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Today, creating memorable and effective user experiences adjusted to the target audience determines ultimately the success or failure of any web enterprise.

Consumers have millions of products to choose from. What separates the excellent from the mediocre comes down from the user experience.

The UX (user experience) design process starts by understanding the psychology of the user. It needs to effectively address the users desire to find the information quickly and convince him or her to come back.

The UI (user interface) layout should be designed to engage the audience, identifying the type of actions the user will take, whether its requesting more information, signing up for a service, or purchasing a product.

Thats when visuals, blocks of content, intuitive navigation, logical structure, call to action buttons, and other interactions will all come together.

UX and UI designers will start by keeping sight of businesses branding, marketing goals, and corporate strategy. They then put themselves in the users shoes, anticipating their motivators and turn-offs. Instead of making assumptions, by conducting user testing, surveys, and research on how people interact, it removes the guesswork and provides a starting point.

Consider also that consumer habits change. A website that left people satisfied two years ago, may now be less effective. Its interesting to check the latest trends in web design.

Tools likeFlowMapp,Stormboard,andWhimsicalcan help construct user flows, determining how a design needs to be structured to later building a wireframe and prototype. Lastly, usability testing is the final step before the project goes live.

The golden rule on UX, UI, and usability processes, is to keep users at the center.

Resource:UX design process: a simple (but complete) guide

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Analysis: UX / UI Will Determine the Success or Failure of Your Next Web Project - IBL News

The golden rule, Do unto others as you would have them do unto you, is a short phrase to guide us in all of our dealings with people. Everyone is better off.

There is, however, another golden rule that is less known: Those with the gold make the rules. Another short phrase that lately has led to fewer things for those without gold.

It seems that lately this phrase describes the actions of many of our elected officials AND their lobbyists.

Many of the present legislators are millionaires (the ones with the gold). Most laws passed, their rules, increases their gold holdings, taking money away from the real workers.

It is time to elect people who are not gold holders so the wealth is shared by those who are actually earning it, the forty-hour-per-week people.

Vote every chance that you get for the good of all. Vote gold-holding rule makers out of office.

VOTE.

Mark Thompson

Cusick, Wash.

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Out with the gold holders - The Spokesman-Review

Diversity: The Golden Rule of Retail

Can every person who works, shops or engages with your store's messaging see themselves represented, respected and comfortable?

As children, we all learned the Golden Rule: Do unto others as youd have them do unto you. In retail, that adage continues to be more relevant than ever. As our communities become increasingly diverse, its critical for our industry to evolve and adapt to create an inclusive, welcoming shopping experience for all customers. Most consumers prefer to buy and support local, so what are you doing to include EVERYONE?

Respect: It all starts with respect. It may sound simplistic, but treating people with the same level of respect you expect from others is the first step to creating an inclusive shopping experience. That respect permeates every aspect of your business and customer serviceeverything from treating each customer equally no matter who they are to making sure your store is welcoming and accessible for all. Is your store ADA accessible? If not, youre unintentionally telling physically challenged shoppers theyre not welcome, missing out on potential sales and alienating members of your community.

Inclusive To All: This leads to my next pointmake sure your business is inclusive to all, not just people who look and think like you. Does your advertising represent a wide swath of the population? Do you hire people based on how you look or how your entire trading area looks? Creating a brand that people can see themselves infrom advertising to employeeswill make it more likely they see themselves enjoying the products you sell, too.

Social Media: Another key component to building an inclusive brand is your social media. When posting images, be cognizant of diversityeven if youre simply using stock photos, try to make sure the people depicted on your social accounts represent people of a variety of ethnic backgrounds. And you likely post holiday greetings for Christmas and Independence Day, but do you also recognize Juneteenth, Rosh Hashanah or Ramadan? Creating posts marking holidays celebrated by other ethnic groups and religions is an easy way to let your community and customers know you care about inclusivity and respect the beliefs of all, even if you dont personally celebrate those days.

Speaking of holidays, we know that in recent years there have been questions raised about the cultural sensitivity of holidays such as Columbus Day that often coincide with retail sales. If you feel concerned about seeming insensitive but dont want to miss an opportunity when your competitors are having sales, perhaps change your approach. Rather than Columbus Day, make it a fall sale. You can still offer deals without unintentionally excluding potential customers.

Store Policies: Once youve identified changes to make and places to grow, the next step is incorporating these initiatives in your store policies. Putting a commitment to inclusivity and diversity in writing makes it easier to implement these changes and make sure your employees understand the company culture youre trying to cultivate. And should someone disregard or go against these policies, having a stated set of guidelines available allows you to hold employees accountable if they dont meet your expectations.

Integrity: Everyone with a homebe it a house, apartment, condo or mobile homeneeds furniture, which means everyone is your potential customer. And with consumers spending more time at home, the furniture industry is in a prime position to sell to everyone. Are you making everyone feel welcome? Are your ads inclusive? Are your employees diverse? Are your website and social posts showing diversity and inclusion? Can EVERYONE see themselves represented and at home in your store? Being able to answer these questions in the affirmative can mean the difference between growing your business and falling behind. Evolving with changing times not only demonstrates your business savvy, it also shows you are a person of integrity who understands the Golden Rule is more than just a saying.

About Ellen Gefen: Ellen Gefen is the co-owner of Gefen Marketing and Gefen Productions, a High Point-based full-service marketing and multimedia company in the home industries. She also founded TheHome.com, a consumer-facing home design and lifestyle site. As part of a multiracial, multicultural family, Gefen knows first-hand the challenges faced by many and is passionate about supporting movements that work to ensure equality for all. Questions or comments can be directed to her at ellen@gefenmarketing.com, or call her at 336.884.5020. Read other articles by Ellen Gefen

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Diversity: The Golden Rule of Retail - Furniture World Magazine

Who is our neighbor, and what effect do these words really have on our lives?

Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. There is a version of this Biblical quote, also known as the Golden Rule, in the sacred texts of every religious tradition. Love thy neighbor is a similar passage that also can be found, in some form, in religious writings all over the world.

But who is our neighbor, and what effect do these words really have on our lives?

Is our neighbor just the person who looks like us and thinks like us, those that we see regularly at work, in our families or in our religious institutions? Its easy to love those people, isnt it? Or, is our God, or Higher Power, or Great Spirit, calling us to take on the more difficult task of loving everyone, even those neighbors who look differently, or think differently, or speak a different language, or are from a different race or culture?

I remember some of the discomfort and controversy that arose when the rainbow flag started to become popular and we had conversations in our Houses of Worship about displaying it as a sign of being welcoming to the LGBTQ+ community. Many people didnt want to deal with their long-held prejudice, discomfort and beliefs that devalued the lives of our lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered neighbors. It made us uncomfortable to focus our attention on those people. Then we started to really listen to the stories of our LGBTQ+ family members, friends, neighbors and colleagues. We did not know how much discrimination, violence and hatred LGBTQ+ people faced on a regular basis. We realized that, in many ways, their lives were similar to our own and some of our fears were unfounded. We became more comfortable with seeing the rainbow flag, and with appreciating what LGBTQ+ people bring to our lives and our communities.

Now, we face a new challenge as we see a renewed Black Lives Matter movement and Black Lives Matter signs appearing throughout our communities. We have to face the facts that our Black and brown-skinned neighbors have suffered horrific violence and prejudice in our society. We are now being asked to deal with our own prejudices and the racial hatred that has been passed down to all of us in our society. It is scary and uncomfortable, as it always is, whenever we are asked to look deeply within and make some changes in ourselves and our lives.

Yet, if we are truly to love our neighbor and do unto others, it is beyond time for all of us to listen to the stories and the lives of our Black and brown neighbors. It is beyond time for us to stand with Black and brown-skinned people who have been oppressed and mistreated to proclaim that Black Lives DO Matter. It is our religious calling to do so. It is what is required of us as people of any faith tradition.

The Rev. Arthur Lavoie is the minister of First Parish in Plymouth, Unitarian Universalist.

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SPIRITUALLY SPEAKING: It is our religious calling - News - Wicked Local Kingston

The Queenloves a cup of English breakfast tea.

Her Majesty has been sipping away at the traditional drink at most royal events, including at the famous Buckingham Palace garden parties, official luncheons, and other engagements.

Like most Brits, the royal monarch probably has a specific way she likes to drink it. From how much milk you add to how strong you make it, there are many factors that will go into making a good cuppa.

Although we can't ask Her Majesty personally, the Queen's favorite tea brand might just be the next best thing.

Twinings, the brand that holds an official royal warrant, told Town and Country that in order to make the perfect cup, you must allow the water to boil and then leave it over your tea bag for exactly four minutes.

"In tea, color is not flavor," the brand's director, Stephen Twinings, told the publication.

The British royal family's former butler has also weighed in on how to make the perfect cup of tea.

Grant Harrold, former butler to Prince Charles, said the golden rule is making sure to add milk after the water not before.

There's also a specific way to stir the tea, according to Harrold.

"Stir back and forth never use a circular motion, and never touch the sides," Harrold wrote on Twitter.

Read more:

The Queen saw a new portrait of herself unveiled virtually, and she even made a joke about the painting's empty teacup

I took a 'quarantine etiquette' class with the royal family's former butler, and it completely changed my lockdown experience

Queen Elizabeth will become the first British monarch to reign for 25,000 days

Our Royal Insider Facebook group is the best place for up-to-date news and announcements about the British royal family, direct from Insider's royal reporters. Join here.

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How to make a cup of tea that the Queen would approve of, according to Her Majesty's favorite brand - Insider - INSIDER

All humans desire happiness at some level. It is a natural inborn desire that motivates most of our actions on a daily basis. We seek to do things that provide happiness while avoiding those things that bring suffering.

However, what often happens is that we seek a momentary happiness that only lasts for a short time. This happiness is fleeting and leaves us just as fast as it comes.

The key to lasting happiness is to find peace, a peace we cannot grasp, but a peace that comes from God.

Fr. Francis Xavier Lasance explains the three areas of our lives where we need to establish peace in his early 20th-century book My Prayer Book.

All desire happiness. But peace brings happiness.It is a threefold peace, that is accompanied by heavenly happiness; peace with God, peace with ones neighbor, and peace with oneself.

Lasance then explains how to achieve peace in these three areas.

Peace with God means union with God, perfect conformity of ones own will with the divine will, the state of grace, the joy of a good conscience, which surpasses every joy on earth.

Peace with ones neighbor means the exercise of fraternal charity, the observance of the golden rule, do unto others as you would that they should do unto you, the avoidance of contention, the patient endurance of others faults, the forgiveness of injuries, the joy of unselfish, disinterested well-doing.

Peace with oneself means the victory over self, the mastery of ones passions and emotions, self-poise, self-control, and the sweet joy of the consciousness of duty well done done with the best motive and the purest intention Perfect self-mastery is the grand achievement of the humble follower of Christ.

If you are struggling with peace in your life, evaluate each of these three areas and see where you are lacking.If we are honest with ourselves, we likely have room for improvement in all three areas, but for right now, we should choose one area to improve before moving on to a different area.

This is the peace the saints possessed, a peace that led to a supernatural happiness on earth, but more importantly, an eternal happiness that never ends.

Above all things, Fr. Lasance suggests that there is one principle that we should focus on if we want any kind of lasting happiness, Much more, however, does our peace depend upon our trust in God, submission to His holy will, and perfect confidence in His providence.

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Why the key to happiness is spiritual peace - Aleteia IT

Lessons from the pandemic

While we are dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, there is another major crisis looming in the near future: climate change. Behind the pandemic news headlines there are frequent reports of the ever-growing impacts of climate change. Most notably, the continued record-breaking heat waves throughout the world.

Many corporations as well as some states and cities are taking heed and adopting policies on their own to reduce their carbon footprint. Yet again, what is absent is national leadership. Our current president dismisses climate change for the benefit of the fossil fuel industry.

We surely can learn from the COVID-19 pandemic that it is important to listen to science, and science has warned us that we must act now to prevent the more serious consequences of climate change. Just like not wearing face coverings during the pandemic, if we do not significantly reduce carbon emissions, things will get out of hand quickly.

We need our national elected leaders to not just focus on todays economy, but also look out for the future welfare of our grandchildren and to build a new economy based on green energy. We need effective actions like adopting a carbon fee and dividend program, a free market approach to wean us off our dependence on fossil fuels. Its time to clear the air.

James Stormer, Ocala

Protect the energy sector

Thanks to the leadership of President Trump, the United States is no longer dependent on oil imports from the Middle East. Last year the U.S. became a net petroleum exporter for the first time since records were kept in 1973. That protects us from the volatility of other petroleum-producing countries and creates jobs and commerce for millions of people. Yet the radical left wants to decimate fossil-fuel production with the Green New Deal, setting us back to the Stone Age.

We need fighters in Washington who will protect our nations energy sector. Thats why Im voting for Gavin Rollins for Floridas Third Congressional District. Rollins will push back against the socialists and protect and support Trump.

Rollins is an Army Reserve lieutenant and a staunch defender of the Second Amendment.

Ross W. Cowen, U.S. Navy Reserve veteran, Silver Springs

Empty slogans

If racism is so prevalent, how come we have such a large number of well-educated minorities occupying powerful positions all across this great country?

Slavery was a horrible thing and a black mark on any nation where it was tolerated, and it never should have happened. However, that is not the fault of Americans now living. Our generations now were not slave owners, nor were any present Americans slaves. If poverty, a poor education or perceived racism is an excuse for not succeeding, why do we have millions of Americans black, white, Latino and Asian who are wealthy because they rose above?

"White privilege" and "racism" are empty slogans dutifully echoed by leftist lemmings who have been indoctrinated with liberalism, Marxism, globalism and communistic ideals, as well as a false sense of entitlement. Destruction of everything sacred to this country is their goal, and America is buckling to their demands. Congress and the Senate are more interested in their re-election and bank accounts than the country.

History is not being taught in our schools, discipline and the Golden Rule are nonexistent, and brainwashing of our children has instilled in them a disrespect for our country.

Brutality, inequality and discrimination should never be tolerated by any society. God, country, and law and order must be restored. Misconduct by everyone must be called out and punished wherever it exists.

If anyone thinks America is so bad, we wish they would leave, but first give up their citizenship so they cannot return.

We are 87 and 89 years old and have voted independently all our lives, but were very afraid for our country. If you organize a march, we will be there with our walkers along with thousands of others to save America and stop the anarchy.

Colleen and Ernest Lord, Ocala

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Letters to the editor for Aug. 7, 2020 - Opinion - Ocala.com - Ocala

I have been sitting here eating at a local restaurant watching folks give lip service to the mask mandate.

The bartender who is wearing a mask is serving people who took off their masks as soon as they sat down. She is at times about 3 feet from them. Per ordinance people can take off masks to eat. I guess they assume looking at the menu and ordering falls under eating. One guy who is neither eating nor drinking is engaged in conversation with her in between playing on his phone.

Outside half the people are walking around with no masks in sight.

Social distancing is expected but not required. Thus, a family group can theoretically walk closely by others while coughing and sneezing and this is acceptable.

A call to the Aiken Department of Public Safety verified that this was perfectly OK as long as people put on masks before entering a restaurant (or store). Once seated in a restaurant they could take off masks. I guess the health of waiters is of no consequence. The mask mandate is a joke.

We are supposed to wear masks to protect others in case we are asymptomatic and unaware. We do not wear them to protect ourselves from others. Only hospital-grade masks are proven to protect us from others.

It would seem the golden rule should apply, or at least Southern hospitality. Neither are present today in an otherwise lovely downtown Aiken.

Seth Quick

Aiken

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Letter: Not a mask in sight | Opinions and Editorials - Aiken Standard

Source: interactive investor.Past performance is not a guide to future performance.

I have a potentially complete five waves in at least two degrees of scale on the Elliott Wave picture. That is a clear indication that a major turn approaches and any upside from here is extremely limited. A downside correction could quickly shave at least 10-15% off the value, with bigger corrections possible.

My best guess is that if it can breach the $350 support in the days and weeks ahead, the Corona Crash low at $200 will be within sight. In any case, taking major profits here would be prudent.

Bullish investors who may be carried away by their supreme confidence should remember the Golden Rule of investing to prosper, Buy Low and Sell High. The Sell High part is usually the most difficult to achieve emotionally.

For more information about Tramline Traders, or to take a three-week free trial, go towww.tramlinetraders.com.

John Burfordis the author of the definitive text on his trading method,Tramline Trading. He is also a freelance contributor and not a direct employee of interactive investor.

These articles are provided for information purposes only. Occasionally, an opinion about whether to buy or sell a specific investment may be provided by third parties. The content is not intended to be a personal recommendation to buy or sell any financial instrument or product, or to adopt any investment strategy as it is not provided based on an assessment of your investing knowledge and experience, your financial situation or your investment objectives. The value of your investments, and the income derived from them, may go down as well as up. You may not get back all the money that you invest. The investments referred to in this article may not be suitable for all investors, and if in doubt, an investor should seek advice from a qualified investment adviser.

Full performance can be found on the company or index summary page on the interactive investor website. Simply click on the company's or index name highlighted in the article.

Disclosure

We use a combination of fundamental and technical analysis in forming our view as to the valuation and prospects of an investment. Where relevant we have set out those particular matters we think are important in the above article, but further detail can be foundhere.

Please note that our article on this investment should not be considered to be a regular publication.

Details of all recommendations issued by ii during the previous 12-month period can be foundhere.

ii adheres to a strict code of conduct. Contributors may hold shares or have other interests in companies included in these portfolios, which could create a conflict of interests. Contributors intending to write about any financial instruments in which they have an interest are required to disclose such interest to ii and in the article itself. ii will at all times consider whether such interest impairs the objectivity of the recommendation.

In addition, individuals involved in the production of investment articles are subject to a personal account dealing restriction, which prevents them from placing a transaction in the specified instrument(s) for a period before and for five working days after such publication. This is to avoid personal interests conflicting with the interests of the recipients of those investment articles.

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Chart of the week: has Apple finally reached its peak? - Interactive Investor

Those recommendations arent about politics. They arent reactions to a nanny state. They arent about political correctness.

They are just good, plain common sense and good manners.

In recent weeks, the now-former president of the North Dakota Grain Growers Association showed why those kinds of recommendations are important when youre on social media. Dennis Haugen went on an unprovoked, uncouth and completely unnecessary tirade against someone on Facebook whom he doesnt even know personally. He ended up resigning his post and later his association with the Grain Growers board when the post was revealed. He indicated his resignation was to protect the Grain Growers.

Little late for that. The damage had already been done, not just to the North Dakota Grain Growers Association but to agriculture as a whole.

People associated with agriculture make up only a tiny slice of the general population. Because of that, we already have the deck stacked against us as far as perception goes. Many in non-ag populations view farmers and ranchers as uneducated, unsophisticated and backwards, something we certainly know to be untrue. But Haugens ranting just took us all down with him.

We need agricultural leaders who amplify our voices and lift us up, not drag us down. We need people who know how to disagree without being disagreeable, who do not put on condescending tones to those with whom they dont see eye-to-eye. Otherwise, we all get tarred with the same rude brush.

Dan Wogsland, NDGGA executive director, said his organization hasnt previously had issues with social media but now will plan training on the subject. And while thats a good idea for all organizations, and not just at the time of a crisis, this isnt just about social media etiquette. Its about knowing when to stop talking or typing and just keep your peace.

Side note on the controversy: The person to whom Haugen wrote his little diatribe was discussing issues with anxiety. If were going to address mental health in any sort of real way in this industry, it would be helpful if people didnt go out of their way to make someone feel worse when theyre honest about their issues.

We live in a free country. But, as everyone should have learned in elementary school, freedom of speech does not mean freedom from consequences for your speech. If youre going to run your mouth, or your keyboard, youd better take into consideration how it will be perceived. And when youre in a leadership position in agriculture, youd better take into consideration how it makes agriculture look.

Online or offline, if youre faced with the decision of whether or not to put in your two cents, maybe the best advice is to just follow the Golden Rule: Treat others the way you would want to be treated. No one wants to be cursed at and disrespected, so dont inflict that on other people, regardless of whether you disagree with their views.

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Ill-advised rant gives all of ag a black eye - AG Week

Yorkshire has a lot going for it, from the countryside to the fantastic range of restaurants, shops and of course the nightlife - we all know it's god's own county for a reason.

But if you're not from round ere', there are a few things you should avoid saying about Yorkshire or to anyone can proudly say they're from here.

If you say or do any of these 10 things, expect to be given a lecture on why you're actions are very wrong...

We had to start with the golden rule about tea. It has to be Yorkshire Tea.

We've very little time for any other brands - and while Tetley originated right here in the county, if you're going to offer a native Yorkshireman or woman a brew - make it Yorkshire eh! Just to be sure.

First of all, Yorkshire's accents are too diverse - Bradford, Hull, Leeds and Sheffield folk all sound very different - so don't generalise.

Also, when most people mimic the accent, they get it horribly wrong.

If you start to mimic a Yorkshire person's accent, you should fully expect them to mimic yours, too.

It'll be taken as a sign of disrespect.

In fairness, why do people actually serve roast dinner, especially when it's roast beef, without a Yorkshire pudding?

And just so we're clear, homemade is the only way to go.

It's just common courtesy, isn't it?

Especially on those absolutely boiling hot days, bus drivers have it tough. We rely on them to get us from A to B and unlike London buses, they're always on time. Well, that might be an exaggeration.

While it's not so common to thank the bus driver down south, you'll be considered rude if you don't when you're on our buses so learn fast!

Both festivals literally host the exact same artist, same stages, same food stalls, same beer stands - they really are mirror images of each other.

But obviously, Leeds Festival is better than Reading.

Reading is a great city, full of history which we can all appreciate - but who goes to a music festival for the culture? Unlike Leeds, Reading festival is held in the city and has a curfew.

Up here, we put our fest in a field in the middle of nowhere and let the madness commence!

Why would you want a dry plate of chips anyway?

People outside of Yorkshire actually find it strange that we put gravy or curry sauce on our chips and we just don't get why.

In our opinion, they are just afraid to try it.

Please, just stop it.

We don't all own flat caps and walk in fields with our whippets hunting for badgers.

Not that there's anything wrong with flat caps - it's just become somewhat of a stereotype.

Even if this is geographically true in some way, you are still wrong for suggesting this and will get an earful if you say this to someone from Yorkshire.

Whilst Sheffield might look to be in the midlands, if you want to be that guy who gets the map out and shows why we're factually incorrect, Yorkshire folk are proud northerners.

Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire is in the midlands - that, we can agree on.

Yorkshire? In the North, my son.

"I don't understand why people are so fascinated by him, he's an average actor".

First off, you're wrong. And secondly, Sean Bean is an outright legend.

His accent is outrageously Yorkshire and he retains it in all his best performances - even when he's playing a warrior, battling in Middle Earth and speaking to elves, dwarfs and hobbits in The Lord of the Rings, or when he's discussing CIA tactics with Robert De Niro in Ronin - that accent still shines through.

You would be hard-pressed to find an actor more proud to be from his county than Sean Bean is with being a Yorkshireman.

No, Notts County is not the oldest football club of all-time - that would be our very own Sheffield FC!

The club has officially been recognised by FIFA as the world's first football club and in 2004 they were given theFIFA Order of Merit an award given to only one other club - Real Madrid. Not bad company, we'd say!

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10 surefire ways to annoy someone from Yorkshire - Yorkshire Live

As we all know, wearing face masks in public spaces is now mandatory in Malaysia.

This is a great policy that is going to keep us all much safer from the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes Covid-19, not to mention all other airborne viruses that can make us sick.

Given the amount of misinformation and confusing statements from international health bodies, particularly regarding the use of face masks, we are quite lucky that efforts to curb the spread of Covid-19 in Malaysia is generally going well.

But the road to the end of this pandemic is far from over, so now is not the time to be complacent about wearing your face masks in public.

Evidence is piling up that face masks do help prevent the spread of Covid-19, especially when you are in close proximity to an infected person without symptoms, i.e. who is asymptomatic.

Thus, the more consistent we are in wearing face masks, the better.

By and large, countries that implemented a stricter mask-wearing policy have fared better a study that examined Covid-19 death rates across 198 countries, found that those with government policies that favoured mask-wearing had lower death rates.

Show me the proof

One convincing body of scientific evidence is from lab research on respiratory droplets and the ability of various types of face masks to block them out.

One study used speeded-up video to observe the droplets.

They found that hundreds of droplets between 20 to 500m in size were produced just by uttering a simple phrase.

However, nearly all of the droplets were blocked when the mouth was covered by a damp washcloth.

Another experiment involved patients with influenza or the common cold.

They found that wearing a surgical face mask significantly reduced the amount of these respiratory viruses transmitted in droplets and aerosols.

But real-world scenarios are where we can witness the strongest evidence that face masks are really effective.

A recent study published in the journal Health Affairs, compared the growth rate of Covid-19 before and after face masks became required in 15 American states and the District of Columbia.

The required face mask use was found to be directly responsible for a slowdown in the daily Covid-19 growth rate, which became more significant over time.

In the first five days after a face mask mandate, the daily growth rate slowed by 0.9 percentage points.

At the three-week mark, the daily growth rate had slowed by up to two percentage points.

Face mask FAQs

Here are four frequently asked questions (FAQs) about face masks, and their answers:

Does the type of face mask I wear matter?

The short and concise answer to this question is yes.

By wearing the right type of face mask, you minimise your risk as much as possible.

But there are other considerations to take into account, such as supply of face masks, comfort, utility, etc.

Healthcare professionals are always required to don surgical face masks at work, while office workers have the additional option of buying reusable cloth masks with a pocket for replaceable filters.

Since the pandemic started, weve seen many other types of face mask designs as well.

However, not all are meant for daily use or are effective in keeping away viruses.

The Japanese Pitta mask, which is made from a spongy-looking polyurethane material, is smart and stylish, but has been found to be ineffective against tiny airborne particles.

There are also face masks with air valves attached, but these only protect the wearer from outside particles.

When the wearer exhales, they are still emitting unfiltered particles that escape into the air, putting those around them at risk of infection if they are infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

As for N95 respirators, they are only necessary in medical situations such as intubation.

That being said, a general rule of thumb is that some coverage is still better than none at all.

Even if a face mask is not 100% effective, you are still preventing some risk by covering your nose and mouth.

Is wearing a mask meant to protect myself or to protect others?

The best benefit of a face mask is to prevent people who have Covid-19 from passing it to other people.

If you are not infected, you still benefit from wearing a face mask as it is effective as source control.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) defines source control as preventing the transmission of infection through a persons respiratory secretions, which are produced when speaking, coughing or sneezing.

Face masks can prevent larger expelled droplets from evaporating into smaller droplets that can travel farther.

What percentage of the population needs to wear face masks in order to significantly reduce transmission?

Ideally, it should be 100%, but that seems unlikely to be achievable due to various factors.

In one simulation, researchers predicted that 80% of the population wearing face masks would help to reduce the spread just as effectively as a strict lockdown.

In Malaysia, we have been able to avoid large numbers of casualties because most people voluntarily wore face masks in public, practised physical distancing (previously called social distancing) and other preventive measures.

Do I still need to wear a face mask if Im already practising physical distancing?

The three golden rules of this pandemic to help keep Covid-19 at bay are: wash your hands, watch your distance and wear a mask.

Compared to wearing a face mask, cleaning your mobile phone or washing your groceries for example, are just distractors.

There isnt much evidence that contaminated surfaces, i.e. fomites, are a major source of SARS-CoV-2 viral transmission, but there is plenty of evidence for transmission through inhaled droplets.

Even if you are practising physical distancing, you should still wear a face mask when you go out, even if it is just for a short walk around the neighbourhood.

Respiratory droplets spread like the aerosol spray in this filepic when we talk, sing, sneeze or cough.

Best practices

Face masks are most likely to lessen the spread of Covid-19 when they are widely used by people in public settings.

Face masks should always be worn in public, especially around people who dont live in your household, and when other physical-distancing measures are difficult to maintain.

Remember to always wash your hands with soap and water before touching a face mask.

Ensure that a face mask does not have any holes or tears before putting it on.

Always determine which side is the top and which is the front of the mask first, so that you wear it properly and do not need to adjust it after putting it on.

If the face mask has ear loops, hold the mask by the loops and put the loops around each ear.

If the face mask has ties, bring it to your nose and secure the ties around your head before adjusting the nose wire.

If the face mask has bands, hold the mask to your nose and pull the bottom strap over your head so that it rests at the nape of your neck and the top strap over the crown of your head.

Once in position, secure the mask over your mouth and chin.

When removing your face mask, do not touch the front of the mask. Remove it using the loops or ties.

If you do touch the front of the mask, wash or sanitise your hands immediately afterwards.

If you run out of face masks or forget to bring one along with you, a bandanna or towel can act as a temporary substitute.

The only people who should not wear a face mask are children under the age of two, anyone with trouble breathing or anyone with disabilities who may endanger themselves by wearing a face mask.

These people should instead avoid going out as much as possible in order to help minimise their risk of getting infected.

Face masks are a critical preventive measure and are absolutely necessary when physical distancing is difficult.

As we are not out of the woods yet when it comes to this pandemic, we should still be diligent about wearing our face masks.

If a face mask is unavailable or cannot be used, take other measures to reduce the risk of Covid-19 infection, such as physical distancing, frequent handwashing and cleaning frequently-touched surfaces.

Datuk Dr Nor Ashikin Mokhtar is a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist, and a functional medicine practitioner. For further information, email starhealth@thestar.com.my. The information provided is for educational and communication purposes only and it should not be construed as personal medical advice. Information published in this article is not intended to replace, supplant or augment a consultation with a health professional regarding the readers own medical care. The Star does not give any warranty on accuracy, completeness, functionality, usefulness or other assurances as to the content appearing in this column. The Star disclaims all responsibility for any losses, damage to property or personal injury suffered directly or indirectly from reliance on such information.

See original here:

How to wear a face mask: Tips, facts and FAQ - The Star Online

COVID-19 and fear

Fear is an effective tool for controlling people. Parents use it to control children. Preachers use it to scare hell out of parishioners. Politicians use it to scare voters away from their opponents. Kings, Hitler and Stalin have used it for control.

Rom Emanuels Never let a good crisis go to waste keeps running around in my mind. Is COVID-19 being exploited? Are devious groups containing the virus in aerosol containers and spraying it on crowds to keep the virus active in the U.S.? No one is that evil. No one?

My understanding is that viruses evolve/mutate over time. I believe COVID-19 didnt appear instantly in a bat near Wuhan. I believe it evolved/mutated over time from previous viruses in bats within cool, moist caves with stale air. Would the antithesis (warmth, sunlight, dry, fresh air) be a prevention or cure? Seems like it has potential. So people in places such as Arizona in the summer have no worry? A look at their lifestyle indicates they might have worry. They live in air-conditioned homes, drive air-conditioned cars, drive to air-conditioned buildings to work and shop! All the while the virus could circulate within the cool, dark air-conditioning systems.

Is fear of COVID-19 being used by some to control/manipulate the decision people will make during the presidential election?

My research indicates that SARS-CoV-2 is approximately 0.1 micron in diameter. N95 masks used by medical personnel are designed to remove more than 95% of particles that are at least 0.3 microns in diameter. How effective are masks made from regular fabric or scarves? What if the nose is not covered? Can the virus enter the body through the eyes, the nose, the mouth, cuts/abrasions in skin? Droplets fall to the ground rapidly, aerosols linger.

If homemade masks are insufficient to ward off the coronavirus, why mandate the wearing of a mask? Conditioning the public to accept orders from government? What is really in store for our future? Who knows what evil lurks in the minds of some.

Fear, the downfall of many.

Dennis Carr

Loveland

There was a time in our nations past when most people tried hard to honor the Golden Rule: Treat others as you want others to treat you. The Golden Rule is one of the fundamental pillars of the universal natural law that governs all human existence. Basically, the natural law is: Do good. Avoid evil. If all humans obeyed the natural law, we would be in a genuine paradise.

There is no hope that we will ever be able to fully obey the natural law. But it is extremely distressing when groups of people deliberately thumb their noses at the Golden Rule. The rule keeps humans civilized.

During COVID, face coverings are both a tool and expression of the Golden Rule. When you refuse to wear a mask if you dont have a health reason you are saying that you are the only person on earth who matters. Everybody else is worthless and expendable. Maybe youre thinking that if someone dies of COVID because of you, Oh well, everybodys going to die of something. Im just playing my part in the Darwinian big picture.

Wrong. When you refuse to wear a mask, youre just a lousy citizen. Period.

Glenn Troester

Loveland

Read more here:

Lettere: COVID-19 and fear; masks and citizenship - Loveland Reporter-Herald

American businessman James Cash Penney (1875 - 1971), owner of the JC Penney chain of retail stores, ... [+] points to a picture of his first store, Golden Rule, in Kemmerer, Wyoming, during the celebration of his 86th birthday, New York, New York, September 15, 1961. (Photo by Pictorial Parade/Getty Images)

Whenever I covered JCPenney JCP in my analyst days, I spoke about the companys humble beginnings in Kemmerer, Wyoming. Thats where the founder, James Cash Penney, opened his first store called The Golden Rule in 1902.

The company was later renamed the JCPenney Company, but for many years management continued to hand out little colored balls with the name Golden Rule (Do unto others as you would have them do unto you) engraved on it.

When it was still known as The Golden Rule Company, the company flourished because each store manager seeded the next store in the growing chain and helped the new fledgling store get off to a strong start. Of course, the store manager who supervised the new store shared in the profits of that enterprise and was motivated to keep that chain expansion going.

That original 8,000-square-foot store is located about 100 miles northwest of Salt Lake City and was known as the mother store of the chain. Initially, the store was a dry goods store that carried notions, fabrics, and some ladies fashion. But, the world has moved on from those days, and the town, with its 4,000 residents, will see this store be auctioned off. According to Business Insider, an auction will be conducted on September 14 and 15.

It is interesting to note that headquarters was moved to Salt Lake City in 1909 because it was closer to railroads and banks. In 1913, stores were consolidated under the JCPenney name, and in 1914, the company opened its headquarters in New York City. In 1992, the company moved to Plano, Texas.

Now, the 118-year-old company is fighting for its life. It declared bankruptcy on May 15. Management is shrinking the size of the company and trying to cobble together an agreement with financial institutions. More than 80,000 associates are awaiting a court order that will determine whether the company will survive and they will still have jobs. What a change from 2011 when the company had its best year: sales hit $17.6 billion and it employed 156,000 associates (almost twice the number facing an uncertain future today).

JCPenneys history is a glorious one I respect. Some leaders were great, others were destructive. But, is the department store model that once served JCPenney so well now an albatross that will no longer be the driving force of retailing? I think the coronavirus pandemic has changed the industry a lot, and we will shop differently in the future. I look to Jill Soltau, JCPenneys CEO, to drive the enterprise forward successfully.I hope that the sale of the first store is not the beginning of the end.

Continued here:

JCPenney Selling Its Original Store Is A Tough Break With The Past - Forbes

Big Brother: All Starscomes to CBS this Wednesday, August 5th at 9/8c. The 22nd season of the worldwide phenomenon comes with a special twist as all 16 houseguests will be returning players unveiled during the premiere. Julie Chen Moonves returns as host for this unique season that saw the houseguests spend weeks in isolation before entering the house due to the coronavirus.

CBS Matt Weiss spoke to Chen Moonves ahead of the shows premiere to discuss the new season, the new house and answer the question, are you smarter than a fifth grader?

MW: First of all, how have you been holding up the last couple monthswith quarantine.Howhaveyou been doing?

JCM:Well,how much timedoyou have, Matt? [Laughs] In a nutshell, home schooling and my 87-year-old mom, who was on March 1st going to test out living with us for about three weeks because of my father, who was 89, unexpectedly passed away.

So, its like, mom do you really want to live alone? That testturned into five months.She just left like three weeks ago to go back to her retirementcommunity,where God bless,shes enjoying it. But it was a little bit of craziness we were all learning how to handle that.

With the home schooling I went from being a Tiger Mom tobeinglike, hey Troy, do you want to watchTiger King with me and dad for a midnight showing? Luckily,he wasnt interested.That being said,I did hear him singingthe CarolBaskin song one day and I said things have got to change.Im building back structure.Im going back to work.Im putting a structure in. Were slowly pulling it together. [Laughs]

MW: A learning experience for everyone.

JCM:Hes a rising 5th grader and hesstarting school in a couple of weeks. I realized how not tech savvy I am. Doyou remember that show are you smarter thana 5thgrader?Turns out Im not even assmart as afourth grader.Im going back to Big Brother where I know how to do what I do.

MW: [Laughs] Speaking ofBig Brother,this will be a season like never before.What can fans expect from this all-new season?

JCM:Yougottathink about it.Big Brother, weve been on for 20 years, this is our 22nd season.Anyone who doesnt know the concept of the show,you basically take six strangers lock them into a house and they have to coexist for up to three months.Each week voting out one of their own,while theyre all competing with one another,only one person takeshomethe half $1,000,000 grand prize.We were the originalquarantine!

Whats different this season are two main things because of the pandemic, we brought in former Big Brother houseguests, anAll-Star cast. Were bringing back eight of the most memorable women and eight of the mostmemorablemen for various reasons.We have past winners, past people who almost got the half $1,000,000 but didnt, people who came in 11th place but due to circumstancesgot bouncedtoo early; they all have something to prove.

We had to bring in these 16 houseguests to our area of Los Angeles, whether we had to fly them across the country or some alreadylivein the area, then put them up in homes by themselves for weeks. During that time we weretesting them on a regular basis to make sure they donthave the virus so that we canput them into the Big Brother house.Once we threw all these 16 past houseguests in that Big Brother house might bethe safesthousein the world! Once they go in they dont have any contact with the outside world.

There are no camera operators inside the house.All the camera operators are on the other side of the glass or were using cameras that are locked down in various corners and walls. The good news is we were kind of designed to do a show duringquarantine.Itsgoing to look exactly like how you saw it last year.Its not going to look like aZoom showbecause its not.

MW: A bunch of people locked up in a house for three months, the show is more relatable than ever!

JCM: Exactly, we were ahead of our time, weve been doing this for 20 years, we are the original quarantine. We joke but when it comes to this season and taking precautions were not taking anything lightly.

MW: Great timing as well to be able to provide some normalcy for fans of the show to see something new yet familiar.

JCM:I think that its going to be a nice break.We could all use a little bit of a break from all the drama but not stick our heads in the sand to whats happening out in the world.Thesehouseguests,Im sure,theyre going to talk about what thequarantinehas done to their families.Alot of these returning houseguests went in single when they first did it and now some of them are married, some have children, theres a lot to offer there.

I think its going to be perfect break we kindofneed,without ignoring the reality of the world were living in right now.Heres the hope, the hope is whether youre a returning Big Brother fan or youre new to it youre going towatchthis andlearn,cant we all get along?We all want the same thing.We all want to be safe.We all want a vaccine.We all want to be working.What can we do?What smallthing canwe eachdo,small or big to help get to that common goal we all want.We all want to be heard.We all want to be respected.How about we all start by practicing the Golden Rule; treat others the way you want to be treated.

MW: Absolutely! I think the last few months have really shown people whats important and allowed folks to examine themselves.

JCM:Its pretty simple. I have to tell you, we should all take this time just to lean intoGod. Im telling you whatever behavior have, you have to think for a second, now is God looking down at me and being like yeah thats whoI created you to be,thats how you should behave. I learn my lessons all the time like when I lose my patience with my 10-year-old, I have to remind myself patience is a virtue; this is not who God created me to be. I just need to [deep breath].

MW:I couldnt agree more. Circling back to Big Brother and some changes that needed to be made for this season. Were there any major changes you had to make as the host?

JCM: Weve had to do a lot of things.Everyone has had to take tests before returning to work and we all have to be masked but when you see me on TVbroadcasting,I wont be wearing a mask.Each week when someone getsevicted, they wont be shaking my hand wewill be keeping a distance.

If you were to pull the cameras wide and see you know everyone who works on the show,theyre all wearing a mask.No live audience this season for obvious reasons, but if youre a long-time fan of the show, we didnt have a live audience from season two to I think like season seven or eight.

I really feel safe about going back to work and happy about it.Weve taken the precautions and yet its going to be not only a safe environment but a fun environment for people at home to watch.

MW: And when people are watching in their homes theyll be looking at a brand new Big Brother house, the reveal came out online earlier this week and it looks incredible. Where does this house stack up to you all-time in Big Brother history?

JCM: Well this is the first year Ive never gone into the house.Usually I bring cameras into a house tour,but for obvious reasons I did not.I got a tour throughZoom and I was blown away.This house celebrates some of the most memorable moments and former houseguests in the history of the show. Twenty years and 21seasons, plus the two celebrity runs and one version that was just online.Whether youre new to the show or youveonlywatchedthe last few seasons,or youve been there since season one, youre going to see the history.

I told Scott Storey, who has been doing the house and the show maybe since season two or maybe sinceseason1, I said Scott you have to submit for an Emmy this year, it looks so good.I never wantitto change again. Lets make it amuseum, letsadd more memorable houseguests.

MW: And now last question before I let you go, what message do you have for fans heading into season 22 on Wednesday night?

JCM: So this is what I always think about Big Brother, its fun butyetits very real life. When youre watching it, youreprobably not going to love everyone that you see in the house.Hopefully you can find outthis one facet of that person,whereyou have compassion for thatperson,or you relate to that person.Lets all watched this summer and have a good time, but lets also learn,lets not be so quick to judge one another and lets try and give everyone in our world,in our life,and these houseguests,if youre watching them,the benefit of the doubt.

I think its important for everyone to remember if you communicate in a respectful gentle manner you will get far in the Big Brother house and in life.Treat others with respect.If you dont agree with someone we should respectfully and peacefully agree to disagree. Lets bring forward the better sides of all of us.I gotwartsandflaws;we all do.Letsallput our best foot forward.

MW: Very poignant advice for everyone out there. Thank you so much for the time today Julie, always a pleasure speaking with you. All the best with the new season and with the home schooling!

JCM: God bless you, stay safe. Thank you Matt!

Tune in the all-new premiere of Big Brother: All Stars Wednesday night at 9/8c, only on CBS and streaming on CBS All Access. Check your local listings for more information.

More here:

Julie Chen Moonves On The Season Premiere Of Big Brother: All Stars: Its Fun But Yet Its Very Real - CBS Las Vegas

ST. LOUIS Mark Rice missed his own funeral.

But his family believes it was his way of having one last laugh with them.

The 65-year-old was one of 10 siblings with a huge sense of humor, according to his family.

Thats why they are able to laugh at what started out as an emotional moment that ended in a new friendship and a restoration of faith for some.

Mark Rice died after a long battle with a heart condition. As his brother, Bishop Edward Rice, puts it: He had a bad heart, but he had a good heart.

Bishop Rice, who presides over the Cape Girardeau/Springfield Diocese, discovered his car had been stolen Monday from the parking lot of the Drury Inn at Forest Park. The window on the car parked next to his was shattered. But his was gone.

It was a Ford Edge, which, it's a nice car, but it's not like it's a Trans-Am or something, you know? Bishop Rice said.

In it were his vestments, a crozier dating to 1948 that Archbishop Robert Carlson gave him when he was installed, his cross, suit, his collar.

He had kept his brothers urn in his backseat, planning to bring it to the funeral mass at St. John the Baptist Church in south St. Louis.

He borrowed St. Louis Bishop Mark Rivitusos vestments and other traditional Catholic garb for the service.

Everything I used was borrowed, nothing was mine because I didnt have it, I lost all that in the car, he said. But we had to have the Mass because everybody was coming. So we had the mass without him.

My brother didn't make his own funeral.

He kept his composure through the service, but the bishop admits, he was worried.

I thought, We have to get through this, but in the back of my mind at the Mass I was thinking, Oh my gosh, we have to find my brother.

Three of the bishops brothers served as St. Louis police officers one of them, Leo Rice, is still in service.

So, he knew who to call to report his car had been stolen.

And, he knew who to pray to.

When I said grace at lunchtime, I began: 'St. Anthony, St. Anthony, please look around, something's lost, and they all knew it was my brother Mark, and he can't be found,' Bishop Rice said.

Then, at about 5:30 p.m., the bishop believes the patron saint of lost things answered his prayer.

Thats when Gennifer Bell called Bishop Rice's brother's daughter, Lori.

When I called, Lori answered and I was like, Well, this is going to sound really weird, and she kind of took the words right out of my mouth, Bell said. She was like, Did you find an urn?' I was like, Yeah,' and she's like, That's my dad. We had his funeral today. I'm like, Well, I got his body. He's in good hands.

Bell said she took her 5-month-old babys diaper to the trash when she first spotted a cardboard box outside a dumpster in her north St. Louis neighborhood.

She opened it, and found the navy blue urn with a gold embossed design on it.

At first, she said she thought it was a vase and showed it to her neighbor.

I'm like, You want a vase? and my friend was like, That's not a vase, that that's an urn, she recalled.

She found Mark Rices daughters name on the box and started searching for her online. Some of her friends and family helped her search, and they shared the message on Facebook.

She also had errands to run as she waited to connect with the family.

So, she took Mark Rices remains with her around north St. Louis.

She also shared her favorite drink with him.

I poured out a shot of Tequila for him just because you never know who the person was, so you know, treat them like family, If Im going to take a drink, you could have a shot too, thats the least I can do, she said.

Leo Rice met Bell and the friends and family Monday who helped her find the Rice family online.

Leo Rice cried on her shoulder.

It was very emotional for him, she said. It just felt so good to know that we made their day.

Leo Rice and his cousin, a retired St. Louis police officer, Matthew Madden, shared memories of Mark Rice with Bell and her family.

Turns out, the family grew up in north St. Louis.

For him to get on one more ride in north St. Louis, hes in his glory, said Detective Leo Rice.

Leo Rice said he's planning to remain friends with Bell and her family a friendship he acknowledges likely never would have happened. He is used to responding only to calls for help in Bells neighborhood, where crime is high and police rarely meet people because they are doing the right thing.

I definitely think that we made a new family because I have Lori texts me pictures of him, and they told us a lot about him and apparently he's the life of the party, Bell said. He was really loved by a lot of people and just to have him back made their day and they said that he was a joker and he likes to play a lot of jokes.

I said, Well, he really got you guys this time wherever he is. He's looking and laughing his butt off, like, I did it one last time.

Leo Rice and Bell plan to get together again soon. He wants to bring her some gift cards and other things to thank her. Her uncle was a police officer, so hes going to help her research his history. And he's helping one of the men who helped her find the Rice family get a job.

Weve made a friendship out of it, Leo Rice said. She could have just let the urn sit there, she didnt have to do all the Facebook and Googling she did to find my nieces name on the box.

The bishop calls Bell a Good Samaritan a character in the Bible who helped a beaten and helpless traveler when he didnt have to and who had been ignored by others.

I said, Lord, what do You want me to learn from this and there are two thoughts that came to mind: No. 1, to be detached, you know, all these things can be replaced. The car can be replaced, even the items, the things that I use as a bishop, the miter the crozier, they're not valuable financially, but they're valuable symbolically. If I get them back, I do. If I don't, I don't. And the second thing is, I have my health. I have my faith. All is good. I have my brother, and that's the main thing. Everything else is incidental.

Gennifer Bell said she was only doing what she hopes someone would do for her family if it happened to her.

I cant make this story up. Its just mind-boggling how it happened. I guess he was just placed in our life or whatever. Its just something I would want somebody to do for me if I was in that situation or if my family was in that situation. Its only right.

For many faiths, that's known as the Golden Rule.

Original post:

The bishop and the urn: How a St. Louis woman restored a family's faith after their car, brother's remains were stolen - KSDK.com

Principle of treating others as oneself would wish to be treated, found in many religions and cultures

The Golden Rule is the principle of treating others as you want to be treated. It is a maxim that is found in many religions and cultures.[1] It can be considered an ethic of reciprocity in some religions, although different religions treat it differently.

The maxim may appear as a positive or negative injunction governing conduct:

The idea dates at least to the early Confucian times (551479 BC), according to Rushworth Kidder, who identifies that this concept appears prominently in Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Judaism, Taoism, Zoroastrianism, and "the rest of the world's major religions".[2] 143 leaders of the world's major faiths endorsed the Golden Rule as part of the 1993 "Declaration Toward a Global Ethic".[3][4] According to Greg M. Epstein, it is "a concept that essentially no religion misses entirely", but belief in God is not necessary to endorse it.[5] Simon Blackburn also states that the Golden Rule can be "found in some form in almost every ethical tradition".[6]

The term "Golden Rule", or "Golden law", began to be used widely in the early 17th century in Britain by Anglican theologians and preachers;[7] the earliest known usage is that of Anglicans Charles Gibbon and Thomas Jackson in 1604.[1][8]

Possibly the earliest affirmation of the maxim of reciprocity, reflecting the ancient Egyptian goddess Ma'at, appears in the story of The Eloquent Peasant, which dates to the Middle Kingdom (c. 20401650 BC): "Now this is the command: Do to the doer to make him do."[9][10] This proverb embodies the do ut des principle.[11] A Late Period (c. 664323 BC) papyrus contains an early negative affirmation of the Golden Rule: "That which you hate to be done to you, do not do to another."[12]

In Mahbhrata, the ancient epic of India, there is a discourse in which sage Brihaspati tells the king Yudhishthira the following

One should never do something to others that one would regard as an injury to one's own self. In brief, this is dharma. Anything else is succumbing to desire.

Mahbhrata 13.114.8 (Critical edition)

The Mahbhrata is usually dated to the period between 400 BC and 400 AD.[13][14]

In Chapter 32 in the Part on Virtue of the Tirukkua (c. 1st century BC), Valluvar says: "Do not do to others what you know has hurt yourself" (kural 316); "Why does one hurt others knowing what it is to be hurt?" (kural 318). He furthermore opined that it is the determination of the spotless (virtuous) not to do evil, even in return, to those who have cherished enmity and done them evil (kural 312). The (proper) punishment to those who have done evil (to you), is to put them to shame by showing them kindness, in return and to forget both the evil and the good done on both sides (kural 314).

The Golden Rule in its prohibitive (negative) form was a common principle in ancient Greek philosophy. Examples of the general concept include:

The Pahlavi Texts of Zoroastrianism (c. 300 BC1000 AD) were an early source for the Golden Rule: "That nature alone is good which refrains from doing to another whatsoever is not good for itself." Dadisten-I-dinik, 94,5, and "Whatever is disagreeable to yourself do not do unto others." Shayast-na-Shayast 13:29[19]

Seneca the Younger (c. 4 BC65 AD), a practitioner of Stoicism (c. 300 BC200 AD) expressed the Golden Rule in his essay regarding the treatment of slaves: "Treat your inferior as you would wish your superior to treat you."[20]

According to Simon Blackburn, the Golden Rule "can be found in some form in almost every ethical tradition".[21]

A rule of altruistic reciprocity was stated positively in a well-known Torah verse (Hebrew: ):

You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against your kinsfolk. Love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD.

Hillel the Elder (c. 110 BC 10 AD),[22] used this verse as a most important message of the Torah for his teachings. Once, he was challenged by a gentile who asked to be converted under the condition that the Torah be explained to him while he stood on one foot. Hillel accepted him as a candidate for conversion to Judaism but, drawing on Leviticus 19:18, briefed the man:

What is hateful to you, do not do to your fellow: this is the whole Torah; the rest is the explanation; go and learn.

Hillel recognized brotherly love as the fundamental principle of Jewish ethics. Rabbi Akiva agreed and suggested that the principle of love must have its foundation in Genesis chapter 1, which teaches that all men are the offspring of Adam, who was made in the image of God (Sifra, edoshim, iv.; Yer. Ned. ix. 41c; Genesis Rabba 24).[23] According to Jewish rabbinic literature, the first man Adam represents the unity of mankind. This is echoed in the modern preamble of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.[24][25] And it is also taught, that Adam is last in order according to the evolutionary character of God's creation:[23]

Why was only a single specimen of man created first? To teach us that he who destroys a single soul destroys a whole world and that he who saves a single soul saves a whole world; furthermore, so no race or class may claim a nobler ancestry, saying, 'Our father was born first'; and, finally, to give testimony to the greatness of the Lord, who caused the wonderful diversity of mankind to emanate from one type. And why was Adam created last of all beings? To teach him humility; for if he be overbearing, let him remember that the little fly preceded him in the order of creation.[23]

The Jewish Publication Society's edition of Leviticus states:

Thou shalt not hate thy brother, in thy heart; thou shalt surely rebuke thy neighbour, and not bear sin because of him. 18 Thou shalt not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD.[26]

This Torah verse represents one of several versions of the Golden Rule, which itself appears in various forms, positive and negative. It is the earliest written version of that concept in a positive form.[27]

At the turn of the eras, the Jewish rabbis were discussing the scope of the meaning of Leviticus 19:18 and 19:34 extensively:

The stranger who resides with you shall be to you as one of your citizens; you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I the LORD am your God.

Commentators summed up foreigners (= Samaritans), proselytes (= 'strangers who resides with you') (Rabbi Akiva, bQuid 75b) or Jews (Rabbi Gamaliel, yKet 3, 1; 27a) to the scope of the meaning.

On the verse, "Love your fellow as yourself", the classic commentator Rashi quotes from Torat Kohanim, an early Midrashic text regarding the famous dictum of Rabbi Akiva: "Love your fellow as yourself Rabbi Akiva says this is a great principle of the Torah."[28]

Israel's postal service quoted from the previous Leviticus verse when it commemorated the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on a 1958 postage stamp.[29]

The "Golden Rule" of Leviticus 19:18 was quoted by Jesus of Nazareth (Matthew 7:12; see also Luke 6:31) and described by him as the second great commandment. The common English phrasing is "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you". A similar form of the phrase appeared in a Catholic catechism around 1567 (certainly in the reprint of 1583).[30]The Golden Rule is stated positively numerous times in the Old Testament: Leviticus 19:18 ("Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD."; see also Great Commandment) and Leviticus 19:34 ("But treat them just as you treat your own citizens. Love foreigners as you love yourselves, because you were foreigners one time in Egypt. I am the Lord your God.").

The Old Testament Deuterocanonical books of Tobit and Sirach, accepted as part of the Scriptural canon by Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodoxy, and the Non-Chalcedonian Churches, express a negative form of the golden rule:

"Do to no one what you yourself dislike."

Tobit 4:15

"Recognize that your neighbor feels as you do, and keep in mind your own dislikes."

Sirach 31:15

Two passages in the New Testament quote Jesus of Nazareth espousing the positive form of the Golden rule:

Do to others what you want them to do to you. This is the meaning of the law of Moses and the teaching of the prophets.

And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.

A similar passage, a parallel to the Great Commandment, is Luke 10:25-28

Behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tested him, saying, "Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?"

He said to him, "What is written in the law? How do you read it?"

He answered, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind; and love your neighbor as yourself."

He said to him, "You have answered correctly. Do this, and you will live."

The passage in the book of Luke then continues with Jesus answering the question, "Who is my neighbor?", by telling the parable of the Good Samaritan, which John Wesley enterprets as meaning that "your neighbor" is anyone in need.[31]

Jesus' teaching goes beyond the negative formulation of not doing what one would not like done to themselves, to the positive formulation of actively doing good to another that, if the situations were reversed, one would desire that the other would do for them. This formulation, as indicated in the parable of the Good Samaritan, emphasizes the needs for positive action that brings benefit to another, not simply restraining oneself from negative activities that hurt another.[32]

In one passage of the New Testament, Paul the Apostle refers to the golden rule:

For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

St. Paul also comments on the golden rule in the book of Romans:

The commandments, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet, and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: Love your neighbor as yourself. Romans 13:8-9 (NIV).

The Arabian peninsula was known to not practice the golden rule prior to the advent of Islam. According to Th. Emil Homerin: "Pre-Islamic Arabs regarded the survival of the tribe, as most essential and to be ensured by the ancient rite of blood vengeance."[33] Homerin goes on to say:

Similar examples of the golden rule are found in the hadith of the prophet Muhammad. The hadith recount what the prophet is believed to have said and done, and traditionally Muslims regard the hadith as second to only the Qur'an as a guide to correct belief and action.[34]

From the hadith, the collected oral and written accounts of Muhammad and his teachings during his lifetime:

A Bedouin came to the prophet, grabbed the stirrup of his camel and said: O the messenger of God! Teach me something to go to heaven with it. Prophet said: "As you would have people do to you, do to them; and what you dislike to be done to you, don't do to them. Now let the stirrup go!" [This maxim is enough for you; go and act in accordance with it!]"

None of you [truly] believes until he wishes for his brother what he wishes for himself.

Seek for mankind that of which you are desirous for yourself, that you may be a believer.

That which you want for yourself, seek for mankind.[36]

The most righteous person is the one who consents for other people what he consents for himself, and who dislikes for them what he dislikes for himself.[36]

Ali ibn Abi Talib (4th Caliph in Sunni Islam, and first Imam in Shia Islam) says:

O' my child, make yourself the measure (for dealings) between you and others. Thus, you should desire for others what you desire for yourself and hate for others what you hate for yourself. Do not oppress as you do not like to be oppressed. Do good to others as you would like good to be done to you. Regard bad for yourself whatever you regard bad for others. Accept that (treatment) from others which you would like others to accept from you... Do not say to others what you do not like to be said to you.

The writings of the Bah' Faith encourages everyone to treat others as they would treat themselves and even prefer others over oneself:

O SON OF MAN! Deny not My servant should he ask anything from thee, for his face is My face; be then abashed before Me.

Blessed is he who preferreth his brother before himself.

And if thine eyes be turned towards justice, choose thou for thy neighbour that which thou choosest for thyself.

Ascribe not to any soul that which thou wouldst not have ascribed to thee, and say not that which thou doest not.

One should never do that to another which one regards as injurious to ones own self. This, in brief, is the rule of dharma. Other behavior is due to selfish desires.

By making dharma your main focus, treat others as you treat yourself[47]

Also,

If the entire Dharma can be said in a few words, then it isthat which is unfavorable to us, do not do that to others.

Buddha (Siddhartha Gautama, c. 623543 BC)[48][49] made this principle one of the cornerstones of his ethics in the 6th century BC. It occurs in many places and in many forms throughout the Tripitaka.

Comparing oneself to others in such terms as "Just as I am so are they, just as they are so am I," he should neither kill nor cause others to kill.

One who, while himself seeking happiness, oppresses with violence other beings who also desire happiness, will not attain happiness hereafter.

Hurt not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful.

Putting oneself in the place of another, one should not kill nor cause another to kill.[50]

The Golden Rule is paramount in the Jainist philosophy and can be seen in the doctrines of Ahimsa and Karma. As part of the prohibition of causing any living beings to suffer, Jainism forbids inflicting upon others what is harmful to oneself.

The following quotation from the Acaranga Sutra sums up the philosophy of Jainism:

Nothing which breathes, which exists, which lives, or which has essence or potential of life, should be destroyed or ruled over, or subjugated, or harmed, or denied of its essence or potential.In support of this Truth, I ask you a question "Is sorrow or pain desirable to you?" If you say "yes it is", it would be a lie. If you say, "No, It is not" you will be expressing the truth. Just as sorrow or pain is not desirable to you, so it is to all which breathe, exist, live or have any essence of life. To you and all, it is undesirable, and painful, and repugnant.[51]

A man should wander about treating all creatures as he himself would be treated.

In happiness and suffering, in joy and grief, we should regard all creatures as we regard our own self.

Lord Mahavira, 24th Tirthankara

Saman Suttam of Jinendra Varni[52] gives further insight into this precept:-

Just as pain is not agreeable to you, it is so with others. Knowing this principle of equality treat other with respect and compassion.

Suman Suttam, verse 150

Killing a living being is killing one's own self; showing compassion to a living being is showing compassion to oneself. He who desires his own good, should avoid causing any harm to a living being.

Suman Suttam, verse 151

Precious like jewels are the minds of all. To hurt them is not at all good. If thou desirest thy Beloved, then hurt thou not anyone's heart.

Guru Arjan Dev Ji 259, Guru Granth Sahib

The same idea is also presented in V.12 and VI.30 of the Analects (c. 500 BC), which can be found in the online Chinese Text Project. The phraseology differs from the Christian version of the Golden Rule. It does not presume to do anything unto others, but merely to avoid doing what would be harmful. It does not preclude doing good deeds and taking moral positions.

The sage has no interest of his own, but takes the interests of the people as his own. He is kind to the kind; he is also kind to the unkind: for Virtue is kind. He is faithful to the faithful; he is also faithful to the unfaithful: for Virtue is faithful.

Regard your neighbor's gain as your own gain, and your neighbor's loss as your own loss.

If people regarded other peoples states in the same way that they regard their own, who then would incite their own state to attack that of another? For one would do for others as one would do for oneself. If people regarded other peoples cities in the same way that they regard their own, who then would incite their own city to attack that of another? For one would do for others as one would do for oneself. If people regarded other peoples families in the same way that they regard their own, who then would incite their own family to attack that of another? For one would do for others as one would do for oneself. And so if states and cities do not attack one another and families do not wreak havoc upon and steal from one another, would this be a harm to the world or a benefit? Of course one must say it is a benefit to the world.

Mozi regarded the golden rule as a corollary to the cardinal virtue of impartiality, and encouraged egalitarianism and selflessness in relationships.

Do not do unto others whatever is injurious to yourself. Shayast-na-Shayast 13.29

Here ye these words and heed them well, the words of Dea, thy Mother Goddess, "I command thee thus, O children of the Earth, that that which ye deem harmful unto thyself, the very same shall ye be forbidden from doing unto another, for violence and hatred give rise to the same. My command is thus, that ye shall return all violence and hatred with peacefulness and love, for my Law is love unto all things. Only through love shall ye have peace; yea and verily, only peace and love will cure the world, and subdue all evil."

The Way to Happiness expresses the Golden Rule both in its negative/prohibitive form and in its positive form. The negative/prohibitive form is expressed in Precept 19 as:

19. Try not to do things to others that you would not like them to do to you.

The positive form is expressed in Precept 20 as:

20. Try to treat others as you would want them to treat you.

One who is going to take a pointed stick to pinch a baby bird should first try it on himself to feel how it hurts.

Yoruba Proverb

See more here:

Golden Rule - Wikipedia

The Golden Rule is the ethical principle of treating other people as one's self would prefer to be treated. One of Jesus' most famous and impactful teachings, the Golden Rule can be found in the Bible verses Matthew 7:12 and Luke 6:31:

So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. Matthew 7:12

Do to others as you would have them do to you. Luke 6:31

A simple notion about the ethical treatment of others that was profound in its origin and resonates through the ages.

"Golden Rule" is not explicitly found in Scripture, this became the popular way of referring to the words of Jesus in Matthew 7:12 and Luke 6:31. In summary, the Golden Rule encompasses the empathic essence of morality. It is a simple yet powerful way of saying that we should recognize the respective dignity of our fellow man and not forget we all are capable of inflicting immoral actions. This is vital in following the commandments of God and creating a more virtuous world.

Jesus declares, "Do to others as you would have them do to you." With regard to the Old Testament, two main points prevail. Matthew's reference presents the Golden Rule as encapsulating the teachings of the law and the prophets. Matthew 7:12 reads, "So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets." Second, even though the Golden Rule addresses human interpersonal relationships, its message is additionally theological. That is, the very character of God guides how we should interact and relate to one another.

We are to follow and exercise the Golden Rule because God's heavenly wisdom teaches self-control, and his virtue teaches kindness. This proverb is appropriately called the Golden Rule, for it encompasses in its few words the underlying and guiding principle of all morality. It comprises all the rules of the law with regard to man and all the amplification of those precepts given by the prophets. It instructs us to put ourselves in our neighbor's place, and guide our behavior accordingly. It assumes, of course, that when we put ourselves in our neighbor's place, we are wise enough not to make any foolish wishes and good enough not to make any evil ones. The Golden Rule was a vital emphasis on empathy and the reciprocity of morality.

The Golden Rule has inspired several subsequent sayings and ethical declarations since its revelation by Jesus. Listed below are some examples of such inspirations:

Put yourself in their shoes - Another call to empathy and understanding anothers situation and point of view, this phrase calls upon us to picture ourselves as our fellow human and recognize the sovereignty and emotions of each individual.

Do not do unto others as you would not want done to you. - Also known as the Silver Rule, this inversion of the Golden Rule reminds us to not do what we would prefer not to happen to ourselves. Essentially this is the negative version of the Golden Rule.

Act only in accordance with that maxim through which you can at the same time will that it become a universal law." - Kants Categorical Imperative is the primary philosophical concept in the moral philosophy of Immanuel Kant. This imperative basically dictates to follow the rules that apply to everyone. In other words, Dont create rules for yourself that you wouldnt apply to others.

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What is the Golden Rule? - Biblical Meaning, Importance ...

The crushing news this week for fans of the rookie series High Fidelity, starring Zo Kravitz, that Hulu pulled the plug on the show after just one season was a crushing blow. And that included the series cast, as featured by Kravitz in a touching Instagram tribute to the series, adapted from the novel by Nick Hornby that was itself previously adapted into a 2000 film starring John Cusack.

I wanna give a shout out to my #highfidelity family. Thank you for all the love and heart you put into this show. Im in awe of all of you. And thank you to everyone who watched, loved and supported us, she said in the Instagram post (below), to which actress Tessa Thompson responded, I will miss you alllllllllllll so much. Kravitz commented back sarcastically, Its cool. At least Hulu has a ton of other shows starring women of color we can watch. Oh wait.

While Hulu does have a Black Stories page dedicated to Black content, the majority does not consist of Hulu originals with Black female leads.

Other celebrities and creators chimed in on the Instagram post to express their sympathies over the shows (for many) premature cancelation.

NOOOOOOO!!! I rarely find shows that genuinely impress me. This one did. I told you how much I loved this show. And I still do. This one definitely deserved another season, Lena Waithe said. Waithe has made a career out of putting Black women front and center, from The Chi to Twenties and beyond.

WHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAAATTTTTTT!!!?????????!!!!!!!!!!!??? Why do I always find out about tragic shit this way?! Questlove said.

Rob was robbed. This show was so heartwarming and captured the voice of (dare I say) a generation so acutely. Yall wrote the hell out of it. Im sad to not discover what happens next! But grateful for all the melancholic joy it gave, Moses Sumney said.

A poignant and funny romantic comedy about a charming record shop owner (Kravitz) unlucky in life and love, High Fidelity was canceled on August 5, a week after the announcement of the Primetime Emmy nominations. High Fidelity didnt earn any nods, but the series, which debuted on Valentines Day, did receive four Black Reel Award nominations this year.

Stream High Fidelity on Hulu

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See When the Ladies Broke the Golden Family Rule - News Lagoon

We have yet another big week in the golf world, with the PGA Championship being played at Harding Park.

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PGA Championship Odds, Picks & Promotions: Bet $20, Win $100 if Brooks Koepka Makes a Birdie on Sunday - The Action Network