130 Cecil Malone Drive, Ithaca, NY 14850
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Welcome to Our Monthly Newsletter
This month's topics are:
HEALTH
- RSV-Why Now and Why Now All at Once?
AREA RUGS and CARPETING
- Soil and Stain Protector That Really Works!
MISCELLANEOUS
- Gift A Tree This Holiday Season
- Stanford Robert Ovshinsky
CONSIGNMENT RUGS FOR SALE REMINDER
DECEMBER DISCOUNT SPECIAL
If there is a topic you would like us to cover in one of our upcoming newsletters, please call or text us at:
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RSV
Why Now and Why Now All at Once?
RSV or respiratory syncytial virus has been at the forefront of the news lately. Hospitals are overflowing with sick children as well as some at-risk adults, many with severe complications.
But, why? And why now all at once? Did the public health measures imposed on us during COVID-19, such as masking and social distancing, cause us to have weakened immune systems or is something else at play here?
WHAT IS RSV?
RSV is a contagious airborne virus that is the most common cause of acute respiratory infection, which can be serious, especially for infants and older adults. Almost all children (barring a pandemic), will be infected with RSV by the time they are 2 years of age. Most recover in a week or two, though some infections can be severe.
During the pandemic, children and mothers were less exposed to viruses like RSV. A pregnant mother can pass down protective antibodies against the RSV virus to her child through the placenta. Although the antibodies acquired in utero do not prevent infants from being infected by RSV, they can protect them from the more severe complications that would require hospitalization.
TWO HYPOTHESES...
There appear to be 2 different hypotheses being used to explain why RSV is causing such problems now. One is not backed by science, the other is.
HYPOTHESIS #1
The explanation given by hypothesis #1, which is not based on science, is that during COVID-19, masking, virtual schooling, and physical distancing made children stay indoors for long periods of time and prevented them being exposed to common bacteria and viruses. Thus, their immune systems were weakened due to under stimulation, just as can happen with under used muscles.
There are some major problems with this theory:
- Our immune system does not act like and should not be compared to a muscle. It does not need constant poking and prodding from germs to avoid lethargy.
- Children were not kept in sterile bubbles during COVID-19. They were still in contact with microorganisms from the soil they played with, the food they ate, and the adults in their lives.
HYPOTHESIS #2
This theory is backed by and based on science. Public health measures against COVID-19 such as masking and staying home have not resulted in an under stimulation of children’s immune systems.
The real reason for the fact that RSV is such a concern now is that during COVID-19, public health measures shielded children from exposure to germs they would normally have been exposed to at an early age and now they are all falling ill at the same time. Added to that, the first infection with RSV is usually the most severe and can lead to hospitalization. As with COVID-19, these children can easily pass the infection to the rest of their family.
HOW DOES RSV SPREAD?
RSV enters the body through the eyes, nose or mouth from infected respiratory droplets in the air. This virus can live for hours on such hard objects such as countertops, doorknobs, and toys.
It is a very scary fact that in an infant with weakened immunity, the virus may continue to spread for up to four weeks, even after symptoms are gone.
WHO IS AT RISK FOR RSV?
- Infants 6 months or younger.
- Children who have congenital heart disease or chronic lung disease.
- Children or adults with weakened immune systems from diseases such as cancer or treatment such as chemotherapy.
- Children with muscular dystrophy or other neuromuscular disorders.
- Adults with heart or lung disease.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF RSV?
Please continue reading here for the answer to that question and for more scientific information about RSV including what to do to stay healthy and avoid RSV and what to do if you or your child becomes infected.
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In This Issue
Consignment Rugs for Sale - New rugs added Regularly
RSV-Why Now and Why Now All at Once?
Soil and Stain Protector That Really Works!
Gift A Tree This Holiday Season
Stanford Robert Ovshinsky
DECEMBER Discount Special
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SOIL and STAIN PROTECTOR THAT REALLY WORKS!
WHY SOIL and STAIN PROTECTOR?
Did you request a Soil and Stain Protector the last time your carpets or area rugs were cleaned? Have you ever experienced that ‘feel good’ feeling of having a freshly cleaned carpet, rug or furniture only to be totally frustrated when shortly after something like red wine, coffee or tea gets spilled on those freshly cleaned items?
Have you attempted to remove fresh spills yourself? Because you may not know the type of carpet, rug or furniture you have, you may not know the best way to clean up a spill. If you have our ABC Spot Cleaning Guide or our DIY Spot Removal Video, you are well-armed, but did you make sure you had the required household solutions, such as ammonia, enzyme detergent, etc.?
So many things can go wrong when you try to remove spills by yourself. The pile of the carpet or rug can become distorted with scrubbing. Too much water or liquid applied to fabric or yarn can change or run colors or may push the spill down farther only to have it reappear after drying. Over-the-counter spot cleaners work well with some types of fabric but may bleach out others.
All of this could be avoided if you request an application of a Soil and Stain Protector when you have your carpets, area rugs or furniture cleaned by ABC. It does cost a little more... but it certainly is worth it!
HOW DOES SOIL and STAIN PROTECTOR WORK?
A Soil and Stain Protector acts as a kind of invisible shield that will repel most substances that are spilled on it. This is somewhat like waxing a car. You provide protection to your paint job by applying an invisible shield and you know it is working because you can see water beading up on the surface.
When you protect your carpets, area rugs or furniture with a Soil and Stain Protector, you are not only going to obtain the immediate benefit of being able to clean up fresh spills, but that protection will mean the item is going to last longer. That is because when something is clean, it performs better and increases the lifetime of the textile.
HOW LONG DOES SOIL and STAIN PROTECTOR LAST?
This really depends on the type of usage the item gets. In traffic areas on a carpet or rug, Soil and Stain Protector may last 6 months to a year before it starts to wear off. On furniture, it can last much longer but will tend to wear off sooner on areas of more use, such as one side of a sofa.
As with wax on a car, a small amount of water spilled on areas will bead up to let you know it is still protected.
DOES USING SOIL and STAIN PROTECTOR MEAN I DON'T HAVE TO CLEAN AS OFTEN?
For the answer to that question as well as more information on Soil and Stain Protection including a video, please continue reading here.
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GIFT A TREE
THIS HOLIDAY SEASON!
ABC and ONE TREE PLANTED.ORG
As you may know, ABC has partnered with One Tree Planted.org to help with sustainability and reforestation on our planet by planting trees!
Since the holiday giving season is upon us, this organization has suggested 11 reasons to gift a tree for the holidays. Here is why and how...
ELEVEN REASONS TO PLANT A TREE IN NATURE FOR THE HOLIDAYS
The season of giving is upon us! And while love and generosity are among the things that make the holidays so special, our daily routines and even holiday traditions come with an environmental cost.
When it comes to gifts, sometimes we're lucky enough to get something we really want and will use for a long time, but how often does that really happen? Most gifts just end up sitting around collecting dust, are returned, or thrown away within a year. While half of returns are re-shelved to be resold, some 5 billion pounds of returned goods end up in landfills, equivalent to the trash produced by 5 million Americans, and the returns process accounts for 1.6 billion gallons of diesel fuel and 15 million metric tons of CO2.
Yikes. That's A LOT of waste in a short amount of time. Luckily, there are ways to break the vicious wasteful cycle.
As an eco-friendly alternative or complement to other gifts, you can make a donation to plant trees on behalf of someone you love! through One Tree Planted.org. Your sustainable gift can come with a custom Tree Certificate or card, and you'll rest easy knowing you've given a waste-free gift that will benefit nature for a lifetime.
Here are 11 reasons to gift a tree planted in nature for the holidays:
1. It is a Unique Gift
For the most part, we can all predict what everyone is getting for Christmas this year. Whether it's the latest gadgets, socks, or new gear. Planting a tree is different and makes us recall fond memories of enjoying the outdoors. Plant trees for your bestie, grandma, the person who has everything, or the nature-lover. They will love the thoughtful gesture.
2. Good for the Environment
There are a ton of ways trees benefit the environment, much more so than the last-minute gift you found on sale that will get little use. And this kind of gift will reduce your carbon footprint since you won't have to have it shipped!
3. Will Last a Lifetime
The gift that keeps on giving! A tree is truly an investment that will return benefits for years to come. Every year your loved one can look back and smile as they think about how their tree is growing and helping all who surround it. And you can follow our many reforestation stories online to learn about the individual impact of different projects.
4. Give Animals a Home
A tree is a gift for our furry, winged, and scaly friends too! 80% of the world's known terrestrial plant and animal species can be found in forests. One tree alone can be home to hundreds of living things! Just think about all the birds, insects, and mammals that will have a place to live thanks to the trees you've helped to plant.
5. Clean the Air
Trees filter the air we breathe, produce oxygen, and remove carbon and harmful particles from the atmosphere. The World Health organization says that 9 out of 10 people breathe air containing high levels of pollutants but trees can help improve air quality!
6. Benefit Future Generations
Young people today are increasingly concerned about how our changing climate will affect their future. By planting a tree, you are taking positive action for future generations to come. We can reduce the effects of climate change one tree at a time.
7. Help End Hunger
Trees can produce nutritious food for people in need, as well as food that can be sold. They can also restore degraded lands so that farmers can gradually increase crop yields, protect surrounding land to reduce damaging erosion and landslides, and help the ground retain more water so that there is more available for food to grow. With healthier food systems as a result of trees, communities also have improved health, jobs, and economic stability.
8. Keep People Safe
Trees offer a lot of protection when natural disasters occur, like flooding and landslides. Their intricate root systems act like filters by slowing down the water’s absorption into the ground. According to the Food and Agriculture Association of the United Nations, a mature evergreen tree can intercept more than 15,000 liters of water every year.
9. Save Money
Planting a tree with One Tree Planted is not very expensive, just $1/1 tree! So you can plant as many as you'd like, whether it's just one tree or a small forest. You can save a lot of money this year by gifting trees to the whole family.
10. Reduce Waste
Think of all the time you will save by not having to wrap a bunch of presents! You'll also cut back on the materials and wrapping paper you would've had to use. If every American family wrapped just three presents in reused materials, it would save enough paper to cover 45,000 football fields! And that's not even mentioning the avoided waste of unwanted or unused gifts.
11. You Can't Go Wrong!
It is the worst when you get something for someone and they don't like it. But who doesn't like trees? Or how about the hassle it causes when a gift doesn't fit and you have to beat the crowds to return it! That problem doesn't exist when a tree is your gift! It's planted in the great outdoors providing decades if not centuries of ecological value even after you've forgotten all about it!
WANT MORE INFO?
Please continue reading here.
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STANFORD ROBERT OVSHINSKY
Stanford Robert Ovshinsky, a self-made scientist, was one of the most influential inventors we may never have heard of! Usually when we think of a famous inventor, the first persons to come to mind may be Thomas Edison, Alexander Graham Bell, or possibly Nikola Tesla. Yet Stanford Ovshinsky was one of the most prolific and influential inventors of all time. And he was well ahead of his time, especially in the areas of energy and information. In fact, everyone has felt the impact of his inventions and insights.
WHO WAS STANFORD ROBERT OVSHINSKY?
Stanford Robert Ovshinsky was born in 1922 in Akron, Ohio, the son of Lithuanian immigrants. After he completed high school, he went on to start his career as a machinist and toolmaker in a factory that made molds for car tires. It was there that he became motivated to improve the machines he was working with and he realized he wanted to be an inventor.
Automation was one of Ovshinsky’s special interests. His first significant invention was an automated lathe that could machine metal much faster than other lathes. His interest in automation also led him to delve into the field of cybernetics, which can be defined as the scientific study of how people, animals, and machines control and communicate information.
Ovshinsky was always coming up with new ideas. He had the ability to see analogies that others were not seeing and then come up with something new. In 1960, he founded his own company, Energy Conversion Devices in Detroit, Michigan, and his many inventions were beginning to draw attention in the scientific community.
Energy Conversion Devices went on to become a forefront invention and development laboratory, with many products aimed at Ovshinsky’s long-term goal of making fossil fuel obsolete. Today this company is a leading solar energy and battery production firm.
Below are some other examples of Ovshinsky’s contributions to science and technology:
CRYSTALLINE vs AMORPHOUS SEMI CODUCTORS
In the 1940s and 50s, Stanford Robert Ovshinsky's research in neurophysiology, neural disease, the nature of intelligence in mammals and machines, and cybernetics helped open the scientific field of amorphous and disordered materials.
Ovshinsky’s invention of a mechanical model of a nerve cell in which a laser or electrical pulse changes the state of amorphous or disordered material to that of a crystalline state which remains stable until a stronger pulse changes it back.
Scientists at the time in the field of solid-state physics believed that only crystalline materials could be used to make micro-electronic devices such as the transistor. Ovshinsky's invention, called the ‘Ovshinsky technique' or threshold switch, led to the invention of the amorphous silicon semiconductor.
Amorphous silicon semiconductors have become the basis of many of the technologies and industries we have today. As an example, back in the 1960s, most TVs were massive boxes that took up a lot of space in the living room. Amorphous silicon semiconductors enabled the realization of Ovshinsky’s concept for a flat TV screen that people could hang like a painting. And sixty years after his invention, most people do just that!
PHASE-CHANGE MEMORY
Ovshinsky's discovery of phase-change memory is an offshoot of his threshold switch. This technology is expected to have the most impact on technology in the future.
Compared to silicon flash memory, phase-change memory is 100 times faster, allows more information to be stored, requires less power, and can be cycled many more times. Ovshinsky’s phase-change memory will allow today’s computers to work better and help designers to create more advanced computer architectures in the future.
NICKEL-METAL HYDRIDE BATTERY
Ovshinsky’s invention of the nickel-metal hydride battery has been widely used in electric and hybrid vehicles, laptop computers, digital cameras, and cell phones.
OTHER IMPORTANT INVENTIONS OF
STANFORD ROBERT OVSHINSKY
Stanford Robert Ovshinsky was one of the first people to pursue cheap mass-produced solar panels.
Other important inventions were rewritable CD and DVD discs and hydrogen fuel cells. He had a vision of a future hydrogen-based economy, and he worked on the concept of a hydrogen-powered hybrid car.
WHY ISN'T OVSHINSKY AS WELL KNOWN AS OTHER INVENTORS?
Please continue reading here for the answer to that question and more information about Stanford Robert Ovshinsky.
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Ithaca, NY 14850
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