La distillerie Noroi est réputée pour son gin, mais depuis la mi-mars, c’est un autre produit qui sort de son usine : du gel désinfectant, un produit très recherché depuis le début de l’épidémie. La distillerie s’est associée avec l’entreprise Jefo Nutrition pour produire le gel et a obtenu les autorisations auprès des autorités canadiennes, en une semaine.
Jonathan Robin, président de la distillerie Noroi Donc on s’est mis ensemble. Moi j’avais l’alcool, lui il avait la technologie, les équipements et les éléments nécessaires comme la glycérine et la cellulose puis, on a décidé de fabriquer ensemble ce gel- là. Le Sanitagel est facturé 15 dollars le litre, un prix raisonnable sur le marché actuellement. Déjà 50 000 litres ont été écoulés, vendus à un hôpital de la région, des pharmacies, des marchés d’alimentation, des entreprises de transport et des sociétés d’État. Ils en achètent pour leurs employés. En temps normal, la distillerie emploie une trentaine de personnes. La production de ce gel permet à la PME de se maintenir en activité et de rendre service à la communauté. Jonathan Robin, président de la distillerie Noroi Grâce à ce gel-là, j’ai rappelé pratiquement 75 % de mes employés. On a saisi l’occasion d’occuper notre monde. De prime abord, notre intention c’était d’occuper le monde, de garder le monde, ici, à l’emploi. Voix off Le gel est 100 % québécois : l’étiquette et la bouteille sont produites par des entreprises de la région. Jonathan Robin n’exclut pas de poursuivre la production du Sanitagel une fois la crise terminée. Il est en discussion actuellement avec des grandes chaînes de pharmacie et d’alimentation, pour qu’elles le mettent plus tard sur leurs tablettes. Jonathan Robin, président de la distillerie Noroi Ce que je retiens, c’est les entreprises qui sont innovantes et qui savent réagir rapidement, ça fait une différence. Il arrive rien pour rien, pas aujourd’hui1, bah peut-être que dans un an, on va voir les gels hydroalcooliques Noroi dans toutes2 nos supermarchés, dans les épiceries du Québec. Voix off Dans l’immédiat, la distillerie Noroi prévoit3 produire 150 000 litres de gel d’ici la fin du mois de mai.
From VOA Learning English, this is the Health & Lifestyle Report.
Exercise is an important part of staying healthy – both physically and mentally. Studies show that it can help strengthen the body’s natural defenses against disease.
But exercise does not just keep us healthy. For many people, it is part of their daily routine, making them feel better about themselves.
Getting enough exercise at difficult times, such as the current coronavirus pandemic, is important. However, because of the current restrictions and social distancing, some ways of exercising have changed or are simply gone.
So, people are changing how they exercise during this pandemic.
Exercising outside has changed
Those who only exercise indoors might now consider moving their exercise routine outdoors.
This is the advice of Joe Khabbaza, a doctor and heart specialist at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio.
“Simply walk outside in nature,” Khabbaza said. “People can use this as an opportunity to exercise in other ways.”
But in areas with stay-at-home orders or enforced social distancing, exercising outside may not be as simple as it sounds.
Under a stay-at-home order, only essential activity is permitted. Most stores are closed. But people are permitted to leave their home for food and fuel, to see a doctor or for recreation.
In most places, going outside for exercise or other forms of recreation comes with restrictions. For some people, the restrictions seem complex and even conflicting. And some people are simply not following them.
A woman crosses the Concorde square as she rides a bike during a nationwide confinement to counter the new coronavirus in Paris, Friday, April 10, 2020. (AP photo)
Reuters news agency recently reported that French officials have increased restrictions in Paris. They have banned people from taking part in outdoors sports activities between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m.
The more extreme restrictions come after French politicians and doctors showed concern that Parisians were still jogging and gathering in groups. Earlier the government had ordered people to stay in their homes as much as possible.
In the Washington, D.C. area, when people continued to gather in large groups without following social distancing rules, many basketball courts and playgrounds were closed.
Quinn noted that “a lot of people flocked to the parks, playgrounds and beaches…the authorities had to shut them down. The areas were so crowded, health officials worried people couldn’t — or wouldn’t — stay 6 feet apart.” Six feet is about two meters.
Even walking or riding a bicycle raises issues.
If you are walking with a non-family member, you must stay at least two meters apart. Police can break up gatherings of more than 10 people or advise people of the distancing restrictions.
Quinn noted that if you do not follow the restrictions, you may be the target of criticism, both in person and on social media.
People sit on the beach Sunday, April 26, 2020, in Huntington Beach, Calif.
Exercise online
In some places, going outside for exercise or playing sports on a team are a not permitted. Gyms, recreation centers and exercise studios are not open.
So, some people are turning online to exercise. The physical fitness industry is also moving to online training. The Associated Press news agency contacted industry representatives and other people.
Beth Berglin is the director of a charitable group in Miami, Florida. Before the pandemic, her exercise routine involved going to boot camp-style classes four mornings a week. Now, the area where she trains is closed. But she is staying active through online classes.
“Part of the reason we exercise is to have that mental break,” she said. “I can’t imagine getting through this without having some form of physical activity.”
Businesses adjusting as well
Some fitness companies are changing to meet the new environment. Recreation centers and fitness studios across the United States are helping people stay active by offering online classes, some of which are free or have reduced cost.
Some fitness centers are offering longer trial periods for at-home workouts. During a trial period, people can try a product or service for free.
Some fitness trainers have completely moved their training programs online. Many of these online exercise classes are made for smaller spaces and do not require any special equipment.
Fitness companies that have been using an online model seem better prepared than others. They are using the pandemic to expand their fitness offerings and appeal to new customers.
Tracey Pucci and son Foxton Harding, 12, watch an exercise video created by Foxton’s teachers at Northshore Middle School as the school district moves to online learning for two weeks because of the new coronavirus, March 11, 2020. (Photo: Reuters / Lindsey Wassen)
Some of those new customers include children who are now learning at home during the pandemic.
Founders of one online exercise company, named Obe, told the AP that they received requests for children’s classes from parents. So, they launched four 10-minute dance and strength workouts for children 10 years old and younger.
These days, getting exercise may be more difficult. But people are changing their behavior and are finding new ways to exercise .
I’m Anna Matteo.
The Associated Press and VOA News reported this story. Anna Matteo adapted the report for VOA Learning English. George Grow was the editor.
