Category: Communication

Yianni Stamas reveals information about Manhattan Coronavirus.

It is little known that Stamas was a part of launching this blog back at the start of the pandemic in 2020. We felt it was a good time to check in with him and ask him what his feelings are currently about coping with present day challenges that have taken a turn, maybe not for the better, due to the delta variant

What was your part in establishing the first 100 days of this blog and how do you think that it will best continue its mission?

I think the original idea of Manhattan Coronavirus was to follow a family’s daily struggle that included having to stay indoors, desperately searching for ways to get food delivered, plus anything that happened. In the beginning we did not think that the pandemic would last any longer than 100 days, so the plan was to do a post a day for 100 days which is what happened. But then, 100 days passed, and it did not look for being able to get back to normal. Manhattan Coronavirus’ origin mission was to do the 100-day experiment. At this point the concept for the site has had to shift. The idea now is to occasionally post new updates such as this one.

Do you think it would be helpful to the wellbeing of others in these days of COVID to start a blog, or at least chronicle their ongoing experience, and if so, how and why?

It comes down to the individual. Some people have had cathartic moments of insight. Others do not want to be bothered with having to write something every day.

Are you currently keeping a COVID journal, and if so, does it help you deal with the everyday issues we all share while living with the pandemic?

I personally do not write in a journal every day, though if occasionally a thought comes up that I see needing to be written down, I do so. And yes, some of those ideas have to do with COVID.

“Cause Marketing Can Help You Get Through It.”

Getting through the pandemic is far from over. And now with the addition of looting and destroying, the times can be tense.

The following post is about how you can integrate current affairs into your blog which can do wonders for tension. And on top of that you may even be able to make a profit.

Success in cause related marketing often means motivating an audience to take action, such as purchasing a product or service. With a dedicated CRM campaign, you can reach and persuade your target group while also raising awareness for your business and its commitment to social responsibility.

That said, it is important that your business not be perceived as just doing this meaningful activity on the public’s behalf strictly to bring in more dollars. In that case this methodology can backfire. You need to be truly committed to your way of helping. Your audience will be able to feel it if you are not being authentic. That’s why it is a good idea to connect with a cause that is related to what your business does.

Also, the more you immerse yourself in your charitable activities the better so that you and your company are viewed as being philanthropic and altruistic. In the end, cause marketing involves you as a “for-profit” and the cause for which you are fighting for being the “non-profit.”

We now live in a time that it is virtually accepted that a company be engaged earnestly in helping others solve a societal problem. When your future customers go to your website you want them to see how you are helping your online/offline community which can be a reason that they’ll stay on your page to read more about what you are doing to make a difference.

And if you get proactive and feature your message in various outreach programs, studies have shown that over 90% of college age young adults are committed to helping causes and if they see that you are helping others are more likely to participate in your brand.

In closing we suggest that you always give from the heart and it is recommended that you do so in a way that your product or service already makes a difference and expand on that. This is because it brings visibility to what you do, while making you more visible in a positive light as seen by others.

Also, just like everything else, you need to look at your cause marketing efforts as a series of campaigns of your newsletter and your other means of reaching your customers and the public. Because engaging in cause marketing is a win-win situation with which your business can thrive as you help your community.

Day 100: Thanks for Going on this Journey with Us

Writing About the Experience

Hello on Day 100. Be well. Our beloved Manhattan is still largely empty outside. Even in Times Square where we used to live. Thanks for going on this journey with us. Clearly it is not over yet but our daily blogging for this website is. Your support has meant a lot and has inspired us to continue documenting our lives, sometimes while living through challenging times. A special thank you goes out to my brother and his wife for their interest and kind words, Our goal all along has been to develop communication. We have tried to create communication through sharing our tale. This is something that many New Yorkers have lived through (and continue to live through) and therefore our story can be very much like theirs, though not all have been writing about the experience.

Watching Coverage from Both Sides

And of course just because on Day 100 we are calling quits the daily documentation, it by no means is over. We are still staying in lockdown mode even though things have been “easing.” The truth is that many in Manhattan continue to ignore the social distancing, wearing of masks and washing hands frequently. Also, out of the threat of the virus has evolved another kind of threat. The threat of having to choose sides. Our country is divided and there is nothing in between. They say you are on one side or the other. And yet we do not feel this, which puts us at risk from both sides. It is implied that if you don’t pick one approach or the other, both sides will come after you. Admittedly I watch both CNN and MSNBC (so called “Left” Democrats) AS WELL AS Fox News (supposedly just conservative Republicans).

One Point of View or the Other

Frankly I don’t approve of what either side is doing. Both are all about an “us” or “them” mentality. This is going to be a big problem moving forward for us because you are not allowed to agree with some of the principles from BOTH sides. As well as  NOT agreeing with many of the “values” from BOTH sides. The concept of true bipartisanship simply does not exist anymore. And yet, that is what myself and my clan believe in. Stepping outside of our apartment is going to mean we shall be constantly tested by others so they can discover our alliance. We are going to have many negative and possibly even violent experiences because you can’t be for all people. It is required you be one point of view or the other.

The Rage Continues to Grow

In our apartment we hear the sounds of outside: loud fireworks and firecrackers being set off at 1:00am, angry rap music and honking. The so called agreement for both sides is a belief there are bad apple cops. The Republicans’ denouncement of tainted officers comes across as being them trying to ensure votes for the next reelection they encounter. And the democrats aren’t even attempting to find some common ground. They are committed to their beliefs and angrily adhere to their own point of view. It is a civil war of ideas and actions. On Day 100 the “New Normal” when we were just talking about COVID-19 was one thing, but now it is even tougher to define than ever. No budging from either side. Violence from looters and vandals (alongside peaceful protesting) from the left and violence  including tear gas from the right. We are in the middle. Does that mean violence toward us from both sides? Or can we actually be a part of a solution? I am afraid for my family finding out as we move closer to going outside. My wife wants to try to go outside today. I am going to attempt to talk her out of it. There is too much wrong with the world (let alone our neighborhood) here on Day 100. We may be stopping the daily reports for this blog, but the rage outside continues to grow. Goodbye on Day 100. Be well. Our beloved Manhattan is largely empty outside. Even in Times Square where we used to live. Thanks for going on this journey with us. Clearly it is not over yet. That said, I have to go do the laundry. It’s early enough that I may get the washer and dryer I like most.

Day 79: Be Creative at Home

Fear of Being Creative

As a family in quarantine lockdown in Manhattan, 79 days in, we get asked “What do you do to pass the time?” Our answer is: be creative at home. It’s really that easy. If you have a creative venture of some kind you should never get bored. Some people claim having a block to their motivation to create, but this is needless to say merely a fear of being creative.

Your Mind Keeps Going

There is no need to block your creative mind, because there is no such thing as inhibiting your mind, unless you are in the midst of something that is life threatening. Your mind keeps going even when you don’t create. That fear of being creative actually is merely a layer you try to put on your creativity, but your mind keeps going, and going, and going, and so on.

Silly But Effective

Therefore to be creative at home you can say to your creativity:

“I am sorry for pretending you weren’t there. You have been there for me, and I never acknowledge it…Until now.”

If saying this to your creative seems silly, all the better to keep doing it. Eventually you will be able to…Be creative at home!

Day 63: Markos Aristotle Stamatakos Still Doing Deals

Far from New York

In this installment of Manhattan Coronavirus, we take you 3,000 miles from Manhattan, NY, to California where a special individual, involved in the world of media, works courageously on websites that sell (W.T.S.)

Entrepreneurship Done Safely

Markos Aristotle Stamatakos also known as Mark Stamas runs the web design production company OffMedia in North Fork California. And despite the existence of COVID-19, he continues to do business with medical mask on and hand shakes while wearing rubber gloves.

Passionate About His Work

Mark Stamas is an inspiration in his community as he continues to boldly do his business even in while facing the Coronavirus. Mark’s message is simple: continue to do whatever you do and be safe while doing it.

Day 60: Love and the Coronavirus

Getting Dressed Up

Last night was my and my wife’s 19th wedding anniversary and our 11 year old daughter did an extraordinary thing. Using things she collected from around our apartment, she dressed up both me and my wife. My wife and I did not see how the other was dressed.

She Married Us Again

Our daughter then wrapped a blanket around herself as a costume piece, next starting some wedding music. She then called us both in, playing the role of a priestess. She went over our wedding vows followed by stating to me “You may now kiss the bride,” which I did.

Will Never Forget

Our daughter then gave me the cue to start doing a dance with my wife that our daughter had choreographed. It was a lot of fun, and thanks to our daughter we will never forget our 19th anniversary taking place during the Coronavirus lockdown.

 

Day 55: Phone Communication

No Travel Time Needed

We are now on Day 45 of America’s lockdown and Day 55 of our own. Our only forms of communication now are our computers and phones. I spend more time on the phone at present because it is no longer possible to do meetings with clients and others live. There have been some benefits to that which include being able to do meetings via Zoom therefore saving me time on what would have been necessary travel time.

Self Motivation

I’m impressed with our staying power. 55 days of being in our apartment and myself, my wife and our daughter are doing quite well. My wife and I are fortunate in having a daughter who is self motivated and has not been a problem at all in this process. She attends school remotely, does her homework and has various online activities she participates in.

Phone Communication

As I sit here in Manhattan, NY, working on the computer, I hear rain outside. There is a part of me that wants to step outside and feel the rain on my face, but this is impossible, especially in our building where people are walking around in the lobby and in the hallways without wearing masks. So instead it is back to the phone talking with clients and others. I am thankful for phone communication.

 

Day 54: Zoom is Zooming

Remote School

It’s incredible that  we’ve reached Day 54 in lockdown. This will long term have a big impact on my 11 year old daughter. She is handling it well and remains focused on distance learning, homework, cleaning her room and Minecraft. We do a weekly Zoom call with my wife’s family. Zoom is also used for meetings with my club and my daughter’s remote school also.

Zoom is Indeed Zooming

Zoom is really zooming. I’ve know about it for quite some time and I found the initial version very buggy and hard to use, but they seem to have perfected the system and is seems like everyone is using it in these Coronavirus days.

Making Contact Across the Country

I have a Zoom call coming soon and am looking forward to it. Myself and the same New York City Zoom group members last time around interviewed someone live from Las Vegas who is very famous in the craft we are a part of.