By: Sarah Wojick Source: https://www.kroger.com/asset/5ad8d3d184aea5f4550f8c3a?data=1
Food has become an exciting topic to talk about between friends and family during the stay-at-home order whether you talk about what to make for dinner, a new recipe you found on social media, or what you are craving since eating out has slowed down. A new trend that began on the popular app TikTok is making quick and easy recipes, whether they are healthy or not. Being at home may cause individuals to over eat because there is always food around them in their kitchens. Even if you don’t think you can be a chef, practice makes perfect! While being at home for an extended amount of time, I decided to find new recipes to make at least a couple times a week. Finding these recipes gave me something to look forward to and made me more comfortable with preparing more meals for myself and others. These easy recipes I found had ingredients that were commonly found in a family kitchen. Try to find something new to do every day to make life more exciting during this time at home. I wanted to share some recipes I found and tried from Tik Tok. 1. Breakfast Quesadilla I usually stick to my scrambled eggs and smoothie, but I wanted to switch it up and try this recipe right when I found it. You begin with the eggs and once you break up the yolk you place the tortilla on top. Once the egg is cooked, flip the tortilla and egg and add whatever ingredients you want in the quesadilla. I chose to add ham, spinach, onion and shredded cheese. Once it's all in, you fold the tortilla into a quesadilla and there you have it! To add more flavor, you can pour a side of salsa to dip it in. TikTok video: https://vm.tiktok.com/73h1t1/ 2. Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies The ingredients for this filling cookie are: 1 ripe banana, 2 eggs, 1 1/2 cup oats, dash of vanilla extract, 1/4 tsp cinnamon and 3/4 cup dark chocolate chips. After adding the first three ingredients, blend them together and then add the next three ingredients. Once it is all mixed together, place the dough in ball forms on a cookie sheet. Bake in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes. Surprisingly enough, after the dough is baked, the cookies look the same! After one of these cookies, you will feel satisfied with your appetite because they fill you up. Additionally, this recipe only makes about eight cookies if you decide to try it out. TikTok video: https://vm.tiktok.com/73AyaE/ 3. 4-Ingredient Cookie Dough Balls Honestly, these cookie dough balls taste just like regular cookie dough, but it’s just four ingredients. The ingredients for this are: 2/3 cup peanut butter, 1/4 cup honey, 1/2 cup coconut flour and 1/3 cup dark chocolate chips. The peanut butter should be warmed up in the microwave for 30 seconds so it can get softened up. Then you can add the honey and stir the two ingredients together. When adding the coconut flour next, you can add a little at a time to make it easier to stir. Finally, add any type of chocolate chips, I love dark chocolate chips so that is what I used. Once it’s all mixed together, you roll the dough into balls and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. You can store these in your refrigerator and keep them for dessert for a couple nights. TikTok video: https://vm.tiktok.com/736rAh/ Just like any recipe you make, you can add any ingredients you want to make your recipe your own. All these recipes I tried were from TikTok videos, but you can find easy recipes anywhere. These are just a few of my favorite quick and easy recipes I made while at home during the stay-at-home order. Try something new and you never know what kind of recipe you can master!
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By: Julia Robinson In the wake of COVID-19, everyone is adjusting to being at home 24/7, with not much else going on outside of the comfort of their living room. That being said, comfortable clothing seems to be a must when it comes to staying inside all day. Clothing brands have used this knowledge to launch campaigns for loungewear type clothing. This is an example of taking a bad situation, and turning it into something they can profit off of, while still pleasing their consumers. Popular brands such as Gap, American Eagle, and Urban Outfitters have found ways to tailor to “quarantine fashion”, with key words such as “cozy”, “safe”, and “connected”. When you visit on the Gap website, the first thing you see is a picture collage of people wearing brightly colored sweat pants in different styles. Covering the images is the phrase “Home Sweats Home”, a play on words to emphasize the stay-at-home lifestyle many people are experiencing at the moment. It shows how a slogan and imagery can take something so negative and help people see a different side of it. Another example is American Eagle, and their "At Home With AE" slogan that recently came out. They created a hashtag, “AExME”, for people to post on social media to encourage staying at home, and the use of activities to keep our mind off of the virus. Source: https://blog.ae.com/at-home-with-ae/
Urban Outfitters has done similar things on their main page, keeping it simple and to the point. They added an image of a model wearing trendy sweats sitting on a set of Urban Outfitter’s sheets, with the caption “Stay Home, Get Cozy.” While it is a simple and straightforward caption, it is relevant to the events happening in our world; comfort may be the one thing people are seeking while stuck at home. These slogans and images of people in fashionable lounge-wear may not cure the virus, but when it comes to selling your product, staying relevant and up-to-date with the world's events goes a long way in both people’s lives in quarantine and the brand’s overall reputation. By: Erin Larner Considering that the past month has turned our world upside-down and has created complete boredom for many, why not add something new and positive to your daily routine? If you don’t already incorporate exercise into your day, it’s a great idea to find some time for it. Not only does exercise get your body in shape, but it releases chemicals like endorphins and serotonin that improve your mood. If you choose to exercise often, it can reduce stress, depression and anxiety. Exercise can also help with recovery from mental health issues. Do you want to feel better about yourself and have a good mindset? Then choose to exercise for at least 20 minutes per day! Source: https://www.getthegloss.com/article/7-exercises-to-boost-your-mental-health
Many people choose to change up their exercise routine each day. Here are some ideas for exercise that you can do while quarantining at home!
ALSO- always remember that a healthy diet goes great with exercise! Try out some new healthy recipes while you’re at it! By: Ben Bertsch Source: https://www.baltimoreravens.com/news/full-list-of-2020-ravens-nfl-draft-picks
The first round of the 2020 NFL Draft not surprisingly received record-breaking ratings this past Thursday. The draft was the closest event that sports fans have had to a live sporting event. With the lack of fresh content produced by the sports industry, there isn't any competition between stations. The first round of the 2020 NFL Draft had 15.6 million viewers, which was 3.2 million more viewers than the previous record in 2014. Disney's vice president of sales, James Minnich, reported that the advertising space for the first three rounds of the NFL Draft sold out. The ad slots for round one were selling for around $250,000 per 30-second commercial, according to a Front Office Sports article (Santana and McCarthy, 2020). Not only is ESPN and Disney benefiting from the Draft but from a new sports documentary as well. "The Last Dance" Michael Jordan documentary aired its first two episodes on April 19. The documentary became ESPN's most-viewed documentary ever, with an average of over 6 million viewers per episode. Both the documentary and the Draft are capturing the advertiser's beloved demographic of 18-to-49-year-olds. With very little competition in the sports world, is ESPN actually benefiting by not having sports? Probably not, considering it won't be easy to continue this success once the Draft and documentary come to an end in the next few weeks. Sources: By: Kyle Root The Coronavirus has led to statewide quarantines and stay-at-home orders. As a result, people across the globe have been looking for new ways to improve their well-being. Chances are if you are new to journalism and public relations, you’ve gotten a bad grade or two because you didn’t adhere to AP Style Rules. That’s okay! AP Style is not easy to learn, and it takes a lot of studying and practice to master it.
There’s never been a better time to improve your writing than right now. There are a variety of ways you can master AP Style from your own home without straining your daily schedule. AP Stylebook Editor, Paula Froke, said she suggests determining how your brain likes to learn and sticking to that. Two tactics she mentioned were carefully reading an up-to-date copy of the AP Stylebook and following the AP Style Twitter account for examples. If you like reading, you can look up articles or websites about specific AP Style rules and questions. There are numerous options available for common AP Style errors and cheat sheets that help you understand the basics. Your progression doesn’t stop there! After you understand the basics, you can search the internet for guides connected to how AP Style works in a field of interest, like business reporting. Reading about AP Style is neat, but you can’t become a master without proving yourself. You can choose to buy a special quiz through AP Stylebook if you want a test by the experts. For less than 10 dollars, you can have access to a test that shows you what you got wrong and explains the answer. If you aren’t a fan of spending money, don’t worry. There are free options too, like a free set of quizzes from Platform Magazine. View your time at home as a chance to grow and improve your writing. You’ll be an AP Style master in no time! Sources: By: Ben Bertsch Source: https://www.positivelyosceola.com/streaming-services-laying-out-some-good-deals-while-were-socially-distancing/
With the COVID-19 virus causing people to stay quarantined inside, many have looked for ways to entertain themselves. As expected, there has been a high surge in the usage of streaming platforms. Streaming providers Netflix and YouTube have decided to lower the quality of their streaming signals. Reducing the signal means a lower quality picture for its users; however, the content officer for Netflix has assured its customers that this is a small change that will go unnoticed by most viewers. Due to social distancing put into place, the production of TV shows and movies have halted. The stop of production raises the question, “Will Netflix run out of new content?” Fans of hit shows like “Stranger Things” are showing concern that the production halt will further delay their favorite shows. The answer is maybe. Netflix will likely not run out of new content due to its system of releasing whole seasons at once. The system has allowed the company to stack up finished shows that are yet to be released. Netflix is continuing to publish fresh content like the “Tiger King” documentary released in March and the new reality TV show, “Too Hot to Handle,” that was released April 17. But, if production does not start back up in a few months, there will understandably be some delays. Netflix has been able to provide an escape from the current chaotic state of the world, and it looks like the provider will continue to offer fresh content. Source: https://www.cnn.com/videos/business/2020/03/22/netflix-is-making-staying-at-home-a-little-more -bearable.cnn By: Sara Meek Image Source: https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/google-logo-history
What is a Community Mobile Report? Google has utilized its power to help officials understand how communities have changed since many states have ordered “stay-at-home” orders. Google uses insights from services such as Google Maps to help see how patterns of daily life have changed since COVID-19. The reports look at movement trends over time by geographic locations, such as workplaces, grocery stores and parks. The reports will help see how people from all over the world are following the guidelines from officials. Each Community Mobile Report looks at countries all over the world to see how people are reacting to COVID-19. The reports are broken down by location and show trends and changes in visits to designated locations. Let's take a look at a couple places: United States: -There has been a 45% decrease in activity in retail and recreation places such as restaurants, cafes, shopping centers and movie theaters. -There has been a 16% decrease in activity within parks. -There has been a 14% increase in residential areas, meaning that people are spending more time at home. Spain: -There has been a 92% decrease in activity in retail and recreation. -There has been a 85% decrease in people visiting parks. -There has been a 26% increase in residential areas. Italy: -There has been a 86% decrease in activity in retail and recreation places. -There has been a 83% decrease in people visiting parks. -There has been a 26% increase in residential areas. Some people might be worried about what else Google might be doing with their phones, but don't worry, there are many privacy settings that you can control. Google has said that it has received this data through the Location History setting which is turned on by default. Users can easily turn off the setting to prevent Google from using their location. Visit Google's Privacy Policy to learn more about how it keeps your data private, safe and secure. Source: https://www.google.com/covid19/mobility/ By: Sarah Wojick Source: https://www.planetfitness.com/community/articles/beginner-workout-plan-your-first-week-gym
NCAA athletics around the country have been put on hold. Athletes that were training to win a conference title or a championship title have now been sent home with their seasons over. We are being asked to bring our dedication, training, and practices home. Some may think this isn’t a big deal, but when you think about those who are an only child, have limited space in homes/apartments, or no workout equipment, it becomes a struggle. During these unprecedented times, athletes are putting forth creative efforts to maintain a similar schedule as they would have at school. Here are five areas that my volleyball team and I have taken pride in and embraced while being home during the COVID-19 pandemic: 1. Be creative and innovative for workouts Staying in shape, maintaining muscle, and staying on top of rehabilitation exercises are the most important things to stay consistent with while at home. We are used to working out and practicing almost every day for around 4 hours. Not everyone has a full workout room in their homes, so this is where you need to get creative in doing workouts. Grab those paint buckets, cooking books, school backpacks, and chairs and make use of them! 2. No dining hall, no problem I know we all miss eating at the dining halls every day. With all this time, we can now make healthy meals and find new recipes. If you weren’t a cook before, you can start now by making smoothies, eggs, steak, chicken, and salads. I have learned new recipes and how to cook different meals that I would never have made at school. 3. Move goal: Achieved Instead of sitting or lying in bed all day, go on long walks, do some chores for your parents, or make a new TikTok. We usually would be walking to classes, so making sure we are staying active and moving our bodies will help when we go back to our normal schedules. 4. Team Zoom As we all know, Zoom is everyone’s best friend right now. Staying in touch with your team will help to keep a strong chemistry and bond as if you were still on campus. Talking with your teammates is refreshing because you were used to seeing them every day. 5. Keep Competing!! While at home, find creative ways to keep the competitive drive by involving family. For example, create a bracket for a board game, take tallies on how many times you win in ping pong, or create a challenge you do with a friend every day. Stay sharp and don’t lose the competitive spirit that you have been crafting for so long. Although being at home as a high-level athlete can be difficult, the more motivated and consistent you are with workouts, the better you will come back for your season. Put yourself ahead of those who aren’t doing anything. By: Rebecca Smith In the midst of the current pandemic, companies are halting all previous ad campaigns to focus on this global event. Some are tweeting their support, altering their logos or creating commercials relating to the situation we are all facing. Last month when “social distancing” became the latest buzzword, companies across the world began stressing the importance of this to their customers. Some even altered their logos, such as McDonald’s, Audi and Volkswagen. While their logos are traditionally intertwining shapes or letters, they separated these elements to emphasize the importance of practicing social distancing. Other companies came out with new slogans or commercials to emphasize our togetherness during this pandemic. Walmart and Facebook both created a collection of videos and pictures from everyday people exemplifying this “togetherness” theme. Nurses and doctors dancing, children hugging and people comforting each other are a few of the images shown. While some companies are continuing to advertise business as usual by creating some sort of response to this global issue, they are connecting on an emotional level with the rest of the world. Like any other successful ad campaign, when it’s good, the audience will remember it. Not only the commercial, but also the company too. Creating campaigns that elicit empathy improve brand awareness and respectability.
Source https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/26/business/social-distancing-brand-logos-coronavirus/index.html By: Logynn Skiles Source:
https://www.ebuyer.com/blog/2014/08/how-to-avoid-screen-glare-working-outside/ In a time when our only option is virtual schooling, many forget about those that live in rural areas with poor internet connection. As someone from a small farming community in Ohio, I completely understand these struggles. Here are a few tips and tricks I have learned over the past few weeks: 1. Inform your professors. The first thing you should do if you have poor internet connection is inform your professors. Send them an email explaining your situation and the limitations you face that they should be aware of upfront. This could include the difficulty of live lectures, taking proctored exams or the inability to get a website to load. Letting them know of these limitations early on gives you flexibility if a problem were to arise. 2. Do schoolwork at odd hours. As odd as this might seem, doing my schoolwork late at night or early in the morning has been very effective for me. I tend to do the majority of my work after midnight. During these times of the day, less people are using the internet meaning you are more likely to have a better connection. 3. Use mobile hotspots. Mobile hotspots are when you connect a device to your phone’s data. Hotspots are a great way to still be able to use your computer to do homework when your WiFi is slow. I unfortunately cannot use my hotspot that often because I have limited data. 4. Borrow WiFi from friends and family. If you are not on a stay at home order, I suggest going over to someone’s house that has high speed internet. If you are like me and that isn’t currently possible, I suggest doing your schoolwork from your porch or in your driveway. While this situation is less than ideal, it is effective and comes with the plus of being outside. 5. Don’t get frustrated. The biggest thing to remember during these times is to not get frustrated. While I realize this can be difficult when you are trying to watch a short video and it takes you almost an hour to do so, try to stay calm. When it gets overwhelming trying to fight with your internet, step away and do something else. This could be doing work that doesn’t involve your computer or taking a break and going outside. We are living in a historic time and we must do what we can to make do. Remember to stay positive, stay healthy and wash your hands. By: Abigail Solano
Going to the mall with your friends, searching for the new looks that just walked in your favorite designer's fashion show or going to the salon to get your hair dyed the same way you have forever; these are all things that COVID-19 has impacted within the fashion industry. Here are a few ways the fashion industry is being affected by this pandemic.
By: Erin Larner The past few weeks have created drastic changes in the lives of many people all across the world. The Coronavirus pandemic has turned our world upside down. It has caused people to panic and stress as well as quarantine so that the virus doesn’t spread. During the quarantine period, it’s easy to feel lonely and depressed. As an individual that doesn’t enjoy spending a lot of time alone, I found myself experiencing isolation. I knew that this pandemic wasn’t going to go away anytime soon. In order to overcome the depression I began to face, I needed to develop a routine. The most important part in developing a new routine is taking a step back to allow yourself to self-reflect. What matters most to you in life? What is your passion? Questions like these can help you determine what should be incorporated in your routine. Source: https://99designs.com/blog/creative-thinking/daily-routine/
Some ideas to fit into your routine include:
Even though the quarantine period has left people with a ton of time on their hands, there’s always time to take a step back and self-reflect. You can always change your routine or lifestyle. If there’s anything in your life that you wish to change, go ahead and make that change because you will become a better person. By: Katie Giles As COVID-19 continues to completely change the world around us, people everywhere are relying on the news media for important information. Whether it’s new statistics, regulations or interviews from doctors-- there are new facts daily. COVID-19 is affecting the media, just as much as the media is affecting the way COVID-19 plays out in day to day life. The real challenge for the people producing news is to make sure their facts are correct, unbiased and are spread ethically-- and this doesn’t just include news media professionals.
It’s not shocking that false information has been spreading rapidly since the virus began. Social media allows for information to spread quickly, which is helpful when the information is correct. However, misleading and incorrect information has been shared about COVID-19 which has led to panic and hysteria. There have been an increasingly large amount of conspiracy theories pertaining to the virus. We’ve heard of xenophobic or racist reports against Chinese people. We’ve experienced people stocking up on paper goods, cleaning supplies and other grocery items-- as if stores would be closing. In an article titled “What Role can the Media Play in Managing the COVID-19 Outbreak?” the author states that “theories have been floating around that the virus was engineered in a lab as a bioterrorism agent,” “thousands of listings on Amazon promoting fake COVID-19 cures have been reported,” and “prices of some sanitizers and face masks have increased by over 2000%” (Powell, March 5, 2020). All of these examples are tell-tale signs that misinformation is being spread all throughout the globe. So how do we do our part in stopping the spread of misinformation? For starters, you can fact check everything you read or hear with credible resources, such as the Center for Disease Control’s website. Besides making sure the information you’re spreading personally is correct, the same article states that “it is important that trusted media sources don’t just ignore misinformation but attempt to counter it,” (Powell, March 5, 2020). In conclusion, we all need to do our part in making sure the information being spread is accurate and unbiased. Whether you’re in the communications field or not, the things you say, write or post can affect how the rest of the world reacts to COVID-19. Sources: https://www.id-hub.com/2020/03/05/role-can-media-play-managing-covid-19-outbreak/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:US_CDC_logo.svg
For those who suffer from or who are having newfound anxiety from this pandemic, the quarentine can be especially difficult. Here are some tips to help take care of your mental health throughout this challenging time:
Source: https://dailycampus.com/stories/2020/3/24/quarantine-and-mental-health-coping-with-the-coronavirus-pandemic By: Kelsey Lewandowski Across the country, small businesses are responsible for the employment of 58.9 million people which is about 47.5% of the private sector workforce. With much of the nation on lockdown and practicing social distancing, small businesses are struggling to thrive. In times like these, keeping a small business afloat calls for creativity and community support.
Here are some ways you can help support these businesses within your community: 1. Find your go-to restaurants, shops, studios, etc. on social media. Many local businesses are posting about what their plans are for the immediate future and how you can support them. Maybe your yoga studio is hosting online classes, the coffee shop you go to daily is running to-go specials, or your favorite restaurant is now delivering. You won’t know unless you check! 2. Buy gift cards or pay in advance. Paying in advance for your weekly activities like fitness classes or similar session-based activities are a great way to help out while staying within your normal budget. Many shops and restaurants are also offering gift cards online which is a great way to provide an immediate source of revenue for businesses that may be struggling. 3. Buy merchandise online. As well as clothing stores, many restaurants, coffee shops and fitness centers also sell physical merchandise such as t-shirts, mugs, tote bags, etc. online. This is a great way to support these businesses because the merchandise has likely already been created and stocked, so it won’t incur immediate extra costs for the business to produce. 4. Share on social media. If you’ve found a great way to support your favorite business, spread the word! Encouraging the community to shop or donate to small and local businesses can lead to more help. Not everyone will know about the specials these businesses are running, extra ways to help out, or even if some of these businesses are still open. Small businesses play an integral role in our economy and even more so in your local area. Even if you can’t afford to buy or donate right now, sharing online, leaving reviews and providing moral support can go a long way. Sources: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/19/business/small-businesses-coronavirus-help.html?searchResultPosition=3 https://hbr.org/2020/03/what-small-businesses-need-to-survive-the-coronavirus-crisis By: Rebecca Smith In the midst of a very unusual time dealing with the current pandemic, we are also in the midst of interviewing and trying to find internships for the summer. This can be a difficult time for many, as companies are laying off employees and questioning whether they can support interns for the summer anymore. For companies still going through with their internship programs, you may be asked to do a phone or Skype interview to prevent any in-person interactions. For those who still have interviewing to do, here are some tips to help you succeed during a remote interview:
1. Check your technology- It is crucial that your technology, whether a phone or laptop, is charged, has proper service/wifi and is ready to go prior to the interview. This might be obvious, but it’s the one piece of equipment that needs to be working perfectly for a successful interview. 2. Prepare a set location- For a Skype interview, the company can see your surroundings. For a phone interview, they can hear your surroundings. Make sure the place where you decide to interview is clean, appropriate, well lit and quiet. Since many of you will be stuck at home, finding a location like your room, your basement, or a family office (if you have one) would all be suitable locations. It’s important to remove all distractions. The interviewer will get a very clear impression on you based on your surroundings, so it’s important to make sure yours are clean and appropriate for an interview. 3. Prepare thoroughly- One large benefit to interviewing via phone or Skype is that you can have notes in front of you or beside your computer during it. It’s a perfect safety net if you are struggling to answer a question or need to refer to your resume. Prepare by coming up with answers to a few questions you think you may be asked. Make sure to write legibly and print out your resume for reference. Doing so can help make the interview go more smoothly. While these conditions are not ideal for anyone, it’s important to make the best out of the situation. Following some of these tips can help make for a very successful remote interview. Source: https://www.virtualvocations.com/blog/telecommuting-job-search-help/telecommuting-job-interviews/6-remote-interview-questions-how-answer-them/ |
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