Thousands of Pounds of Disposable Masks Are Ending up in Our Oceans

On September 16th, scuba divers found more than 3,000 pounds of trash at Rushikonda beach in India. Divers were on their first underwater clean-up since quarantine began when they found 3,300 pounds of N-95 masks, gloves, and other bio-medical waste floating in the seabed. The trash was removed over three rounds of ocean clean up ending on September 27th.

According to the World Health Organization, the world needs 89 million medical masks a month. Disposable masks take hundreds of years to break down and are now being used more than ever.

 Before COVID-19, a government hospital bed would generate around half a kg of biomedical waste per day which has now gone up to 3-5 kg (per day).

Discarded single-use plastic masks and gloves are choking ocean beds

The pandemic has done extensive damage to the environment in recent months. Disposable masks frequently get wrapped up in wildlife. The amount of PPE that we dispose of is adding to an ever-growing pile of plastic in our oceans and landfills. The world has made a quick shift away from reusable products back to disposable products, for the sake of human health. That being said, the health of the planet and its animals cannot be forgotten, as it is likely what got us into this pandemic in the first place.

If you have to wear a mask, please use a reusable one. If you ever find yourself with a disposable one, when it comes time to throw it away, cut the strings off the mask to prevent it from getting wrapped up in the legs and fins of wildlife. More people are ordering things online than ever before. Keep in mind how much waste your package from amazon is generating. In an attempt to return to normal, many people have begun eating out again or ordering take-out from restaurants. Remember that you, the environment, and your wallet, are better off with a meal cooked at home. Be conscious of what you consume, and how, in a time where staying safe from COVID-19 has become more of a priority than taking care of the environment.



Elderly People Are No More Likely to Follow Mask or Self-Isolation Guidelines, Says New Survey

A new study that surveyed more than 72,000 people in 27 different countries has found that elderly people are not more likely to comply with COVID-19 safety measures. In the study, people surveyed in the 60-80 age range were no more likely to self-isolate if advised to do so, and they were also less likely to wear a mask outside the home.

The findings show that the elderly people, i.e. the most vulnerable population, are not systematically more responsive in terms of prospective self-isolation (if they were told to do so) and willingness to isolate. Moreover, they are not more disciplined in terms of compliance with preventive measures, especially with wearing a face mask when outside their home. This behaviour will become especially important when social distancing rules will be loosened.”

Jean-François Daoust

Related: Data Shows How to Protect Against Coronavirus and We Address Conspiracy Theories

Older individuals are more likely to be hospitalized or die if they contract coronavirus, and wearing masks, self-isolating, and social distancing have been promoted as ways society can offer them protection.



Turmeric Honey Mask For Healthy and Glowing Skin

Known as the golden spice of life, turmeric, or haldi, contains a plethora of healthy nutrients beneficial for the skin. The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties have been known for centuries in the East. The spice is widely incorporated in the Indian cuisine and has been used in the Ayurvedic skin care for centuries. Indian women have traditionally used it in their beauty routines for radiant and healthy skin. It is a common practice for the Indian bride to brighten their faces for the wedding with a turmeric paste made of the spice and olive oil.

The main ingredient in turmeric powder is curcumin, which represses an excess of melanin production. Curcuminoids work great for treating skin irritations, sun damage, and chronic inflammation that can all cause premature skin aging.  Turmeric contains a handful of essential nutrients including:

  • Vitamin C encourages the build up of collagen, preserving the skin elasticity and tautness.
  • Vitamin B is vital for the new skin cell formation and for keeping the skin moisturized.
  • Calcium helps heal dry and withered skin.
  • Magnesium slows down the aging processes and maintains the youthful and glowing look of the skin.
  • Potassium has outstanding hydrating properties.

Want To Grow Your Own Turmeric Plant?

You may want to try growing your own turmeric, especially if you are one of those hard-core gardeners. The hardy ginger relative will do best in humid and warm conditions. Although turmeric is better suited for planting in open fields, it can survive in a domestic environment, too. Gardening experts advise growing your plant from a small piece of rhizome bought from a nursery or gifted to you by another gardener. Pick a partly shaded place with morning sun exposure. The best time for planting is in spring. Dig the roots up in the late fall or the early winter, while the greenery is dormant.

Turmeric +Milk+ Honey Face Mask

Although turmeric has unquestionable benefits, the spice can stain fair skin with its natural yellow colouring and make it look sallow. Luckily, the colour does fade away after a couple of hours. With this in mind, here is an easy idea on how to use turmeric in your everyday skin care routine.

Why Is It Good for You?

Honey is known for its anti-bacterial, antiseptic, and moisturizing properties. It also helps even out the skin tone and removes any discoloration marks, acne scars, and dark spots on the skin. Milk smoothes the rough skin and nourishes it with vitamins and minerals.

Ingredients:

  • 1 teaspoon milk
  • 1 teaspoon honey
  • ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder

Directions:

  • Mix the above ingredients in a bowl.
  • Use a gentle cleanser to remove any trace of dirt or makeup.
  • Apply a thin layer of the turmeric face mask on your face and let it sit for five to ten minutes.
  • Rinse off with a mild facial cleanser and water.

Bonus Tip:

With this mask, you don’t need to worry that the yellow powder will stain your skin. If it does stain your face, use a sugar face scrub.  To avoid staining your nails, wear gloves. To get rid of the turmeric nail stains, rub them with lemon juice using a brush.

For more interesting tips and ideas on how to grow an organic garden and make your own natural remedies, visit the London Gardeners blog.

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Get Naturally Gorgeous Skin with These 4 Home Remedies

A peaches-and-cream complexion with a picture-perfect, porcelain skin – isn’t that every woman’s dream? Irrespective of the profession you’re in, or the age bracket you fall under, it is important to have flawless skin. It goes a long way in enhancing your beauty and adding to your charisma.

Today, both men and women lead extremely hectic and stressful lives. Lack of sleep, inadequate nutrition, exposure to pollution, alcohol use, and smoking contribute to unhealthy skin. Sure, there are a lot of skin-care products that are readily available, but most of them are loaded with chemicals. They may help you get clear skin now, but may not be good for you in the long-term.

What you need is something natural, something that will give you the desired results without any of the short-term or long-term side-effects.

Here are a few home remedies for naturally gorgeous and clear skin, using ingredients right out of your pantry.

1. Honey and Cinnamon Face Mask

This is a great face mask that can be concocted using just two ingredients. The mask is effective in fighting acne as both honey and cinnamon have anti-microbial properties. Here’s how you make it:

You will need

  1. 2 tablespoon honey
  2. 1 teaspoon cinnamon

Usage

  • Rinse your face and pat dry it.
  • Mix the honey and the cinnamon together until they have formed a smooth paste.
  • Apply this paste to your face and leave it on for around 10-15 minutes.
  • Rinse your face completely and pat dry.

2. Apple Cider Vinegar Toner

Another anti-acne remedy that can kill off the troublemaking bacteria, it is great to be used as an astringent which can dry up all the excess oil on your skin. Further, it is alkaline in nature and balances the pH level of your skin, which makes it harder for bacteria to thrive on it. Here’s how you use it:

You will need

  1. Unfiltered apple cider vinegar
  2. Fresh water

Usage

  • Wash your face and pat dry.
  • Take 1 part vinegar and dilute it with 3 parts water to make a solution.
  • Using a cotton ball, apply this solution directly to your acne/blemishes.
  • Leave it on for around 10 minutes. Wash your face and pat dry.
  • Reapply this solution several times during the day, washing your face thoroughly after each application.
  • Make it a point to use a good moisturizer afterwards, if you feel your skin becoming drier than usual. You may want to consider using coconut oil for moisturizing due to its antimicrobial, antifungal, and antibacterial properties, which go a long way in preventing breakouts.

3. Honey and Strawberry Face Scrub

Strawberries are well known for being high in salicylic acid, which is an important ingredient in many commercial acne-treatment products. It allows the skin to shed its dead cells more readily, opens up clogged pores, and clears the hidden bacteria. After use, it also shrinks the pores to a certain degree, which prevents them from clogging up further. Strawberries combined with honey, which is antibacterial and anti-inflammatory, make for a sweet way to fight acne!

You will need

  1. 3 strawberries
  2. 2 teaspoon raw honey

Usage

  • Wash your face and pat dry.
  • Wash the strawberries and mash them a little. (Mashing them too much will make them runny, and we don’t want that).
  • Add the honey to the strawberries and thoroughly mix them together.
  • Apply this mixture to your face. Massage it and let it rest for about 15-20 minutes.
  • Wash your face with water and pat dry.
  • If your skin feels drier than usual, use a good moisturizer. Coconut oil is great for hydrating skin as it deep-conditions and softens your skin.
  • Use this scrub twice a week for a month to see the effects.

4. Sodium Bicarbonate Mask/Scrub

This wonderful ingredient works its magic not only in cakes, but also on your skin. It is great for treating acne-prone skin, thanks to its mild antiseptic properties, which make it fight bacteria and fungus. It also helps dry up the excess oil on your skin, and exfoliate it via the process of microdermabrasion.

You will need

  1. Baking soda
  2. Water

Usage

The great thing about this recipe is that it can be used as a facial mask as well as a scrub. The procedure of preparation differs though.

For a mask:

  • Mix equal parts of baking soda and water to form a thick paste.
    Rub it on your skin in slow circular motions for a couple of minutes.
  • Leave it on for around 15 minutes.
  • Rinse thoroughly and pat dry your face. Moisturize, if needed.

For a scrub:

  • Mix half a cup of baking soda with 1/4th cup water.
  • Apply the scrub to your face, massaging it in thoroughly.
  • Leave it on for around 5 minutes and rinse well.
  • Pat your face dry and moisturize, if needed.

Conclusion

The above recipes are not only effective, they are easy to make. The natural and easily-available ingredients will ensure that you do not waste another penny on those chemical-laden, skin-care products ever again. And the best thing is you will never have to worry about suffering the side-effects; you can simply enjoy your beautiful, clear skin. All you need is a little discipline and dedication in preparing and applying these treatments regularly. You should see the desired results in no time.

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