To keep themselves and their patients safe, these workers, who may have potentially been exposed to this deadly virus, may have to stay home until they are tested, losing valuable time on a now critical job.

Here's where organizations such as xymbio are stepping up to the challenge. xymbio, an infectious disease testing company, has offered the use of its high-speed testing program to help run tests on health care personnel and first responders to keep them healthy and return them to their demanding roles as soon as possible.

The Las Vegas based company, uses industry leading technologies from ThermoFisher and operates under the Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) guidance issued by the Federal Drug Administration and highest diagnostic standards.

xymbio is readying to process COVID-19 tests for hospitals and health care systems, and the company can provide both on-site testing and at-home testing kits for employees who believe they may have been exposed to the virus. In addition, individual physicians can request test kits and testing for patients using forms available online on the xymbio website.

The company has been waiting on a response from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Institute of Health (NIH), and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases for necessary funding to accelerate its capabilities to acquire test kits so that it can rapidly scale testing capacity.

"xymbio has developed state of the art qPCR technology using ThermoFisher reagents to detect coronavirus protein n,s,e antigens. Their test is highly specific, accurate and scalable. They are now only limited by government funding to expand capacity from 500 tests per day to thousands of tests per day. Time is of the essence. They have the fix. They need the support to expand their operations now!" Dr. Larry Emdur, Chief Medical Officer of Alvarado Hospital in California.

"We are in a war against a dangerous virus, and with federal assistance we are prepared to ramp up our testing capacity over the next 35 days to 20,000 tests a day, or 120,000 tests a week, with immediate plans to expand operations to Las Vegas and Atlanta, which would more than quadruple our testing capacity," according to Dr. Heath Wills, CEO and Chief Medical Officers of xymbio.

"We are ready to undertake the rapid action on behalf of many more citizens, and await prompt action on our proposal to the NIH, HHS, CDC, FEMA or the White House Task Force on Coronavirus testing during this national crisis," Wills emphasizes.

xymbio has also been working with the Swab for Life campaign of the Give Life Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to raise awareness of blood donation.

"We chose to partner with xymbio because of its extremely accurate COVID-19 testing capabilities that we believe will accelerate help to Americans during this national healthcare crisis," says Bart S. Fisher, chairman of the Foundation.

For more information about xymbio and their efforts to work with individual health care providers, hospitals, and the government, visit xymbio.com.

With COVID-19, there are added complications, notably physical separation. Some people are supporting older relatives who live far away while others may be close by, but are maintaining a safe distance. The goal is to maintain social closeness while also practicing physical distance.

"As the primary caregiver to my parents, I know well that the ways we support the older adults in our lives have changed," says Ray Spoljaric, CEO and Co-Founder of Aloe Care. "Caregivers are resilient, committed people and will go to any lengths to provide for those they care for. Now more than ever, communication and collaboration are key to providing the highest level of care."

If you're a new caregiver, or concerned about COVID-19 for someone you support, consider these five tips from nationally recognized expert Amy Goyer:

• Establish a Care Circle - Identify the people who can help. It may be a combination of professionals, family members, and/or friends.

Collect names, phone numbers, and email addresses of everyone in your Care Circle. This is also a good place to store elders' information, particularly what you would need in case of an emergency (i.e., medications, pre-existing conditions, home access details).

• Stay Connected - Next, establish regular check-ins.

With new physical distancing guidelines, social connection is more important than ever. Prepare a schedule of remote check-ins by the Care Circle. Consider leveraging technology in a solution like Aloe Care, which facilitates easy check-ins and care collaboration.

• Maintain Medical Care and Support - Telehealth is a rapidly advancing option for safe care. In fact, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services recently expanded coverage and loosened policies and regulations regarding telehealth.

Many pharmacies have mail- order options and are expanding support for caregivers to manage medications.

• Cover the Essentials - Assess the food, household, and personal supplies the elders have at home and what they need to keep in stock.

Many grocery stores now offer contactless delivery or pick-up. A quick online search should reveal the best local option. Additionally, the Area Agency on Aging's Eldercare Locator is a great resource, as is Meals on Wheels.

• Well-Rounded Health - While it may take some creativity during COVID-19, everyone needs stimulation physically, cognitively, and emotionally to maintain their well-being (including you, dear caregiver). Find ways to keep your loved ones and yourself active with technology, puzzles, letter-writing, exercises and more.

For more advice and resources about remote caregiving, please refer to the complete "Apart, Not Alone" guide by Amy Goyer.

However, many women may not realize that their risk of heart disease also increases during the menopausal period, according to Dr. Nesochi Okeke-Igbokwe, M.D., a practicing physician in New York City and an expert in women's health.

"There is no time like the present for women to commit to better heart health and overall health," says Dr. Okeke. "Women who suffer from pre- and post-menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, and hormonal imbalance now have a way to help ease their discomfort and the debilitating effects of their symptoms with over-the-counter supplementation."

The HerHeart supplement from BergaMet North America, a manufacturer of exclusive natural supplements, represents a new frontier in managing menopause symptoms. The oral supplement product is designed exclusively for women, and contains Citrus Bergamot SuperFruit™, a unique high-quality citrus bergamot with a 47% BPF (bergamot polyphenol fraction) concentration (the highest available in North America and exclusive to BergametNA), along with other ingredients that have been shown to help balance hormones and ease the discomfort of menopause. HerHeart also helps promote heart health; the product is engineered to help reduce arterial age and to improve cholesterol levels.

Data from clinical trials of HerHeart show a 42% improvement in comfort level and a 75% reduction in hot flashes; other benefits include increased sexual desire and arousal.

"I am getting heart and mind healthy," says Kimberly L., a consumer who uses the HerHeart supplement.

"I am using this for pretty much every reason," she says. "Menopause, anti-inflammatory, thyroid issues, and blood sugar, too." After two weeks of taking HerHeart, "I am no longer having night sweats. I am sleeping better. I have a very noticeable amount of energy now," she adds. The HerHeart product "is doing everything the company said it would," Kimberly says. "I would like to continue on for the 90 days, to see how my cholesterol and liver function does. I am super-excited over the help with menopause. My husband appreciates the change in my attitude!"

Visit tryherheart.com for more information about the supplement, and visit Bergametna.com or call 1-855-556-2131 for more details about other Citrus Bergamot Superfruit™ products for better health. The BergametNA stock symbol is HYEX.

"The Living Room: A Lung Cancer Community of Courage"
by Bonnie Addario

The words "lung cancer" strike fear in all of us. But where is the hope? It can be found in "The Living Room," by Bonnie Addario, a 17-year survivor of stage 3B lung cancer and a determined activist on behalf of patients suffering from the disease. "The Living Room" tells the stories of 20 lung cancer patients who have bravely fought the disease and found ways to thrive, not just to survive.

The people you will meet in "The Living Room" will lead you to believe that miracles are all around us, that they're happening every day, and that they just might happen to the next cancer patient who picks up this book. Purchase at https://amzn.to/2LUl3pT.

"Attachments"
by Jeff Arch

At a boarding school in Pennsylvania, a deathbed request from the school's dean brings three former students back to campus, where secrets and betrayals from the past are brought out into the open -- secrets that could have a catastrophic effect on the dean's 18-year-old son.

Told in alternating points of view and time frames, "Attachments" is the story of two best friends and the girl they both love. The book is a puzzle -- and the only one who knows how all the pieces fit is in a coma. Revelations come out into the open, and someone is about to learn something he may or may not be able to handle. Purchase at https://amzn.to/3vs8dQG.

"Don't Say a Word! A Daughter's Two Cents"
by Elizabeth Roper Marcus

For the over 44-million adult children in America whose parents are driving them crazy and for baby boomers who are laughing about it, this is one of the few complete comic narratives that plumb the emotional challenges involved, as we navigate the line between anguish and laughter, rage and love.

"Don't Say A Word!" illuminates the maddening challenge of watching our parents' final decline, a challenge familiar to frazzled adult-children everywhere.

A perpetually warring, tyrannical pair in their 80s -- a Macy's dress buyer and a dentist -- begin wintering in Mexico.?The surprising ways in which these parents come undone reveal just what they'd spent their lives trying to hide, thereby setting her free. Purchase at https://amzn.to/3pjc7sT.

"The Magic Pond"
by Hélene Schweiger

"There is a silver lining to every cloud." That is the motto of author Hélene Schweiger, who presents us with a tale about courage, adventure, and the magic of friendship, geared for children as well as adults. As we all go through difficult experiences and changes in our lives, the message in this story helps see the strength we have in ourselves to become who we truly are.

The author loves nature and sees beauty everywhere. She uses storytelling on a daily basis as a perfect way to convey messages to children and adults, helping children become the wonderful adults they have the potential to be. Purchase at https://amzn.to/35wRHVa.

BookBites is presented by BookTrib.com.

An engagement ring is inspired by courtship memories. If an engagement ring could talk, it might tell you a story of "boy meets girl" and how an awkward guy got up the courage to approach the girl across a crowded room. The story continues with dates, vacations, meeting the parents. An engagement ring might reflect on a first vacation together, favorite walk, and the features of a girl's personality that captivated the boy into popping the question.

A ring might recall asking a father's permission, sneaking a sample ring from a drawer to determine the perfect size, and even providing some inspiration for a design that would bring her to tears when she said "yes."

Engagement rings are followed by wedding rings, which tell the story of a bright day full of joy as two become one in front of family and friends. In the future, these rings will experience years of holding hands, warming hearts, rubbing shoulders, holding babies, and serving as a reminder of a lifetime of love with the love of your life.

Custom diamond engagement rings from Cornelis Hollander help you tell your unique love story with timeless beauty. Our engagement and wedding rings represent your love, energy, and commitment to each other.

The story doesn't stop with the walk down the aisle some bright day in June, it is only beginning, and the team of skilled designers at Cornelis Hollander is honored to help start you on your journey together.

The Arizona-based company has four decades of awards and testimonials for its customized engagement ring designs that range from classic to modern, with stunning settings and sparkling gems.

"Our diamond rings are exceptional because they are made uniquely for the wearer, making them exclusive, memorable, and personal. Your ring is the ultimate storyteller of your style and commitment," according to Cornelis Hollander's son, Walter Hollander, who inherited the company from his father.

Visit cornelishollander.com for more details and to explore a unique collection of handcrafted diamond ring designs.

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