If you have been exposed to an MBSR/MBCT course through a hospital which is quite often a step for people suffering from depression, anxiety or obsessive compulsive disorder mindfulness becomes a bland therapeutic tool focusing on a apparently simplistic tool of meditation focusing on the breath to give the mind a respite from what has upset it. At the end of the day it is therapeutic type of tool. Whether it be MBSR or MBCT in an institutional setting it really has very little soul. A constant Jon Kabat-Zin theme of being in the present moment in a non-judgemental fashion. Often boring body scan meditations. Breathe, breathe and think of nothing else but the breath. This has so much wisdom in it but having been at least 14 days of MBSR training at a local hospital I can say only a few really understood its significance .Nor is there any understanding of Buddhist or Daoist traditions that form the core of modern mindfulness.
Yes MBSR and MBCT arguably are simply tools. Like prescribing an anti-depressant MBSR/MBCT has become a “drug” to deal with stress and psychiatric disorders. I participate in, or used to before COVID, a monthly mindfulness group meeting headed by a psychiatrist at a local hospital. Yet try to talk about “being in the present moment” or “feeling as one” during meditation really no one understands these concepts. That is a shame to see that mindfulness may be just another RX script. A new nondrug drug. The way I see it taught within the hospital situation is that mindfulness is about a state of mind and not a state of how to live mindfully.
Now if it works to reduce or control stress and psychiatric conditions bravo!
But mindfulness living requires more than a technical sophistry if one wants to take that path. Should there be a value-based mindfulness? By this I mean a conscious attempt to import certain values into a mindful practice. Arguably if one becomes aware of these values isn’t one mindful of them?
Can we move beyond that shallow technical application of head towards a value-based mindfulness that involves principles of living and relating that involves more than a quick and dirty meditation that frees the mind from adverse reactions to life?
Perhaps this is something we should delve into? Are there principles of mindfulness that take us beyond the quick and dirty technical use of mindfulness and shape our lives to a more rich and rewarding intellectual existence beyond that trite “living in the present moment” expression. Well it is not that trite but in my experience it is trite as MBSR participants have absolutely no or little understanding of how it feels and how it means.
Yet should we have a cup of “mindful tea” wearing our mindful T-shirts. Or should we be suckered in by employers offering mindful courses to perhaps exploit and manipulate their employees. Hey, the employer says, we gave you the tools to manage stress so let’s put more responsibility on how as after all you have been “trained” to handle stress.
Let us delve deeper into what mindful living might encompass. Coming up a discussion on the 16 guidelines of life.
(The author is certified in mindfulness by the University of Toronto and the University of Leiden.)
The more we can do as hoteliers to help spot human trafficking and report suspicisons, the better. To that end, we from you this piece from Safety.com.
The slave trade of the 18th and 19th centuries represents a dark part of history. While officially and legally abolished long ago, the concept of slavery continues to exist today. It is known as human trafficking, and it is highly illegal. This is also known as “modern slavery,” representing the unlawful trade of human beings through recruitment or abduction.
Because human trafficking is a “hidden” crime, finding exact statistics is difficult. However, in 2019 alone, the U.S. National Human Trafficking Hotline was able to identify a total of 22,326 trafficking victims and survivors. They also reported a 19% increase year over year in the number of victims reaching out to the hotline for help, which is promising.
Unfortunately, escape from a trafficking situation is often difficult, and can seem impossible for the victims. However, there are ways in which victims — especially young ones — can break away and escape.
Do human trafficking victims escape often?
There aren’t specific statistics about how many victims escape from their situations, or how often this might occur. The 2020 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report noted that globally, in 2019, 118,932 human trafficking victims were identified, and 11,841 traffickers were prosecuted, with 9,548 of those convicted. However, plenty of reasons exist as to why victims feel they need to remain in their situations and cannot escape. They might be undergoing physical or psychological abuse, or the “pimp” or owner could be using threats of violence against the victim’s family. If the human trafficking involves labor, the victim could be in debt bondage to the owner.
Then, there is the emotional attachment factor. Traffickers are masters at manipulating victims to believe they care about them and that they love them.
When it comes to sex trafficking, “pimps hone in on the girls, and offer them the attention and gifts they crave from a man,” said psychiatrist and book author Carole Lieberman. When the girls realize that they’re being groomed for sex with others, “it’s too late,” Lieberman said.
A growing dependency on their traffickers, combined with being kept in unfamiliar places, can also mean the victims stay put.
“Victims do not have the option to hand in their notice, or resign,” said Tera Hilliard, CEO of Forgotten Children Inc. “They are physically and mentally trapped in slavery, with very limited options of freedom.”
Teach children proper actions
Many parents live in fear that their offspring will be snapped off the streets by strangers and sold into the slave trade. However, stories about parking-lot or shopping-center abductions hit “all the marks of a good urban legend,” Michigan State Police Lt. Sarah Krebs told MLive in an interview.
In reality, victims — especially young victims — are manipulated into the life by someone they know or someone they might have met via the Internet. Putting numbers to this, 27% of sex trafficking victims are trafficked by family members, and approximately 32% of victims are trafficked via an intimate partner. Victims of labor trafficking scams are lured by job offers, advertisements or fraudulent means.
Furthermore, it’s estimated that 60% of child sex trafficking victims have a history in the child welfare system, Hilliard said. “Human traffickers will prey on individuals who are most vulnerable, which is why foster children have a greater risk of becoming victims than those who aren’t in the system,” she added.
Whether children are foster, biological or adopted, the key to protection is prevention. To help keep your child safe, keep the following human trafficking safety tips in mind:
Children should know their name, addresses and phone numbers.
Children should know how to call 911.
Children must know how to react if threatened: they should yell, fight and run.
Children should always ask for parental permission before logging onto the internet. They also must check with parents before talking with anyone on the internet, in a chat room or via messaging.
Children should be told it’s okay to be rude to adults if they think the adults might be threatening in any way.
Parents must be involved in all facets of their children’s lives, including who they talk to (both online and in real life), their activities and if the children have any concerns.
If an abductor tries to grab a child, the child should know to:
Scream “stranger, don’t touch me!” or other “stranger” words. They should also make a great deal of noise and be sure others understand that this is not the child’s parent or relatives.
Bite, scream, kick and poke the abductor in the eyes, grabbing on to anything they can.
Run away from any threatening situation, and find the closest adult for assistance.
What to do if you are captured
Despite all of the preparation, warnings and resources, you, or someone you love, could become a victim of human trafficking. If you are in this position, experts suggest these tips.
Find a way to make contact with someone you trust in the outside world, such as a friend or family members. “Tell that person where you are, and the danger you are in,” Lieberman said. “But don’t ask them to come themselves, because they could be in danger, too.” Instead, ask them to call the police.
If you can’t do this, find a way to communicate with a stranger, letting them know you might be in danger. Lieberman suggests writing down your name and any identifying piece of information with the word “help” on a piece of paper and then hiding it in your shoe. If you are taken into public, such as a restaurant or store, that paper can be slipped to a proprietor, waiter or cashier.
Don’t buy into the lies of the pimp or trafficker. If you are a victim, “get help as soon as you possibly can, and don’t believe any lies the trafficker or pimp will tell you,” Hilliard said. “Remember that there are people who genuinely care, and are willing to rescue you.”
If possible, call a hotline that can help get you out of your situation. In the U.S., reach out to the National Human Trafficking Hotline by calling 888-373-7888, visiting their website or texting “BeFree” (233733).
Once you escape and get settled, get emotional and mental help. The physical toll of being a human trafficking victim is enormous. The psychological toll can be just as bad, if not worse. The U.S. Office of Justice indicated that individuals escaping the bonds of human trafficking can experience severe guilt, post traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, substance abuse and eating disorders.
The bottom line
Human trafficking involves fear, coercion and fraud to enslave its victims. While escape might seem impossible, advice and help are available to help victims break away from pimps, owners and others whose goal is exploitation. Keeping mentally aware during captivity and finding a way to make contact with a trusted individual — or even an interested stranger — in the outside world can help lead to escape from bondage.
New York State Bar Association Calls Upon State To Consider Mandating a Safe and Effective Vaccine if Voluntary Measures Fail To Protect Public Health
The New York State Bar Association (NYSBA) is recommending that the state consider mandating a COVID-19 vaccine once a scientific consensus emerges that it is safe, effective and necessary. But before taking this significant step, the state government should conduct a public awareness campaign to urge voluntary vaccination.
NYSBA’s House of Delegates approved a resolution on Nov. 7 outlining conditions for requiring the vaccine for all New Yorkers save those exempted by doctors. It would be up to public health authorities to decide if a vaccine mandate is necessary, and whether it should apply to all residents or to a smaller population such as health care workers or students.
With the number of cases again on the rise both nationally and statewide, the association is asking the state to:
Ensure that vulnerable populations are treated ethically and without discrimination. This includes communities of color, older adults, nursing home residents, people with disabilities, prisoners and immigrants. New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and Attorney General Letitia James and two national civil rights organizations have criticized the federal government’s plan to distribute the vaccine through pharmacies. They say the plan falls woefully short of meeting the needs of communities of color that were disproportionately harmed by the pandemic.
Enact a state emergency health powers act and crisis standards of care addressing gaps in existing law. This is essential to a well-coordinated response to the pandemic, increasing the capacity of the system if there’s a surge in cases. It would also clarify the legal authority and ethical standards for making decisions if there are shortages of anything from personal protective equipment to trained health care workers.
Release older prisoners and those with disabilities and serious illnesses who do not pose a danger to the community
Eliminate restrictions on the provision of care by telehealth and increase reimbursement for such services
“The magnitude of the COVID-19 pandemic is unprecedented over the last 100 years by any measure – the number of lives lost, the survivors who remain seriously ill, the risks faced by health care workers, the disproportionate impact on communities of color, the profound trauma and the disruption to our economy,” said NYSBA President Scott M. Karson. “The United States was unprepared to deal with this pandemic. We need to take these actions to be sure we are ready should there be a rise in New York’s caseload during the cold, winter months.”
“In balancing the protection of the public’s health and civil liberties, the Public Health Law recognizes that a person’s health can and does affect others,” said Mary Beth Morrissey, chair of the Health Law Section’s Task Force on COVID-19, which proposed the resolutions approved by the House of Delegates today.
“The authority of the state to respond to a public health crisis is well-established in constitutional law. It may become necessary to require that certain individuals or communities be vaccinated, such as health care workers and students, to protect the public’s health,” said Morrissey, a research fellow at Fordham University’s Global Health Care Innovation Management Center and a faculty member in the graduate schools.
About the New York State Bar Association The New York State Bar Association is the largest voluntary state bar association in the nation. Since 1876, NYSBA has helped shape the development of law, educated and informed the legal profession and the public, and championed the rights of New Yorkers through advocacy and guidance in our communities.
There are countless Canadian corporations that have drug and alcohol policies. The validity of these policies as to medical cannabis may be in doubt as it is only recently in Canada that prescriptions for medical cannabis can be widely obtained.
In the case of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 1620 v. Lower Churchill Transmission Construction Employer’s Association Inc. the Court of Appeal of Newfoundland and Labrador released its decision on 4June2020 important for those with a prescription for medical cannabis and in the workforce.
An employee was refused employment due to his prescription for medical cannabis. His union challenged the decision of the arbitrator. The arbitrator noted that the potential employee’s position was considered as a “Safety Sensitive Position”.
In Canadian law it is accepted that employees with disability must be accommodated by an employer unless such accommodation causes “undue hardship” for the employer. The arbitrator’s decision stated as the employer was unable to readily measure impairment from cannabis based on currently available technology and resources and the inability to measure and manage that risk of harm constituted undue risk for the employer. Accommodation can take many forms but its purpose is to ensure an employee who is able to work can do so and persons who are otherwise fit to work are not unfairly excluded where working conditions can be adjusted without undue hardship. Accommodation short of undue hardship is a very high threshold for an employer to meet. That point is reached when reasonable means of accommodation are exhausted and only unreasonable or impractical options for accommodation remain.
The union representing the potential employee applied for a judicial review of the arbitrator’s decision. The initial decision of the trial judge dismissed any ground for judicial review of the arbitrator’s decision as the trial judge thought that the arbitrator’s decision was reasonable.
The Court of Appeal stated that Canadian law provides that decisions of administrative tribunals and arbitrators are subject to a presumption of reasonableness.
The appeal court said that the onus is on the employer to establish that to accommodate the potential employee would cause the employer undue hardship. The employer could not rely on an argument that because there was no means to determine where an employee was ingesting cannabis that this caused undue hardship on the employer. “The onus was on the employer to establish on the balance of probabilities that some means of individual testing of the greivor to assess his ability to perform the job was not an alternative.” It was not sufficient for the employer to say hiring an employee would constitute a risk. The employer must go further and establish through an individualized analysis why allowing this potential employee at the work location would not enable the employer to maintain reasonable site safety, short of undue hardship.
“The conclusion follows that the arbitrator’s decision was unreasonable insofar as he failed to address the employer’s onus to establish that to accommodate the greivor by means of individual assessment of his inability to perform the job safely, regardless of the absence of a scientific or medical standard, would result in undue hardship. “To establish undue hardship the employer had to establish an alternate option involving individual assessment for determining whether the potential employee could safely perform his job. As a result the trial judge’s decision was overturned and the matter referred back to arbitration.
If you feel you have been discriminated against by an employer as a result of the use of prescribed cannabis you should seek advice from a lawyer. A tool in your arsenal as far as cannabis goes is that you have obtained a prescription for it as opposed to self medicating (which most likely will be treated as recreational use) which will not help your case.
The Toronto Jewish Film Festival, a virtual festival of course in this insidious time of COVID , goes beyond its time limits to present an “encore presentation” of a couple of films. One of them is “The End of Love” which deals with a Skype relationship between Israeli photographer Yuval and his wife Julie. Julie is in Paris and Yuval in Tel Aviv.
They have a child Lenny. Yuval tries to get a visa to visit France and his family but one gets the sense he is more comfortable in Israel than he would be in France.
Julie and Yuval struggle to maintain the relationship via Skype but it is strained. A long-distance relationship runs out of gas virtually! After having finished 14 hours of a mindfulness certification course on Zoom this week-end it works well but for an intimate personal relationship the virtual relationship breaks down as how can parenting happen in this fashion? It slowly disintegrates. Take a course virtually or a meeting or two and virtual is fine but a personal relationship like marriage and marital relationships can’t survive the need for personal contact and in this case they collapse.
An interesting film that might have passed unnoticed had not it been for the virtual relationships imposed upon many of us in these COVID times.
This film won the Micki Moore Award in the Toronto Jewish Film Festival for 2020. A film for its time? A lucky insertion into a COVID virtual unreality reality?
A painful disintegration of a personal relationship based upon Yuval’s stubborn insistence in remaining in Israel.
Poor son Lenny caught in the middle as a victim of the inability or willingness of parents unwilling to make the sacrifice to make it work.
This encore presentation will be available November 22 and 23 virtually.
It is a 90-minute film directed by Keren Ben Rafael.
It is a Franco-Israeli production with Hebrew, French and English with English subtitles.
Sprucewood Shores is a well-known family Lake Erie North Shore winery and we go back at least a decade. But through time we lost touch. However samples arrived and its fantastic to be back. With the most heat units in Ontario one hopes for some interesting red wines. Of course, it is not so hot that Riesling, Pinot Grigio and Chardonnay can’t thrive.
In any case carrying on the Australian cute names on the wine label theme we screw off the Stelvin cap and try a 2017 Lady in Red Cabernet/Merlot blend. Transparent black cherry colour. On the nose a fruity bolt strikes the nostrils and it is a friendly and cheery one. Strawberry and cherry and a nice, lush Merlot based core with a touch of almonds. On the palate a solid beam of red cherry tinged with Amaretto biscuits. The finish is short with a slight zap of sweetness but not that awful sweetness one can get from overripe grapes. I was not expecting such a delicious wine and Tanya Mitchell, Sprucewood Shore’s winemaker, has crafted a simple but delightful wine at a more than fair price. This is a great Christmas Party wine for the 2020 Christmas party only “yahoos”, as Premier of Ontario Doug Ford says, will be hosting and attending. The winery says this will pair nicely with a pasta and tomato sauce or pizza. I can only think a sausage and rapini based tomato sauce would be just the mark.
I would say this is a case worthy wine not for reasons of elegance or complexity but for pure enjoyment.
You can order from the winery if you wish or pick up at the LCBO.
(Lady in Red 2017 Cabernet Merlot, VQA Ontario, Sprucewood Shores Inc, Harrow, Ontario, $14.95, LCBO # 266486, 750 mL, 12.25%, Robert K. Stephen A Little Birdie Told Me Rating 90/100).
Ok stone me to death for saying Niagara should stay away from trying to produce excellent Cabernet Sauvignon. On the other hand with more heat in the Lake Erie North Shore appellation I have had a little more success with Cabernet Sauvignon there. In fact the best Ontario Cabernet Sauvignon I have had in Ontario has been from Colchester Ridge Estate Winery more or less a stone’s throw away from Sprucewood Shores. So we have a bit of a moment of truth here with a 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon although it is a Ontario VQA as opposed to a LENS VQA so one can’t be sure if the grapes are local.
On the nose prevalent blueberry notes but there is some cassis and blackberry all of which meld perfectly together. There is also a slightly creamy element. On the palate the tannins are just close to moderate but give the wine some grip and give it some personality. The acids are restrained and the wine is perfectly in balance. There is some black cherry, cherry liqueur ad cherry pie to the taste. This wine is only available through the winery at $16.07.
What can I say? Like the Lady in Red wine above someone at Sprucewood Shores must be on happy pills because this is another red that beams at you with a smile like that of Kamala Harris congratulating Joe Biden on his presidential win while Donald J. Trump flaps around like a freshly caught Lake Erie Pickerel gasping for the air of political survival. Not only is this wine happy it is classy and almost elegant. At this price yet another case worthy wine. It is described on their website as medium oaked but the oak merely adds a little heft to the wine without making it oaky just a bit delightfully smoky. Now that’s great winemaking.
This will handle grilled beef or even a New Year’s Day prime rib roast. It will also handle homemade pizza made with that loving touch or a well-made artisanal pizza from a pizzeria in Kingsville which name escaped the memory bank.
We need to finish off the reds as after a 7 hour Zoom session in search of another mindfulness certification course at the University of Toronto I am numb and I must repeat it again tomorrow. Can Sprucewood Shores give me a shot of hope adrenalin? Let’s see with their “Reserve” upper end brand. Like Lady in Red it is a Cabernet/Merlot blend and the label makes it clear the Cabernet is indeed a Cabernet Sauvignon.
In colour it is black cherry. On the nose black cherry, blackberry in a soft vanilla framework. The vanilla would be a result of French oak barrels which I am guessing are at least second or third fill ones giving the wine a more subtle oak influence. And again the acids are in perfect harmony. On the palate tannins are low but a bit of a peppery finish. Mild notes of blackberry and black cherry. This is a much more subtle wine than the two wines reviewed above. It is more sophisticated and a big change in gears. It aims to play with the big boys but it is struggling on the palate for a precise identification of gender. Quite frankly it is not as exciting as the cheaper wines above but I think it has some ageing potential. It is more sophisticated for sure but can it compete in that niche with Yankee and EU wines at its price point? Perhaps I’ll let you decide. As far as I am concerned this wine lacks the excitement and charm of its cheaper cousins. Again it proves that a more expensive wine is not always the prima donna.
Now if you have a cellar and want to give this a couple of years to mature you might be well rewarded.
If you are in Detroit relatively close if in Toronto a bit of a drive and an overnight is required. You can even sit on their beachfront and munch away at picnic baskets and interesting boards of cheese and antipasto. Want to have a wedding reception well they can accommodate that! And of course, they have a wine club!
(Sprucewood Shores Estate Winery Cabernet Merlot Hawk’s Flight Reserve 2017, Sprucewood Shores Inc., Harrow, Ontario, $33.76, 750 mL, 13.5%, Robert K. Stephen A Little Birdie Told Me Rating 89/100).
What you—and your guests—need to consider before gathering for the winter holidays.
With COVID-19 case numbers climbing in the U.S. as pandemic fatigue wears on, there’s a constant tension between staying safe and wanting to get back to normal.
Those feelings may hit their peak for many during upcoming winter holidays when we crave time with family and friends, as well as long standing traditions, and face the winter season ahead.
But we aren’t coming into this time without some experience. Innovations made over the last six months can help inform how we make plans going forward. We’ve also learned from holidays that have already happened—July 4, Ramadan, and Passover for examples.
Epidemiologist Keri Althoff, PhD and mental health researcher Elizabeth Stuart, PhD bring back core concepts of the decision-making framework they applied to school-reopenings to help you consider your options. This guidance, along with lessons already learned, can help you form plans for a safe and healthy winter holiday season.
A key point is that during this COVID-19 pandemic, any in-person holiday celebration is really a 4-week process—not just a single event—that may involve pre-planning and post-event quarantine. Below we talk about what that process might involve.
Step 1: Talk about goals and ground rules—together.
Having a group discussion with all of your guests prior to the event creates shared accountability. Additionally, a group discussion allows guests to gain first-hand knowledge of other guests’ perspective on appropriate precautions. Make sure to discuss:
What are your goals? (To spend time together or virtually, to plan for a really great future family reunion, to gather in small groups with just one or two other families for a meal, to connect with specific individuals such as grandparents, etc.)
What are the risks and benefits for you and your loved ones, taking into account both physical and mental health? Are there some individuals—such as a lonely grandparent—for whom the benefits significantly outweigh the risks?
How can you break down the possible solutions into smaller steps?
Are all attendees comfortable with the plan put in place?
Step 2: Make a “Plan A” for your celebration, informed by the latest data.
Write down the following measurements for your county and the counties that your guests live in:
the number of new cases
the number hospitalized
the number of deaths
the proportion who are testing positive.
Then note whether these measurements of coronavirus transmission have been increasing or decreasing.
Compare county-level data between you and your guests and then commit to measures to make Plan A as safe as possible in the current conditions for the guest that is at highest risk for severe COVID-19 illness. For example, if the guest at highest risk for severe illness lives in a county with relatively low transmission that has been decreasing or staying the same, it may be particularly risky to have attendees visit from areas with high or increasing case counts.
Measures to consider to reduce risk might include:
A virtual gathering instead of face-to-face
A quarantine period for all attendees before attending, and COVID tests if possible (A COVID test followed by 5 days of quarantine OR 14 days of quarantine if testing is not available)
Wearing masks
Outdoors instead of indoors
Ensuring enough space for physical distancing
Limiting the number of households—keep the number small!
Shorter celebration duration
No eating or drinking indoors, or, if this must happen, seating households together with 6 feet or more in between tables
Good ventilation if indoors—open windows and doors and tell your guests to dress warmly!
Even small steps, such as all attendees wearing masks throughout the gathering, can do a lot to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission at your celebration.
Step 3: Make both a Plan B and a Plan C that include modifications to Plan A.
Plan B is for the situation in which the COVID-19 transmission measurements under which Plan A was made have evolved to suggest higher transmission, which may mean greater risk of COVID-19 transmission at your event.
Plan C includes a postponement date if any key attendee or anyone in the host’s household has a member who is unwell in the week leading up to the event. Given the challenges in knowing when individuals are infectious, and in the wide variety of COVID-19 symptoms, err on the side of caution—even if the symptoms are typical of a cold or allergies, it’s better to reschedule for a time when everyone is feeling well.
If the event is small, say with one other household, it is good to have a postponement date so that everyone has the extra confidence needed to say “a household member woke up with a sore throat this morning” the day of the celebration. If the event is outdoors, it is good to have a “rain date” in case of bad weather. These allow for easy postponement rather than a disappointing cancellation.
Step 4: Outline a plan for what happens in the 2 weeks after the event if someone becomes ill.
How will you all stay in touch about symptoms? If someone does become ill, who will call the other guests? What will be said? What will be expected of all guests (i.e., quarantine)?
Finally, recognize that celebrating virtually can leave room for other kinds of fun.
If the risks are just too great to celebrate in person this year, consider ways to make Zoom gatherings a little more interesting. Games like Yahtzee can be played over Zoom and there are activities that work well virtually like cooking the same recipe or doing the same artwork. Ugly sweater contests can be held virtually, as can “most beautiful pie crust” contests.
Without the usual expectations and demands, this could be the holiday season to keep things small at home and try new activities that you never seem to have the time for like decorating the house, building gingerbread houses, or learning holiday songs on an instrument. You never know what might become a new tradition!
Remember to take the time needed to rest and renew with your household members this winter holiday season by being present and enjoying one another, whether that is virtually or through safe in-person gatherings.
In times of crises, we tend to look to technology to increase efficiency and reduce costs. Previous crises have boosted digital transformation and the current corona pandemic is no different. Digital transformation means replacing existing practices with more advanced digital technology to become more efficient. It can involve many technologies, but currently, Artificial Intelligence and big data are driving much of the transformation.
It has been shown that companies that adopt quickly and decisively in times of crises to new paradigms, later reap the rewards. It’s not the moment to play it safe, on the contrary: now is the time to reassess your digital tech stack. Once we reach the post-pandemic era, newly implemented technologies will become the new norm. Taking an early digital leap will set your property ahead of your competitors when things take off again.
What technologies should I consider?
Let chatbots do the chatting
Artificial intelligence has been named as the most promising technology of the past few years. It’s clear that we will see a rapid increase in the use of AI in all sorts of platforms, messaging being no exception. AI-driven chatbots are a great tool to streamline guest communications, whether before, during or after their stay.
During the pandemic, we have acquired new digital habits, most of which include our mobile phones, like scanning QR codes for restaurant menus, video calling, not to mention a huge global uptake in messaging use. The post-pandemic guest will expect to be able to request services or ask questions through their usual messaging channels instead of having to queue at reception.
Automate and streamline workflows
Chatbots are a great way to start the digitalization of your guest communication. However, it is important that the processes that follow or precede the conversation are equally digitalized and streamlined. When a guest requests come in through your messaging platform, the right automated processes should be in place, so the requests immediately land into the right hands and it’s clearly understood what the next steps are.
Don’t wait, automate
Consider automating your reactive (incoming) but also your proactive (outgoing) communication. Send out the key information before arrival, so your guest can come prepared with the right expectations, and you can be well prepared for your guest. By proactively contacting your guests at key stages of their guest journey, you can detect any needs before they become issues and facilitate essential information.
Collect, analyze & learn from guest data
In this changing landscape it can be hard to pinpoint guest needs, which is where guest analytics can help you. To understand your new type of guests, analyze guest data by gathering information through messaging interactions and guest requests. Collect all your interactions and stays into one profile to better understand who your guests are and create smart guest lists for a more effective and segmented communication.
Learn about your guests’ needs and preferences by analyzing your incoming guest requests: what services or information do they request most, through what messaging channels, etc. Guest request data can also help you improve and streamline your operations by looking at what issues are reported most frequently, what are the root causes, are all issues resolved, how fast are they resolved, etc. Keeping track of guest data will allow you to adapt and better your strategies as the situation continues to evolve.
When you decide to introduce a chatbot into your organisation, keep in mind that for a successful digital communication strategy you need much more. They are a great starting point, but the rest of your operations should also be optimised and streamlined with the right technologies so you are well-prepared for what comes after the pandemic.
Berries are a good source of polyphenols, especially anthocyanins, micronutrients, and fiber. In epidemiological and clinical studies, these constituents have been associated with improved cardiovascular risk profiles. Human intervention studies using chokeberries, cranberries, blueberries, and strawberries (either fresh, or as juice, or freeze-dried), or purified anthocyanin extracts have demonstrated significant improvements in LDL oxidation, lipid peroxidation, total plasma antioxidant capacity, dyslipidemia, and glucose metabolism. Benefits were seen in healthy subjects and in those with existing metabolic risk factors. Underlying mechanisms for these beneficial effects are believed to include upregulation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase, decreased activities of carbohydrate digestive enzymes, decreased oxidative stress, and inhibition of inflammatory gene expression and foam cell formation. Though limited, these data support the recommendation of berries as an essential fruit group in a heart-healthy diet.Keywords: anthocyanins, berries, inflammation, lipid peroxidation, nitric oxideGo to:
INTRODUCTION
Consumption of fruits and vegetables has been correlated with decreased risks of cardiovascular disease (CVD). National health objectives reflected in Healthy People 2010 advocate increasing fruit consumption by more than 75% or to at least two servings per day in persons 2 years of age and older.1 Currently, only 32% of adults and 13% of adolescents meet this goal of fruit intake.2,3 Between the years 2000 and 2020 overall fruit consumption in the United States is anticipated to grow by 24–27%. This increase is attributed in part to an increase in per capita consumption, and in part to a predicted increase in the total consumers in the US market.4
The consumption of berry fruits and their contribution to improving cardiovascular health is a subject of considerable interest. The commonly consumed berries in the United States include blackberry, black raspberry, blueberry, cranberry, red raspberry, and strawberries. Less commonly consumed berries include acai, black currant, chokeberry, and mulberries. Berries are low in calories and are high in moisture and fiber. They contain natural antioxidants such as vitamins C and E, andmicronutrients such as folic acid, calcium, selenium, alpha and beta carotene, and lutein. Phytochemicals found in berries include polyphenols along with high proportions of flavonoids including anthocyanins and ellagitannins. Table 1 lists the commonly consumed berries and their selected nutrient and phytochemical composition as identified in the USDA food composition database.5,6 Anthocyanins comprise the largest group of natural, water-soluble, plant pigments and impart the bright colors to berry fruits7–10 and to flowers. Approximately 400 individual anthocyanins have been determined. They are generally more concentrated in the skins of fruits, especially berry fruits. However, red berry fruits, such as strawberries and cherries, also have anthocyanins in their flesh. Anthocyanin content is usually proportional to the color intensity and can range from 2 to 4 g/kg, increasing as the fruit ripens. Evidence suggests that Americans consume an average of 12.5–215 mg of anthocyanins per day.11 Studies have shown that berry anthocyanins are poorly bioavailable, are extensively conjugated in the intestines and liver, and are excreted in urine within 2–8 hours post consumption.12,13 Post-harvest processing, such as pressing, pasteurization, and conventional and vacuum drying, can significantly affect the polyphenol (including anthocyanin) and vitamin content of berries, and therefore their bioactivities and effects on CVD risk factors.14–16
Table 1
Berries with select nutrient and phytochemical profiles expressed in values per 100 g of edible portion.5,6
Abbreviation: NF, not found in the USDA food composition database.Go to:
EPIDEMIOLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS: BERRIES IN CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH
Nutritional epidemiology provides convincing evidence of the cardioprotective effects of frequent consumption of fruits and vegetables high in fiber, micronutrients, and several phytochemicals.17–20 Data reported from the INTERHEART study, comprising dietary patterns from 52 countries, revealed a significant inverse association between the prudent dietary pattern high in fruits and vegetables, and risk of acute myocardial infarction.21 Evaluation of selected nutrients and food group intakes among 2,757 overweight US adults diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, which is an established risk factor of CVD, showed that less than 50% of subjects consumed the minimum recommended servings of fruits and vegetables.22 A comparative study between the US and French populations revealed significantly lower fruit and vegetable consumption among American men and women versus French adults.23 Analyses of 24-h recall data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), 1999–2000, revealed that only 40% of Americans consumed five or more servings of fruits and vegetables per day.24 These data indicate a significant gap between the actual amounts of fruit and vegetable consumption and the recommended number of servings for the US population.25 Furthermore, NHANES (2001–2002) data reported the pattern of fruit intake among US adults, who mainly consumed apples, pears, and bananas, followed by melons, citrus fruits, and grapes.26 Thus, berries do not seem to be commonly consumed fruits by the US population in spite of their benefits, as documented in emerging nutrition and health research.
Studies have also reported specific associations between berries or berry flavonoids (anthocyanins) and cardiovascular health. Data reported from the Kuopio Ischemic Heart Disease Risk Factor Study (KIHD) showed a significantly lower risk of CVD-related deaths among 1,950 men in the highest quartile of berry intake (>408 g/day) versus men with the lowest intake (<133 g/day) during a mean follow-up of 12.8 years. These findings were based on a model adjusted for major CVD risk factors, which further showed an inverse correlation between intakes of fruits, berries, and vegetables and serum haptoglobin, a marker of inflammation.27 Post-menopausal women (n = 34,489) participating in the Iowa Women’s Health Study, showed a significant reduction in CVD mortality associated with strawberry intake during a 16-year follow-up period. In the case of blueberries, an age- and energy-adjusted model showed a significant decrease in coronary heart disease mortality, though the significance did not persist following adjustment for other confounding variables. For both strawberries and blueberries, the significant reduction in relative risk was associated with at least once per week consumption. The data also reported that a mean anthocyanin intake of 0.2 mg/day was associated with a significantly reduced risk of CVD mortality in these postmenopausal women.28
Female US health professionals enrolled in the Women’s Health Study (n = 38,176), a randomized controlled trial of low-dose aspirin and vitamin E, provided dietary information using a 131-item validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Strawberry intake was described as “never” or “less than one serving per month” up to“6+ servings per day” of fresh, frozen, or canned strawberries. Analyses of baseline strawberry intake revealed that only 7.7% of subjects consumed greater than two servings of strawberries per week, whereas 42% of subjects reported an intake of 1–3 servings per month. During a follow-up period of approximately 11 years, a decreasing trend for CVD was observed for subjects consuming higher amounts of strawberries (P = 0.06). The study also showed a borderline significant risk reduction of elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) levels (≥3 mg/L) among women consuming higher amounts of strawberries (≥2 servings/week). Blueberry intake was also examined in the study and no significant association was reported with risks of CVD or CRP.29 Elevated CRP has been significantly associated with inflammation and is a high risk factor of CVD.30 Analyses of NHANES data (1999–2002) revealed a significant inverse association between serum CRP and anthocyanin intakes among US adults.31 These observational data suggest a potential anti-inflammatory role of berry flavonoids, which may contribute to overall reduction of CVD risk.Go to:
BERRIES AND CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH: INTERVENTION STUDIES
As summarized in Table 2, a number of intervention studies have investigated the effects of acai berries, black currants, bilberries, boysenberries, blueberries, chokeberries, cranberries, lingonberries, raspberries, strawberries, and wolfberries in healthy human subjects or in subjects with CVD risk factors.32–51 The most significant outcomes of these clinical studies show an increase in plasma or urinary antioxidant capacity, a decrease in LDL oxidation and lipid peroxidation, a decrease in plasma glucose or total cholesterol, and an increase in HDL-cholesterol following berry intervention. Since elevated plasma glucose, lipids, and lipid oxidation have been associated with coronary artery disease (CAD),52,53 these data suggest the potential role of edible berries in ameliorating these risk factors. Of 20 trials reviewed, nine involved measures of post-prandial status, in which berry consumption was shown to significantly decrease postprandial oxidative stress, especially lipid peroxidation.32–35,37–39,42,48 Thus, dietary inclusion of berries may be an effective strategy to counteract postprandial metabolic and oxidative stresses that are associated with CAD.54 In addition, specific berries, such as bilberry and black currant extracts, chokeberry juice, cranberry extracts, and freeze-dried strawberries were shown to have favorable effects on plasma glucose or lipid profiles in subjects with metabolic risk factors including type 1 or type 2 diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, or metabolic syndrome.37,47,50,51 These studies ranged in duration from 4 to 12 weeks and used conventional berry products or purified anthocyanin extracts, suggesting that both these forms of delivery are effective. Berries were also shown to increase plasma antioxidant capacity36 and to decrease lipid peroxidation42 in smokers who are at high risk of developing CVD.55
100 g deep-frozen berries (bilberries, lingonberries, or black currants); 240 g berries in postprandial study
Increase in serum ascorbate (P < 0.05); slight decrease in LDL oxidation (P = 0.07), and slight increase in serum antioxidant capacity (P = 0.08) in berry group; decrease in LDL oxidation in postprandial study (P < 0.05)
Four successive 4-week phase (including 4-week run-in phase)
Placebo-controlled trial
Thirty healthy men (mean age, 51 ± 10 years)
Placebo juice (Ocean Spray Cranberries, Inc., USA); 500 mL/day
Increasing doses of cranberry juice cocktail (125, 250, 500 mL/day, Ocean Spray Cranberries, Inc., USA) during three successive 4-week periods
Increase in plasma HDL-cholesterol at the end of 4 weeks of 250 mL/day cranberry juice intake (P < 0.01); decreases in body weight, BMI, and waist circumference at the end of the study (P < 0.05)
Decrease in total and LDL-cholesterol and total:HDL-cholesterol ratio in cranberry versus placebo groups (P < 0.05); no effects on glucose or glycated hemoglobin
Placebo capsules (0.5 g each) prepared by mixing white potato flakes with a purplish food-coloring blend, redrying, grinding, and providing in vegetable-based capsules
120 mL juice blend containing acai berry, cranberry, blueberry, wolfberry, and bilberry in addition to other fruit juices
Increase in serum antioxidant status and inhibition of lipid peroxidation versus placebo (P < 0.03)
72 subjects with cardiovascular risk factors (mean age: control group, 58.4 ± 5.6 years; berry group, 57.5 ± 6.3 years)
One of four control products each day to match the energy intake in the berry group; 2 dL sugar-water, 100 g sweet semolina porridge, 100 g sweet rice porridge, or 40 g marmalade sweets
Two portions of berries daily; whole bilberries (100 g) and a nectar of 50 g crushed lingonberries every other day; black currant or strawberry puree (100 g, 80% black currants) and cold-pressed chokeberry and raspberry juice (0.7 dL, 80% chokeberry) on alternating days
Inhibition of platelet function; increase in HDL-cholesterol; decrease in systolic blood pressure in berry versus control group (P < 0.05)
Placebo capsules pullulan and maltodextrin (2 capsules twice daily)
Anthocyanin capsules 320 mg/day (2 capsules twice daily); 17 different natural purified anthocyanins from bilberry and black currant
Increased HDL-cholesterol, decreased LDL-cholesterol, decreased mass and activity of plasma cholesteryl ester transfer protein in anthocyanin group versus placebo (P < 0.05)
Of 20 trials conducted using different varieties of fresh and processed berry products, only two showed a significant decrease in systolic blood pressure: one was conducted in healthy men following cranberry juice supplementation46 and the other was in subjects with CVD risk factors following mixed berry supplementation.49 These data suggest a need for future studies on berry supplementation as a potential dietary therapy for the management of pre-hypertension or hypertension. Interestingly, none of these clinical studies showed any significant effect of berry intervention on biomarkers of inflammation, with the exception of a significant decrease in adhesion molecules following cranberry juice supplementation in healthy volunteers.46 This suggests a need to investigate the effects of cranberry intervention, per se or in combination with other berries, on adhesion molecules or inflammatory biomarkers such as C-reactive protein or interleukins in subjects with the pro-inflammatory conditions metabolic syndrome or diabetes mellitus.56,57Go to:
MECHANISMS: BERRIES, ENDOTHELIAL FUNCTION, AND ATHEROSCLEROSIS
Oxidative stress and inflammation play a pivotal role in the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis and CVD.58,59 Several lines of evidence indicate a role for berry anthocyanins in significantly decreasing oxidative damage and inflammation in cellular and animal models of CVD. Youdim et al. have reported the incorporation of elderberry anthocyanins by endothelial cells, following a 4-h incubation at a concentration of 1 mg/mL. In addition to the cellular bioavailability, elderberry anthocyanins significantly decreased cytotoxicity caused by chemical inducers of oxidative stress.60 Anthocyanins from blackberry extract were shown to protect against peroxynitrite-induced oxidative damage in human umbilical vein endothelial cells.61 Mulberry anthocyanins have also exhibited antioxidative and antiatherogenic affects, by inhibiting oxidation of LDL and formation of foamcells, respectively, in an in vitro model of atherosclerosis.62 Anthocyanins from berries commonly consumed in the United States, such as blueberries and cranberries, have been reported to reduce TNF-α induced upregulation of inflammatory mediators in human microvascular endothelial cells.63 In an 8-week study, DeFuria et al. have shown the attenuation of inflammatory gene expressions in male C57Bl/6j mice fed a high-fat diet supplemented with blueberry powder versus the unsupplemented group. This study also showed the protective effects of blueberries against insulin resistance and hyperglycemia, thus reducing the risk factors for CVD.64 In a rat model of prediabetes and hyperlipidemia, Jurgoski et al.65 further demonstrated decreased activities of inńtestinal mucosal disaccharidases (maltase and sucrose) following dietary supplementation with chokeberry fruit extract for 4 weeks. These animal and in vitro data show the potential of berries to ameliorate inflammation, glucose, and lipid abnormalities that contribute to CVD.
Nitric oxide (NO), when formed through activation of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), has proinflammatory effects, leading to increased vascular permeability, induction of inflammatory cytokines, and the formation of peroxynitrite, a strong oxidizing agent.66 Pergola et al. have reported inhibitory effects of the anthocyanin fraction of blackberry extract on NO biosynthesis in the murine monocyte/macrophage J774 cell line stimulated with lipopolysaccharide. The study also reported that blackberry anthocyanin extract inhibited inducible iNOS protein expression, thereby decreasing the inflammatory response in macrophages and inhibiting the formation of foam cells.67 While increased iNOS expression leads to the proinflammatory effects of NO, generation of NO by endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) plays a crucial role in maintaining cardiovascular homeostasis by favorably modulating blood pressure and reducing endothelial dysfunction. Xu et al. and Lazze et al. have reported the upregulation of eNOS by cyanidin-3-glucoside in bovine artery endothelial cells, and increased protein levels of eNOS by anthocyanin treatment (cyanidin and delphinidin) in human umbilical vein endothelial cells.68,69
Berry anthocyanins have also been shown to affect lipid metabolism in cellular and animal models of dyslipidemia. Administration of chokeberry juice for 30 days in rats fed a standard or 4% cholesterol-containing diet, showed the anti-hyperlipidemic effects of chokeberry juice in the cholesterol-fed group.70 Purified anthocyanins from blueberries and strawberries added to drinking water were shown to prevent the development of dyslipidemia and obesity in mice fed a high-fat diet for a period of 90 days.71 Anthocyanin treatment of human umbilical vein endothelial cells was further demonstrated to regulate cholesterol distribution by interfering with the recruitment of tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factors (TRAF)-2 in lipid rafts, thereby inhibiting CD40-induced proinflammatory signaling.72
Thus, on the basis of these data, berry anthocyanins may exert cardioprotective effects by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation through effects on iNOS activity, interfering with carbohydrate digestion and reducing glucose absorption, favorably modulating dyslipidemia, and upregulating eNOS expression so as to maintain normal vascular function and blood pressure.Go to:
CONCLUSION
Berries are emerging as a dietary source of multiple compounds and nutrients, including anthocyanins, flavonols, vitamins, and fiber, that reduce CVD risk. While limited epidemiological data inversely associate consumption of berries with inflammation and CVD, these conclusions need to be strengthened in future case-control or cohort studies investigating the long-term health benefits of berries in specific populations. Clinical studies in healthy humans, subjects with diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, metabolic syndrome, hypertension, or in smokers, show a significant decrease in CVD risk factors, especially glucose, lipids and lipid peroxidation, and systolic blood pressure, following berry intervention. The principal mechanisms of action underlying the potential cardio-protective effects of berries include counteracting free radical generation, attenuating inflammatory gene expression, downregulating foam cell formation, and upregulating eNOS expression; through these effects, progression of atherosclerosis is slowed and normal vascular function and blood pressure are preserved. In light of the decrease in nutritional value that occurs during processing methods, including drying and pasteurization, consumption of fresh or frozen whole berries as part of a regular diet may be better than intake of juices or extracts, which do not have the same nutritional profiles as whole berries. Since some clinical studies have also found antidiabetic and antihyperlipidemic effects of encapsulated berry supplements, these forms may be suitable for the management of specific metabolic conditions.
Further rigorous, prospective studies are needed. These need to involve large patient populations with outcomes of berry intervention that include not only CVD biomarkers, but also “hard” cardiovascular and metabolic endpoints. Also, comparative human intervention studies should address the effects of whole berries versus purified berry anthocyanins, and any potential synergistic actions with other nutrients or medications. Such studies are readily conceived but expensive and challenging to conduct.Go to:
Acknowledgments
Funding. This work was supported, in part, by the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center General Clinical Research Center grant M01-RR14467, the National Center for Research Resources, and the National Institutes of Health.Go to:
Footnotes
Declaration of interest. Arpita Basu has received past and present support from US Highbush Blueberry Council, the Cranberry Institute, and the California Strawberry Commission for clinical trials. The content of this review does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of these agencies.Go to:
Contributor Information
Arpita Basu, Department of Nutritional Sciences, 301 Human Environmental Sciences, Oklahoma State University (OSU), Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA.
Michael Rhone, Department of Nutritional Sciences, 301 Human Environmental Sciences, Oklahoma State University (OSU), Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA.
Timothy J Lyons, Harold Hamm Oklahoma Diabetes Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center (OUHSC), Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA.Go to:
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You never know where a good film can emanate from! But in this case “Invisible” is from Lithuania. And it is very good.
It is a combination of a thriller, murder mystery, blackmail, love story, a jab at the church’s child molestation and yes a spoof on American reality television shows.
Jonas (Dainus Kazlauskas) is a modern dancer who is ageing and out of tune with new modern dance. So in order to make a “comeback” he feigns blindness and a Lithuanian reality show akin to “America Can Dance” picks him up as a possible rising star. The producer thinks that in every sad story there is a gold mine. So Jonas gets a trailer to live in on the studio lot but let’s say a webcam in the trailer reveals to the show’s management Jonas is not really blind and is faking it. But in their world of midgets, obese ladies and one-legged dancers what is a little bit of fraud.
Vytas (Darius Bagdžiūnas) is a murderer of his wife Marija after shooting her with a speargun! An awful way to go. But he did so breaking in on Marija wife making passionate love to Jonas. Vytas somehow blames Jonas for the death of his wife and after release from prison wants some revenge. But before that he blackmails the local priest for what one can surmise is a result of his molestation by the priest. Vytas purchases a gun and is set for revenge which he obtains by turning Jonas into what he was pretending to be and gets his revenge against the priest is a deadly way.
So the film will have you snickering about the fraudulent and scripted nature of reality shows and then biting your nails about how Vytas is going to deliver his revenge.
Robert K. Stephen A Little Birdie Told Me Rating 93/100.
The acting is pitch perfect. All around a well produced and directed film. Bravo Lithuania!
The film is playing virtually on November 15-17 and you can get tickets and see the full schedule at euffonline.ca
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