The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits tumbled last week to 576,000, a post-COVID low and a hopeful sign that layoffs are easing as the economy recovers from the pandemic recession. The Labor Department said Thursday that applications plummeted by 193,000 from a revised 769,000 a week earlier. Jobless claims are now down sharply from a peak of 900,000 in early January and well below the 700,000-plus level they had been stuck at for months. The decline in unemployment claims coincides with other evidence that the economy is strengthening…
Read MoreDay: April 15, 2021
4 in 10 Adults Over 50 Consult Online Reviews When Picking a Doctor
Finding a new doctor can be a daunting task. For help, many older adults turn to online reviews, a new study finds. In fact, many people rate online reviews as highly as they would a recommendation from friends and family when picking a doctor, the new research found. “Doctors and policymakers should know that many older adults are viewing and valuing online ratings and reviews when choosing physicians,” said researcher Dr. Jeffrey Kullgren. He’s an associate professor of internal medicine at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. However, “the…
Read MoreStudy: Low-Dose Aspirin May Reduce Risk of ICU and Death in COVID Patients
Low-dose aspirin might help protect the lungs and keep COVID-19 patients out of ICUs. The inexpensive drug can also reduce the risk of death, said researchers at George Washington University, according to a study released Wednesday. The new study joins ongoing research on the potential benefits of aspirin and COVID-19. Recently, Israeli scientists found that patients who took small daily doses of aspirin were 29% less likely to test positive for COVID-19. They were also more apt to have a shorter illness and have fewer lingering side effects, according to The Times of…
Read MoreWH Convening Summit With Top Execs on Chip Shortage
Almost 20 major companies worried about a global semiconductor chip shortage that has roiled the automotive industry will send senior executives to a White House summit Monday, a senior official said on Friday. Reuters reported earlier the summit is expected to include General Motors Chief Executive Mary Barra and Ford Motor Chief Executive Jim Farley. The White House official confirmed the three largest U.S. automakers, including Chrysler-parent Stellantis NV will attend, as will executives from GlobalFoundries, PACCAR , NXP and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC). The White House meeting is…
Read MoreUsers Could Soon Hide ‘Like’ Counts on Instagram, Facebook
The tiny red hearts that appear under Instagram photos of kids, kittens, and sandwiches can be a source of stress for many users, an insidious way of measuring self worth and popularity. Now Facebook says it’s going to test out — again — an option for users to hide those “like” counts to see if it can reduce the pressure of being on social media. Instagram, which Facebook owns, will soon allow a small group of random users to decide whether or not they want to see the number of…
Read MoreThings to know when buying glasses online
There is nothing wrong with being a shopaholic. I buy things all the time and with the advent of window shopping, I must admit that my addiction has got a little out of hand. Now I buy my favourite outfits and footwear without stepping out of my house. Don’t you judge me! Who doesn’t like comfort huh? While I know a bunch of people who are like me, I also know a few folks who shy away from buying things online. I mean they would buy clothes, accessories, and even…
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