The Week USA - 28.03.2020

The best of...quarantine shopping—simplified

Consumer

Automobile

The newest compact SUV from Mercedes-

Benz “seems laboratory-designed to fi t the

desires and lifestyles of aspiring families.”

Slotting into the already narrow space be-

tween the GLA and the GLC, the fi rst-ever

GLB turns out to be “surprisingly practical

for its size” as well as semi-affordable. “It’s

a handsome sucker, too, in part because it

presents itself with the honest upright grace

that once characterized most every truck-

inspired SUV.” Its upright stance also makes

it feel roomier than anything else in its class.

CNET.com

Opt for the 20-inch wheels and AMG style

package and the GLB changes persona: less

a “rugged little cute-ute,” more “a grown-up

hot hatch.” Whether you choose front-wheel

drive or four-wheel, you’ll get 26 mpg in

combined city/highway mileage and an ar-

ray of tech features, including an overeager

voice-activated virtual assistant. Though you

pay extra even for leather, “exercise a little

restraint” and you can drive away a mod-

estly optioned version for about $47,000.

The Wall Street Journal

Out on the road, this winsome crossover

feels “fully alert, plenty composed, and

corner-confi dent.” And somehow, despite

its diminutive size, it can be purchased with

a third row that’s at least big enough for

kids on a short carpool jaunt. Still, it’s the

adorableness that matters most. “Daimler

will sell all they can make.”

LEISURE 29

Tip of the week...
Easy targets for spring decluttering

Best apps...

For getting and staying organized

And for those who have

everything...

Some people

love tattoos but

just aren’t ready

for the commit-

ment. If you’re

one of them, the

Prinker S could

be the answer.

The handheld printer applies a temporary

tattoo with just a quick swipe, and “only

upon close inspection would you know it

wasn’t permanent.” Choose a ready-made

design, draw your own, or upload an im-

age from the web. The Prinker applies a

primer lotion, then FDA-approved cos-

metic ink that’ll last two days. The tattoos

wash off with soap or wet wipe, and you

get about 1,000 from one ink cartridge. So

go crazy. With the Prinker, “you can look

like a badass even if needles terrify you.”

From $269, prinker.us

Source: DigitalTrends.com

QVases: “People often underestimate the
number of vases they have tucked away.”
So haul them all out, take inventory, and
keep only enough to accommodate the
flowers you bring into your home. Some
florists will happily use your extra vases.
QHangers: Cull the random collection in
your closets of hangers that are nonmatch-
ing. Your dry cleaner and local thrift shop
might be able to use the leftovers.
QTools: Some homeowners don’t need
more than the basics. Once you identify
duplicates and tools you’ll never use, you
can donate them to Habitat for Humanity.
QPaint: Opened paint is best used within
two years, so don’t store it forever. Latex
paint can be put out with the trash, but
open lids to dry it out first, using sand or
cat litter to absorb large quantities. Consult
your municipality on ways to safely discard
oil-based paints.
Source: The Washington Post

QSmarter Time tracks you the way you

hope Big Data doesn’t, then puts the infor-

mation in your hands. It chronicles activity

on your computer and phone, which also

provides data on location and movement.

All is fed back to you in timelines that you

can use to set new goals.

QCozi helps keep family members on the

same page. It “does an admirable job of

syncing your clan’s collective calendars”

and can also handle to-do lists in agendas

that are emailed daily or weekly.

QTody can bring family in, too, but the

app’s focus is on helping you schedule

housecleaning chores so that your house is

cleaner but requires less cleaning time.

QThumbtack is one app to turn to when

you need a pro’s help. Describe the task,

from building shelves to organization

coaching, and you’ll see a list of local pro-

viders plus their rates.

Source: FastCompany.com

The 2020 Mercedes GLB 250: What the critics say

Adorably practical, from $36,600

Hand soap

Washing your hands

thoroughly and regu-

larly with soap provides

better protection from

the novel coronavirus

than hand sanitizers,

which might not kill the

virus. You may want

sanitizers with 60 per-

cent alcohol, though, for

when you can’t access

soap and water.

Source: ConsumerReports.org

Bathroom tissues

Yes, you will need a

two-week supply of

toilet paper if you have

to self-isolate because

you develop fl u symp-

toms. Facial tissues are

needed, too: Have them

at hand to cough or

sneeze into, plus more

to limit contact with

doorknobs, etc.

Source: New York Times

Nonperishable foods

You won’t lose tap

water or the use of

your freezer and fridge,

but stretch your avail-

able food supplies by

stocking up on healthy

nonperishables such as

canned tuna, broth, and

tomatoes; shelf-stable

milk, dried legumes and

pasta; and grains. And

don’t forget your pets.

Source: Washington Post

Medications

Stock up on pain reliev-

ers and other OTC

treatments for fl u symp-

toms. More importantly,

request a month’s

supply of needed pre-

scription medications

and consider other

pharmacy needs, such

as diapers, contact lens

supplies, and feminine-

care products.

Source: BusinessInsider.com

Disinfectant

The coronavirus can

live for several days

on hard surfaces, so

make a routine of using

a disinfectant to wipe

down countertops, fau-

cets, doorknobs, light

switches, phones, etc.

Lysol on paper towels

will work. So does a

cloth dampened with a

mix of ¼ cup bleach to

2¼ cups water.

Source: NYMag.com