Today we reached a milestone at Elf. We've generated $1.2 Billion in revenue for our clients since our rebrand and launch as an agency in 2012. We're thankful for our clients and for doing work we care about.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued an emergency use authorization (EUA) for self-testing at home for COVID-19 to ensure a rapid, accurate diagnostic test for self-testing at home. The Lucira COVID-19 All-In-One Test Kit is a molecular (real-time loop mediated amplification reaction) single use test that is intended to detect the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 that causes COVID-19.
The Lucira COVID-19 All-In-One Test Kit test offers self-collected nasal swab samples intended for use for individuals aged 14 and older. It also is authorized for use in point-of-care (POC) settings (e.g., doctor’s offices, hospitals, urgent care centers and emergency rooms) for all ages. Samples must be collected by a healthcare provider when the test is used at the POC to test individuals younger than 14 years old. The test is currently authorized for prescription use only.
The test works by swirling the self-collected sample swab in a vial, which is then placed in the test unit. In 30 minutes or less, the results can be read directly from the test unit’s light-up display that shows whether a person is positive or negative for the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Positive results indicate the presence of SARS-CoV-2. Individuals with positive results should self-isolate and seek additional care from their health care provider. Individuals who test negative and experience COVID-like symptoms should follow up with their health care provider as negative results do not preclude an individual from SARS-CoV-2 infection. Lucira Health, the test manufacturer, has also developed box labeling, quick reference instructions and health care provider instructions for reporting.
For more information, download the FDA’s press release or visit Lucira’s website.
Image via WSJ, Source: Commerce Department via St. Louis Fed
With lockdowns, social distancing and other effects of the pandemic, more and more American consumers are turning to digital commerce to meet many day to day needs, from online grocery shopping to even medical appointments and classes. Pickup and delivery options are becoming more widespread. This shift may soon become permanent as many Americans find the shift online to be more convenient and less stressful. Avoiding rush-hour traffic to pick up groceries by having them delivered is an example of this.
Shifts from in-person to digital commerce are evident in:
grocery purchasing
movie streaming
restaurant pick up and delivery
curbside pickup
Image via WSJ, Source: Euromonitor International's Voice of the Industry: Retailing Survey, August 2020
E-commerce now makes up 43 percent of all sales at Macy’s Inc., up from 25 percent before the pandemic. The company is working with Google Inc. to improve upon its search engine results. Macy’s has even added same-day delivery for some online orders.
In September, Whole Foods Market Inc., owned by Amazon.com Inc., opened its first online-only store in Brooklyn, N.Y., to be able to offer more food delivery options. Whole Foods has made pickup an option for all 500 U.S. stores. Amazon Fresh, the grocery store arm of Amazon, has increased delivery by 160 percent since March.
In addition, contactless payment methods have increased, removing the need for swiping or inserting a physical credit card. Both Visa and MasterCard report increased global sales transactions by contactless options. For Mastercard, contactless payment went up from 30 percent last year to 41 percent in the third quarter of this year.
Changes have also been widespread as social distancing measures have resulted in lower gym attendance and a move to home workouts. There has been an increase in purchasing equipment for workouts from stationary bikes to treadmills and more, as well as taking courses and using apps for online courses and bootcamps.
Many of these changes will remain in effect after the pandemic ends, as they have brought convenience that has led to accelerated adoption.
