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Princess Sofia of Sweden Is Fighting COVID-19 as a Medical Assistant


Princess Sofia of Sweden is temporarily trading in her tiara for scrubs amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The Swedish royal (who married Prince Carl Philip in 2015) announced on Instagram on Thursday, April 16, that she’d gone through training and started working as a medical assistant at Sophiahemmet hospital in Stockholm to help in the fight against COVID-19. As you can see below, her ID card simply reads “Sofia.” The princess is also the honorary chairperson of the hospital.

“I am now placed in one of the hospital’s care departments, where together with other newly trained colleagues, I support and relieve the health care staff with different tasks,” Princess Sofia wrote on Instagram, explaining that her tasks will include cleaning and caring for patients.

“To have the opportunity to help in this difficult time is extremely rewarding,” she concluded. “Thanks!”

So how did she get this job? Well, an emergency program allows 80 people a week to take a three-day course at Sophiahemmet University College to learn how to support medical staff. According to a hospital spokesperson, the volunteers “can disinfect equipment, do shifts in the kitchen, and clean.”

Although the Sophiahemmet hospital has no confirmed coronavirus cases, it’s reportedly overwhelmed due to COVID-19. In a statement on Wednesday, April 15, the royal court said, “In the crisis we find ourselves in, the Princess wants to get involved and make a contribution as a voluntary worker to relieve the large workload of health care professionals.”

Princess Sofia of Sweden with assistant nurse Anna Kyhlstedt during Princess Sofia’s first day at work at Sophiahemmet hospital in Stockholm

Getty Images

Earlier this month, Miss England 2019, Bhasha Mukherjee, returned to work as a junior doctor at the Pilgrim Hospital in Boston, England. “When you are doing all this humanitarian work abroad, you’re still expected to put the crown on, get ready…look pretty,” she told CNN at the time. “I wanted to come back home. I wanted to come and go straight to work.”

As news about the novel coronavirus pandemic rapidly evolves, Glamour is committed to bringing our readers accurate and up-to-date information. As a result, information in this story and others like it may be updated. For the most recent news about COVID-19, please visit the CDC, WHO, and your state’s Department of Health.



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Coronavirus: Newborn Babies at a Thai Hospital Are Being Given Tiny Face Shields to Protect Them from COVID-19


LILLIAN SUWANRUMPHA/Getty Images

Naturally, as the images made their way across the internet, they stirred up a lot of emotions. “So cute and so unbelievably sad. What a world to be born into. Meanwhile, in the UK not even frontline NHS staff can get face shields,” one person tweeted.

“This is sad. And also? The cutest thing ever,” Busy Phillips wrote.

Per Yahoo News UK, Thailand had a total of 2,473 cases of COVID-19 and 33 people had died from the coronavirus as of April 10. According to the New York Times, the U.S. has almost 500,000 reported cases and over 18,000 deaths.

There is still a lot that is unknown about COVID-19’s effect on pregnant women and newborns. “We do not currently know if pregnant people have a greater chance of getting sick from COVID-19 than the general public nor whether they are more likely to have serious illness as a result,” the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) says on their website. “Based on available information, pregnant people seem to have the same risk as adults who are not pregnant.” The CDC also notes that pregnant women’s bodies are going through changes that may put them at a higher risk for some infections and illnesses caused by viruses.

Once again, we must ask you to stay home as much as possible, practice social-distancing and help to flatten the curve.



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Miss England 2019 Is Giving Up Her Crown to Fight COVID-19 as a Doctor


Miss England 2019 is hanging up her crown (for now) to focus on the coronavirus pandemic.

Bhasha Mukherjee, 24, was a junior doctor specializing in respiratory medicine before competing in the Miss World pageant on behalf of England in December 2019. Although continuing her work at the Pilgrim Hospital in Boston, Lincolnshire, after taking home her Miss England sash, she had planned to put her medical career on hold to travel the world for various humanitarian efforts after her latest competition. However, four weeks into her ambassadorship in India on behalf of Coventry Mercia Lions Club, where she donated stationery to schools and gave money to a home for abandoned girls, news broke that COVID-19 was spreading rapidly back home in the United Kingdom.

After Mukherjee started receiving messages from former colleagues about the worsening situation at her hospital, she knew she had to pick up where she had left off. She told CNN she felt she needed to be more hands-on during the pandemic. “When you are doing all this humanitarian work abroad, you’re still expected to put the crown on, get ready…look pretty,” she said. “I wanted to come back home. I wanted to come and go straight to work.”

“I felt a sense of, This is what I’d got this degree for and what better time to be part of this particular sector than now?” she said. “It was incredible the way the whole world was celebrating all key workers, and I wanted to be one of those, and I knew I could help.”

On April 5, Queen Elizabeth II made a rare address to the British public, thanking health care and essential workers for their tireless effort responding to COVID-19.

“I want to thank everyone on the NHS front line, as well as care workers and those carrying out essential roles who selflessly continue their day-to-day duties outside the home in support of us all,” she said. “I’m sure the nation will join me in ensuring you that what you do is appreciated and every hour of your hard work brings us closer to a return to more normal times.”

The queen finished her speech with a hopeful message. “We can take comfort that while we may have more still to endure, better days will return,” she said. “We will be with our friends again. We will be with our families again. We will meet again.”

On Wednesday, April 6, Mukherjee returned to England but still has to self-isolate for about two weeks before she can return to work as a doctor at the Pilgrim Hospital, where it’s all hands on deck, according to the pageant queen.

“There’s no better time for me to be Miss England and helping England at a time of need,” she said.



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16 Brands Giving Back to Fight COVID-19: Everlane, Universal Standard, and More


As we continue to social distance to slow the spread of COVID-19, you’re probably logging more screen time than you ever thought possible. Whether you’re falling into TikTok challenge rabbit holes or hosting virtual happy hours, the main medium to keep us entertained and connected right now is the internet. While essential workers are on the front lines of the global health crisis, risking their lives to provide medical care and groceries, unemployment is rising rapidly and people are struggling to make rent or feed their families.

If you’re still getting paid and able to work from home, you might be wondering how to help those in need, and apart from donating directly to organizations like #GetMePPE or Heart to Heart International, one way is to put your dollars toward brands giving back. Whether you’re shopping for home improvement items or stocking up on sweatpants, you can use your buying power for good right now. We rounded up 16 brands donating to charitable organizations to combat the effects of the coronavirus, so read on for retail therapy that will make a positive impact.

Everlane

Send a positive message with Everlane’s 100% Human collection. All proceeds are going to Feeding America’s COVID-19 Response Fund, which provides supplies to food banks across the country.

Purple Carrot

Through May, plant-based meal delivery service Purple Carrot will donate a portion of sales to Feeding America. So if you’re looking for a reason to go vegan, this is it.

Entireworld

The apparel brand known for elevated basics is donating 10% of sales April 2-5 to Doctors Without Borders, an independent humanitarian movement putting medical resources toward helping the most vulnerable communities fight the pandemic. If you’re looking for stylish sweatpants, treat yourself to these.

Entireworld Brushed Back Sweatshirt

Entireworld

$88

Buy Now

Entireworld Organic Cotton Polo

Entireworld

$85

Buy Now

Etsy

Support independent artisans on Etsy, which is investing $5M over the next month to help Etsy sellers continue to have a steady stream of sales. Not sure how to navigate the site? Read our tips for finding the best vintage gems.

Allbirds

Deemed “the world’s most comfortable shoes,” Allbirds has donated over $500,000 worth of Wool Runners to medical professionals. Check out the brand’s Buy a Pair, Give a Pair initiative to donate to doctors and nurses working around the clock.

Otherland

Now is the time to burn candles, sage, or whatever will keep the vibrations high in your home, and we’ve never felt intimidated by a candle’s beauty until we met Otherland. The brand is offering 10% off orders and will donate 10% to Foodbank for NYC with code SUNSHINE.

Otherland Carefree ’90s

Otherland

$36

Buy Now

Otherland Extra Hour

Otherland

$36

Buy Now

Orly

The nail polish brand that coined the original French Manicure in 1975 has reconfigured its Los Angeles factory to produce hand sanitizer spray, with the first 10,000 units being donated to L.A.’s at-risk homeless population. You can shop the spray here. PS: Read up on other beauty brands combatting coronavirus here.

Helix

We’re all spending more time in bed than we ever could’ve predicted, so it might be time to finally upgrade your mattress or invest in a fancy pillow. The sleep brand has donated over 155 mattresses to hospitals and is allowing healthcare workers to purchase them at-cost.

Skims

Update your WFH wardrobe with cozy loungewear from Kim Kardashian’s shapewear line, Skims, which is donating 20% of profits from the Cotton Collection to Baby 2 Baby’s COVID-19 Emergency Response Program, which provides families with diapers, formula, and basic hygiene products.

Skims Cotton Rib Thermal Legging

Buy Now

Tula

If you’re taking this time to mask regularly, 100% of the proceeds from Tula’s Nourishing and Brightening Hydrogel Mask go toward more masks for NYC’s COVID-19 healthcare workers through April 30.

Riley Home

Getting good sleep can help you better manage these stressful circumstances, and quality bedding is the first step. Riley Home is partnering with Robin Hood and Women In Need, and will donate a Riley Jr item for every purchase made. It’s the best reason to get your family a cozy throw or a crisp set of sheets.

Universal Standard

The brand making size-inclusive fashion we actually want to wear added a buy-one-give-one option to its Foundation page. Buy anything from the collection of soft and layerable tees, bodysuits, and tanks, and automatically donate one piece to a medical worker on the waitlist (they’ll split the price with you).

Universal Standard Give One Foundation Bodysuit

Universal Standard

$90

Buy Now

Universal Standard Give One Foundation Tank

Universal Standard

$60

Buy Now

Mansur Gavriel

You may not be thinking about investing in a luxury handbag right now, but Mansur Gavriel is donating 10% of sales of any size Bucket Bag to GlobalGiving’s Coronavirus Relief Fund, which supports immediate and long-term relief within vulnerable communities.

Aurate

The sustainable fine jewelry brand is offering 20% off all orders with code BETTERTOGETHER, and will donate 20% of proceeds to the NYC Government COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund. Try this dainty diamond necklace or a chic ear cuff, and check out more small businesses giving back via the Better Together initiative.

Dyson

Keep your home clean and your hair healthy with Dyson products to support the company as they produce 15,000 CoVent portable ventilators, designed specially to treat COVID-19 patients.

Greats

If you need a sleek sneaker to walk to your mailbox in, Greats has versatile low-tops that will quickly become a wardrobe staple. Keep it classic with all-white or venture toward Tiger King with an animal print style. $15 of every order will be donated to City Harvest to feed New Yorkers in need.



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Why Is My Ex Texting Me During the COVID-19 Pandemic?


Like most of us, I’ve been sheltering in place since mid-March because of the Covid-19 pandemic. As I try to make sense of my new reality—balancing my indoor free time while working from home, constantly binging social and news media, managing mini midday anxiety attacks, debating whether a wine run is worth it—I’ve been relieved to discover a few acquaintances coming out of the woodwork to check in. What a small mercy it is to receive a kind message or hilarious meme from a friend. However, with the good, also came the unexpected—and uncomfortable. The welcome wave of old friends also washed in a few of my exes.

During the best of times, most of us could be called guilty of silently checking in on an ex on social media. During a time of global crisis, though, lurking seems to be on the rise. I occasionally take a moment to observe the list of instagram accounts that watch my stories. Mostly because I think it’s only fair to watch the stories of those who watch mine—simple reciprocity, you know? But last week, I was surprised to see a few ghosts from my past. In a way it’s flattering to know that an ex would want to keep track of my movements, although in reality it always seems to be the bad eggs that insist on lurking.

I’m not the only one with exes coming out of the woodwork in quarantine. I did a small survey among several women in their thirties and found that they too were indeed experiencing an uptick in outreach from exes and ex-lovers—some more cringe-worthy than others.

One friend of mine had an ex reach out who seemingly wanted nothing more than to strike up an idle conversation about his problems, which seems kind of nice. And also a little annoying. Emotional labor is a large part of being in a relationship—being someone’s rock, hearing them out, helping them process their feelings—but once the relationship is severed, that is no longer the ex’s responsibility. We’re all sympathetic to the fact that this is an incredibly complex and rough experience, but that’s what therapists and friends are for—not the ex-girlfriend you never appreciated.

There are apparently also some exes who feel a pandemic is the right time to absolve themselves of their relationship sins. Be weary of ex partners, reaching out now to apologize for all their wrongs in a time where there are almost no social consequences and reduced expectations. One friend I spoke to shared with me that her ex-husband emailed her to ask for financial forgiveness. When they were married they failed to pay taxes, and as a result jointly owe the IRS a fairly large sum of money. But since “the world is ending” he requested permission to stop paying his share. No, sorry, the world is not ending. It may feel that way, but it’s atrocious to think you can take advantage of a former partner, and put her in financial health in jeopardy.

Then of course there are the always awkward sexts from the ex. A friend shared with me that several of her ex lovers had reached out to flirt and she received a few botched sexting attempts. It’s a lonely time if you’re single, I get it. But that’s what the apps are for (apparently they’re thriving), leave your exes be.

Still, the impulse to reach out can be normal: “In times of stress and crisis our attachment style—the ways we relate to others in order to have our emotional needs met—can become activated leading us to reach out,” says Letizia Rossi, a licensed clinical social worker, based in New York. It’s a way to seek comfort and connection, she says, and “also to replay dynamics, helpful or otherwise, from our past that feel familiar to us.” That certainly explains the “how you doing?” text from the ex I haven’t spoken to in years and the sudden influx of “likes” on my Instagram posts from another ex I haven’t heard from in months.

And seeing an ex’s name light up your phone isn’t always bad. One of my dearest exes sent me such a heartfelt message inquiring about my safety and my family’s health that I nearly cried when I read it. It was a golden example of how beneficial it can be to treat former partners with tenderness and respect. Kudos to all the sensitive ex-lovers out there, that remember the names of all your family members and friends, and are genuinely concerned about their wellbeing.

At the end of the day, we’re all experiencing an extremely stressful and anxiety amplifying global event, it’s only natural to want closure or satisfaction. Maybe it’s actually the most healthy thing a person could do in this situation. After I spent some time mulling this over, I couldn’t resist reaching out to a couple exes myself. What’s wrong with letting people know that you’re thinking about them? As long as it’s tasteful—and doesn’t involve sexting.



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A Love Letter to the Caregivers of COVID-19


Staying inside is the biggest thing people can do. Don’t have play dates with your neighbors, because right now we don’t really know if children could be asymptomatic carriers, or even adults. Just because you feel okay doesn’t mean you don’t have it. Stay as isolated as you can. But, we always like food. People are sending in pizzas, cookies, things like that to emergency rooms. I think that’s a great idea because it is a strange time. Whenever we can sit around a table and maybe have a slice of pizza, it’s a break from the reality. You feel like you’re back in your normal life.

I use this fitness app called Obe for self-care. I’m now four months postpartum, and it’s helped me trying to get back in shape after the baby. These days, I’m either locked in my house or at work, so it’s been nice because the workouts are just 30 minutes. I feel like a human again, and it’s a little escape. I even use it sometimes while I’m at work on a break. It’s really the one escape from reality I have right now.

I want everyone to just stay positive. This is going to be a long stretch, but we will get through it. We’ll see the other side and stay strong.

—Bridget, an ER pharmacist at a pediatric hospital in Colorado

“The most important thing is social distancing.” —Kathleen, ICU nurse

“COVID-19 is beginning to hit our area hard, and it’s already starting to overwhelm healthcare providers. A lot of infected patients are requiring ICU care, which requires ICU nurses and ICU doctors. There are only so many specifically trained. We have already started to ration masks in preparation for the inevitable. This past weekend I received one mask for my two weekend shifts and was given a brown paper bag to place it in. The number of masks and eye shields are already dwindling in our ER. We are anxiously waiting for supplies to completely run out, and then what happens? How do we protect ourselves and our families when that happens?

The most important thing is social distancing. It’s really upsetting to be driving to the hospital and see groups of people having picnics outside or getting their nails done at the local salon despite the closure of non-essential businesses. So please, please practice social distancing and stay home! As COVID-19 continues to spread, consider donating any unused, new, and sealed gloves, masks, and goggles to your local hospital.

For us on the front line, there aren’t many moments to take break but staying well hydrated, trying to get a few hours of uninterrupted sleep, lots of Vitamin C, and taking a moment to just turn off our brains for a second are key. This is an unprecedented time, and our priority is to the patients. Unfortunately, as a result our own health is on the back-burner.

As nurses, we signed up for being there for our patients, their families, and the general public no matter what. We having been training for moments like this our entire careers, but only with the proper safety equipment in place. I love my career, and I am thankful to be surrounded by an amazing group of healthcare professionals.”

—Kathleen, an ICU nurse in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

“If we lose work, who will pay our bills?” Lee, careworker

“There’s a stigma that if you wear a mask it means you have the virus. It’s very dangerous for the elderly to be exposed. At the assisted living facility where I work, I had to have my temperature taken before entering the building. If your temp is over 100 degrees, you are sent home. When we are sent home, that means no work and no pay.

It’s really depressing for us as home care workers. Just like with nannies and house cleaners, if we lose work who will pay our bills? We have to be strong, take care of our own health, and figure out how we can make a living in other ways. We can also get referrals from other friends who might need our help.”



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