On this episode, Kim brings you the story of a man feeding a remote Alaska town with a Costco card and a ship. Toshua Parker went from a quarter-million dollars in debt to the owner of a successful grocery story that’s keeping Gustavus, Alaska stocked during the coronavirus pandemic. Plus, meet Jonathan Bass, Head of Marketing and Communications at Wing, a subsidiary of Alphabet. Wing has built an autonomous fleet of small, lightweight delivery drones that can transport small packages to homes in minutes.
With the Omicron variant quickly spreading, it's time to upgrade your mask
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As we head into 2022, it’s been roughly two years since the coronavirus arrived in the U.S. As cases are once again on the rise across the country, more safety measures are being put into place.
Just when it looked like certain parts of the pandemic were coming to an end, now many businesses are reinstating mask policies. Tap or click here to clean and sanitize your COVID-19 face mask.
Masking up can certainly help contain the spread — but some masks are better than others. Cloth masks may not be enough to help you get through the next wave of the pandemic unscathed. As the highly contagious Omicron variant of COVID-19 ravages the country, medical experts say it’s time to upgrade your face masks.
Why medical leaders say N95 masks are the best
You may remember that N95 respirators were hard to find earlier in the pandemic. Not anymore, as long as you get your hands on the genuine product.
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) inspects N95 respirators closely before certifying them for use. As a refresher, the NIOSH is part of the CDC, so these are stringent procedures meant to ensure your safety.
These are made of multiple layers of melt-blown fabric and non-woven fabric, which helps contain airborne particles from slipping into your body through your nose or mouth.
In the past, N95 respirators were reserved for professionals in the medical or construction fields but are now more widely available. Good news: You don’t have to go to any specialized medical suppliers to pick up them up. You can get a large pack on Amazon for less than $50.
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The most widely-available option that still meets certification is the KN95, with are typically cheaper. But whether you choose one of these options or any others, do your research. The CDC says about 60% of KN95 respirators in the U.S. are counterfeit and do not meet NIOSH requirements. Here’s what to look for.
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RELATED: What are your chances of getting COVID? New CDC map charts breakthrough cases
Protect your vaccine card with these affordable, durable sleeves
Vaccines have been rolling out in the U.S. at a blistering pace. But records aren’t being kept digitally as to who has received a dose. The only way right now that someone can prove their protection is with the issued paper vaccine cards.
Kim's top 10 tech tips of 2020
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Covid-19, murder hornets and a presidential election: There’s no doubt 2020 has been a year for the books. Luckily, we had some amazing tech to make our daily lives easier. Zoom, for example, helped us socialize and work, even when we were stuck at home.
The biggest whack job post on Facebook that I've ever seen
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There has been no shortage of conspiracy theories being posted on Facebook during the pandemic. It is almost as if the coronavirus is affecting some people’s ability to think clearly.
Putting a Faraday cage over your router to block “harmful” 5G frequencies is just nonsensical. And as we have explained before, not only is this ineffective at stopping the spread of 5G, but it will also make your internet speeds worse!
New research: COVID can live on your phone for 28 days – How to properly disinfect yours
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Can you believe we’ve been dealing with coronavirus for nearly seven months already? It’s true. The World Health Organization declared it a pandemic all the way back in March and things haven’t been the same since.
Thankfully there have been plenty of breakthroughs in technology since then that have made it easier to navigate life. Google Maps even added a hotspot tracker so you know if it’s safe to visit places you’re thinking about traveling to. Tap or click to see how it works.
Up your mask game with one that can play music and take calls
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What kind of mask have you been wearing recently? Ever since the COVID-19 pandemic picked up, masks have become mandatory accessories in many places of business — and in response, people have gotten creative with what they’ve chosen to wear outside of quarantine.
A surprising use for the Instant Pot: Disinfect your face mask
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If you’ve been spending as much time indoors as we have, you’ve probably wanted to try your hand at some cooking. It’s a great way to pass the hours, and it’s a critical skill that everyone should learn. Plus, it’s fun to do and makes your home smell delicious.
Check out this reusable, affordable mask as effective as an N95
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At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, consumers made a mad rush to their local hardware stores for N95 masks. Of all the common masks you can buy, N95 masks are the only ones that are actually capable of filtering out the novel coronavirus and protecting the wearer.
An open letter to Apple's CEO, Tim Cook
Coronavirus has interrupted Apple’s China supply chain, and now those jobs are moving to Vietnam. I have a better idea. Listen up, Tim Cook. I know a country that could really use the work.
Need to know how to do or fix something? YouTube to the rescue
Before coronavirus, finding an expert — or just someone handy — to do a difficult task for you was a no-brainer. What about now that inviting strangers isn’t your home isn’t an option? Do-it-yourselfers are turning, in droves, to YouTube.
Top 4 coronavirus scams people are falling for
You can only avoid scams if you know exactly what to look for. Scammers are using the coronavirus to create new versions of their old tricks. Don’t fall for them.
10 COVID-19 scams spreading right now that people are falling for
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The numbers are staggering. The Federal Trade Commission says coronavirus-related scams have cost Americans $13.4 million so far this year. Google blocks more than 100 million phishing emails every day as criminals try to steal money and personal information. About 18 million of them are coronavirus-related.
Coronavirus and the comeback of the old-fashioned phone call
Humans are social creatures, and we’re all missing in-person connection. Texts and emails just don’t cut it during this time of isolation. We’re turning to our smartphones for, you guessed it, making actual calls.
Even major news outlets fooled by fake coronavirus posts
Social media is loaded with videos of those who are sick, those who have lost loved ones and hopeless medical professionals. One in particular, a real heartbreaker, caught the attention of CBS Sunday News and Sen. Bernie Sanders. What they didn’t realize? It’s a fake.
The one video about coronavirus everyone needs to watch and share right now
In the war against the novel coronavirus and COVID-19, science and healthcare measures are our strongest weapons. But despite the unprecedented scientific data being uncovered about the virus and the disease it causes, misinformation is still widespread.
Working from home? 8 tips for managing remote employees
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The coronavirus pandemic has turned the world upside down. Millions of people are trying to help flatten the curve by practicing social distancing, among other things.
While this is a great way to help slow the spread of the virus, it’s taking a huge toll on the economy. Companies have seen a sharp decline in business and some have even had to close their doors. Others have been asking employees to work from home (WFH).
5 ways tech can help you stay sane while you stay home
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I can’t stop thinking that I am in the middle of a thriller about a sinister virus that causes a global pandemic. But this is no made-for-Hollywood screenplay. It’s a real catastrophe.
Many people are dealing with frustrating tech challenges while trying to find a new normal. You can Google anything; it’s just that you never know if the search results are legit. That’s why, in my Komando Community, I’m helping readers and listeners just like you get answers to their tech questions.
Internet providers promise to keep you connected - even if you can't pay your bill
Our reliance on the internet is stronger than ever as news of the coronavirus pandemic spreads. Internet service providers have stepped up to make sure no one loses their service during these trying times.
Should you cancel your hotel, Airbnb or Vrbo reservations?
There’s a lot that’s not known about the spread of the coronavirus right now, including how long the virus remains dangerous on household surfaces. That’s why you should think twice about keeping those rental reservations.