service by Newswire.com
Original Source: 'Reel2Media Announces Its New Alexa Skill 'North Pole Plus'
Give the Gift of Language Learning This Christmas With Lingoda Language Lessons
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EcoClear Products’ System6® Solution Helps Simplify Commercial and Industrial Cleaning
Even with the COVID-19 pandemic waning, demand for cleaners and disinfectants remains strong. Only 31% of consumers say they will clean less when the pandemic ends, according to public market research firm Mintel. And businesses remain heavily invested in cleaning, because people expect places of service, such as restaurants, hotels, and airports to be as clean as their homes. EcoClear Products helps businesses deliver those clean public spaces economically with System6®, a single-chemical cleaning system for all environments.
The pandemic drove business owners and decision-makers to educate themselves about cleaners, and as a result, they have become more accepting of novel formulas, but they also want concentrated cleaning solutions to cut waste and shipping costs. System6® delivers on those goals with a novel, environmentally friendly, concentrated solution.
"System6 has what people are looking for today," said Christopher Stidd, CEO of EcoClear. "It's cost-effective because it's designed to be diluted on-site and doesn't need any fillers or builders. And because you can easily create any of six different blends for different cleaning purposes, you don't need an inventory of multiple chemical cleaning products."
System6® also is free from alkylphenol ethoxylates and is readily biodegradable and requires less mechanical action and dwell time on surfaces. "It's essentially a 'dirt magnet' within liquid that requires no scrubbing when cleaning," Stidd said.
The System-6® dispenser enables six preset blends to dispense at the touch of a button. It automatically measures, mixes, and dispenses EcoClear's powerful, ready-to-use cleaning solution.
System6® is ideal for any cleaning needs that do not require sanitization, such as:
- Glass, Resilient Floor & Light Cleaning
- Multipurpose Cleaning
- Light Degreasing
- Fabric & Carpet Pre-treating & Cleaning
- Stubborn Stain Removing
- Heavy Duty & Outdoor Cleaning (Concrete Floors)
In addition to streamlining the number of chemicals used to clean a facility, System6® also helps customers maximize the full potential of the product offering. For example, by using the first setting on the wall dispenser, one gallon of System6® can make more than 1,500 32-ounce bottles of window cleaner.
EcoClear continues to expand its offerings of green cleaning and odor-eliminating products for homes and businesses. To learn more about EcoClear's offerings, visit www.ecoclearproducts.com/pro.
About EcoClear Products
EcoClear Products is dedicated to innovating effective pest and rodent control products that are safe for use around people, pets, livestock and wildlife. The EcoClear team's chemists are passionate about creating environmentally conscious products and have received four Presidential Green Chemistry awards. EcoClear provides consumers and professionals excellent alternatives to harmful rodenticides and insecticides. For more information, visit www.ecoclearproducts.com/pro.
Contact Information:
Maria Penaloza
[email protected]
Press Release Service by Newswire.com
Original Source: EcoClear Products' System6® Solution Helps Simplify Commercial and Industrial Cleaning
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The Passport Index reveals that Despite Conflict in Europe and Global Border Anxieties, 99.5%...
The Passport Index has published its latest update today, showing that global mobility is rising, despite the eruption of conflict in Europe and growing tensions over borders. Though the world continues to feel the aftershocks of the pandemic, surprisingly, traveling has never been easier, with steady growth in passport power, a trend that is predicted to continue into 2023. Across these findings, what stands out, in particular, is that the passport of almost every single country around the world became more powerful this year.
| Country | Change in mobility score (2022) |
| Malaysia | +31 |
| St. Vincent and the Grenadines | +31 |
| Guatemala | +30 |
| Micronesia | +30 |
| Brazil | +30 |
| Palau | +30 |
| Solomon Islands | +29 |
| Brunei | +29 |
| Barbados | +29 |
| Saint Lucia | +29 |
Table 1: Top 10 changes in mobility score
| Country | Change in mobility score (2022) |
| Armenia | +6 |
| Tanzania | +6 |
| Pakistan | +6 |
| Lebanon | +5 |
| Burundi | +5 |
| Bangladesh | +4 |
| Syria | +4 |
| Libya | +4 |
| Afghanistan | +4 |
| Vanuatu | -7 |
Table 2: Bottom 10 changes in mobility score
This may be surprising given the ongoing war in Ukraine in combination with systemic pressures on international supply chains. However, the latest data from the Passport Index indicates strong mobility growth. Whilst the removal of Covid-19 restrictions has certainly played a role, countries around the world have also been keen to reap the economic benefits offered by enabling easy movement around the world. Passport power around the world has increased by an average of 16 points this year, with just one country, Vanuatu, seeing its mobility score fall. This was due to the suspension of their visa waiver scheme with the European Union. The fact the power of their passport has fallen by just seven points despite this indicates strong growth elsewhere.
| Individual Passport Power Rank (2022) | Country | Mobility Score | Visa-Free Entry | Visa-On-Arrival | Visa Required | Percentage Visa-Free and Visa-On-Arrival |
| 1 | United Arab Emirates | 180 | 121 | 59 | 18 | 91% |
| 2 | Germany | 173 | 127 | 46 | 25 | 87% |
| 3 | Sweden | 173 | 126 | 47 | 25 | 87% |
| 4 | Finland | 173 | 126 | 47 | 25 | 87% |
| 5 | Luxembourg | 173 | 126 | 47 | 25 | 87% |
| 6 | Spain | 173 | 126 | 47 | 25 | 87% |
| 7 | France | 173 | 126 | 47 | 25 | 87% |
| 8 | Italy | 173 | 126 | 47 | 25 | 87% |
| 9 | Netherlands | 173 | 125 | 48 | 25 | 87% |
| 10 | Austria | 171 | 123 | 48 | 25 | 86% |
Table 3: 10 most powerful passports (2022)
Not only are passports becoming more powerful, but countries are becoming increasingly open to visa-free arrivals. Prior to the pandemic, the average growth of the World Openness Score was 3.6% a year. After the impact of the pandemic, the score experienced a decline of 65%, falling from 21,360 to 12,944. Since then, growth has rebounded spectacularly, with an average growth rate of 18.8%. At the end of 2022, this score now stands at 21,695; the highest it's ever been.
The finding of general growth in global mobility does, however, obscure some of the winners and losers this year. The UK falls into this latter category: though it has seen its global mobility score rise again, its year-on-year gains have stagnated relative to other European states, such as France. This trend appears set to continue as the UK struggles to strike the visa agreements achieved by states within the EU. This is largely attributable to the consequences of leaving the common market.
Alongside the rise in passport power around the world, countries, in general, have become more welcoming, with a greater number of countries accepting more passports visa-free, with visa on arrival, or with electronic travel agreement. Nowhere is this more apparent than in Africa, where many countries, especially those in Central and West Africa, have continued to create a travel environment that is accessible to all, no matter the nationality on your passport. The Passport Index's Welcoming Countries Rank shows that 15 of the 23 most welcoming countries in the world are found in Africa, welcoming 198 countries out of 199.
Hrant Boghossian, Co-founder of the Passport Index, commented that "the rise in passport power that we have seen this year brings great cause for optimism. The world has surpassed the benchmark of 'openness' set prior to the pandemic, and there are strong indicators that this upward trend is here to stay. It is particularly encouraging to see such growth at a time of heightened geopolitical tension and economic turmoil, indicating that countries agree that a world with fewer borders has the potential to address some of the defining challenges of the 21st century."
Contact Information:
Jasper Rose
Consultant, The Agency Partnership
[email protected]
Press Release Service by Newswire.com
Original Source: The Passport Index reveals that Despite Conflict in Europe and Global Border Anxieties, 99.5% of the World Experiences Growth in Global Mobility in 2022