We’re all traveling again; unfortunately, COVID-19 isn’t going anywhere. New variants are spreading throughout Europe. Austria announced Europe’s first nationwide vaccine mandate and reimposed lockdown as COVID-19 cases soared. German Chancellor Angela Merkel has called the latest wave the worst to grip her country since the pandemic began. It’s only a matter of time before this European surge impacts other regions and economies.

During the past few months, I’ve flown to cover events for Cosmoprof North America, the Household and Commercial Products Association, the Florida and California chapters of the Society of Cosmetic Chemists and the ISSA Show. At nearly every stop, attendees followed directions, wore masks and kept their distance—although I must admit that while I was in the Happi stand speaking with colleagues, one California Suppliers’ Day attendee had to remind me to pull my mask up!  Of all these meetings, the ISSA Show seemed to play loosest with mask requirements. While speakers were appropriately covered, per city and show organizer mandates, a lot of exhibitors had their masks down, and their guards, as well. That’s ironic considering these companies are at the forefront of efforts to control the pandemic.

Most surprising, however, were the United Airline passengers who eschewed mask mandates. In every case, the offenders were middle aged men who acted like school boys—as soon as the flight attendant passed by their rows, they pulled their masks down, which is a violation of United’s rules. What’s next? Spitballs? This boorish behavior is going to make travel and business more difficult for months and perhaps years to come. Last month, three colleagues came back from a business trip in the Midwest; all came down with COVID-19 and we closed the office (again) for the rest of November.

Wherever your travel plans take you, be sure to take Happi or visit Happi.com. This month, Melissa Meisel reports on the latest ingredient trends and new product developments in skin care actives. Christine Esposito details the latest shampoo and conditioning offerings from multinationals and startups. And if you didn’t make it to ISSA, no worries. An article on the latest trends in industrial and institutional cleaning and disinfection, can be found here.

As 2020 comes to a close, the Happi staff wishes everyone a Happy New Year. Things will get better in 2021—especially if we all keep our distance and our masks up! 

Tom Branna
Editorial Director
[email protected]