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Fauci calls mental health a 'very important and difficult' part of pandemic
by: Monique Beals, The Hill via Nexstar Media Wire
Posted: Dec 30, 2021 / 09:57 AM EST
Updated: Dec 30, 2021 / 09:57 AM EST
(The Hill) – White House medical adviser Anthony Fauci on Thursday stressed the importance of mental health as the world prepares to enter the pandemic's third year.
"Mental health is a very important and difficult situation that we're dealing with right now," Fauci said in an interview on NewsNation's "Morning in America."
Fauci cited both "the health care providers who are stressed to the limit" and "children whose normal life as a child is often disrupted" as some of those who have been particularly impacted by the mental strain of COVID-19.
His remarks come as the omicron variant, first detected in South Africa last month, contribute to soaring case rates across the country.
"Mental health is a very, very important part of what's going on right now, and that's the reason why there are programs now that are specifically addressing that," he added. "The surgeon general, Dr. Vivek Murthy, has come out and spoken very explicitly about the importance of addressing the mental health issues that are associated with this pandemic."
Earlier this month, Murthy issued a public health advisory about the mental health challenges of young people, especially as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
"It would be a tragedy if we beat back one public health crisis only to allow another to grow in its place," Murthy said in the advisory's introduction.
"Mental health challenges in children, adolescents, and young adults are real, and they are widespread. But most importantly, they are treatable, and often preventable," he added.
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Mattel Inc. is expanding its push into China by partnering with parenting website Babytree to create an online learning platform for early childhood development. Founded in 2006, Babytree provides families in China a platform to learn and exchange ideas on early education, child development tracking and nutrition.
Reuters pointed out that the deal comes just a few days after Mattel announced it would be selling its products on Chinese eCommerce giant Alibaba Group Holding's online marketplace, Tmall. Mattel is the number one toymaker in the United States — some of its most popular products include Barbie and Hot Wheels — but the brand posted holiday sales well below estimates last month amid dwindling demand in North America and intense competition from companies like Hasbro.
"The multi-billion dollar toy category in China is highly fragmented, with tremendous potential for growth. Working with Alibaba, we see a terrific opportunity to develop and lead the category," Mattel Chief Executive Margo Georgiadis said in a statement.
The company will be working with Babytree to provide child development assessment tools and original parenting content and development curriculum based on Mattel's early childhood development brand, Fisher-Price. In addition, Mattel will also team up with Alibaba's A.I. Lab to create products for child development through interactive learning.


I like to spend the odd day working from the Airloom studio (in the Palms Lifestyle Centre), mostly because I get to meet so many amazing Airloom customers, like Xan and Pierrre Le Grange. They have bought many Airloom rugs in the past, and now needed a quick fix for the floor in their daughter, Gemma's, bedroom.
Q: What was your existing flooring and why did you feel you needed a change?
A: We had a light taupe coloured carpet in my daughter's room which was becoming increasingly difficult to keep clean – she is two and a half and we have a dog and cat.
Q: Two pets and a toddler... sounds like the perfect storm! How did you come across Airloom Flooring?
A: A good friend of mine who is an interior architect told me about Airloom, I went to your website and was immediately impressed with the super designs, colours, materials and sizes available for really reasonable prices.
Q: You chose Quick Fit ... tell us a bit about why you chose this product.
A: I chose the Quick Fit option for Gemma's room as it seemed like a really practical solution for a child's room. I was very pleased as the look is a very realistic, classic wood grain which won't date and the colour is a Warm Oak which is perfect for her small room as it is light and cool for summer but warm in winter. The feel and texture under foot is soft and comfortable for little and big feet and the product is so easy to clean by simply wiping a dirty spot or mopping regularly. The best part was that it was so quick and easy to install, but beyond all of this the price was so reasonable which made the decision a complete "no-brainer".
Q: Having gone through the process, what are your thoughts about the speed/ease of the installation? Are you happy with the outcome?
A: It is such a simple and quick process that I would easily recommend it to friends. I am used to carpet/ laminate installation taking 2-3 days at a minimum but with the Quick Fit it literally took the team about two hours from start to finish. The short time however did not mean that the job was not well done - they did a super job, super fast!
Xan has used the Cross Your Heart rug from Airloom's Printed Collection as a pop of colour on Gemma's floor.
Q: And lastly, what does Gemma think of her new floor?
A: Gemma is so pleased with her new floor it seems to completely outshine the fact that she has a new bed!
And here is the Le Grange family kitty! She has such beautiful fur, which thankfully doesn't get stuck in the Airloom Inside Out rugs which artfully adorn Xan's home.
"I have a number of Airloom rugs as well and couldn't be happier with them. Living in a busy household with a dog, cat and 2-year-old the rugs often have grubby marks on them and instead of having to have them professionally cleaned we can literally hose them down and leave them to dry – which they do in an afternoon.
"The house has now resulted in looking a little like the Airloom showroom I was also very pleased that I went to them to look at options for Gemma's room and have now tried another Airloom product – the Quick Fit, which is just fantastic. Our next project is to redo our bedroom floor and Airloom will be it!"


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