Dylan Alcott has spoken out about the lack of prizes offered to wheelchair tennis players ahead of this weekend’s Australian Open final.

The winners of the men’s and women’s singles trophies at Melbourne Park will each pocket $2.875 million, while the runners-up will receive $1.575 million.

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The semi-finalists walk away with an extra $895,000 in their bank balance while the contestants who lost in the first round still scored $103,000.

In comparison, wheelchair gamers earn much less. Speaking after he lwon the wheelchair quad final from Sam Schroder, Alcott – who was named Australian of the Year during the week – said the pay difference just wasn’t enough.

“I won the first tournament here and it was like $1300,” he said. “How much is a flight from Europe, $3,000?

“It’s not just Australia, it’s all over the world. We don’t get $3.5 million to win.

“We get less than half the first-round loser ($103,000) that able-bodied people get at all slams.

“It’s much better than it was. We used to have a firm handshake and a cold Powerade. So it’s better, but we have to keep building it so it gets better and better.

Alcott said a change must occur within the sport to see wheelchair tennis players as deserving of the same rights and opportunities as able-bodied stars.

“We have the best Paralympic sport in the world because of the integration with the able-bodied circuit. It’s incredible. And we do a poor job of capitalizing on that all year round,” he said.

“But people internally sometimes don’t do as good a job of understanding how good the product is. Not to say when we are going to fight for us more to put us on the main court and not to think that we are lucky to be there, because we are not lucky to be there, we deserve to be there. That’s the difference.

“People think we’re lucky to be here; getting drunk. We deserve to be here. We sell tickets, sponsors make money and people love it. So start thinking like that and everything will change. That’s what I had the chance to do. »

Alcott retired after losing the Australian Open final in straight sets to Schroder, and broke down in tears during his post-match press conference after receiving a message from two-time Wimbledon champion Andy Murray.

“That just sums up how it’s changed,” the Aussie said looking at his phone.

“I hope he doesn’t mind, but Andy Murray just messaged me, ‘I don’t know if I expressed this well, but you are an absolute rock star and an inspiration. Thank you for everything you have done.

“It kills me. Makes me want to cry. Special. Like you’re just a part of that…they don’t even care that you’re in a wheelchair,” he added through tears.

“They don’t give as**t. Sorry to swear. It is special. Really nice. It’s like that everywhere. I never thought that would happen, like that’s cool. It’s really cool.

“It’s better than winning a tennis tournament. There is a sports legend around wheelchair tennis.

“If it’s good enough for someone like that, it’s good enough for everyone. Sorry, I didn’t mean to cry.

Australian Open earnings: what do players earn?

Simple

Winner: $2,875,000

Finalist: $1,575,000

Semi-finalist: $895,000

Quarter-finalist: $538,500

Round of 16: $328,000

Round of 16: $221,000

64th final: $154,000

Round of 128: $103,000

Double

Winner: $675,000

Finalist: $360,000

Semi-finalist: $205,000

Quarter-finalist: $113,000

Round of 16: $65,250

Round of 16: $45,100

64th final: $30,050

People shop at The Galleria mall in Houston during Black Friday on Nov. 26, 2021. The economy grew strongly last year, but at an uneven pace due to the pandemic.

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People shop at The Galleria mall in Houston during Black Friday on Nov. 26, 2021. The economy grew strongly last year, but at an uneven pace due to the pandemic.

Brandon Bell/Getty Images

Last year saw the fastest economic growth since Ronald Reagan was president. But for many people, 2021 felt less like “Morning in America” ​​and more like a restless night plagued by restless dreams about the ongoing pandemic.

The Commerce Department reported on Thursday that the country’s gross domestic product rose 5.7% last year – the biggest increase since 1984. But growth has come in spurts, with hopes of a recovery regularly wiped out repeatedly by successive waves of infection.

And now, uncertainty lingers in the coming year as the omicron variant continues to spread. Meanwhile, the Federal Reserve is preparing to raise interest rates, perhaps aggressively, in an effort to combat stubbornly high inflation.

“It wasn’t a straight line for the economy last year, that’s for sure,” said Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody’s Analytics. “The economy remains linked to the pandemic.”

Business boomed in the spring and early summer last year as millions of Americans got vaccinated and felt free to travel and dine out more. In June and July alone, employers added more than 2 million jobs, almost a third of the year’s total job gains.

But growth slowed when the delta variant hit.

“It was crazy. It was a roller coaster,” says Dave Krick, owner of three restaurants in Boise, Idaho.

Krick had high hopes for the end of the year, after a busy October, and he planned to resume hosting private parties at his restaurants, only to pull the plug when the infection rate started to climb again skyrocketing as the omicron variant began to spread. .

“It was a teaser. We thought the holiday season was going to be really good,” Krick said. “These end-of-year parties are a big part of the success of the year for us. And we have canceled practically everything.”

A flight information display shows canceled flights at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on Dec. 27, 2021, in Arlington, Virginia. Flight cancellations became frequent in December as the omicron variant infected airport and airline staff.

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A flight information display shows canceled flights at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on Dec. 27, 2021, in Arlington, Virginia. Flight cancellations became frequent in December as the omicron variant infected airport and airline staff.

Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

An economic blow – and a groan

The Commerce Department said GDP grew at an annual rate of 6.9% in the last three months of the year, driven in part by stronger exports and an accumulation of inventories.

But the fourth quarter was as uneven as the previous nine months.

“Q4 started with a bang and ended with a whimper,” said Zandi. “October was a fantastic month for the economy – consumer spending, investment – everything was running at full steam. And then in December, omicron came on the scene quickly and did a lot of damage.”

While unemployment fell to just 3.9% – the lowest level since the start of the pandemic – employers added just 199,000 jobs in December.

And forecasters expect this weakness to continue into the new year.

Early jobless claims in recent weeks suggest some employers are cutting jobs in response to the omicron wave.

Help-seeking signs like this one outside a retailer in Hattiesburg, Mississippi on March 27, 2021, were commonplace last year as businesses struggled to recruit workers.

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Help-seeking signs like this one outside a retailer in Hattiesburg, Mississippi on March 27, 2021, were commonplace last year as businesses struggled to recruit workers.

Rogelio V. Solis/AP

Even though last year’s economic growth was the strongest in decades, it fell short of what economists had originally hoped. Early last year, some forecasters believed the combination of widespread vaccinations and pent-up demand would fuel an even stronger boom, with GDP growth of up to 7%.

“There were just too many people who weren’t vaccinated,” Zandi said. “It’s admirable how well the economy has held up, despite the fact that vaccines haven’t exactly solved the problem.”

Pandemic-related supply chain issues and labor shortages have weighed on economic growth, while driving up prices.

“Even though we had a lot of demand, we weren’t able to do as much as we hoped,” said Krick, the restaurant’s owner.

Its labor costs have risen sharply this year, thanks to higher wages and new health benefits. Restaurant food costs are also on the rise.

“Our supply chains don’t like this roller coaster,” Krick said. “We have a hard time predicting what we’re going to get and not get, so we have to adjust quickly with the menus and that takes a lot of time and energy. And the costs are really tough.”

National restaurant meal prices were 6% higher in December than a year ago, while headline inflation hit 7% – the highest level since 1982.

Will 2022 be better?

The new year will likely continue to be marked by the path of the pandemic – as well as the fight against inflation.

The Federal Reserve signaled on Wednesday that it plans to start raising interest rates at its next meeting in March, in a bid to contain prices, and markets are expecting three more rate hikes over the course of the year.

The challenge for the central bank is not to brake too hard and slow the economy too much – a tricky feat given that some economists believe the central bank has waited too long to fight inflation.

“We expect some slowdown in the omicron economy, but we think that should be temporary,” Fed Chairman Jerome Powell told reporters. “We think the underlying strength in the economy should show up fairly quickly thereafter.”

Supermarkets like this one in Orlando, Florida are experiencing shortages of certain products as the omicron variant infects workers and compounds supply chain problems.

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Supermarkets like this one in Orlando, Florida are experiencing shortages of certain products as the omicron variant infects workers and compounds supply chain problems.

Jean Raoux/AP

Zandi said he was confident that the central bank could gradually withdraw its easy money policies without blocking the recovery.

“I think they will be able to do that and land the economy plane on the tarmac,” he said. “It might be a little bumpy here. There’s a lot of headwinds in the economy.”

Most of the federal relief programs that pumped trillions into people’s pockets during the pandemic have also expired, though restaurants are asking Congress for more help.

Zandi thinks the economy will continue to grow in 2022, but at a slower pace of around 4%.

“We are all striving to better navigate the virus and learn to live with and manage it,” Zandi said. “I hope we have another good year in 2022.”

Krick also hopes business will continue to rebound, but he makes no firm predictions about the year ahead.

“One thing we know right now is that we don’t know what 2022 is going to bring us,” he said. “We are losing a lot of money hoping that this spring and summer will be better, mainly because we have no choice. It’s a strange time to run a restaurant.”

Viral infections, including those that cause the flu and colds, are a major cause of myocarditis, the inflammation of the heart muscle. The condition can cause chest pain and an irregular heartbeat, although it is often asymptomatic. This makes its prevalence difficult to measure. According to some estimates, 1-5% of all people with acute viral infections may develop myocarditis.

Yet sudden death from myocarditis during physical activity appears to be rare. A to study from 1980 to 2006, 41 sudden deaths in young athletes (under 40) related to myocarditis were documented, one-tenth of those caused by blunt trauma.

Some experts feared that Covid-19 could increase heart risk in otherwise young and healthy people. A study at the start of the pandemic from Germany reported signs of myocarditis in 60% of patients with Covid-19, including some with relatively mild disease. But criticisms of the study design and data errors has sparked more investigation, and recent studies have been mostly reassuring.

In a study, cardiac tests were performed on 789 professional athletes (soccer, baseball, basketball, football and hockey) with previous infections, most of whom had mild or no symptoms of Covid. Only five (0.6%) showed inflammation on cardiac imaging – consistent with estimates for other viral infections – and all had symptoms that the researchers said “exceeded empirical definitions of COVID-19 disease. mild” such as cough, fatigue or loss of taste.

In another study, only 0.7% of the 3,018 college athletes who tested positive for Covid had abnormal heart test results that researchers thought were definitely, probably or possibly related to the virus. (Extremely fit athletes are known to have “reshaped” hearts that can cause abnormal results on heart tests, so it’s hard for cardiologists to tell if the abnormalities are the result of the virus.)

A third study, on 3,597 college athletes who had tested positive with symptoms ranging from none to chest pain and shortness of breath, found that only 1.2% had symptoms that persisted for more than three weeks. Only 4% had heart or lung symptoms when they resumed exercise. Still, the vast majority of those who had more tests showed no signs of heart damage from Covid-19, and it’s normal to feel tired or short of breath when resuming exercise after a flu-like illness.

Studies on young competitive athletes are easier to perform than on the general population, and they may not be 100% applicable to recreational athletes. Yet they show that otherwise healthy and fit people who catch Covid are unlikely to suffer heart complications.

A recent study of healthcare workers in the UK found that those with mild or no symptoms of Covid were no more likely to have heart abnormalities on testing six months after infection than those who had not been infected. “This study demonstrates that in healthy people, measured cardiovascular abnormalities are common, but not more common in those who had mild SARS-CoV-2 6 months prior compared to those who did not,” found the researchers.

The seven-to-10-day rest recommendation appears to be as arbitrary as the six-foot social distancing since the start of the pandemic. Most people who don’t know they have Covid won’t follow it anyway.

“There is very little good quality data on resuming exercise after Covid,” Gabriel Vorobiof, a cardiologist at UCLA, said in an email. “At one point there was great controversy when a few cardiac MRI papers showed potentially concerning post-Covid cardiac findings.” But because the studies didn’t include a control group for comparison – such as athletes or young people without Covid who get an MRI – he says “the findings were then dismissed as associations, not necessarily causation. “.

He adds: “I have seen quite a few young athletes requiring ‘cardiac clearance’ by their sports club after having simple Covid before re-engaging in their respective sports, many of whom were non-competitive. The need to weed out a youngster following asymptomatic viral illness, like many things during this pandemic, seems like an overreaction based on little or no science.

Doctors generally advise people with head colds to exercise, but to listen to their bodies. Seems like sound advice for otherwise healthy people with mild Covid. “However, if symptoms of chest pain or discomfort, dizziness or throbbing appear, one should stop and see a doctor,” says Dr. Vorobiof.

Exercise has been found to protect people against other viral infections, including influenza, herpes, Epstein-Barr and the common cold, and improve immune response to vaccinations. Every workout mobilizes billions of immune cells, in particular the T lymphocytes which circulate, identify and kill the cells infected by the virus. Exercise also lowers levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, which impairs white blood cells and increases inflammation.

As people learn to live with Covid, there’s no reason they can’t train with it too.

Ms. Finley is a member of the Journal’s Editorial Board.

Not much has changed about CBS Golf over the past year. The suave tones of Jim Nantz still steer the ship from the 18th tower, where Nick Faldo and Ian Baker-Finch deliver insightful banter close by. On the course, a group of reporters led by Dottie Pepper whisper ideas from inside the ropes, while Amanda Balionis handles pre- and post-tour interviews.

But of course those of us who have watched CBS in the last year pretty much know all has changed, and that’s largely thanks to Sellers Shy.

Golf’s third coordinating producer on CBS had a freshman hurricane in his new gig — an effort at the top of CBS golf coverage that concluded with a show… in the middle of a hurricane. He assumed the throne of golf’s most historic throne in January with a plate full of new ideas and a voracious audience to dig into. adding new graphics technology, introducing a new theme song, and bringing the network’s golf coverage into the 21st century through drones and augmented reality.

His efforts over the season were punctuated at the Memorial Tournament, where Shy reversed course in the final seconds of the show to cover Jon Rahm’s stunning Covid diagnosis, creating an extra half hour of coverage largely from scratch.

In 2022, golf viewers can expect change to continue from CBS — albeit more tamely than in 2021. In Shy’s second year, the network has planned a slew of changes to its coverage. golf, most of which will be visible to viewers during the upcoming Weekly Farmers Insurance Open, the network’s first broadcast of the calendar year.

1. New Reinforcements

One of the biggest changes to CBS’ product in 2022 can actually be credited to ESPN. In the new year, the PGA Tour made the executive decision to take control of all “below the line” facilities – television towers, mobile camera units, technical facilities, etc. Whereas previously the networks were obliged to book the facilities, under the new agreement, this work will be left to the Tour. The change comes as part of the Tour’s new broadcast rights deal with ESPN+, which has significantly expanded overall coverage offerings.

Important: the technicians of each network will always be responsible for Operating equipment and networks will retain full control over the production of each show. According to CBS Sports President Sean McManus, the decision was made in an effort to streamline week-to-week broadcast setup efforts.

“The idea was to combine resources from all these different streams and have the Tour deliver them,” McManus said. “It seemed like a very efficient and good way forward. However, our production lineup is the same as last year. The technicians who have been golfing with us for so long, they will all come back. It’s just that we won’t book the actual facilities that are used. But you won’t see anything different on air. We’ve worked hand in hand with the PGA Tour to ensure this will be a smooth transition. Gear levels are actually probably going to be bigger than they were in 2021, so fans sitting at home won’t have any idea anything has changed. The product will still be as good as it always was.

2. Drones!

One of Shy’s biggest changes in 2021 was the expanded addition of drones to CBS’ broadcast arsenal. These cameras helped produce some of the best shots of the season (including a moment of laughter with Phil Mickelson at the PGA Championship) and play a vital role in broadening the viewer’s perception of each week’s location. According to Shy, drone coverage will be further expanded in 2022 as part of an overall increase in the number of cameras at each event.

3. Toptracer improvements

Regarding the rest technological offers, Shy and co. have worked to improve Toptracer in 2022 by increasing the number of holes with tracer capabilities at each event.

4. A Bolder Consistent Ranking

The hallmark of Shy’s early efforts at the helm of CBS was his establishment of a consistent mini-leaderboard. The bug — which lives translucently in the lower right of the screen — has quickly become one of CBS’s most popular broadcast elements.

In 2022, CBS worked with its graphics department to produce a bolder, more defined look for the mini-leaderboard, in theory making it easier for viewers to follow the action.

5. Charts based on analysis

Professional sport is in the midst of an analytical revolution, as is professional sports television. In an effort to capitalize on this audience, CBS will expand its use of ShotLink data and other advanced statistics throughout its shows, helping to provide broader context behind every shot.

6. Foal Knost!

The biggest golf TV promotion of 2022 belongs to Colt Knost, whose on-course reporting role with CBS is growing into a weekly venture. Knost, a former Tour pro and current host of GOLF’s Subpar podcast, has earned high marks from viewers (and some pros) for his insightful analysis and extensive connections within the professional game.

7. A futuristic new ensemble for Amanda Balionis

Golf fans can bid a tearful farewell to the cart on Amanda Balionis’ 2022 course. It’s been shipped to the metaverse, where it will be replaced by an augmented reality set – a space-age update which opens the door to tons of creative applications. The good news: Players needn’t worry, Balionis will always have a physical board on hand at most events (what Shy calls an “A/B board”) to conduct pre- and post-round interviews.

James Colgan

Golf.com Editor

James Colgan is associate editor at GOLF, contributing stories for the website and magazine on a wide range of topics. He writes the Hot Mic, GOLF’s weekly media column, and uses his experience broadcasting across the brand’s social media and video platforms. A 2019 graduate of Syracuse University, James — and obviously, his golf game — is still thawing after four years in the snow, during which time he cut his teeth at NFL Films, CBS News and Fox Sports. Prior to joining GOLF, James was a caddy scholarship recipient (and crafty looper) on Long Island, where he is from.

The Biden administration has begun allowing individuals to sponsor Afghan refugees seeking to start a new life in the United States. Under the Sponsorship Circle Program, you and a few of your friends can pool funds to dramatically improve the prospects of an Afghan family.

It is a program that is desperately needed: the botched US withdrawal from Afghanistan last year left many vulnerable Afghans behind. Some are now stuck at home under Taliban control, or in neighboring countries to which they have fled.

More than 75,000 Afghans have traveled to the United States as part of Operation Allies Welcome, and around 52,000 of them have been resettled in communities across the country. But the rest are still waiting on US military bases – safe from the Taliban but unable to find jobs, enroll their children in school or begin to heal and overcome the trauma they have suffered.

Americans can help them resettle in a community so they can do all of these things sooner.

Forming a Sponsorship Circle involves bringing together at least five adults from your area and raising $2,275 for each individual Afghan you wish to resettle in your community. Sponsors agree to help them for the first three months, which may include finding accommodation, helping adults find jobs, and enrolling children in school.

To be clear, by forming a sponsorship circle, you are not directly allowing Afghans to enter the United States who otherwise would not be able to.

Instead, you are accelerating the resettlement process for Afghans who have already entered the United States through what is called humanitarian “conditional release” but who are stuck on military bases because the infrastructure resettlement official – decimated under the Trump administration – cannot get everyone settled right away.

Don’t underestimate the good that speeding up reinstallation can do. “Leaving a base and entering a community sooner can have a profound impact on a family,” said Elizabeth Foydel, director of the nonprofit’s private sponsorship program. International Refugee Assistance Project. “It’s the difference between being stuck in limbo for several months or really being able to start your life over again.”

That said, she added that there was another big development coming: the Biden administration is Planning in the first half of this year to launch a more comprehensive private sponsorship program – one that would allow Americans to sponsor an Afghan family to enter the United States who otherwise could not.

How to form a sponsorship circle, in 6 steps

Afghans who have been stuck on military bases for months have noticed how psychologically taxing it is to live in limbo. “I stayed at Fort Pickett [in Virginia] for 91 days and some of my colleagues are still at the fort and will probably not be out until mid-February 2022”, Ahmad Zafar Shakibi Recount CNN. “It caused a mass depression.”

Others have describe the difficulty of not having enough warm clothes to move around; being unable to access timely medical care; to feel misunderstood by the American general staff; and endure crushing boredom in their barracks or tents day after day. Like Esrar Ahmad Saber noted of his fellow refugees at a base in New Jersey, “They just want to get out as soon as possible.”

Here’s how you can help them get there.

1) Form a group of five or more adults. If you are enthusiastic about this program, you can contact four friends to start A conversation. (You can send them this page or even this article to start the conversation.)

2) Ask each member of the group to complete a background check. This is a quick online process to check if you have a criminal record.

3) Ask a member of the group to complete a Online course. This gives you some tips on how to ensure that your Sponsorship Circle will be competent and effective.

4) Complete a welcome program. You’ll want to dedicate at least a day to this, as it forces you to research the resources available in your community for needs such as job and language training.

5) Fundraise. You will need bank statements or other evidence showing that you have $2,275 per Afghan newcomer you hope to welcome.

6) Complete the application form. Once you have completed steps 1-5, it will only take 10 minutes.

That’s it! If your group is motivated, you can probably complete this process in a few weeks of intermittent work. If your application is approved, you can host an Afghan family in your community, which research suggests will likely benefit not just newcomers, but your community as a whole.

Want to sponsor Afghans for immigration to the United States? Get ready now.

If you’d rather wait for the United States to launch its more comprehensive private sponsorship program — the program that provides a pathway for immigration so more Afghans can enter the United States — it’s a good idea to start you prepare now.

It will probably require more money. Canada’s highly successful private sponsorship program, for example, requires a sponsor to raise nearly US$23,000 bring in a family of four refugees. The US equivalent of this program could easily require funds on a similar scale.

You may be thinking: why should it be up to private citizens to shell out so much money to resettle refugees? This is the government’s job!

That’s a fair point. That’s why Foydel and others have advocated for all refugees who come to the United States through private sponsorship to be added to the number of traditional government-assisted resettlement cases.

“That’s what we plan for,” Foydel told me. “We think it’s important to clarify that the US government maintains its responsibility to resettle refugees itself.”

The Biden official target for fiscal year 2022 is to resettle 125,000 refugees (from all countries, not just Afghanistan). The government is unlikely to achieve this goal because refugee agencies do not have the capacity to absorb so many new arrivals. Their funding is tied to the refugee cap, and since the Trump administration cut refugee admissions – 2020 has seen an all-time low of 15,000 allowed in – agencies were forced to lay off staff and close offices. They are now in the undesirable position of having to rebuild even as they try to serve thousands of Afghans with the meager resources they currently have.

Even if the government manages to resettle 125,000 refugees this fiscal year, refugee advocates expect private sponsorship could attract thousands more.

The United States spent 20 years in Afghanistan, trying and failing to remake the country. Now the Americans no doubt have a moral responsibility to help the Afghans suffer the consequences. And given that refugee programs could get far less support if a Republican wins the White House in 2024, now is the time to shoulder that responsibility.

As my colleague Nicole Narea has written, even though the United States was right to withdraw last year, “the ensuing humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan is the product of ill-conceived and failed American attempts to nation building. The United States therefore has a responsibility to ensure that Afghans threatened or persecuted as the Taliban reaffirm their vision of religious law can be safe in the United States or other countries, whether or not they have worked alongside American troops.

So if you’re thinking about forming either a Sponsorship Circle or a Private Sponsorship, it makes sense to think of it not as an act of charity, but as an act of justice. Neither will completely undo the harm that has been done, but as Foydel told me, “They both have an incredible impact.”

More than three dozen Bed Bath & Beyond sites are preparing to close their doors for good in the coming weeks.

The New Jersey-based home goods retailer previously announced plans to close around 200 stores over two years, starting in 2020. According to a recent presentation of third quarter results from Bed Bath & Beyond, around 170 stores have already been closed.

Shares of Bed Bath & Beyond soared on Thursday, surging more than 10% at the opening bell. The retailer lost $ 276.4 million, or $ 2.78 per share, for the three months ending Nov. 27. at Zacks Investment Research.

For the current quarter ending in February, Bed Bath & Beyond said it now expects revenue in the order of $ 2.1 billion.

According to Bed Bath & Beyond, 37 locations are closing, many by the end of February. In a statement shared with Nexstar, the company said the stores were part of previously announced plans to close 200 stores over two years.

Here is a list of locations being closed in the coming weeks:

Alabama

• Oxford, 1000 Oxford Exchange Blvd.

Arizona

• Yuma, 1212 South Castle Dome Avenue
• Casa Grande, 1004 North Promenade Parkwa

California

• Tustin, 13692 Jamboree Road
• Rancho Santa Margarita, 22235 El Paseo
• Laguna Niguel, 32391 Golden Lantern
• Campbell, 515 Hamilton Avenue East
• Milpitas, 147 Great Mall Drive

Florida

• Orange City, 963, boulevard Harley Strickland

Georgia

• Atlanta, 130 Central West Perimeter
• Marietta, 4475 Roswell Road, Suite 100

Idaho

• Pocatello, 1732 Hurley Drive

Michigan

• Jackson, 1132 Jackson Crossing

Minnesota

• Eagan, 1295 Place Promenade
• Duluth, 1303 Miller Trunk Road

Missouri

• St. Joseph, 5201 North Belt Highway

Mississippi

• Meridian, 131 S. Frontage Road

New Jersey

New York

• Plainview, 401 S. Oyster Bay Road
• Port Chester, 25 Waterfront Place
• Auburn, 217 Grant Avenue
• Spring Valley, 14 B Spring Valley Market
• Canandaigua, 328 boul. East.
• Glenmont, 388 Feura Bush Road
• Niagara Falls, 1520, military road

Ohio

• Mansfield, 2259 Walker Lake Road

Pennsylvania

• Pittsburgh, 7507 McKnight Road
• York, 2845 Concord Road

Texas

• San Angelo, 4169 Sunset Drive

Virginia

• Vienna, 2051 Chain Bridge Road

Washington

• Seattle, 2600 SW Barton Street
• East Wenatchee, 511 Valley Mall Parkway
• Longview, 200 Center Triangle
• Union Gap, 1740 East Washington Street

Wisconsin

• Sheboygan, 3347 Kohler Memorial Drive

West Virginia

• Triadelphia, 555 Cabela Drive

While many of the chain’s sites are closing, around 450 – just over half of its 809 sites – are in the process of being renovated, the company reports.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Investors and health startups are at the center of the annual INVEST conference in Chicago from March 28 to 30, 2022. Ahead of the conference, we are conducting a series of interviews with investors on their approach to startups through four tracks of the pitch competition, INVEST Pitch Perfect: pharmaceutical technology; Diagnostic; coordination of care and values-based care; and remote patient monitoring and smart devices.

The finalists for each of the tracks will be reviewed by judges who will also ask questions about the startup’s activities. The prize for the winner of each track is a profile in MedCity News.

The deadline for Pitch Perfect submissions is January 15th. To apply, Click here.

Ling wong is a general partner at Sea Lane Ventures and senior advisor to Lightspeed Venture Partners. In response to emailed questions, she shared her take on startups in the diagnostic and remote patient monitoring industries.

Which companies have impressed you in these spaces in recent years and why?

We are living a watershed moment in digital healthcare access solutions, driven in large part by the next generation of diagnostics and new solutions for remote patient monitoring and interaction. While there are many impressive players in this space, there are two that stand out particularly in my mind – both of which are companies that Lightspeed Venture Partners has invested in. One of these companies, Health guardian, focuses on developing breakthrough diagnostic technologies that can turn cancer from a silent killer into a manageable disease. Using a simple blood test, their product enables rapid analysis of a patient’s current cancer genomics to better inform treatment decisions. In a relatively short period of time, this company has grown into one of the established leaders in the field of liquid biopsy. The other is Wheel, who created a virtual care platform that enables the delivery of the highest quality care in an affordable and sustainable way. Wheel’s commitment to moving the healthcare industry forward with clinicians, organizations and patients all playing a vital role is fundamentally changing the way healthcare works, enabling any provider to become a telemedicine provider. I think Wheel is a great example of a company providing a digital solution that solves issues of access – and, ultimately, equity – by lowering some important barriers to care.

What are some exciting developments you’ve seen in this industry over the past 18 months in terms of technology development, implementation, clinical study data?

The Covid-19 pandemic has had such a dramatic effect on countless areas of our society, and access to healthcare is no exception. Against this backdrop, over the past 18 months we have witnessed a huge acceleration in the adoption of digital solutions such as virtual care, which in turn have significantly enabled new models of care. While this shift in use was driven by the needs of a public health emergency, the promise of digital solutions (such as Wheel) is now wider than it even has been, and now we see how. they can be the key to improving health. equity and accessibility – in particular, meeting the diverse needs of a range of patient populations by potentially reducing or eliminating barriers to care based on location. The defining characteristic of a growing set of digital health solutions and therapies is the power to personalize care and services to meet the health needs of diverse populations and improve access. I love this idea and am passionate about the goal.

How do you support small startups upstream? Have / would you ever have made smaller pre-seed and seed relationship investments, just to be on the cap table and not run out later?

My philosophy is that if I see an inspiring solution to a pervasive societal problem in healthcare, I want to build those mission-driven relationships that take those early ideas to the finish line – and if that actually provides a solution that benefits the company in a big way, you are going to see returns. An example of how the Lightspeed team approaches small upstream startups is illustrated by our investment in Health Soda. Soda is a company that faces long-standing challenges in securing reimbursement for goods and services essential to achieving and maintaining good health, but which are not supported by traditional medical claims. Because we saw the huge need and potential for Soda’s healthcare-centric payment and related solutions, Lightspeed co-led the $ 6 million round of funding, and we continue to provide close support. at Soda Health today. The compassion, industry experience and innovative spirit of the founding team were certainly key reasons to support their ambitious mission. But most importantly, it’s the impact of what they do – allowing consumers to have easier access to their benefits, giving health plans a technological platform that can administer those benefits cost-effectively, and throw away the foundations for improving overall health in all communities – which further validates our decision to invest until the end. Yes, it is important to invest early in companies that promise returns later. However, the early recognition of ideas that address fundamental issues and inequalities in health care is arguably even more crucial. Social good is good business.

How do you rate the founders?

In short, I’m inspired by founders with a vision to bring customization and scale to solve the problems that exist in healthcare today. So many of the barriers we see have everything to do with unmet challenges in diversity and access. This focus, which is reflected in my approach to investing, resonates throughout the healthcare ecosystem, from therapeutics to healthcare delivery. When you meet founders who see these issues, who recognize these societal inequalities, and who understand how these needs can be a common thread for investing in health, it’s easy to see how much their missions deserve to be supported. I want to be part of this solution because I look forward to a world where our technology, both digital and therapeutic, can ensure the best possible level of health for everyone.

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There are no “good” foods and “bad” foods. Rather, it’s your overall diet that matters most when it comes to healthy eating.

This is the main message of the American Heart Association in its latest nutritional guidelines to improve the heart and health of Americans of all ages and circumstances.

The experts who wrote the guidelines recognize that people do not eat individual nutrients or ingredients. They eat food and most people want to enjoy the food they eat on budget and, the association hopes, without harming their bodies.

Rather than urging people to avoid pasta because it is a refined carbohydrate, a better message might be to tell people to eat it the traditional Italian way.

That doesn’t mean you have to avoid Big Macs, Coke, and French fries altogether, but it does mean that you don’t have to indulge in such dishes on a regular basis if you want to stay healthy.

Dr. Robert H Eckel, former president of the American Heart Association and endocrinologist and lipid specialist at the University of Colorado at Denver, tells me he “occasionally” indulges in foods outside of a healthy diet. . The key word here, however, is “occasionally”.

Dr Neil J Stone, a preventive cardiologist at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine, who praised the guidelines committee’s thoughtfulness and expertise, said in an interview: unique diet, but there are principles to form the basis of diets that are right for everyone.

He added: “The goal is to make good nutrition possible for everyone. The healthier we can keep everyone in this country, the lower our health costs will be. “

In the 15 years since the Heart Association last issued dietary guidelines aimed at reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease, little has changed for the better in the United States. The typical American diet has remained highly transformed. Americans consume too many added sugars, artery-clogging fats and refined starches, along with too much red meat and salt, and don’t eat enough rich vegetables, fruits, nuts, beans, and whole grains in nutrients that can help prevent heart disease, diabetes and cancer.

But rather than get discouraged, the association decided to try a different approach. For too long, nutritional advice has focused too much on individual nutrients and ingredients, Alice H Lichtenstein, chief author of the guidelines tells me, and it hasn’t focused enough on the overall eating habits that suit the individual. better for people’s lives and budgets.

So instead of a long list of “you won’t eat,” says Dr. Lichtenstein, the association’s committee on nutrition and cardiovascular disease chose to promote heart-healthy eating habits that might be appropriate for everyone. a wide range of tastes and eating habits. By avoiding “no-no’s” and food revolutions, the new guidelines can foster gradual, evolutionary changes that are meant to last a lifetime.

Choosing plant-based protein not only has health value for consumers, but can help promote a healthier planet.

The committee recognized that in order for people to adopt and stick to a healthy diet, it must take into account personal likes and dislikes, ethnic and cultural practices and life circumstances, and it must determine whether the Most meals are eaten at home or on the go.

For example, rather than urging people to avoid pasta because it’s refined carbohydrates, a more effective message might be to tell people to eat it the traditional Italian way, in small portions as a starter. Or, if pasta is your main course, choose an unrefined carbohydrate-based pasta product like whole wheat, brown rice, or lentils.

“We’re talking about permanent changes that incorporate personal preferences, culinary traditions and what’s available where people shop and eat,” says Dr. Lichtenstein, professor of nutritional science and policy at the Friedman School of the Tufts University. “The advice is evidence-based and applies to everything people eat, regardless of where food is purchased, prepared and eaten. “

The first principle of the guidelines is to adjust one’s “energy intake and expenditure” to “achieve and maintain a healthy body weight,” a recommendation that may be easier to follow with the following two principles: eat lots of fruits and vegetables and choose foods made primarily with whole grains rather than refined grains. If cost or availability is an issue, as is the case in many food deserts in the United States where fresh produce is scarce, Dr. Lichtenstein suggests keeping bags of frozen fruits and vegetables on hand for easy access. reduce waste, add convenience and save money.

Some healthy protein choices recommended by the committee included fish and seafood (although not breaded and fried), legumes and nuts, and low-fat or non-fat dairy products. If you crave meat, choose lean cuts and avoid processed meats like sausages, hot dogs, and deli meats high in salt and saturated fat.

The Protein Foods Committee’s opinion, released during the recent climate talks in Glasgow, was timely. Choosing plant-based protein over animal protein sources not only has health value for consumers, but can help promote a healthier planet.

Experts have long known that animal products like beef, lamb, pork and veal have a disproportionately negative impact on the environment. Raising animals requires more water and land and generates more greenhouse gases than growing plants rich in protein.

“It’s a win-win solution for people and our environment,” says Dr Lichtenstein. However, she warns, if a plant-based diet is overloaded with refined carbohydrates and sugars, it will increase your risk for type 2 diabetes and heart disease. And she advises against relying on popular plant-based meat substitutes that are ultra-processed and often high in unhealthy sodium, fat and calories, and which “may not be environmentally sound to produce.”

To protect both the environment and human health, the committee advised to abandon the diet of tropical oils – coconut, palm and palm kernel – as well as animal fats (butter and lard) and partially hydrogenated fats. Instead, use liquid vegetable oils like corn, soybeans, safflower, sunflower, canola, walnuts and olive. They have been shown to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease by about 30 percent, an effect comparable to taking a statin.

A healthy diet should start before conception, not after a heart attack

Regarding beverages, the committee endorsed the current US National Dietary Guideline for avoiding beverages with added sugars (including honey and concentrated fruit juices). If you are not currently drinking alcohol, the committee advised against starting; for those who drink, the advice is to limit consumption to one to two glasses per day.

All in all, the eating habits described by the committee may go far beyond reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases like heart attacks and strokes. They may also protect against type 2 diabetes and decline in kidney function, and maybe even help promote better cognitive abilities and a slower rate of age-related cognitive decline.

The earlier in life a healthy diet begins, the better, according to Dr. Lichtenstein. “It should start before conception, not after a heart attack, and [be] reinforced by nutrition education at school. . . “

And during annual checkups, says Dr Eckel, primary care physicians should spend three to five minutes of the visit for a lifestyle interview, asking patients how many servings of fruits, vegetables and whole grains they are consuming and if they read nutrition labels. – This article originally appeared in The New York Times

Black Friday is still a spectacular affair, but things will be very different in 2021. Following last year’s holiday season at the height of the pandemic, shoppers and retailers are now looking to get back to normal while maintaining new habits.

In 2021, consumers will buy like never before, both in terms of quantity and how to buy.

Here are 20 trends to look for for Black Friday 2021:

1. In-store purchases are back. Almost all of Black Friday shopping in 2020 took place online, but this year consumers are eager to return to stores to purchase physical items. Stores that offer exclusive in-store deals or unique experiences will attract customers.
2. The room is inside. Customers want to purchase items from local businesses in order to support local businesses and reduce shipping delays. Given the choice between a mass-produced item or a local product, customers will increasingly buy local. Products made in the United States will also see more sales in 2021.
3. Generation Z is having fun. Shoppers will be younger, with the bulk of Black Friday shoppers in the 18-44 age group. To reach younger customers, brands need to double their digital buying and marketing.
4. Staff shortages are changing the in-store experience. Staffing challenges across the country have caused stores to get creative in how they attract new employees and use them on Black Friday. With fewer receptionists and in-store associates guiding customers, brands will increasingly rely on signage and apps to personalize and support the in-store experience.
5. Customers have already started. With supply chain issues, the majority of consumers plan to start and end their holiday shopping earlier than usual. This means that customers will likely have started already before Black Friday instead of serving as a holiday kick-off in years past.
6. Brand loyalty is over. More and more consumers are looking for the best deal instead of automatically going back to their favorite brands. Lack of loyalty creates opportunities for brands to attract new customers with exciting offers, personalization and hands-on experiences.
7. Buy now, pay later. Customers want a modern approach to layaway where they get the item now, but they have months to pay it off. Brands big and small are jumping on the trend to reach customers who may feel limited by their current finances.
8. Flexibility of returns is important. Even though customers are looking for great discounts, they are also thinking about how to possibly return the items. The flexibility of buying online and returning in store or an extended return policy during the holidays attracts undecided customers.
9. Customers will balk at the shipping cost. Many consumers are used to getting free and fast shipping through services like Amazon Prime and Walmart +. The thought of having to pay shipping costs might distract shoppers from online retailers or make them look for different ways to collect their items.
10. But shipping is even more expensive. USPS and other delivery companies are adding holiday surcharges, which must either be passed on to customers or consumed by retailers. This could result in higher prices while still providing “free” delivery.
11. Customers are looking for sustainability. Brands that reuse materials or sell sustainable, eco-friendly products will see a boost during Black Friday 2021. In many cases, customers are willing to spend more or see less of a discount to purchase an item. responsibly made that they can feel good with.
12. Shopping is social. Black Friday is a social occasion where customers come together to be physically close to products and other shoppers. Customers will be looking for a strong social experience in 2021, even when shopping online. This means that brands need to find ways to connect with customers, both in person and online.
13. Buyers will use multiple platforms. Most customers will buy across multiple platforms, including in person, online, and through an app or voice assistant. Using many channels is convenient and allows customers to get all deals, including doorbusters exclusive to apps or physical stores. A consistent omnichannel experience has never been more important for brands.
14. Big box stores are leading the charge. Consumers say they’re more likely to shop at physical store chains like Walmart and Target in 2021, both online and in-store. E-commerce brands come next.
15. But Amazon will always set the tone. Customers are comfortable shopping on Amazon and will take advantage of the site’s many Black Friday deals. Even though many buyers are turning to local brands and ways to avoid shipping, Amazon remains the main competitor.
16. Curbside pickup continues to shine. For many customers, this is the best of both worlds – being able to shop online without having to wait weeks for an item to arrive. Curbside pickup has resumed during the pandemic and will be a strong competitive advantage during Black Friday.
17. Offers matter. Even though the pandemic is diminishing in many places, budgets are still tight. Many customers will be more budget and transaction conscious than in the past, which means the lowest price could be the deciding factor.
18. AR and VR bring products to life. More than ever, tools such as augmented reality and virtual reality will help customers see items virtually and test them on themselves or in their space to make informed purchasing decisions.
19. It’s a month-long event. Most department stores are launching deals weeks before the actual Black Friday this year. While 2021 is expected to break sales records, retailers are no longer so reliant on Black Friday and instead focusing on the holiday shopping season as a whole. But a longer buying period could lead to buy-out of buyers.
20. Stores will be closed on Thanksgiving Day. In-store deals began on Thanksgiving afternoon, but with major retailers like Target, Best Buy, and Walmart closed for Thanksgiving this year, in-store deals will begin on Friday. This could push online sales and lead to bigger crowds on Black Friday.

Blake morgan is a customer experience futurist, keynote speaker and best-selling book author The customer of the future. Be part of the brand new Customer experience community here.