通勤學英語 15Mins Today

每日英語跟讀 Ep.1007: Two UK retail collapses threaten 25,000 jobs in 24 hours

The UK retail industry suffered one of the harshest blows yet after two of the country’s best-known retailers collapsed, putting 25,000 jobs at risk in less than 24 hours.

英國兩家最知名的零售商在不到二十四小時內倒閉，兩萬五千個工作可能不保，這是英國零售業所遭受最嚴峻的打擊之一。

Debenhams said Tuesday morning it’s preparing to close its doors for good after failing to find a buyer. Late Monday last week, Arcadia Group, the retail empire of billionaire Sir Philip Green, which owns brands including Topshop, Topman, Burton, Wallis, and Dorothy Perkins, began insolvency proceedings.

德本納（Debenhams）百貨公司上週二早上表示，由於無法尋得買主，該公司正準備永久停業。上週一稍晚，億萬富豪菲利普‧葛林爵士的零售帝國「阿卡迪亞集團」開始進行破產程序，該集團旗下有Topshop、Topman、Burton、Wallis及Dorothy Perkins等品牌。

It looks like a sad end for Debenhams, which can trace its history back to 1778, when William Clark set up a store in London’s West End selling fabrics, bonnets, gloves and parasols. In 1813 William Debenham invested in the firm, which became Clark & Debenham. By 1950, the renamed Debenhams was one of the largest department store groups in the UK.

德本納百貨看來將落入這悲慘結局。該公司之歷史可追溯到一七七八年，威廉‧克拉克在倫敦西區所開設的一家販賣布料、帽子、手套及陽傘的商店。一八一三年，威廉‧德本納投資了該公司，將其更名為「克拉克與德本納」（Clark & Debenham）。到了一九五○年，更名為德本納的該公司已成為英國最大的百貨公司集團之一。

Both retailers have anchored malls and main streets across Britain for decades and operate about 600 stores combined. Retail experts said the pandemic and the associated restrictions only tell part of the problems that the companies have encountered. Both have struggled to respond to the increased competition from low-cost rivals like Primark, as well as from online disruptors such as ASOS and Boohoo. The industry is set to lose 235,000 retail jobs this year, according to the Centre for Retail Research.

阿卡迪亞集團及德本納這兩家零售商，數十年來在英國各地的大型購物中心及主要街道佔據了重要地位，經營約六百家店。 零售專家說，疫情及相關禁令只是這兩家公司所遭遇問題的一部分。兩家公司都面臨低成本競爭對手（如Primark）及顛覆市場之網路商家（如ASOS和Boohoo）日益激烈的競爭，且疲於應付。根據「零售研究中心」的數據，今年零售業將有二十三萬五千個工作被裁。

Source article: https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/lang/archives/2020/12/07/2003748239

每日英語跟讀 Ep.1006: How does influenza differ from a common cold?

Influenza, commonly known as the flu, is prevalent in fall and winter. People may wonder how one can tell the difference between influenza and a cold. Influenza is an acute respiratory tract disease caused by influenza viruses, whose main routes of infection are via airborne droplets and contact. The difference between the flu and what we generally call a cold is that ordinary colds can be caused by many kinds of virus, some of the common ones being rhinovirus, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and adenoviruses.

秋冬流感盛行，大家可能會疑惑，該如何區分流感和感冒呢？流感是由流感病毒所引起的一種急性呼吸道疾病，主要經由飛沫與接觸途徑傳染。和我們一般說的感冒不同，一般感冒可能由多種病毒引起，常見的包括鼻病毒、呼吸道融合病毒，及腺病毒等。

Influenza viruses are classified into types A to D, of which only types A and B can cause seasonal influenza outbreaks. Type A influenza includes the H1N1 and H3N2 subtypes, while type B includes two lineages called B/Victoria and B/Yamagata.

流感病毒有A-D型，只有A型及B型流感病毒可以引起季節性流感流行，包括A型的H1N1及H3N2兩種亞型，與B型流感病毒的B/Victoria及B/Yamagata兩種。

The Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (CDC) explains that colds mainly cause respiratory tract symptoms such as sore throat, sneezing and runny nose, sometimes accompanied by a fever, whereas influenza symptoms are systemic, meaning that they affect the whole body. As well as experiencing more serious fever, fatigue and cough symptoms than one would with a cold, some flu patients also suffer from gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Other commonly seen symptoms include muscular weakness, headaches etc. In severe cases, influenza may also cause serious complications such as encephalitis and myocarditis.

台灣疾病管制署說明，感冒以呼吸道症狀為主，如喉嚨痛、打噴嚏、流鼻水等症狀，偶爾伴隨發燒。而流感的症狀是全身性的，不但發燒、疲倦和咳嗽症狀比感冒更嚴重，有部分感染者會伴隨噁心、嘔吐以及腹瀉等腸胃道症狀，也常出現肌肉無力和頭痛等症狀，嚴重者還會引起腦炎和心肌炎等併發症。

The CDC says that babies and children under school age are a high-risk group for influenza complications, and flu vaccines do not produce sufficient protection until two weeks after vaccination, so if you have children aged over six months old but below school age, they should be given a flu vaccine as soon as possible.

疾管署指出，學齡前的嬰幼兒是流感併發症的高危險群，而流感疫苗在施打兩週後才會產生足夠保護力，因此若家中有六個月以上至學齡前的兒童，應儘速施打流感疫苗。

Fall and winter are the seasons when it is easiest to catch the flu. In Taiwan, influenza breakouts tend to steadily increase starting in November, reaching a peak in the next year around Lunar New Year and gradually reducing from March onward. The CDC reminds the public that if you experience three kinds of symptom, namely fever, aches (including headaches and distinct muscular aches) and fatigue, you must be aware that it could be the flu. Furthermore, influenza is highly contagious, and if people with the flu cough or sneeze in closed spaces while not wearing a mask, they can easily spread the virus to others.

秋冬是流感好發的季節。在台灣，一般約於十一月開始，流感疫情就會緩慢上升，至隔年農曆春節前後達到高峰，三月後逐漸下降。疾管署提醒，如果出現「一燒（發燒）」、「二痛（頭痛、明顯肌肉酸痛）」、「三疲倦」就須警覺是流感。且流感傳染性高，在密閉空間內，若流感患者未戴口罩就咳嗽或打噴嚏，就容易將病毒傳染給別人。

Source article: https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/lang/archives/2020/12/08/2003748293

Summary:

A pharmacist explains that white masks are the most popular in Japan. Since the inner and outer sides are both white, it can be difficult to tell which side should be worn where. Similarly, the green, blue, and pink masks that are common in Taiwan pharmacies can sometimes be just as confusing for users to wear. So, which side should be on the outside? The outside should be the side with the pleats facing down. There are two reasons for the downward facing pleats on the outside – first, it is easier for users to breathe, and people who wear glasses will not get their glasses misted up when they exhale. The other reason is that dust will not accumulate in downward-facing pleats.

原討論文章: https://www.15mins.today/blog/ep-964-which-side-of-a-plain-white-mask-faces-out

Vocabulary and Sample Sentences:

Distinguish v. recognize something as different

• Pharmacist Yu-pin Ko teaches people how to distinguish the inner and outer sides of white masks when they buy masks from him.

Straps n. a strip of material that is used to fasten, secure, or carry something, or hold on to something.

• Mask manufacturers do not always place the ear straps on the outside.

Go with sth– ph.v to suit something

• I prefer blue masks because it goes well with my white shirts.

Summary:

For British students, A-level exams are the most important exams before leaving school for University. Due to the pandemic, the exams in June were abandoned and students were given a grade by their Teachers based on past performance. However, once the A level grades were published, people realized that 39 percent of teachers’ assessments had been downgraded under an algorithm based on a school’s past performance. This meant that it was harder for smart students in disadvantaged areas to do well while rewarding the mediocre students in top private schools. Students were outraged and took to the street and started a petition to demand change.

原討論文章: https://www.15mins.today/blog/ep-949-angry-uk-students-force-government-u-turn-over-virus-hit-exams

Vocabulary and Sample Sentences:

Assessment n. evaluation of the nature, quality, ability, of someone or something

• The teachers had to make an assessment of the student’s math abilities with a test.

Mediocre adj. of moderate quality

• The new sushi dish at our favorite restaurant is mediocre.

Inflation n. the action of inflating something

• According to the exam regulator, the downgrade of assessments is to avoid grade inflation.

每日英語跟讀 Ep.1005: About Australia - Australian stinging trees contain ’scorpion-like venom’

Australia is notorious for its venomous spiders, snakes and sea creatures, but researchers have now identified "scorpion-like" toxins secreted by a tree that can cause excruciating pain for weeks.

澳洲的有毒蜘蛛、蛇和海洋生物惡名昭彰，但是研究人員現在辨識出一種樹木分泌的「類似蠍子」的毒物，能使人極度疼痛達數週。

Split-second contact with the dendrocnide tree, a rainforest nettle known by its indigenous name gympie-gympie, delivers a sting far more potent than similar plants found in the US or Europe.

與這種生長在熱帶雨林、當地名為「金皮金皮」的火麻樹屬樹木接觸瞬間，就能造成劇烈刺痛，疼痛程度遠比在美國或歐洲發現的類似樹種還嚴重。

Irina Vetter, an associate professor at the University of Queensland’s Institute for Molecular Bioscience, said the research team discovered a new class of neurotoxin miniproteins, which they christened ’gympietides’.

昆士蘭大學分子生物科學研究所副教授維特說，研究團隊發現一類新的神經毒素微蛋白，他們將它命名為「金皮潮」。

Vetter said the long-lasting pain inflicted by the tree may be explained by the gympietides permanently altering the chemical makeup of the affected sensory neurons － not due to the fine hairs getting stuck in the skin.

維特說，「金皮潮」會對受影響的感覺神經元化學組成，造成永久性的改變，而非細小絨毛卡在皮膚裡，這或許可解釋這種樹為何造成長時間的疼痛。

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Magpie swoops Australian reporter moments before he goes on air／準備進入現場報導前 澳洲記者遭喜鵲俯衝猛撲

A magpie swooped an Australian reporter in the face on Monday, moments before the journalist went live on air for the evening bulletin.

1隻喜鵲週一俯衝撲向一名澳洲記者的臉，就在這名記者為晚間時段準備現場報導之前。

Nine Network reporter, Brett McLeod, was preparing for his live cross outdoors when the crow-like bird dived at his face but he quickly regained his composure and delivered his piece to the camera.

這隻像烏鴉的鳥朝他臉上俯衝時，「九號電視網」記者布雷特．麥克利奧德正準備在戶外進入現場報導，但他迅速恢復沉著並對鏡頭完成報導。

The black-and-white Australian magpie, not related to the European magpies famous for taking glittering treasures for their nests, tend to attack anyone who comes close to their suburban nests.

黑白相間的澳洲喜鵲，和帶發光寶物回巢而知名的歐洲喜鵲無關，往往對接近牠們位於郊外鳥巢的任何人發動攻擊。

Spring is widely known as the ’swooping season’ to Australians when birds, mostly magpies, attack humans and even other birds when they stray too close while its fledglings hatch and nest.

Source article: https://features.ltn.com.tw/english/article/paper/1409467 ; https://features.ltn.com.tw/english/article/paper/1410492

每日英語跟讀 Ep.1004: Leopard cat, anteaters escape from Taipei Zoo

A leopard cat at Taipei Zoo named Fei Fei was discovered missing on the morning of Nov. 22 after digging around the artificial rock near the roof netting of the Formosan Animal Area in the zoo’s Outdoor Display areas. Fei Fei apparently took flight through a hole in the netting.

收養在台北市立動物園的一隻石虎「飛飛」，十一月二十二日上午在台灣動物區戶外活動場靠近建物頂網的人造仿岩上方挖掘後，鑽入破洞消失。

Taipei Zoo spokesperson Tsao Hsien-shao said that during the inspection in the area on the morning of Nov. 22, a zoo employee noticed that a leopard cat was missing. The CCTV footage showed that Fei Fei, a female leopard cat, who was almost four years old and had been sent to the zoo by an animal rescue organization, was digging on the artificial rock wall and had managed to make a hole. It is thought that the leopard cat might have entered the hole and is hiding behind the rock wall, although it cannot be ruled out that she has escaped from the zoo altogether. Fei Fei is a rescued leopard. Her right leg was amputated after she sustained a serious injury.

北市動物園發言人曹先紹表示，同仁在二十二日上午巡場，發現園區石虎不見，調監視器發現，一隻由救傷體系送到園區的近四歲母石虎，在人工岩壁有挖掘動作，已於岩壁上挖出一個洞，初步研判石虎可能鑽入洞內，藏在岩壁後方，但也不排除逃出園外。石虎「飛飛」是救傷收容個體，右後腳因傷重截肢。

Zookeepers have made six holes around the artificial rock through which to place food, hoping to encourage the leopard cat to come back through the hole of its own accord. Leopard cats are sensitive creatures, and zoo staff say they will try to keep a distance so that the leopard cat will become less wary, increasing the possibility of it emerging through the hole by itself. Members of the public are advised to maintain a safe distance if they encounter the missing animal and avoid disturbing it, and to notify zoo authorities immediately.

保育員在仿岩周邊打出六個洞口，放置食物，盼吸引石虎自行出洞。動物園指出，考量石虎為高敏感度動物，會減少干擾，讓它放鬆警戒心，增加其出洞之可能性；若民眾發現石虎蹤跡，應保持安全距離，不要驚擾，並立即通報園方。

Previously, on Sept. 1, a mother anteater named Little Red and her daughter escaped from the zoo by jumping over fencing. After the zoo sent out a large search party, the baby anteater, named Red Bean, was found; however, no trace of the mother has yet been found. The zoo is calling on the public to keep an eye out for the missing anteater.

無獨有偶，動物園內的南美小食蟻獸「小紅」母女在九月一日翻越柵欄脫逃，園方出動大批人力後，順利找到寶寶「紅豆」，但至今仍未觀察到媽媽蹤跡，動物園呼籲民眾協尋。

Collared anteaters, which are nocturnal animals, usually stay in the zoo building during the day and only take their cubs outside at night. When zookeepers inspected the activity site on the morning of Sept. 1, they discovered that Little Red and her daughter were missing. They immediately checked the CCTV footage and confirmed that earlier that day Little Red, with her cub in tow, had climbed over the electric fence at about 2:30am and escaped.

屬於夜行性動物的小食蟻獸白天多在內舍休息，晚上才會帶著小仔至戶外場活動。保育員九月一日早上巡視活動場時，發現「小紅」母女失蹤，立即調閱監視器影像，確認當天凌晨二時三十分左右，「小紅」帶著小仔翻越設有電牧線的柵欄脫逃。

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【VoiceTube Vclass 九粒 Jolie 的生活英文口說入門課】

課程購買連結：https://bit.ly/3pI4I6x  早鳥五折12/9(週三)止

課程特色：

• 7 大生活情境英文單字庫

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每日英語跟讀 Ep.1003: About Indonesia - Former Indonesia First Lady wows fans with photos from exile days

人氣日劇電影版續集《信用欺詐師JP : 公主篇》最近上映，眼尖的網友發現已故前印尼總統的遺孀 Dewi Sukarno 也出現在戲中，年屆八旬的她保養甚好，看起來仍十分年輕，掀起討論。戲如人生，Dewi Sukarn 的ㄧ生也同樣跌宕起伏，十分精彩。

Dewi Sukarno, the widow of the late Indonesian President, was recently featured in a sequel of the popular Japanese drama, “The Confidence Man JP: Princess,” to the delight of many fans. Dewi Sukarno, 80, was able to wow fans with her youthful looks. Behind her ageless beauty, however, is a life full of ups and downs, just like the film she starred in.

Dewi Sukarno 原名叫根本七保子（Naoko Nemoto），於1940年出生於日本。從小就天生麗質的她懷抱著演藝夢，高中時輟學去東京當俱樂部小姐，後來在19歲那年，在東京一間酒吧遇上當時 57 歲、到日本進行訪問的印尼前總統蘇加諾。

Dewi Sukarno, originally named Naoko Nemoto, was born in Japan in 1940. To achieve her dream of becoming a star, she quitted high school to work at a club where she learned singing and dancing. At the age of 19, she met the then 57-year-old Sukarno, the former president of Indonesia, in a Tokyo bar when he was on a visit to Japan.

儘管對方是有婦之夫，兩人還是一見鐘情，當年 Dewi 就隨著蘇加諾返回印尼，並成為他的情人。直到 1962 年兩人才正式結婚，Dewi 成為他的第三任妻子，也是印尼的總統夫人，經常出席重要社交場合，兩人還生了一個女兒Kartika。

The two fell in love at first sight. Despite Sukarno being married, Dewi returned to Indonesia with him that year as his lover.

可惜好景不常，1967 年印尼發生政變，蘇加諾被部下將領推翻，被囚於自家中，直到1970年去世。Dewi 則在叛變發後被迫帶著女兒 Kartika 流亡海外，在瑞士、巴黎和紐約等地居住。在蘇加諾死後，Dewi 靠著不減的魅力活躍於演藝圈，人人都稱她「Dewi夫人」。現在她經營自己的美妝和珠寶事業，偶爾會出現在日本電視節目中擔任選美評審，目前居住在東京。

Unfortunately, the sweet days didn’t last long. In 1967, a coup d’état broke out in Indonesia and Sukarno was overthrown by his subordinates. He remained under home arrest until his death in 1970. Dewi was forced to live in exile for a long time with her daughter Kartika in Switzerland, Paris and New York. After Sukarno’s death, Dewi became active in Japan’s show business with her unfailing charisma; she was known as “Mrs. Dewi”.

Living in Tokyo, she now runs her own beauty and jewelry business, while occasionally appearing as a beauty pageant judge on Japanese television.

Dewi 近日在Instagram上貼出流亡海外時與女兒的合照，她指出這些照片在 1967 年拍攝，當時她 27 歲、帶著6個月大的女兒從三藩市遷居到美國，再輾轉回巴黎拍下的。儘管當時過著顛沛流離的流亡生活，照片中的Dewi看起來依舊明艷動人、抱著女兒露出幸福甜笑，讓網友們看到後直呼「年輕的時候太美了」、「為母則強」。

Dewi recently posted photos of herself and her daughter from their exile on Instagram, with the captions explaining that the photos were taken in 1967 when she was 27 years old carrying her 6-month-old daughter Kartika moving between Japan, The States and Paris.

Despite the chaotic and struggling life of exile, Dewi still looks gorgeous in the photos, holding her daughter and smiling happily, prompting social media users to comment, “she was so beautiful when she was young,” and “Mothers become strong for their children”.

Source article: https://chinapost.nownews.com/20201103-1837117

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【VoiceTube Vclass 九粒 Jolie 的生活英文口說入門課】

課程購買連結：https://bit.ly/3pI4I6x  早鳥五折12/9(週三)止

課程特色：

• 7 大生活情境英文單字庫

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每日英語跟讀 Ep.1002: About Fast Food - KFC drops Finger Lickin’ Good slogan

Global fast food giant KFC says it is halting its "Finger Lickin’ Good" slogan given the current hygiene advice because of the coronavirus pandemic.

國際速食巨擘肯德基表示，它正停用「吮指美味」標語，考量現在因為武漢肺炎大流行而制定的衛生建議。

"We find ourselves in a unique situation - having an iconic slogan that doesn’t quite fit in the current environment," the company said.

「我們發現自己在一個獨特的狀況中，有個不太符合現在環境的標誌性標語」，該公司表示。

The company revealed its new look through a YouTube video, showing the slogan pixelated on posters and its food "buckets", saying： "That thing we always say? Ignore it. For now."

該公司透過YouTube影片公開它的新包裝，印製在海報與「食物桶」上的標語說，「我們總是說的話？忽略它。現在」。

Some people commented on social media the slogan was not a health hazard as you were already eating with your own hands.

有些人在社群媒體上評論，認為在你已經用自己的雙手進食的時候，這個標語不算是健康危害。

In March, the Advertising Standards Authority received 163 complaints about a KFC TV advert which featured people licking their fingers.

3月間，廣告標準局就接到163封投訴，針對肯德基以人們吸吮他們的手指為特色的電視廣告。

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McDonald’s to debut plant-based meat alternatives from 2021 麥當勞將於2021年首度推出植物性肉類替代品

McDonald’s will debut its line of plant-based meat alternatives - the McPlant - in 2021.

麥當勞將於2021年首度推出它的植物性肉類替代品品牌「McPlant」。

"Beyond Meat and McDonald’s co-created the plant-based patty which will be available as part of their McPlant platform," a Beyond Meat spokesperson said.

「超越肉類與麥當勞共同創造了植物性漢堡肉排，將以McPlant平台的一部分供應」，超越肉類的發言人表示。

"Plant-based products are an ongoing consumer trend. It’s not a matter of if McDonald’s will get into plant-based, it’s a matter of when," McDonald’s chief executive officer Chris Kempczinski said.

「植物性產品是目前的消費趨勢，問題不是麥當勞是否會進軍植物性產品，而是何時進軍」，麥當勞的執行長肯普欽斯基說。

McDonald’s competition - other brands including Burger King, White Castle and Dunkin’ Brands Group Inc - also offer vegan alternatives.

麥當勞的競爭對手，漢堡王、白城堡，與Dunkin’品牌集團等品牌都有提供素食替代品。

This move from McDonald’s is expected to place the plant-based meat movement at the forefront in mainstream American society.

麥當勞此舉有望將植物性肉類運動，置於美國社會主流的最前線。

Source article: https://features.ltn.com.tw/english/article/paper/1413235 ;https://features.ltn.com.tw/english/article/paper/1398350

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每日英語跟讀 Ep.1000: Restaurants Have Lavish Setups for Outdoor Winter Dining

A Latin fusion restaurant in Queens will serve crispy arepa cups and ropa vieja at an outdoor dining chalet with rustic wood beams and sparkling chandeliers.

紐約皇后區一間拉丁無國界料理餐廳，將在有鄉村風木梁和閃亮枝形吊燈的戶外用餐木屋裡，提供杯裝的酥脆玉米餅和燉手撕牛肉。

In the Bronx, an Italian place has winter-proofed its back patio with Plexiglas walls and electric heaters, along with festive vines with pink flowers.

在布朗克斯區，一間義大利餐廳在後院築起塑膠玻璃牆並放上電熱器防寒，同時飾以帶有節慶氣氛的粉紅花朵藤蔓。

曼哈坦區一家餐酒館還發放銀色太空毯，讓冷得發抖的客人保暖。

A pandemic that has upended much of life in New York is now ushering in something the city has never really tried: dining by snow and ice. Or, as some restaurants are telling customers, the new BYOB is bring your own blanket.

新冠肺炎疫情大大顛覆紐約人的生活，如今又把這座城市從未真正試過的東西引了進來，就是在冰天雪地中用餐，或者就像一些餐廳告訴客人的，「請自帶酒水」變成了「請自備毛毯」。

The explosion of outdoor dining has been a savior for more than 10,000 restaurants and bars that have taken over sidewalks, streets and public spaces to try to keep their businesses afloat. It has been so popular that Mayor Bill de Blasio and the City Council are making outdoor dining permanent.

戶外用餐激增，拯救了紐約逾萬家餐廳和酒吧，這些店家占用人行道、大街和公共空間以求生。戶外用餐大受歡迎，以致市長白思豪和市議會決定讓它合法化。

But year-round dining outside is untested in the city’s bone-chilling winters, and has created daunting challenges for an industry fighting to survive.

不過，戶外用餐還沒接受紐約寒冬的考驗，對奮力求存的餐飲業是可怕的挑戰。

“Are we going to have a mild winter or a harsh one?” said Andrew Rigie, executive director of the New York City Hospitality Alliance, an industry group. “It’s a gamble. With so much uncertainty about the weather and diner behavior, it’s a risk.”

同業團體紐約市餐飲業聯合會主席里吉說：「今年冬天會溫和還是很冷？只能賭一賭。關於天氣和客人行為有這麼多不確定性，這是在冒險。」

While a financial imperative for restaurants, enclosing outdoor areas for winter has raised health concerns as coronavirus cases in New York have started to rise again. Protecting patrons from the elements has led some restaurants to create shelters that lack sufficient ventilation, raising the risk of transmission.

餐廳把戶外用餐區圍起來以免客人受寒，雖然對生意非常重要，卻在紐約新冠病例再度激增之際引發公共衛生疑慮。一些餐廳為保護客人不受惡劣天氣影響而圍出通風不良的區域，提高了疫情傳播的風險。

Outdoor heaters — including propane heaters that had been banned in the city but are now permitted as a way to help restaurants — could also pose fire hazards.

戶外暖爐，包括紐約原本禁用、為幫助餐廳經營而暫且開放使用的丙烷暖爐，還可能引起火災。

Still, with restaurants having few options to make money, New York and other cities are forging ahead with winter outdoor dining.Chicago held a design challenge that drew ideas like a Japanese-style heated table and a modular cabin inspired by ice-fishing huts that fits on a parking spot.

不過，由於餐廳賺錢方式非常有限，紐約等城市仍大力發展冬季戶外用餐。芝加哥辦了場戶外用餐設計比賽，吸引的點子包括：日式暖爐桌和模組小屋，以冰釣小屋為靈感，占地相當於一個停車位。

In New York, the multibillion-dollar restaurant industry, one of the city’s most important economic pillars, has been decimated by the pandemic. Indoor dining has resumed, but at only 25% capacity.

營業額數十億美元的餐館業是紐約經濟支柱，受到疫情重創，雖然已恢復內用，但只能開放25%的座位。

Source article: https://paper.udn.com/udnpaper/POH0067/359491/web/

Summary:

This article discusses the world of phone addiction and the slew of products out there that aim to help people cut their use. Both software and hardware solutions are presented.

原文章討論: https://www.15mins.today/blog/ep-939-help-for-curing-the-phone-addiction

Vocabulary and Sample Sentences

Addiction n.: unable to stop a kind of behavior

1. Are you addicted to gaming?

Crucial adj.: very important

1. Is healthcare very crucial to people?

Potent adj.: powerful

1. Is bleach a potent disinfectant?