Officials Ending Mecklenburg’s ‘Stay At Home Order’ – Will Follow Less Restrictive State Order

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Officials Ending Mecklenburg’s ‘Stay At Home Order’ – Will Follow Less Restrictive State Order

Mecklenburg County Manager Dena R. Diorio has just announced that our local ‘Stay at Home Order‘ will officially end on Wednesday, April 29th, and we will transition into following our state’s less restrictive ‘State at Home Order’.

“The unified coalition of the County, the City, and the towns that began working together when this crisis started will stay together,” Diorio noted. “We have agreed to proceed like the rest of the state as the phased reopening proceeds.”

The follow closed businesses will now be allowed to open up under the state’s ordinance:

  • Car Dealerships
  • Real estate brokerages, appraisers, and title companies
  • Insurance companies
  • Religious facilities, entities, groups, gatherings, including funerals. Also, services, counseling, pastoral care, and other activities provided by religious organizations to the members of their faith community. Gatherings may not exceed 10 people.
  • Defense and military contractors that develop products, processes, equipment, technology, and related services that serve the United States military, national defense, and national security interests.
  • Electronic retailers that sell or service cell phones, computers, tablets, and other communications technology.
  • Lawn and garden equipment retailers.
  • Book stores that sell educational material.

All Essential Businesses must still follow the Social Distancing Requirements that are in line with our counties order, including:

    • Maintaining at least six (6) feet distancing from other individuals.
    • Washing hands using soap and water for at least twenty (20) seconds as frequently as possible or the use of hand sanitizer.
    • Regularly cleaning high-touch surfaces.
    • Facilitating online or remote access by customers if possible.

North Carolina’s statewide stay home order was recently extended until May 8th.

Mecklenburg County’s stay home order began on March 26th and was set to expire tomorrow.

‘Reopen Meck’ Planning Protest This Weekend In Uptown Charlotte

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‘Reopen Meck’ Planning Protest This Weekend In Uptown Charlotte

A new group of frustrated Mecklenburg County residents is now organizing an in-person protest in Uptown Charlotte to demand that our county ‘re-open’ by the end of this month.

The private Facebook group ‘Reopen Meck‘ now has over 1,100 members. According to the group’s description, they “intended to be an offshoot of the overarching ReopenNC movement” (the leader of ReopenNC has now contracted COVID-19). ‘Reopen Meck’ states that many around Mecklenburg County have found it difficult to drive up to Raleigh to protest. Group leaders are demanding that Mecklenburg County leaders “restore our liberties and freedoms no later than April 29th, 2020.”

As of this morning, Mecklenburg County is reporting 1,519 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 43 related deaths, according to the NC Department of Health.

In spite of the state-wide and county-wide stay at home orders, the case count has continued to rise at a consistent pace:

Here is the distribution of cases per zip code:

 

What do you think about the new ‘Reopen Meck’ movement? 

Gaston County Sailor baptized at sea aboard USS Harry S Truman

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Gaston County Sailor baptized at sea aboard USS Harry S Truman

A Gaston County native was just baptized at sea aboard Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman April 22.

Airman Apprentice Jorden Burrows, a weapons department ordnance handler from Denver, NC, is one of 12 Sailors who were baptized during a gospel faith baptism service made possible by Truman’s isolated at-sea status and the absence of diagnosed COVID-19 cases aboard.

Burrows frequently attended gospel services while he and Truman’s nearly 5,000 crewmembers were deployed to the Middle East earlier this year.

“Being able to do this on the ship is by far a lucky thing for me. Even though I know my family would love to see it, I got the chance to do it in front and with some of my closest friends,” Burrows said. “And being able to share this great moment with them and them seeing how happy I was feels great. This is by far the best thing I’ve ever done on the Truman, and I’ve been here for 4 years. I will always remember this!”

Performing the baptism, Chief Warrant Officer Eric Allen from Elizabethtown, Kentucky, Truman’s air department fuels boatswain and Gospel lay-ministry leader, described the event as an amazing opportunity that requires creative thinking.

“For a believer in Christ, baptism is an integral part of their faith. To be baptized at sea is something that most people in the Navy will never have the opportunity to do,” Allen said. “We don’t have a baptistery like you do at most churches back home. Aviation Intermediate Maintenance Department allowed us to use an aircraft engine case. We cleaned that out, filled it with water and used that as a baptistery.”

Truman’s Gospel lay ministry is one of several regularly practicing faith groups aboard the ship led by volunteer lay leaders. Lay services are overseen by the ship’s command religious ministries department, whose Navy chaplains also perform religious services according to their faiths.

The Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group remains at sea in the Atlantic in order to protect the crew from the risks posed by COVID-19, following their successful deployment to the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet areas of operation. Keeping HSTCSG at sea in U.S. 2nd Fleet, in the sustainment phase of OFRP, allows the ship to maintain a high level of readiness during the global COVID-19 pandemic.

North Carolina Ranked As Having The Least Coronavirus Support In America

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North Carolina Ranked As Having The Least Coronavirus Support In America

With 89 percent of adults hospitalized with COVID-19 having some sort of pre-existing condition, the personal-finance website WalletHub today released its report on the States Offering the Most Coronavirus Support. The report seeks to examine how states care for people who are at risk both health-wise and financially.

To identify which states offer the most support during the COVID-19 pandemic, the site compared the 50 states and the District of Columbia across 17 key metrics. Our data set ranges from whether the state will offer free vaccinations once a vaccine exists to the share of households in poverty that receive social assistance.

South Carolina ranked among the bottom at #47 and North Carolina ranked dead last at #51.

States Offering the Most Support During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Overall Rank State Total Score ‘Coronavirus Relief & Medical Services’ Rank ‘Food and Housing Assistance’ Rank ‘Unemployment Support’ Rank
1 Massachusetts 69.94 1 2 3
2 District of Columbia 59.36 2 1 43
3 Rhode Island 55.99 5 11 16
4 Maine 54.68 3 19 17
5 North Dakota 52.02 14 7 5
6 New Mexico 50.23 7 14 23
7 Vermont 50.22 17 3 7
8 Colorado 49.96 4 44 24
9 Kentucky 49.48 8 21 21
10 Minnesota 48.09 12 39 4
11 Maryland 46.33 6 33 32
12 New York 45.65 9 12 35
13 Washington 45.30 10 45 12
14 Hawaii 41.81 16 50 6
15 Oregon 41.67 18 37 11
16 Wyoming 41.15 21 26 13
17 Connecticut 41.07 22 13 10
18 Nevada 40.14 15 46 20
19 New Jersey 39.54 27 31 2
20 Louisiana 38.82 11 8 51
21 Michigan 37.67 26 5 28
22 Delaware 37.53 19 15 36
23 Montana 37.04 35 23 9
24 Oklahoma 36.68 23 36 14
25 California 35.48 13 51 31
26 West Virginia 35.47 25 10 34
27 Iowa 35.10 44 25 1
28 Utah 34.96 29 28 19
29 Pennsylvania 34.73 42 18 8
30 Alaska 33.23 20 16 45
31 Illinois 32.84 30 27 29
32 South Dakota 32.66 33 17 25
33 Arkansas 32.03 24 30 33
34 Nebraska 32.01 34 20 30
35 Ohio 30.53 46 6 27
36 Missouri 30.52 38 4 37
37 New Hampshire 30.51 28 9 44
38 Idaho 29.73 37 48 15
39 Kansas 29.64 40 32 22
40 Alabama 25.61 39 22 42
41 Wisconsin 25.00 50 24 25
42 Texas 24.75 51 42 18
43 Tennessee 24.09 32 35 46
44 Florida 22.47 31 47 49
45 Indiana 22.42 43 40 38
46 Virginia 22.40 41 41 40
47 South Carolina 20.28 48 38 39
48 Georgia 20.28 45 43 41
49 Arizona 19.66 36 49 50
50 Mississippi 19.19 47 29 48
51 North Carolina 17.68 49 34 47

Coronavirus Support in North Carolina (1=Most, 25=Avg.):

  • 29th – Coronavirus Relief Fund per Capita
  • 37th – Adoption of Telehealth Services
  • 23rd – Share of Households in Poverty Receiving Social Assistance
  • 32nd – Share of Sheltered Homeless Population
  • 51st – Unemployment Insurance Recipiency Rate
  • 44th – Ratio of Average Weekly Wage Covered by Unemployment Benefit

For the full report, please visit:
https://wallethub.com/edu/states-offering-the-most-coronavirus-support/73333/

Five Must-Have Skills For A Successful Entrepreneur

Robin Mann
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Five Must-Have Skills For A Successful Entrepreneur

Until recently, it was an uphill struggle for aspiring entrepreneurs to execute an idea and build a business empire out of it. Because, by their job, they had to keep up with a variety of problems. Luckily, the evolution of technology has turned things around, and more and more business-minded people are stepping up for start-ups now. It is one reason why new brands are popping up at unprecedented speed. 

However, despite being well-equipped with technology, many entrepreneurs are still failing in their ventures. A well-documented study claims that as many as nearly 50 percent of the companies around the globe pack up within five years. If you have just invested in a business plan, this figure might ring an alarm for you. But, frankly speaking, there is nothing to panic as we are disclosing the five most essential skills that are the hallmark of every successful entrepreneur: 

 

  • Creative thinking 

 

Gone are the days when a company needed only bulky resources to stay ahead of the competition. Today, you need creative thinking to keep a business churning and burning. Several large organizations have evaporated from the scene just because they failed to introduce and implement fresh ideas. 

Stagnation mode is the last thing a brand can afford considering the current cutthroat competition. The business world has cluttered severely. Therefore, the best way to stand out from the rest is to come up with innovative solutions, which are the byproducts of creative thinking. Remember, one does turn into a creative thinker overnight. You need to have heel-drag through academic years before leaping innovative solutions. So in case you lack deep-seated business know-how, consider yourself enrolling in an online business degree program. 

 

  • Ability to take risk 

 

We all know that taking a risk is like putting one’s feet in unfamiliar territory; you can never be sure about the result. But smart entrepreneurs do not expose themselves to risks just for the sake of it. They do so because business growth and risky decisions are deeply interconnected.  

You can always mitigate the amount of uncertainty by carefully assessing a move. One way to evaluate the possible pros and cons of a business proposal is to exploit the risk calculating formula. It will give you a rough idea of whether the water is cold enough to jump or not. 

Be mindful of the fact that calculated risk is not immune to failure. But that should not stop you from being adventurous because these failures will come up with valuable lessons and improve your decision-making in the future.    

 

  • Time management 

 

Every day, all businessmen have the same amount of time on their hands. No one gets a single second more than their transparent quota of 24 hours. So why then some of them pull off considerable productivity out of these hours while others lose their time scrambling around? Well, the answer lies in time management. 

Time management enables us to not only perform numerous tasks with equal authority but also within a tight duration.  Being an entrepreneur, you will have to wear multiple hats. And if you get deprived of this ability, you may seem busy on the surface, but will never learn to use time effectively. That way, the work burden will soon take a toll and might give you sleepless nights as well. 

The good thing is that time management skills can be polished. Experts have recommended the following measures to optimize the usage of time: 

  •  List down everything: In all likelihood, you may have a supremely good memory. But it would be a bad idea to always rely on it. Thus, make it a point to write down every single task you have to accomplish in the coming days. Depending on your comfort zone, opt for a digital or conventional notepad. 
  • Prioritize: As soon as you complete the listing task, it is time to arrange each job according to its priority. For example, things that require your immediate attention must make it to the top of the list, while less urgent tasks should be at the bottom. 
  • Set up realistic deadlines: The next step is to tie-up every task around a timeframe. Make sure the timeline is a rational one; otherwise, you may unnecessarily be subject to burnout.  

 

  • Interpersonal skills

Having a professional role model is said to accelerate your path to your career goals. Reading books and articles on social purpose-driven entrepreneurs with a mission will give you an opportunity to learn about topics you may not have considered before. Reading about other people who have made it in the industry will not only provide a template for success for you but will also give you lessons about setbacks and mistakes.

Even in this era of technological tinkering, a businessman is bound to deal with dozens of people regularly. Suppliers, staff, investors, shareholders, and customers, to name a few of them. That is where interpersonal skills can save the day for you. 

Though there is a long list of interpersonal skills, you need to master the following ones to emerge as a top-tier entrepreneur:

  • Leadership: No matter how hardworking and intelligent you may be, you can’t do everything on your own. Running a business is teamwork. Your leadership qualities will motivate others to chip in and work for the common goal. 
  • Communication: As mentioned earlier, an entrepreneur must engage with a variety of people day in and day out. Whether you want to sell your vision to a potential investor or sign an acceptable deal with a client, you will have to be on top of your communication skills. 
  • Ethics: Have you heard the famous sentence that “employees don’t leave their job, they leave their bosses”? Among other things, unfair treatment is also a primary reason why employees bid farewell to the workplace. There is no way you can establish yourself as a successful entrepreneur if you fail to keep your workers happy. So be sure to behave reasonably to the workers right from a higher-up to an intern.  

 

  • Money management

 

Business is all about the bottom line. If you are not extracting enough revenue, the organization will eventually come to a halt. Things, like the current status of cash flow, being aware of profits and expenditures, coming up with a tight budget, and handling other money-oriented affairs, tactfully. 

Most of the entrepreneurs own small businesses. Hence, they don’t have much of the margin to make financial mishaps because they might lack resources to get back on to the track once again.

The final verdict 

The road to successful entrepreneurship is bumpy. You will have to confront many ups and downs down the road. Read the life account of any successful businessman, and you will find out that their journey was not smooth. But since they possessed the skills mentioned above, no impediment lasted longer. 

Charlotte Planning to Build 2 Massive High Schools For $180 Million

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Charlotte Planning to Build 2 Massive High Schools For $180 Million
via CMS

This coming Tuesday at 6pm, CMS leaders will be voting on $180 million in contracts to build 2 high schools in our city.

The contracts would include building several new buildings and one new building on the campus of West Charlotte High, and a 125-classroom high school next to Palisades Park Elementary.

Both of the new high schools were part of a much larger $922 million school bond package that Mecklenburg County voters approved back in 2017.

Both of the new high schools are now set to open sometime in 2022.

You can watch the discussion and vote live this coming Tuesday night on CMS’s Facebook page here.

North Carolina Just Reported 300 new COVID-19 cases and Over 300 Total Deaths

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North Carolina Just Reported 300 new COVID-19 cases and Over 300 Total Deaths

NC officials have just announced 300 new COVID-19 cases and over 300 total COVID-19 deaths across our state.

This morning, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services reported a total of 9,142 cases, which is an increase of 312 compared to yesterday’s total. They also reported the death toll is now 306, which is 7 more than yesterday’s total.

Mecklenburg County is now reporting a total of 1,492 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 41 COVID-19 deaths.

Last week, Governor Cooper closed all schools for the remainder of the school year, extended North Carolina’s Stay at Home Order, and announced a 3-phase opening plan which could begin as soon as May 8th;

In Phase 1:

  • Modify the Stay At Home order allow travel not currently defined as essential allowing people to leave home for commercial activity at any business that is allowed to be open, such as clothing stores, sporting goods stores, book shops, houseware stores and other retailers.
  • Ensure that any open stores implement appropriate employee and consumer social distancing, enhanced hygiene and cleaning protocols, symptom screening of employees, accommodations for vulnerable workers, and provide education to employees and workers to combat misinformation
  • Continue to limit gatherings to no more than 10 people
  • Reopen parks that have been closed subject to the same gathering limitation. Outdoor exercise will continue to be encouraged.
  • Continue to recommend face coverings in public spaces when 6 feet of distancing isn’t possible
  • Encourage employers to continue teleworking policies
  • Continue rigorous restrictions on nursing homes and other congregant care settings
  • Local emergency orders with more restrictive measures may remain in place.

Phase 2

At least 2-3 weeks after Phase 1

  • Lift Stay At Home order with strong encouragement for vulnerable populations to continue staying at home to stay safe
  • Allow limited opening of restaurants, bars, fitness centers, personal care services, and other businesses that can follow safety protocols including the potential need to reduce capacity
  • Allow gathering at places such as houses of worship and entertainment venues at reduced capacity
  • Increase in number of people allowed at gatherings
  • Open public playgrounds
  • Continue rigorous restrictions on nursing homes and other congregant care settings

Phase 3

At least 4-6 weeks after Phase 2

  • Lessen restrictions for vulnerable populations with encouragement to continue practicing physical distancing and minimizing exposure to settings where distancing isn’t possible
  • Allow increased capacity at restaurants, bars, other businesses, houses of worships, and entertainment venues
  • Further increase the number of people allowed at gatherings
  • Continue rigorous restrictions on nursing homes and other congregant care settings

State of North Carolina Announces Reward for Info About Double Homicide in Gaston County

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State of North Carolina Announces Reward for Info About Double Homicide in Gaston County

The State of North Carolina has just announced a new reward surrounding a recent double homicide in Gaston County.

According to an official press release from Governor Cooper’s office, up to $5,000 will be given to anyone who provides information that leads to the arrest and conviction of whoever murdered 68-year-old Brenda Henson and 47-year-old Robert Metcalfe.

“On April 4, 2018, Henson and Metcalfe were the victims of a brutal homicide. Their bodies were discovered at Henson’s residence located at 2511 Mary Avenue, Gastonia. Henson’s daughter last spoke to her mother on April 3, 2018, at 11:47 p.m. When she went to the residence on April 4, 2018 at 4:00 p.m., she discovered the murdered victims, who suffered multiple stab wounds,” the release notes.

If you have any information about the case, please call the Gastonia Police Department at (704) 866-6882, Crime Stoppers of Gaston County at (704) 861-8000 or the State Bureau of Investigation at (919) 662-4500.

Online promotions during COVID-19 are starting to look predatory

Robert Tilman
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Online promotions during COVID-19 are starting to look predatory

You’re probably just as tired from getting the same old tired message from every company that’s a mailing list you’ve ever joined. It’s like suddenly everyone is dumping all the information that no one is even interested in while not doing any actual work to help fight the pandemic.

The fake, unnecessary promos and information have become so common that people are now asking for special filters to block out all the inaccurate COVID-19 info. 

While the world is concerned about the financial consequences that will follow, some might even lose their jobs permanently and will have to struggle to purchase the bare minimum, meanwhile, some companies have decided to turn this into a major profit scam that is actually exploiting the vulnerable state that we’re all in right now. You might be getting taken advantage of and have no idea. This is what the companies are trying to do while offering a solution to the anxious feelings that are more than normal in times like these and the best thing one can really do is accept the reality and do everything they can to stay safe, and there is no one-stop solution that is going to magically take away all the problems, but many companies would disagree,

What even is “self-care”

The world self-care has been thrown around a lot over the last few years and the idea of taking care of one’s self has somehow morphed into something completely monetizable, even if the concept wasn’t originally meant to signify spending hundreds of dollars to fix an internal problem with an eternal solution.

The point is not to say that any advertisement in times like this is unethical because some platforms can actually help us and distract us from the news and give us some activity to do that everyone will enjoy. Streaming services have been a huge help to people in times like these and many resort to tv shows to make them feel better when anxious or confused. The online casinos have also served as a shelter from the scary reality and as a nice side hustle that could actually bring you some extra cash at the same time. Googling the list of best casino bonuses 2020 could actually bring you money without you having to spend any on your own. Activities like these aren’t really a problem because they aren’t claiming to be able to solve a pandemic for you. 

But we are now seeing more and more companies claiming to hold the answer to all of this, which of course you can only find out by purchasing their item.

Specifically, the pseudo healthcare industry has clutched onto this pandemic to try and squeeze as much publicity out of it as possible. We‘ve seen multiple claims that are based on virtually nothing and that claim to have the cure, the necessary defense system against the virus. Be that with the set of gummy vitamins that are supposed to improve your immunity, or some essential oils for diffusers, or special facemasks or equipment meant to protect yours from the virus.

But even the medical professionals who treat medical patients all day don’t know exactly how to stop the virus so it’s extremely unethical to claim to hold the essential product that everyone needs to stay safe from the COVID-19.

Unethical marketing

This pandemic has put our whole world upside down, everyone is confused and scared and those who were anxious, to begin with, are having a hard time coping with the new reality. And these companies are clearly taking advantage of those seeking some solace in time of major shift. 

No “self-care” product can help a person overcome the actual dangers associated with this virus and to claim anything similar is actually alarming.

Above anything else, it is actually damaging to the physical health of people these companies are trying to sell to because these bold claims might actually stop them from protecting the safety measure as they are supposed to follow through, actually doing more damage.

You have likely already seen the advertisement for all the “unconventional” ways to treat the COVID-19, with companies talking with more confidence than the leading doctors all across the world.

The virus is so novel and unknown that we are learning about it day by day, so are the doctors. 

To make such bold claims and try to capitalize on the global pandemic that has damaged the lives of millions of people, left so many across the world jobless and with no clear idea as to what the future hold, just seems like the most unethical thing to do.

Self-care should not be used to trick people into thinking that just about anything that looks somewhat pleasing or makes vague claims can count as actually caring for one’s self and instead the whole idea of self-care should focus much less on buying products and more so on the experiences and activities that actually leave a lasting effect on a  person. There is almost no chance that any physical item you purchase will magically take your troubles away, and even if they have some medical claims, ones to try to mask it as a universal cure for the COVID-19, are clearly lying and have no moral standard.

Change your habits practicing sports at home during the Corona pandemic

Robin Mann
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Change your habits practicing sports at home during the Corona pandemic

The Corona pandemic has had a significant effect on sporting activities across the globe, and things are no longer the same. With most governments seeking to flatten the infection curve, strict measures have been put in place. Among them is banning any form of social congregating, and most sporting activities attract hordes of fans.

Nevertheless, with lockdowns, it does not mean that people can no longer participate in sports. There are lots of worthwhile sporting activities that you can engage in at home in a bid not only to enjoy but also to keep fit. Having a small treadmill or using sports apps could be ways to get around it. You do not want to emerge from your home unfit after the wave of Corona has subsided.

However, there are additional sporting activities that you could engage in at home during these tough times including the following:

Racket Games

There are a variety of racket games that you could partake in the comfort of your home with your loved ones. Games such as table tennis, squash, racquetball, and badminton are not only exciting sports but will also make you break a sweat. You also get a chance to connect with your family while keeping fit

Work-out

You do not need to have a gym or even just a small treadmill to work out. There are lots of work-out drills that can help you keep fit, especially now that most gyms have closed down with Corona. You might not have your gym instructor with you, but there are lots of credible online text and video guidance tutorials you could follow.

The simplest work-out drills that you can adopt include:

  • Lunges
  • Squats
  • Planks
  • Pushups

You could also purchase dumbbells to help you with free weight drills such as shoulder press and kickbacks. Getting some resistance bands could also come in handy to help you do some hip extensions, leg press, and essential pull-aparts.

Disc Games

Disc games such as Frisbee and Disc dog are another easy way to keep your body in great shape and also kill boredom. These games are exciting, help to relieve stress, and are an excellent way to bond with your family or pet dog. You can engage your dog or your family members by throwing a disc-shaped object to each other.

Should you have a spacious backyard, these games should be on your program. Corona should not be the reason to lose fitness.

Swimming

If you are lucky to have a home swimming pool, swimming is one of the most recommended sports to keep fit. Even better, the game is gratifying. It is a relaxing drill to help you burn those unwarranted calories that you might gain in the lockdown.

Moreover, swimming is a perfect massage drill that comes in handy to relieve you of joint strains. It also helps alleviate stress and kill bad moods.

Yard / Swimming Runs

You might be used to those mornings or evenings runs in the park, but with the Corona pandemic, the park is a no-go zone. If you have a large yard, you can still run around your yard. You could also take several laps around your swimming pool.

Yard or swimming pool runs combined with appropriate work-out drills will almost match your gym programs.

Weight Lifts

If you are lucky to have a home gym, weight-lifting is an excellent opportunity not only to keep fit but also to gain some muscles. Even better, with such at your disposal, you can participate in virtual weight lifting and bodybuilding competitions over the internet.

Tai Chi and Yoga

While social distancing at your home, you can explore ways to strengthen your mind and relieve stress. Tai Chi and Yoga come in handy to help you achieve such. They are the perfect ways to uplift your mental health.

It is true to say that sporting engagements are no longer as you knew them, but even in the constraints of your home, there is a lot you can do. If you love sports, don’t let Corona be the reason you give up. Keep fit and keep training at home.

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