Month: January 2022

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From Amex to Walmart, here are the companies mandating the Covid vaccines for employees

As the highly contagious delta variant of the coronavirus struck communities nationwide last summer and fall, many companies stepped up their vaccination requirements, mandating that some or all employees get vaccinated or provide proof of vaccination, many doing so even before President Joe Biden announced the government’s own mandates for workers in the U.S.

The Biden administration’s vaccination mandate for federal contractors is on hold, while another for certain health care workers remains in place. The government’s mandate for large businesses with 100 or more employees was blocked by the Supreme Court in early January and formally withdrawn by the Labor Department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration on Jan. 25.

Here is the latest on the list of the companies that have already announced their vaccination plans: 

American Express

Starting Nov. 18 the credit card giant began requiring employees, contractors and visitors to be fully vaccinated to work in or visit its U.S. offices and “participate in in-person company-sponsored events,” CEO Steve Squeri said in an internal memo sent out to employees on Nov. 15. He also told employees that “unvaccinated U.S. colleagues and those who do not provide proof of vaccination can request a virtual work arrangement if they can do their jobs effectively from home.” 

Citing the recent rapid spread of the omicron variant, the company delayed its greater hybrid office return, which had been set for Monday, until it feels “comfortable bringing a large number of colleagues back together in the office,” said a memo that was sent out to all U.S.-based employees on Jan. 4.  

Amtrak

The railroad service is requiring employees to have been vaccinated or submit to weekly Covid testing, suspending a blanket mandate that had been planned to go into effect on Jan. 4. In an internal memo that was shared with employees last month, CEO Bill Flynn said a federal court’s halt of the government’s federal contractor vaccination mandate “caused the company to reevaluate” its “policy and to address the uncertainty about the federal requirements that apply to Amtrak.” Flynn also said that at the time, nearly 96 percent of employees either had been fully vaccinated or had received accommodations. 

Anthem

Employees must be fully vaccinated to enter offices that are open, including the health care insurance company’s headquarters in Indianapolis and its office in Atlanta, spokesperson Michelle Vanstory said.

BlackRock

Since July 1, only vaccinated employees and visitors to the investment giant have been allowed to return to the office, according to a company memo obtained by NBC News. All U.S.-based employees, regardless of any plans to return voluntarily, were required to report their vaccination statuses by June 30, 2021.  

Since November, employees have been in the office for an average of three days per week, the company said Jan. 6 in an emailed statement, but they have recently been given the flexibility to work from wherever through Friday in light of the omicron variant. 

Carhartt

The heavy-duty apparel manufacturer said it is upholding its vaccination mandate for all employees, including retail, manufacturing and distribution workers, which went into effect Jan. 4 despite the recent Supreme Court ruling that struck down the federal mandate for large private employers.

“We put workplace safety at the very top of our priority list and the Supreme Court’s recent ruling doesn’t impact that core value,” CEO Mark Valade said in part in an email to employees on Jan. 14. “ While we appreciate that there may be differing views, workplace safety is an area where we and the union that represents our associates cannot compromise. An unvaccinated workforce is both a people and business risk that our company is unwilling to take.”

Cisco

The tech and telecoms conglomerate is allowing only vaccinated “critical workers” to go in to the office, and it is pursuing a fully hybrid approach. “Whether that means you work five days a week at home and gather with your team for activities and connection every once in a while, or you are in the office five days a week … every Cisco employee will be hybrid,” Francine Katsoudas, the executive vice president and chief people, policy and purpose officer, wrote in a memo to employees in July.

Citigroup

The banking giant announced in August that employees would need to get vaccinated before they return to its offices, according to a LinkedIn post from Sara Wechter, the bank’s head of human resources. In a LinkedIn post this month, Wechter said that the company reached 99 percent compliance just one day before its deadline.  

“This level of compliance helps us create a safer workplace, protect your families and our communities, and ensure continuity of our business operations,” Wechter wrote. 

Columbia Sportswear 

Corporate headquarters employees have until Feb. 1 to get vaccinated or seek accommodations, spokesperson Mary Ellen Glynn said. Those who do not comply “will be placed on unpaid leave and termination processes will begin.” There is no blanket mandate for Columbia’s retail associates or warehouse workers, Glynn confirmed.  

CVS Health

CVS said in August that it would require patient-facing and corporate employees to get their shots by Oct. 31, new hires by Sept. 15 and pharmacists in retail stores by Nov. 30. At the end of 2021, it expanded its vaccination mandate to all employees, including retail associates, spokesperson Erin Britt said by email this month. Newly mandated employees have until March 31 to be fully vaccinated, she said.

The recent Supreme Court ruling does not change CVS Health’s vaccination policy, Britt said Jan. 14.

The company’s Jan. 10 office return was postponed.

Deloitte

The professional services firm required employees entering its facilities to be fully vaccinated by last Oct. 11. Deloitte spokesperson Jonathan Gandel said Jan. 14 that the requirement remains despite the Supreme Court’s ruling. 

Delta Air Lines

The airline announced in May that it would require all new U.S. hires to be vaccinated effective May 17. “This is an important move to protect Delta’s people and customers, ensuring the airline can safely operate as demand returns and as it accelerates through recovery and into the future,” the company wrote, adding that it would not be “putting in place a company-wide mandate to require current employees to be vaccinated.”  

Those who are unvaccinated must take part in weekly Covid testing, CEO Ed Bastian told staffers in August. He also said that beginning Nov. 1, those who had not received their shots and were enrolled in the company’s health care plan would incur extra $200 monthly insurance charges. 

DoorDash

Since June, only fully vaccinated employees have been allowed to voluntarily return to the office. The company said in an email Jan. 14 that its policy has not changed since the Supreme Court ruling. 

Its office return is delayed indefinitely.

Equinox

The luxury fitness company Equinox, which owns SoulCycle, announced in August that it would begin requiring members, riders and employees to provide one-time proof of vaccination to enter its facilities and offices, starting in New York City in September. “We have a responsibility to take bold action and respond to changing circumstances with urgency. We encourage other leading brands to join us in this effort to best protect our communities,” Equinox Group Executive Chairman Harvey Spevak said in a statement.

Ford

Ford required most U.S. salaried employees to be fully vaccinated as of Dec. 8.  

Ford said in an emailed statement this month that it is “reviewing” the recent Supreme Court ruling to determine whether any changes are needed in its current vaccination policy. It said 88 percent of its U.S. salaried employees had already been vaccinated. 

Goldman Sachs

Since Sept. 7, the investment bank has been requiring all people who enter its offices, including clients and visitors, to be fully vaccinated. Bloomberg reported that eligible employees entering Goldman Sachs facilities must have had booster shots by Feb. 1.  

Google

On July 28, Google became the first major tech company to announce a vaccination mandate for employees looking to return to the office. “Anyone coming to work on our campuses will need to be vaccinated. We’re rolling this policy out in the U.S. in the coming weeks and will expand to other regions in the coming months,” CEO Sundar Pichai wrote in a memo in July. Google said in an emailed statement Jan. 14 that it is no longer requiring vaccination as a condition of employment. 

Google recently paused the launch of its broader return to the office and its hybrid workweek model, which had been scheduled for Jan. 10. The company said in part in an email on Jan. 5 that it will determine its new return date “based on local conditions.” 

Jefferies

The financial giant Jefferies will allow only vaccinated people into its offices and outside company events, CEO Rich Handler and President Brian Friedman said in a memo in July. “We require that, after Labor Day, anyone who is not fully vaccinated should continue to work from home, which fortunately has proven to be highly effective. We will closely monitor the situation and be ready to pivot and adapt whenever needed,” they wrote. 

Handler and Friedman told employees in a memo last month that over 95 percent of the global firm’s population had been vaccinated and that boosters would “soon be a requirement” of the company’s “JefVaxPass strategy.” Most employees are already back in the office about three days a week, the executives said. 

Lyft

Since Aug. 2, corporate employees have been required to show proof of vaccination to enter offices, according to an internal note obtained by NBC News. “For those who choose to continue working from our offices — which will remain open — our current safety guidance remains in place, including our existing mask requirement and vaccine requirement going into effect August 2,” CEO and co-founder Logan Green said.  

Nothing has changed in light of the Jan. 13 Supreme Court ruling. 

“Our policy was in place before the federal mandate was announced, and there will be no changes to our policies for corporate employees,” spokesperson Ashley Adams said in an email Jan. 14.

McDonald’s

The fast food chain required all U.S.-based office workers and visitors to be vaccinated as of Sept. 27, according to an internal note obtained by NBC News. The requirement does not apply to people who work in McDonald’s restaurants.

Meta  

The social media giant formerly known as Facebook said Jan. 10 that it would require proof of booster shots for eligible U.S. office workers starting March 28. It first announced a standard Covid vaccination mandate in July. 

March 28 is also when workers are expected back in the office. The new date, delayed from Jan. 31, applies to those who do not request full-time remote work or temporarily pause their return through the company’s Office Deferral Program, which gives employees who may need more time an extra three to five months. 

“We understand that the continued uncertainty makes this a difficult time to make decisions about where to work, so we’re giving more time to choose what works best for them,” Janelle Gale, the vice president for human resources, said in an emailed statement Jan. 10.    

On Jan. 14, Meta said that its vaccination policy remains unchanged in light of the Jan. 13 Supreme Court decision.

MGM Resorts International

The hospitality chain is calling for its salaried workers and all new hires to be fully vaccinated, even if they are working from home, spokesperson Brian Ahern said. Unvaccinated hourly employees must provide proof of negative Covid tests every week. Ahern said this month that the policies still stand despite the Supreme Court decision. 

Microsoft

The tech company announced Aug. 3 that it would require proof of vaccination for all employees, vendors and guests, starting in September. The company did not say in its emailed statement whether the vaccination policy applies to employees who have been going into the office voluntarily since last spring or to those working at its retail stores. In an update on Sept. 9, Corporate Vice President Jared Spataro said in a blog post that the company had suspended its office return indefinitely, given the uncertainty of Covid. Employees had been set to return on Oct. 4. 

Morgan Stanley

The company announced in August that it would require U.S.-based employees to provide proof of vaccination by Oct. 1, Reuters reported. 

NBCUniversal

NBCUniversal, the parent company of NBC News, is requiring U.S.-based workers returning to the office to be fully vaccinated, Executive Vice President Adam Miller told employees in an email on Aug. 11. Employees will also be required to provide details about their vaccination status.

The company’s Jan. 18 office return has been halted.  

“We do not plan to embark on our larger return in January and the pause will remain in place until we begin to see significant declines in the spread of the virus,” Chairman Cesar Conde told employees in an internal memo Jan. 4.

Netflix

The streaming service requires vaccinations for the casts of all U.S. productions, as well as the people who work with them on set, the company confirmed.

The New York Times

New York Times Co. CEO Meredith Kopit Levien told staff members by email that the company will require proof of vaccination for those who want to go into the office voluntarily. The company is eyeing the first quarter of this year for its full office return, Times media reporter Katie Robertson tweeted Sept. 22. The return had been pushed back indefinitely from Sept. 7. 

Saks

The fashion company said it is asking employees to get vaccinated before they return to the office. “If we’re asking people to come back, we have to make the environment as safe as we possibly can,” CEO Marc Metrick told The New York Times in May.

Salesforce

The customer service software giant has allowed only vaccinated employees back in its offices as of May.

TJX

The parent company of off-price retailers like HomeGoods, Marshalls and T.J. Maxx required its U.S. “Home and Regional Office Associates” to be fully vaccinated by Nov. 1. 

For the same employees who were vaccinated before June 1, a booster shot is required by Feb. 1, spokesperson Andrew Mastrangelo said in an email this month. Employees who were fully vaccinated with a two-dose vaccine after June 1 have up to eight months to get their boosters, while those with a one-dose vaccine have four months. “Accommodations can be requested by those who cannot be vaccinated due to qualified medical or religious reasons,” Mastrangelo said. 

Although the requirements do not apply to the company’s retail and distribution center associates, Mastrangelo said TJX is “currently reviewing” what the recent Supreme Court ruling means for it. 

Twitter

The social media giant requires employees to be vaccinated and show proof of vaccination before they voluntarily return to the company’s San Francisco and New York offices. In May 2020, Twitter said employees could work from home for as long as they want.

Tyson Foods

The meat and poultry producer announced Aug. 3 that it would require its corporate workforce to be vaccinated by Oct. 1 and all other employees by Nov. 1, making it the largest U.S. food company to implement such a mandate. CEO Donnie King told employees that the company will also provide $200 to front-line team members who get the shots.

Uber

In an internal note obtained by NBC News, CEO Dara Khosrowshahi told employees that starting Aug. 2, they would be required to be fully vaccinated to return to the office. “If you are not vaccinated, you’ll need to work from home until you are fully vaccinated,” he wrote.

Union Square Hospitality Group

Union Square Hospitality Group, which operates restaurants in New York City and Washington, D.C., requires vaccinations for staff members and guests. “Beginning the day after Labor Day, we are going to require that 100 percent of our staff members be vaccinated and that any guest who wants to dine indoors will be vaccinated as well,” founder and CEO Danny Meyer told NBC News.

United Airlines

The air carrier required all U.S.-based employees to get vaccinated — and provide proof of their vaccinations — either five weeks after federal approval or by Oct. 25, 2021, whichever came first, the company first announced in a note to employees on Aug. 6. United previously required the shots only for new hires, and it became the first major U.S. airline to implement a blanket policy for all employees. CEO Scott Kirby said in January that he wanted to make Covid vaccinations mandatory for employees. 

ViacomCBS

CEO Bob Bakish told employees that the media conglomerate is requiring all U.S.-based employees working onsite during its “Yellow Phase” to be fully vaccinated, adding that it is still assessing whether the mandate will continue into the “Green Phase,” which is when most staff members will be back in the office.

Walgreens

The pharmacy giant requires workers in its support and corporate offices to be fully vaccinated, spokesperson Fraser Engerman said. Those who receive religious or medical exemptions have to undergo Covid testing.

In mid-September, Walgreens put its previously set vaccination deadline of Sept. 30 on pause, Engerman said.

Walmart

Walmart corporate associates and new hires were required to get their shots by last Oct. 4, President and CEO Doug McMillon told employees in an internal memo in July. “As we all know, the pandemic is not over, and the Delta variant has led to an increase in infection rates across much of the U.S.,” he wrote. “Given this, we have made the decision to require all market, regional and divisional associates who work in multiple facilities and all campus office associates to be vaccinated by Oct. 4, unless they have an approved exception. This includes all new hires.”

More than 90 percent of Walmart’s campus office workers are fully vaccinated, Chief People Officer Donna Morris said Dec. 1.

The Walt Disney Company

Disney requires all of its new salaried and nonunion hourly employees to get vaccinated before they head to work. The company said in part in an emailed statement on July 30: “Employees who aren’t already vaccinated and are working on-site will have 60 days from today to complete their protocols, and any employees still working from home will need to provide verification of vaccination prior to their return, with certain limited exceptions. Vaccines are the best tool we all have to help control this global pandemic and protect our employees.”

The Washington Post

Post employees, including new hires, must demonstrate proof of vaccination and must also get their booster shots, spokesperson Shani George said. Earlier, CEO Fred Ryan wrote in a memo advising staff members that they must be vaccinated: “Considering the serious health issues and genuine safety concerns of so many Post employees, I believe the plan is the right one.” The publication delayed its office return until March 15. 

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How past and current auto retail trends are shaping the outlook for 2022 – Jonathan Smoke

The earlier two years have been loaded with worries and uncertainty for a lot of automotive retail industry experts. Now, as we’re in the initial quarter of 2022, what can the field be expecting for the calendar year forward? Signing up for us today on Inside of Automotive is Cox Automotive’s Main Economist, Jonathan Smoke, who will take an in-depth appear at retail trends in 2021 and shares his predictions for the foreseeable future.

Higher price ranges and low source due to the ongoing chip shortage, as well as the pandemic, continue to go hand-in-hand. The lack of provide was so serious in 2021, that when paired with too much to handle customer desire, established a peak past Spring. Q1 and Q2 of 2021 also experienced two rounds of stimulus payments and tax time. Smoke thinks it may be the most unprecedented consecutive quarters the field will at any time see. Even though revenue progressively slowed down, pricing electric power remained. However, experienced inventory been on par with 2019 amounts, Smoke has no doubt that 2021 would have been a report-breaking 12 months for new vehicle product sales quantity.

In point, Smoke expects that the business will continue on to see superior need linger into this 12 months. There is pent-up desire throughout the market place. 2021 was a sturdy calendar year for nearly every single section of the industry, suggests Smoke. There was a history quantity of complete retail profits, up 9{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} yr-above-12 months. Automobile sellers would have offered even additional automobiles, specially new types, experienced it not been for source constraints. These constraints also gave auto dealers pricing energy and boosted margins throughout the total business enterprise from F&I to mounted ops. 2021 will be challenging to beat, but there are some conditions from previous 12 months that are lingering into this a person, adds Smoke.

In phrases of over-all 2021 functionality, domestic companies started to reduce share. Toyota beat out GM for the very first time in overall U.S. gross sales.

ToyotaIn fact, quite a few Asian brand names, as a entire, received share substantially. Hyundai and Kia, for case in point, out-done during 2021, and seemed to navigate better than Japanese makes toward the stop of the yr. On the other hand, toward the close of the 12 months, domestic models began to rise and Ford Motor Enterprise experienced its very best Q4 in heritage. As it stands, the domestic manufacturers are in fact in better shape than international makes as we settle into 2022. We can not neglect about Tesla, which was the most significant share gainer 12 months-above-12 months. 

In addition, the made use of-car or truck division became important to motor vehicle dealers’ bottom lines. Most effective-in-course dealers have focused on applied automobiles for quite a few a long time, suggests Smoke, 2021 rewarded them handsomely for it. What stands out, in individual, ended up the approaches utilized automobile managers and sellers had to undertake, in purchase to purchase applied automobile inventory.

Though it is often fantastic to see where by we’ve been, most of us are now considering about exactly where we are heading. Even though we have viewed a sluggish commence to January so far, Smoke says really do not be fooled. All of the fundamentals for the 12 months ahead search really favourable. Financial growth, lessen unemployment, and favorable credit rating all direct to desire. In fact, the risk of most likely increased premiums might create a perception of urgency for customers. All indicators stage to robust desire and record-setting volume for retail product sales and gradually expand as the yr progresses.

Did you delight in this job interview with Jonathan Smoke? Make sure you share your views, remarks, or issues regarding this subject matter by publishing a letter to the editor here, or connect with us at newsroom@cbtnews.com.

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Prolonged TV watching linked with severe blood clots

Silhouetted person with headphones watching large tv screenShare on Pinterest
New research finds a link between prolonged TV watching and a higher risk of potentially fatal blood clots. Thomas Winz/Getty Images
  • Researchers examined the link between hours spent watching TV and the risk of potentially fatal blood clots.
  • They found that prolonged TV watching is linked to a 35{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} higher risk of developing venous thromboembolism (VTE) than watching TV for shorter periods.
  • The researchers say that their findings do not prove causation and that more research is necessary before making any conclusions.

The hardening or narrowing of arteries — through atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD) — and potentially fatal blood clots in the veins called VTE are related and share common risk factors, including obesity and smoking.

Studies have shown that prolonged sedentary behavior, or physical inactivity, is linked to an increased risk of vascular conditions such as CVD and VTE.

Watching TV is a significant part of sedentary leisure time. Research indicates a link between TV watching time and CVD. However, studies on the link between TV watching time and VTE have varied — some support the association, while others negate it.

An analysis of different studies looking at the link between TV watching and VTE could help researchers and the public better understand the risk factors for the condition.

In a recent study, researchers from Finland, Ghana, and the United Kingdom conducted a meta-analysis of three studies examining the link between TV watching time and VTE.

They found that watching TV for longer was associated with a higher risk of developing VTE.

“General findings highlight the need for everybody to be physically active,“ Dr. Setor Kunutsor, lead author of the study, told Medical News Today. “If you want to binge on TV viewing, take breaks in-between. Stand and stretch every 30 mins.”

“For people whose jobs involve sitting for long hours, take regular breaks in-between; they will need to also increase their physical activity levels, as there is evidence showing that higher volumes of moderate and vigorous activity can reduce, or even eliminate, the risks associated with sedentary behavior.”

– Dr. Kunutsor

The study appears in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology.

Of 28 potential studies examining the relationship between watching TV and the risk of first VTE events, the researchers selected three published between 2016 and 2021.

Altogether, these studies included 131,421 participants from the United States and Japan. At the beginning of the studies, the participants were aged 54–65 years.

Average follow-up times ranged from 5.1 to 19.8 years. Across the studies, there were 964 VTE events.

All of the studies assessed for TV viewing times via self-reported questionnaires and also included information on established VTE risk factors, such as:

After analyzing the data, the researchers found that those who watched TV for more than 4 hours per day had a 35{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} higher risk of developing VTE than those who watched TV for less than 2.5 hours per day.

They also report that their results are independent of age, sex, BMI, and physical activity.

To explain their findings, the researchers write that as TV viewing involves immobilization, extended periods of this activity may increase VTE risk factors such as:

  • body weight, hypertension, and lipids
  • systemic inflammation
  • plasma viscosity and platelet aggregation
  • venous stasis, which occurs when prolonged sitting prevents blood from returning to the heart from the lower extremities

They also note that snacking on non-nutritious foods while watching TV may also have contributed to an increased VTE risk, although they did not assess diet in their study.

“There is probably a constellation of factors related to cardiometabolic factors and inflammation,“ Wendy J Brown, Ph.D., who is a professor at the School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences at the University of Queensland, Australia, and was not involved in the study, told MNT.

“But I guess that venous pooling, i.e., stasis, might be important — except that decreased venous return is more likely if people are sitting with feet on the ground and not lying down with feet up (but you can get venous pooling when standing still as well). Note too that a single episode of ‘prolonged’ sitting — such as we see in long haul flights — is also reported to be associated with VTE,” she added.

“The study by Kunutsor and colleagues suggests that the link between TV viewing and blood clots might be […] due to being immobilized, i.e., sitting for long periods of time,” said Dr. Aviroop Biswas, Ph.D., who is assistant professor in social and behavioral health sciences at the University of Toronto and was also not involved in this study.

“This might be possible as TV viewing habits might reflect most of a person’s daily sitting time, and sitting for long periods of time has been linked with inflamed blood vessels, reduced blood flow, and vascular dysfunction — all of which are linked to a higher risk of stroke. These links are likely to be stronger among people with low levels of physical activity (PA), as PA can reduce risks of inflammation and other stroke risk factors — though, the study did not examine this relationship.”

When MNT asked whether these findings might apply to being stationary in a more general sense, Dr. Kunutsor said: “[These results also apply] to people whose jobs involve being stationary for a long time — jobs that involve sitting for a long time. This is the reason why some employers encourage employees to stand and move about more regularly. The use of standing desks is very useful for such jobs. Even standing, which is the least active behavior, has been reported to be associated with health benefits compared with sitting.”

“I guess the issue of being sedentary for long periods is a hazard — there need not be a screen necessarily,” added Prof. Brown. “Some people sit for very long hours at work without interruption, [such as in factories], but we tend to think more about office and call center workers who sit in front of screens. Drivers of trains, buses, etc., also sit for long periods without interruption.”

“But I think prolonged and uninterrupted TV time might be a proxy for a different kind of lifestyle with many unmeasured confounders [such as diet]. In any case, it need not be TV. I think that, especially in COVID times, people may have been watching a lot of movies through channels other than TV,” she explained.

The authors conclude that prolonged TV watching might be linked to an increased risk of VTE.

The authors note that the study had limitations. Due to its observational nature, they say that their results do not prove cause and effect. Furthermore, as their analysis was only based on three studies, they recognize the need for further research in this area. They also say that the data on TV watching times may not be fully accurate, as they were self-reported.

“The study has a lot of limitations, and frankly, is not convincing evidence for a link between prolonged TV time and blood clots,” said Dr. Biswas. “All three studies also sampled older participants — age range 40+. As age is a risk factor for stroke, and participants were followed for 5 up to 20 years, it’s possible that there would have been a higher number of stroke cases than studies examining younger participants — and so the risks for blood clots might have been lower.”

“The three studies explored in the review did not consider important risk factors for stroke. For example, diet or blood sugar levels are not measured in the three studies. Diet, especially a diet that increases blood sugars, can negatively influence how our body breaks down blood sugars, which increases inflammation and risk of blood clots,” he explained.

“This is particularly important to examine, as one study is from Japan, and two are from the U.S. People from these countries have different diets, and we have no idea about how these differences contribute to their risks. There is also evidence of different risk of blood clots/stroke for men and women, though these were not factored into any of the studies or the review,“ he pointed out.

Prof. Brown agreed that there are limitations to the research. She said, “The most important concern [for me] is that although the three studies ‘adjusted for’ physical activity, this does not mean the effects are ‘independent’ of physical activity — so we don’t know if these effects were attenuated or eliminated in those who were highly active in leisure time.”

“And none of the studies considered what the participants were doing when they not engaged in ‘prolonged’ TV time. There are 24 hours in a day. If prolonged TV was 4 hours, then what the people were doing in the other 12 hours of ‘wake time’ is very important. Prolonged TV time may be a proxy for a generally sedentary lifestyle.”

– Prof. Brown

“I would guess that people who do at least 1 hour of at least moderate intensity physical activity each day might not be at increased risk of VTE! This was not adequately examined in the studies included here,” she concluded.

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Electronic Arts and Lucasfilm Games Announce New Star Wars Titles in Development from Respawn Entertainment

Video games + Applications // JANUARY 25, 2022

3 special games are on the way from the studio powering Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Get.

Star Wars gamers, get prepared for new galaxy- and style-spanning adventures.

Digital Arts and Lucasfilm Games announced these days that they will be a part of forces once once more for three new Star Wars titles: the next title in the Star Wars Jedi franchise, a approach recreation, and a initial-individual shooter, all at the moment in enhancement from Respawn Amusement.

Shepherding the upcoming installment in the Star Wars Jedi story is sport director Stig Asmussen of Respawn Peter Hirschmann, recreation director, who has a lengthy and achieved historical past with Star Wars, potential customers the enhancement of Respawn’s Star Wars very first-particular person shooter. A new studio helmed by game titles market veteran Greg Foertsch will build the new Star Wars tactic recreation, made by a manufacturing collaboration involving Respawn and Little bit Reactor. Respawn will deliver the new Star Wars approach match whilst Bit Reactor potential customers improvement of the title.

“We are thrilled to continue on operating with the fantastically proficient teams at Respawn,” mentioned Douglas Reilly, VP, Lucasfilm Online games. “They have shown excellence in telling epic Star Wars tales alongside with finest-in-class gameplay throughout diverse genres and we are wanting ahead to bringing much more wonderful experiences to the galaxy much, far away.”

“Building on the earlier successes of our EA romance, this new collaboration highlights the rely on and mutual respect shared in between the earth-class groups at EA, Respawn, and Lucasfilm Games,” explained Sean Shoptaw, SVP, Walt Disney Game titles. “Fostered by the experience and enthusiasm inside of just about every team, we will generate thrilling authentic video games for various audiences across the Star Wars galaxy.”

“Working with Lucasfilm Video games on a new FPS in the Star Wars galaxy is a desire appear real for me, as this is a tale I have generally needed to tell,” mentioned Hirschmann. Hirschmann beforehand worked as VP of growth at LucasArts, and was government producer on the authentic Star Wars Battlefront online games.

Vince Zampella, group GM and founder of Respawn, will oversee this new stage of EA’s relationship with Lucasfilm, constructing on Respawn’s award-successful background in game development and skills in telling powerful Star Wars tales.

“We are massive followers of Star Wars and we are thrilled to perform with Lucasfilm Video games on new titles that we have wished to make for decades,” said Zampella. “If you want to make wonderful Star Wars video games, you ought to come be a part of us on our journey.”

Continue to be tuned to StarWars.com for additional on these video games in the foreseeable future.

StarWars.com. All Star Wars, all the time.

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TAGS: Lucasfilm Video games, star wars games

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Thierry Mugler, iconic French fashion designer, dies aged 73

Written by Oscar Holland, CNN

Contributors Philip Wang, CNN

French trend designer Thierry Mugler, whose flamboyant creations remodeled haute couture, has died at the age of 73, according to a information posted to his formal Instagram account.

“We are devastated to announce the passing of Mr. Manfred Thierry Mugler on Sunday January 23rd 2022,” the submit read through, employing his full identify. “May perhaps his soul Rest In Peace.”

The designer’s model, Mugler, also confirmed the information through an Instagram publish, describing its founder as “a visionary whose creativeness as a couturier, perfumer and impression-maker empowered folks all-around the planet to be bolder and desire more substantial each individual working day.”

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Cardi B resembled a pearl rising from an oyster as she arrived at the 2019 Grammys in a vintage gown from Mugler’s Slide 1995 collection. Credit history: David Crotty/Patrick McMullan/Getty Images

Born in Strasbourg, France, in 1948, Mugler worked as a freelance designer in Paris before launching his eponymous label in 1974. By the 1980s he experienced proven himself as a significant figure in global trend, with his structural, broad-shouldered styles epitomizing — and helping condition — the decade’s extravagant model.

Immediately after relocating into the rarefied environment of haute couture, Mugler’s runway displays and seasonal collections grew to become even far more theatrical. Reimagining trend as a spectacle (normally with the assistance of the era’s very best recognised supermodels, which includes Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell), his aesthetic was as motivated by science fiction as it was 1940s glamour, frequently merging vintage development with exaggerated, even surreal, silhouettes.

From metallic robot bodysuits (one of which was worn by Girl Gaga in her audio video clip for “Paparazzi” in 2009) to underwater-themed styles encouraged by fish and mermaids, his function generally retained a feeling of elegance amid the drama. The renowned ground-duration black dress he developed for Demi Moore’s character in the 1993 movie “Indecent Proposal” proved, if evidence were desired, that he didn’t need to have daring styles and colors to craft a thing legendary.

The black gown that Mugler designed for Demi Moore, for the 1993 movie "Indecent Proposal," became one of the decade's most iconic dresses.

The black gown that Mugler made for Demi Moore, for the 1993 movie “Indecent Proposal,” turned one of the decade’s most iconic dresses. Credit score: Paramount/Kobal/Shutterstock

Outside the house trend, Mugler was a published photographer who directed adverts and brief films, such as a star-studded songs movie for George Michael’s hit 1992 “Too Funky.” Also a notable perfumer, Mugler released his vastly well-known scent “Angel” that same calendar year, encouraging to forge a now-recognized hyperlink concerning luxury style and fragrance.

But irrespective of the perfume’s accomplishment, Mugler’s all set-to-use creations had turn into considerably less commercially viable by the early 2000s, and the designer left the trend marketplace to pursue other imaginative tasks. His larger-than-everyday living strategy lent by itself to the phase, and he built costumes for Beyoncé’s 2009 “I Am… Globe Tour” and the Cirque du Soleil production “Zumanity,” among others.

In his later on many years, Mugler turned an avid bodybuilder and started employing his very first identify, Manfred, relatively than the middle title he had lengthy been known by.

Model and actor Beverly Johnson wearing Thierry Mugler in Paris in 1990.

Product and actor Beverly Johnson donning Thierry Mugler in Paris in 1990. Credit score: ARNAL/Gamma-Rapho/Getty Photos

The impact of his layouts endured, however — and his 1990s collections relished a outstanding revival in the latest a long time, with celebrities consistently turning to his 7,000-merchandise archive for classic statements. From Cardi B attending the Grammys in an oyster-impressed 1995 Mugler layout to the daring reduce-out gown worn by Kim Kardashian to the Annual Hollywood Splendor Awards in 2019, Mugler’s model has proven completely suited to present day more than-the-best red carpets.

The designer then came out of higher style retirement to generate a figure-hugging gown for Kardashian to dress in at 2019’s Satisfied Gala.

Getting turned down several retrospectives at major museums, the designer that year also agreed to get the job done with the Montreal Museum of Wonderful Arts on the exhibition “Thierry Mugler, Couturissime,” is currently on present at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris.

Tributes started pouring in from the fashion earth on Sunday evening, with Canadian supermodel Linda Evangelista submitting an image of her carrying a extraordinary sparkling look from Mugler’s Drop-Wintertime 1995 assortment.

American designer Christian Siriano meanwhile tweeted. “An additional Icon misplaced these days. Rest properly in final beauty #thierrymugler. You opened many a lot of doorways.”