Curiosify

Noticias singulares a raudales

Sahar Ajjab

What’s The Truth About the New Coronavirus Vaccine?

What, a coronavirus vaccine? It’s has been made official, this pandemic may finally be reaching its end! Pfizer and BioNTech recently announced that their trials on the new vaccine showed 95% efficacy. As winter approaches, this vaccine is more needed than ever. In fact, several countries such as France and Germany, are showing worse results during this second wave of COVID-19.

Moreover, many people took their complaints to social media, questioning the viability and safety of this vaccine. The most common question has been: “Would you do it?” For that reason, we prepared this post to simplify the findings, and tell the truth about the new coronavirus vaccine.

8 Months Trials And Thousands Of Participants

The study/trials results showed a historic 95% efficacy, which marks a new milestone for health reaserch. In addition, these results weren’t obtained through a small sample of people, but rather 43,661 participants of 18 years old and above, to be exact. The mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccine showed consistency across all ages and demographics.

The success of the trials revolved around achieving protection against coronavirus, starting from the first dose of 30 mg.

Is The Vaccine Secure?

Now, to the big question. Many people are concerned with the safety of this vaccine. However, it’s easy to make false assumptions when you are not well-informed, and do not know how vaccines work. According to proven scientific work, vaccines are formed to give the body an antibody against an unknown virus. In fact, developed vaccines over the years have proved effective, and saved many lives. For example, in the early 1900, polio disease killed many in Africa, and it wasn’t until the vaccine was provided that people became safe.
In conclusion, vaccines are secure, and do more good than harm. Luckily, even those believing in conspiracy theories and won’t approve of the vaccine can still be protected from coronavirus, if a large part of the community is vaccinated.

When Will It Be Available?

According to the latest statement provided by Pfizer and BioNTech, ”the companies expect to produce globally up to 50 million vaccine doses in 2020 and up to 1.3 billion doses by the end of 2021.” In addition, over 170 countries are aiming to provide their people with the vaccine by early 2021. It is obvious that it’s not going to be an easy task manufacturing enough doses for everyone, but it is expected that the first target of the vaccine will be elderly and people with underlying health conditions. (aka the most vulnerable groups to COVID-19.)

Photos: Freepik, WHO.

Top Brands That Offer The Best Sales On Black Friday

When we talk about Black Friday and Cyber Monday, it’s mainly because we are looking for the best sales. Although most brands offer important discounts, some are better than others. Moreover, make sure to prepare ahead for Black Friday and Cyber Monday! As everyone impatiently awaits the discounts, both stores and online platforms get overcrowded. Therefore, check the items on your wishlist, and do some research before you buy.

For that reason, and to land you a hand, we’ve compiled the top brands offer the best sales on Black Friday. In addition, these brands definitely use this sales season to build a stronger ”bond” with their clientele.

Barnes & Noble

The biggest American bookstore chain is also one of the best sales on Black Friday. For all the book worms out there, this is your chance to save up to 75% on your book purchases. In addition, if you are ordering online you also benefit from free shipping. (Which we all know can save us some good cash.)

Apple

Electronics are the number one thing you should get on Black Friday! In fact, we’d even go a star as recommending waiting to buy electronics and gadgets on this day, because they will be cheaper than ever. Furthermore, Apple is known to not only offer discounts, but also gift cards and bonuses that can reach up to 300$. (Practically, a new iPhone.)

Inditex

Clothing items are among the most purchased on the Black Friday/Cyber Monday weekend! If you need new winter boots, or luxury fashion items, then you better start preparing your wishlist! Inditex, the Spanish giant that englobes Zara, Pull and Bear, Massimo Dutti, Bershka, Stradivarius, Oysho have sales that can reach up to 50% in each of their stores…In addition, don’t forget to download their apps to receive coupons for extra discounts.

Amazon

Believe it or not, this is the top platform for Black Friday sales! Amazon basically sell everything you can possibly think of, and with a huge discount on top. In fact, Black Friday, you can take advantage of the sales happening on all the products above, but with an extra discount if you order them through Amazon. To be honest, shopping at stores this year may actually be affected by Coronavirus, and the alternative will probably be online shopping!

Photos: Freepik.

Spooky Facts About Halloween That We Didn’t Know

Halloween is in 10 days and 12 hours to be exact! One of the main things we are excited about in October(besides the lovely weather, of course) is ”the spooky time of the season.” In fact, it’s one of the most celebrated holidays in the world. Moreover, the tradition goes beyond a simple celebration. People dress up, trick or treat, visit haunted houses, and everything becomes halloween-themed. However, the essence of this holiday revolves around its ”mystery” and creepiness. From classic horror movies to ”the day of dead” in Mexico. So, in order to start getting into the appropriate spirit, here are some spooky facts about halloween, that you probably didn’t know before.

The White House Gets Haunted

Black and white image of the United States presidential residence with flag on roof in the nations capital

The most well-known dress in America apparently celebrates the spookiness of halloween. According to several staff reports, ghosts tend to make an appearance in the White house. In addition, the First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt herself, claimed to have seen the ghost of Abraham Lincoln one halloween night. Other big appearances include Sir Winston Churchill and Abigail Adams.

Jack-o-Lanterns Weren’t Always Pumpkins

Carving pumpkins is an important halloween tradition. In fact, it has become a symbol of this holiday, and is often used for decoration purposes. However, does anyone ever where does the pumpkin-landers come from? Well, one of the most famous ”pumpkins” in the world, is the Jack-o-Lanterns. According to ancient spooky halloween folklore, it’s named after a man called Jack, and who had a super-ability to trick the devil.

Halloween Is The Movie Of The Season

There is something that screams ”spooky” about watching horror movies on the 31st night. Nowadays, there is a huge variety to choose from. However, back in the days, the story of Michael Myers swept people of their feet, and became the movie of the season. Of course, what’s not to love about a cruel serial killer who killed his family, and is now haunting down the one person who survived on halloween night?

People ”Talk” To The Dead

The day of the dead or what’s known as dia de los muertos is a tradition highly celebrated in Mexico and other hispanic countries on halloween night. The ancient belief that on October 31st, you are able to talk to the dead among your loved ones. In fact, it used to last for an entire month in the Aztec culture, which was later changed by the Catholic church to ”All saints day.” This holiday is celebrated from October 31st to November 2nd, in most parts of the world.

Why Do People Dress Up?

Over the years, a spooky halloween’s trick or treat, as well as dressing up have become a global trend. However, its origins were not about being noticed at all. Quite the contrary, it was about disguise and blending in the community. Furthermore, dressing up was crucial around this period, due to the constant haunt for witches and vampires.

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Can Air Conditioners Make You Catch Coronavirus?

Only two more months left for 2020 to end, a challenging year. In fact, this year will go down in history for the coronavirus outbreak, which affected the entire world. However, it’s clear that in the absence of an effective vaccine, we all just have to learn to live with coronavirus. As a consequence, it’s important to get familiarized with the virus, and understand how we can help lower its propagation. For that reason, and since cooling/heating systems are indispensable, what are the chances for air conditioners to make you catch coronavirus?

Two Types Of Transmission

Experts broke down what they know about air conditioners aiding the propagation of covid-19. They explain that there are two types of transmission that can infection. First, droplet transmission occurs when the virus-filled droplets come in contact with air through a cough, sneeze or just talking. Scientists argue that these droplets spread to other people much faster, if encountered in a closed setting with an air conditioner, and no mask.

The second type of transmission (usually the most common) is referred to as aerosol transmission. When a coronavirus infected person releases ” microscopic infectious particles so tiny that they linger in the air and spread from person to person in air currents.” Of course, with the existence of a high air-current, (air conditioners for example) in a closed space, you are more likely to catch coronavirus!  

Can Air Conditioners Make You Spread Coronavirus?

That being said, there is no hard evidence that air conditioners have previously helped the spread of the virus. Nevertheless, scientific research done on other SARS type viruses showed a correlation between closed space conditioned currents, and the likelihood of catching the virus. As experts explain: ”other infectious diseases such as measles, tuberculosis, chickenpox, influenza, smallpox and SARS have all been shown to spread through heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems.”

What Can You Do To Keep Yourself Safe?

Unfortunately, there is other way to protect yourself except taking the recommended safety guidelines seriously! it’s important to care for your hygiene, respect the 2m security distance and lower your social contacts. At the end of the day, we all need to learn to ”live” with this pandemic, be aware of how the virus circulates, and avoid ” risky places” as much a you can!

Photos: Freepik.

Where Are You More Likely To Catch Coronavirus?

We are just 3 months away from saying goodbye to 2020, a challenging year. Since the coronavirus outbreak last January, thousands of cases are recorded everyday. However, despite all the information circulating about the virus, we all still have some unanswered questions. In fact, as we go on with our lives, we can’t deny that we have some fear and doubts concerning the probability of catching coronavirus. So, here is an answer about the odds for you to catch coronavirus in public spaces!

Low Risk Places

Places that are identified as ”low risk” are where you are less likely to catch coronavirus. According to experts, the risk is particularly low because these activities ”do not usually exceed two minutes, and/or the safety distance between people is respected.”

For example, checking your mail, grocery shopping, playing Tennis, going camping or even going to the movies are all activities that are considered ”safe” during coronavirus pandemic.

Intermediate Risk to Catch Coronavirus

Moreover, the longer you spend at a certain closed space, the more likely you are to get the virus. Even walking with another person has an intermediate-low risk. On the other hand, taking your kids to school, eating in a restaurant and visiting a shared public space are considered intermediate with a relatively high risk of infection.
That being said, applying the recommended safety measures anywhere you go can and will help lower your chances of exposure, even when you find yourself in a situation in which the risk to catch covid-19 is extremely high.

Places With The Highest Risk

Unfortunately, as individuals we think that if we didn’t have a ”close” contact with someone, than the risk is not there, right? However, studies prove that having a friend over for dinner without a mask or security distance, is one of the highest risk activities. Yes, you don’t need to share utensils or have saliva contact to be infected. In fact, getting a drink in a bar (despite the fact that you are not touching other people) is probably the riskiest place to catch the virus.

Photos: Freepik.

5 Weird Smells That We All Secretly Love

We all enjoy certain guilty pleasures without telling anyone. Weird smells for example, is something we all love but never confess to it. However, it’s more common than you thought. These 5 weird smells we all secretly love, even if we don’t necessarily brag about them.

Wet Cement

After a rainy night, the smell of the ground the next morning is so refreshing. Now imagine walking by a construction site, and smelling wet cement. Yes, this is a smell that we all share liking it, but only a few of us admit the truth.

Gasoline

We are not ashamed, gasoline smells amazing! Wether your are the one pumping gas or relaxing in the back seat, you enjoy those few minutes at the gas station. Gasoline is in fact one of weirdest smells that most people love. Furthermore, according to experts, the reason behind the ”nice” smell of gasoline, is the chemical hydrocarbon called benzene. Although too much benzene can kill you, the smell of it can be euphoric sometimes.

Glue

First of all, although the smell of glue is tempting, it’s a very dangerous substance. Glue may have one of the weirdest smells, yet we secretly love it. Moreover, some people can get ”high” or a temporary euphoria, which make them become addicted to sniffing toxic chemicals!

Fresh Paint

A freshly painted room is heaven for weird smells lovers! In fact, there is a logical explanation behind it. Paint includes hydrogen and carbon, which contain compounds that are very similar to sugar. So if you find yourself attracted to the smell of fresh paint, it’s most likely because you are a fan of ” alcoholic spirits” also.

Our Own Farts

Have you ever wondered why we hate smelling other people’s farts, yet we love our own? Science explains this weird phenomenon through brain psychology. In fact, as it’s a part of our bodies, we unconsciously get used to the smell of our own farts. Hence, we secretly love to smell them!

Photos: Freepik, Pixabay.