Here is a List of Museums to Visit Around the World 

British Museum, London
Victoria and Albert Museum, London
Louvre, Paris
Pergamon Museum, Berlin
​​Musée d’Orsay, Paris
Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam
Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam
Uffizi Gallery, Florence

Since the end of January, many around the world have been in the confinement of their homes due to a global viral epidemic. As dishearting as this situation may seem, this can lead to many glorious opportunities for bettering yourself. 

​Art is great to express emotions and aids in stress reduction. You don't have to be Leonardo DaVinci to grab a paintbrush or pencil. A few sketches or colouring in a workbook full of pictures can help ease worries. There are many tutorials on youtube that can be useful if you have your heart set no mastering a specific medium such as oil painting or portrait drawing. 

​Do you have a musical instrument that you keep promising yourself that you will master each new year's resolution? Now is your chance to download an app or some tutorial videos and make some music. 

This is a perfect time to learn a new language which will not only help with boredom but also help with any career. There are online tutoring available to practise your newfound linguistic talents without breaking social distancing rules.

​Keep a journal through this time is an excellent way to keep track of ideas,   feelings and make notes about what is happening. These notes can be a great tool to keep track of goals or a reminder of events long after they pass. 

​This is a great opportunity to organize your home, your closet, your phone, your paperwork or your photos. Do a deep clean, get ready for summer and get organized in life. 

Canada has been in lockdown for over a month. There have been many changes in the lives of every Canadian individual. We at the Canadian Cosmetic Cluster spent the past month talking to various companies from manufacturing plants to packaging companies and beauty salons. The media often paints a picture that is different from reality. It is much easier for bigger companies like L'oreal to turn around and adapt to situations like COVID-19. Smaller companies are not able to turn around as quickly and produce new products. It is a very difficult situation for many companies across all aspects of the supply chain. Here are important findings that we found like to address. 

1. The Collapse of Supply Chain

Packaging and raw materials are in shortage around the world. Some bigger companies are stockpiling and enabling it impossible for smaller companies to get access to stock. The waitlists are months long. This is impacting many smaller contract manufacturers.

Example #1: A Canadian contract manufacturing company in Toronto with the capacity to make 5 tonnes of liquid product and bottle filling per day. They have been unable to source bottles and caps. They can not take new clients because the pricing for raw material and packaging is changing daily. They can not have the same level of staff to work in factories. 

2. End of Small-Sized Cosmetic Companies

Companies have no funds to make products, source packaging, or materials. I predict start-ups will only succeed for essential items, technology, or complete innovation that can aid essential services. Many individuals have to have a more practical approach to cosmetic products. Many individuals are no longer working and do not have the money to spend on makeup or expensive skincare. There is a big problem with salons they are going to be having a difficult time. This biggest problem isn't the virus it is the effects of social distancing. 

Example # 1: A Salon in Toronto employs 18 individuals. This salon makes roughly $1 000 000 a year in profit before expenses. It will have to decrease its staff to have under new social distancing requirements. It is projected to make no more than a maximum of $600,000 a year under new regulations. It will be bankrupt by the end of 2021. The government is giving $40,000 in aid, $30,000 has to be returned within the year. 

Also, new companies have little opportunity to showcase their products to potential buyers as companies are consumed with COVID-19 tasks and preparations. 

3. Distrust in Organization and Government

The programs that were created to support small businesses are very slow. Fast track programs take up to 3-4 weeks to get approval. Many individuals have lost faith in government or large organizations. All expedited orders are not followed through all the way. There is a lack of organization - it just doesn't exist at all. 

Solutions?

The Canadian Cluster has been doing its best to provide connections for packaging, raw materials, and any inquiries within 24 hours. It has been difficult to see companies struggling. The importance of a strong supply chain is more important than ever and to make strong relations with other countries and to support each other. This is difficult. There is a growing hatred for international companies and international businesses. They blame globalization for the virus. Canada has become fractured. The Canadian Cluster is committed to support the supply chain and provide support to companies who need it. The has been in communication with a few company owners and we plan to lobby the government for more efficient systems of support. 

Let us hope that life will resume somewhat to normal standards shortly and we can continue to grow our industry with innovation and international collaboration. 

​As we all know the world is in the middle battling a global viral pandemic. This has affected everyone from how we conduct our daily routines, to how we plan for the future. In our Cosmetic Industry, we are no different as we are seeing the devastating effects of the virus from daily increases in casualties to more quarantine restrictions. The overall travel ban as necessary as it is has proved to be, is a major challenge for all global industries. The cancellation of trade shows has to lead many individuals to look for alternative methods of marketing and sales. As many governments continue to encourage and enforce social distancing and isolation, the need for financial stability leads many people to continue to work. This virus is not the first hardship to strike humanity and it will not be the last. This is a time to prepare ourselves that indeed life is not as stable as the modern world seems to think. We must remember that we must work together and support each other during these situations. Not all businesses will recover but there will be other opportunities in the industry to cater to a new type of client. 

The Canadian Cosmetic Cluster will be posting ways to be as productive as possible and occupy yourself during this time. We will focus on developing the Mind, Body, Spirituality and Business. ​

​This book is a must-read for anyone that is looking to expand their way of thinking. It will help you learn to critically analyze situations and make more thought out decisions. The author makes a great point about society raising voters not independent citizens. The passage below is my favourite from the book and truly summarises the irony of life. 

Emergency Funds for COVID-19:  

1.  GST credit - $400 single adults - $600 for couples  

2. Child Tax benefit Top up - $300 per child added on top of what you receive already.  

3. Student loan payments deferred      -6 month timeframe       -no payments       -no interest accrual  

4. Indigenous community based support fund  -$305 million  

5. $200 million provided for community resources  -Shelters/homeless needs  -Sexual assault/transition homes  

6. 10% wage subsidy for small-medium sized businesses for employees.  -$25,000 per employer  

7. Ensured Mortgage Protection Program -50 billion provided -payment deferrals -special payment arrangements  

8.  Bank Supports -auto loans - deferral of payments possible -contact bank directly  -speak to your institutions  

9. Personal Income Tax -payment before September. 1st/2020 - extended deadline for income tax payments owed  -Filing deadline for Income Tax - June.1st/2020      

10. Emergency Care Benefit -Quarantined or caring for sick family member -Providing $900 bi weekly -Payment via direct deposit -Will not require medical documentation -Starting early April  

11. Emergency support fund - $5 Billion    -more info to come   *Supply chains from groceries will maintain fair prices for Canadians  

PLEASE SEE WEBSITE ON HOW TO APPLY FOR PROGRAMS: CLICK HERE

List of Essential Businesses That Will Remain OPEN