The first half of the year just ended. Sales Manager dashboards have been updated. The numbers could be better. The end result: Making the number for the full year is in jeopardy. ?How can I get current SMs to perform and get them involved?” the Sales VP asks…
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http://www.associationofmarketing.org/articles/view.php?article_id=14390
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During its 63rd session, the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) accepted all recommendations from the 42nd meeting of the WHO Expert Committee on Drug Dependence (ECDD). This effectively brings twelve psychoactive substances, including eleven New Psychoactive Substances (NPS) and one medicine, under international control. Given the potential for dependence or abuse and known adverse effects, these compounds pose a risk to public health and society and are largely without any therapeutic benefit.
Based on an in-depth review of candidate compounds by the ECDD, an independent group of experts in the field of drugs and medicines, the WHO provides annual recommendations on substance scheduling to the CND, a policy-making body comprised of 53 UN Member States. This ECDD review includes a balanced consideration of potential for abuse, dependence and harm with therapeutic value. The CND then votes on whether or not the WHO recommendations for placing reviewed substances under international control should be endorsed.
The 42nd ECDD recommendations included the addition of four synthetic cannabinoids and three synthetic stimulants to Schedule II of the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances given similar action and adverse effects to other substances in this Schedule. These synthetic cannabinoids have been associated with impaired mental status, impaired driving, and fatalities, whereas the included synthetic stimulants have been linked to fatal intoxication. Similarly, two fentanyl analogues, with their opioid-like effects, were brought under Schedule I control (strict control) of the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs given similar action and effects to other drugs in this Schedule. Two benzodiazepines including the medicine etizolam were brought under Schedule IV control of the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances, both of which have been implicated in fatal and non-fatal intoxication and impaired driving. A hallucinogen was also recommended to be brought under control, specifically to Schedule I of the Convention on Psychotropic Substances of 1971, based on abuse potential and non-fatal and fatal intoxication. This is the first hallucinogen to be reviewed in many years, suggesting a potential shift in drug trends. For more information on these recommendations, please review the 42nd ECDD meeting report. .
In addition, the ECDD conducted a pre-review of several Schedule III opioid preparations, some of which can be accessed as over-the-counter options, such as codeine-based cough syrups, to consider their abuse potential. The ECDD recommended a critical review be carried out at a later date.
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https://www.who.int/news-room/detail/18-03-2020-c-n-d-accepts-all-w-h-o-recommendations-from-42nd-e-c-d-d
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KUALA LUMPUR: A doctor has put Facebook to good use by sharing a quote to remind Malaysians to stay at home during the two-week movement control order period.
Dr Gee Teak Sheng, a consultant neurosurgeon from Pantai Hospital, Penang today shared a photo of him holding a paper with ‘I Stay At Work for You, You Stay at Home for Us’ written on it, and also added the hashtags #StayHome and #DudukRumah.
The post is a reminder to Malaysians that staying home not only curbs the spread of Covid-19 but lightens the burden of many medical experts during this crucial time.
The restriction orders all government and private premises be closed, except for those providing essential services.
It also highlights the sacrifices of those who deliver these services, in order to fight the virus and serve the country.
Gee’s post garnered 44,000 shares on Facebook and is also making waves on other social media platforms such as Twitter and Instagram.
People filled the post with encouragement and appreciation comments.
Tay Liang Hua, a Facebook user from Muar commented “Thank you Doctor Gee and your team of staff for the dedication. Appreciate your efforts to educate the public at this critical time.”
While on Twitter, @adaazam reposted the photo with the caption, “Please, please stay at home. Please support doctors and nurses. Please support this movement.”
Other than health and pharmacy, telecommunications, postal, transport, broadcasting, finance, and banking are among the services which will be available during the order that took effect today until the end of the month. – Bernama
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https://www.thesundaily.my/local/i-stay-at-work-for-you-you-stay-at-home-for-us-DA2147467
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KUALA LUMPUR: The authorities will take a soft approach in enforcing the restriction of movement nationwide to allow Malaysians to adapt to the changes in their daily routine.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Bador said today that while there are provisions under the Penal Code which empower police to act on those who defy orders and isolation rules, police would take a subtle approach in the early stages of the exercise.
He said in the two-week restriction of movement, police hope the people will play their role in strictly observing the law by self-imposing isolation without the need of police enforcement.
“This is not a curfew. It is just a move to control movement. If the laws are not being adhered to then we will first advise, then warn and finally action will be taken. We hope everyone will cooperate or else the whole purpose of this exercise will be defeated,” he said at a press conference at Bukit Aman, after attending a high-powered meeting in Putrajaya with the National Security Council, military and other agencies.
Abdul Hamid said those who plan interstate travel are required to notify the nearest police station of the purpose of their journey.
He said the traveller will need to have a valid and urgent purpose of making such a trip before police consider issuing an approval letter.
“This is to limit movement of people and to contain the spread of the virus. Please be responsible and not selfish. If there is no urgent need to travel then stay indoors. We seek your understanding in these difficult times. Do not make unnecessary travel or take family holidays.”
Abdul Hamid said random checks will be conducted by police on motorists travelling from state to state to ascertain if they had obtained the necessary travel permit from police.
Abdul Hamid said interstate travel would only be allowed for :
– the demise of a close family member
– the ill-health of a family member
– medical treatment for one’s self or family member
He said those who wish to seek approval for the travel for other reasons may discuss the matter with the officer-in-charge of station (OCS).
Those who fail to produce the travel document during police checks can face action under laws of the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 and Penal Code where the penalty is imprisonment up to two years or a fine or both.
He added that traffic police counters for settling traffic summonses will be closed during the two-week period until March 31.
He said those who intend to pay their fines urgently to renew their driving licence or road tax due to being blacklisted can do so online.
Abdul Hamid said if they are unable to pay fines online, they can seek the assistance of the district police chief or his deputy in their respective areas.
On another matter, Abdul Hamid said the police force is yet to have any positive cases of Covid-19.
However, he said seven senior police officers, 34 junior officers, two civilian staff and 11 of their family members have been placed in self-quarantine after being suspected of exposure to the virus.
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https://www.thesundaily.my/local/police-will-take-subtle-approach-in-enforcing-movement-control-order-updated-FC2141052
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Past psychology studies suggest that the human gaze can encode the intentions of humans as they perform everyday tasks, such as making a sandwich or a hot beverage. Similarly, human gaze has been found to enhance the performance of imitation learning methods, which allow robots to learn how to complete tasks by imitating human demonstrators.
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https://techxplore.com/news/2020-03-imitation-algorithms-human.html
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In a coordinated effort to combat the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic, the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have agreed to work closely to ensure the latest and most reliable information and tailored guidance reaches the global business community.
The COVID-19 pandemic is a global health and societal emergency that requires effective immediate action by governments, individuals and businesses. All businesses have a key role to play in minimising the likelihood of transmission and impact on society. Early, bold and effective action will reduce short- term risks to employees and long-term costs to businesses and the economy.
To aid this collective effort, ICC will regularly send updated advice to its network of over 45 million businesses so that businesses everywhere can take informed and effective action to protect their workers, customers and local communities and contribute to the production and distribution of essential supplies.
ICC will also contribute to enhancing information flows on the coronavirus outbreak by surveying its global private sector network to map the global business response. This will both encourage businesses to adopt appropriate precautionary approaches and generate new data and insights to support national and international government efforts.
As an immediate priority, businesses should be developing or updating, readying or implementing business continuity plans. Business continuity plans should aim to reduce transmission, including by: promoting understanding of the disease, its symptoms and appropriate behavior among employees; setting up a reporting system for any cases and contacts; preparing essentials; limiting travel and physical connectivity; and planning for measures such as teleworking when necessary.
Calls to Action
As the pandemic evolves, ICC Secretary General John W.H Denton AO and WHO Director General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus will continue to coordinate their efforts.
Essential information on the COVID-19 pandemic can be found on the WHO’s dedicated site.
.tmb-1200v.jpg?Culture=en&sfvrsn=84087804_6 "ICC-WHO Joint Statement: An unprecedented private sector call to action to tackle COVID-19 11")
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https://www.who.int/news-room/detail/16-03-2020-icc-who-joint-statement-an-unprecedented-private-sector-call-to-action-to-tackle-covid-19
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SINGAPORE: The new border restrictions on travellers including those from Asean do not include Singapore’s sea and land crossings with Malaysia, meaning Malaysians and Singaporeans can commute from both sides as usual.
Singapore’s Co-chair of the Multi-Ministry Taskforce on Covid-19, Lawrence Wong, said while the order applies to the whole of Asean, a separate arrangement has been worked out for Malaysia through the bilateral joint working group.
Special considerations have been put in for Malaysia because of the close proximity and high interdependency between both countries.
“We do need precautions to be taken, given the high volume of people and vehicles moving in and out of these checkpoints,” he said today when announcing the additional measures that Singapore would be taking on the Covid-19 situation starting midnight on Monday.
Effective March 16, 2020, 2359 hours, all travellers entering Singapore with recent travel history to Asean countries, Japan, Switzerland, or the United Kingdom within the last 14 days will be issued with a 14-day Stay-Home Notice (SHN).
Wong, who is also the National Development Minister, said that on land crossing alone 200,000 people move across the checkpoints daily and the imposition of a 14-day SHN requirement would be very difficult and very disruptive for both countries.
“So the 14-day requirement will not be practical for these travellers and we need to look at other precaution like checking their health. So discussions are ongoing between the two sides,” he said.
The latest travel order applies to Singapore residents, long-term pass holders, and short-term visitors as well but not those transiting in Singapore without leaving the transit area.
In addition, they will have to provide proof of the place where they will serve the 14-day SHN, for example a hotel booking covering the entire period, or a place of residence they or their family members own.
They may also be swabbed for testing for Covid-19, even if asymptomatic because of the risk of community transmission in the countries of their origin and evidence of cases that have been imported from these countries into Singapore.
In addition to the SHN requirement, from March 16, 2020, 2359 hours, all short-term visitors who are nationals of any Asean country will have to submit requisite information on their health to the Singapore Overseas Mission in the country they are resident before their intended date of travel.
The submission will have to be approved by Singapore’s Ministry of Health (MOH) before travel to Singapore, and the approval will be verified by the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers at the Singapore checkpoints.
Short-term visitors who arrive in Singapore without the necessary approval will be denied entry into Singapore and they are therefore advised to secure the approval before making definitive travel bookings. — Bernama
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https://www.thesundaily.my/local/malaysia-gets-special-consideration-in-singapore-s-new-travel-restrictions-BI2129074
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Vanguard offers tips for long-term investing success.
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https://investornews.vanguard/making-the-best-of-a-market-downturn/
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A measure to make Maryland the first state in the nation to tax companies like Facebook and Google for money they make from digital ads on the internet is making steps forward in the state’s legislature.
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https://techxplore.com/news/2020-03-tax-internet-ads-traction-maryland.html
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Broadband companies are making it easier and cheaper to work at home in the COVID-19 era.
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https://techxplore.com/news/2020-03-comcast-att-easing-broadband-at-home.html
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