The new COVID-19 Delta variant of the coronavirus is sweeping the country. Mask mandates are being re-instituted and the vaccine is being urged more than ever before. COVID cases and hospitalizations have been surging by double digits. The new Delta variation snakes its way through all 50 US states. Experts are warning this new ultra-contagious virus could be the most serious you’ll ever catch in your life. It is impacting everything from elementary schools to big corporations like Apple, and millions of lives and families.

Here’s everything you need to know…

Fast Rising COVID Infection Rates, Hospitalizations & Deaths Due to Delta Variant

The CDC has reported a 36% increase in hospitalizations and a 26% increase in COVID deaths across the United States. This new ‘Delta’ strain of the coronavirus may be the reason.

Other countries, like the UK (United Kingdom), are reporting an enormous surge in COVID cases. This is potentially stalling or leading to a reversal in lifting coronavirus restrictions.

See a more detailed breakdown of the spread of the Delta variant, its origins, and impact on our blog.

What’s Different About the COVID-19 Delta Variant Strain?

The most notable issue with the COVID-19 Delta strain is that it is an evolved, hyper-contagious version of COVID-19.

This new strain is adapting and learning to become more infectious. Some began to think it was safe to leave their face masks at home, venture out to eat, or travel out of state again. We are yet again facing a high risk of infection.

Authorities warn that the vast majority of people will get COVID with this new strain, and the WHO explained that even vaccinated people shouldn’t feel safe against it.

The potential danger of this situation is serious. Therefore, imminent action from our current white house administration is crucial.

Social Media platforms like Facebook and Instagram are taking the lead. They are adding posts to users’ feeds to create awareness about the new Delta strain and blocking comments and text messages which discourage vaccination.

Not surprisingly, News 4 Jax reports that the five states with the most infections of the COVID-19 Delta variant have above-average vaccination rates.

Overcapacity in Hospitals

At the beginning of the pandemic, lockdowns and restrictions were put in place to avoid overwhelming hospitals, and the Delta variant may be tipping us over that edge.

The Director of Infection Prevention at UF Health Jacksonville reported that their hospital emergency room is full, and they are seeing a 7-8% increase in patients each day.

As hospitals become more and more overwhelmed, some medical centers are yet again choosing to reduce ‘elective’ procedures. Unfortunately, this can lead to the worsening of other prevalent health problems.

Who Needs to Keep Wearing a Mask?

Counties like Los Angeles and Las Vegas have already begun reinstating mask mandates for both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals.

Even Apple called off its plan to allow employees to return to the office.

The former head of the FDA recently told CBS News that “this is the most serious virus you can get in your lifetime.” Therefore, both the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and Dr. Fauci recommend all children ages three and up wear masks as schools reopen this fall; even if they received both doses of the vaccine.

The current COVID vaccine, unfortunately, does not protect against the new Delta variant. Because of this, some vaccine manufacturers are considering developing a third vaccine dose.

Since Delta variant infected persons are ultimately at higher risk of hospitalization and death, it is important that all persons, vaccinated or not, continue to wear a mask.

Quality Face Masks Have Never Been More Important

Face masks continue to be the most effective form of protection from this new strain of COVID.

Former FDA head, Gottlieb says it is important for people to invest in high-quality face coverings such as n99 mask . He explains, “Quality of the mask is going to make a difference with a variant that spreads more aggressively as Delta does. People are more contagious and exude more virus.”

Unfortunately, even people who continue to wear face masks often choose fashion masks with non woven fabric. Repurposed clothing, accessories, and simple fabrics are not effective at filtering out the virus. This may not have been as big of an issue with the low transmission rate variants of coronavirus but with the new Delta variant, these masks will create serious risk.

There is a huge difference between the masks mentioned above and legitimate particulate respirator masks. The N95 mask is designed and tested to filter at least 95% of virus particulates in the air. There is also the superior filtering for those who want even more protection.

Look for the CDC-recommended and NIOSH certified N99 and N95 masks which have official approval numbers.

Summary

The Delta variant is a new hyper-contagious strain of COVID. The data shows that it is dramatically accelerating both hospitalizations and deaths. Thus, hospitals are becoming overwhelmed and are running out of room for new patients.

Even fully vaccinated individuals are being warned that they are not safe from this strain of the virus. Experts state that quality masks are going to make all the difference in being protected.

Now is the time to reload your stock of quality N95 masks before they sell out. Even if you are a medical professional, or are in a profession that requires dust masks, it is vital to ensure you have enough of a supply to weather any pending shortages.

This neighborhood, located in the Bronx, is known for its multicultural community and rich history. With zip codes 10458 and 10468, it covers a compact area bursting with character and numerous attractions.}

Bedford Park stands out for its proximity to the renowned Bronx Zoo. Residents and visitors alike appreciate being able to explore the diverse exhibits and animal encounters offered at this world-class zoo. With over 6,000 animals representing a wide range of species, the Bronx Zoo offers a fascinating experience for nature enthusiasts of all ages.}

Learn more here Bedford Park

In addition to the Bronx Zoo, Bedford Park features plenty of green spaces ideal for outdoor activities and relaxation. One such park is the New York Botanical Garden, which offers exquisitely landscaped gardens, numerous plant collections, and educational exhibits. Visitors can stroll through the vibrant grounds, attend workshops, or discover the captivating Enid A. Haupt Conservatory.

For those interested in history and culture, Bedford Park is home to the famous Edgar Allan Poe Cottage. This historic site was the final residence of the renowned author and poet. Visitors can explore the cottage and discover more about Poe’s life and works. The cottage is a testament to his literary legacy and a highly recommended destination for literature enthusiasts.

Furthermore, Bedford Park is renowned for its diverse culinary scene. Within the neighborhood’s vibrant streets, you’ll find a wide array of restaurants offering diverse culinary delights. From traditional Latin American dishes to delicious Italian and Asian fusion cuisine, there’s something to satisfy all taste buds in Bedford Park.

Residents of Bedford Park also have access to a variety of amenities and services, including retail complexes, hospitals, and schools. The neighborhood is easily accessible to public transportation, enabling it to be convenient to travel to other parts of the city.

In conclusion, Bedford Park, with its zip codes 10458 and 10468, is a lively neighborhood in the Bronx that offers a wide range of attractions and amenities. From world-class institutions like the Bronx Zoo and the New York Botanical Garden to notable sites like the Edgar Allan Poe Cottage, there is always something captivating to explore. Whether you’re savoring in the diverse culinary scene or enjoying the wealth of green spaces, Bedford Park welcomes residents and visitors with its rich cultural tapestry and charm.

How Can Internet Marketing Help Your Small Business?

Did you know that content marketing costs 62% less than traditional marketing, despite generating 3 times as many leads? Content marketing is one of the fundamental types of internet marketing. Some marketers even believe it is the most important.

We’ve all heard that content is king. This is true for online marketing, as the content is an essential aspect of it.

Click for more, Bodysculpting Marketing

Why Online Marketing Matters

Online marketing offers numerous benefits to a business. If you’re a small business owner, regardless of your niche, you should be leveraging digital marketing to your advantage. This can open countless opportunities, even with a small budget. Digital marketing can be used to complement your business goals with just about any budget. And once your business starts growing, you can adjust your campaigns accordingly.

With the internet’s rise in popularity, the expectations of our customers have also started to grow. Presently, a customer expects a brand to have a professional website and cross-platform social media presence. A recent report on Ecommerce found that 85% of consumers perform research prior to making an online purchase. If the consumers find no trace of your brand, they might get discouraged from investing in your product.

Digital marketing offers a 2-way communications channel between businesses and their customers. This makes it easier for brands to reach out to their customers and promote customer retention. Offering the customers a way to contact your business in case they have questions is also highly favorable for building trust.

With the astonishing amount of time people spend online, digital marketing is the way to reach them. Digital marketing enables your business to reach your customers instantaneously. You can even choose where and how you’d like to reach out. Perhaps you get better conversions with a blog post that your customers read in the comfort of their home. Or a brief video they find on Facebook during their lunch break.

You can control all this, and much more, with the right digital marketing strategy. No matter your business’s target audience, you’ll find them online. Optimizing your return on investment (ROI)  is a question of where and how you choose to reach out.

Understanding Digital Marketing

Digital marketing can represent a path to a higher ROI, compared to other types of marketing. We appreciate that small businesses have a limited marketing budget. Therefore it is essential to optimize every penny spent.

Digital marketing is one of the most cost-efficient and scalable marketing models. You can see a great return with a small amount spent on ads. The instant scalability of most digital marketing types will enable you to increase the said budget anytime.

A popular strategy employed by small businesses is starting with a small advertising budget in the optimization phase. Once the marketing campaign is fine-tuned and the results are consistent, the budget can be scaled up. This will save a significant amount of money in your campaign’s testing phase.

If however, there’s no budget you can spare for marketing, it’s not a problem. Digital marketing offers numerous free marketing solutions for small businesses. Keep in mind that the results won’t be comparable to the ones from a complete marketing campaign. Start by creating social media profiles for your business and creating some content. Having a Google My Business listing is also important to build reliability and drive traffic.

In Conclusion

Online marketing is the best tool for small businesses that want to gain a leg up against large corporations. The right strategy can be used to grow your traffic, sales, and ROI.

If you’re ready to boost your business with digital marketing but don’t know where to start, then you’re in the right place. Salterra helps small businesses compete online by increasing their brand awareness and visibility.

Get in touch with us, and let us grow your business with affordable online marketing services!