Coronavirus disease 2026
COVID-19 is a contagious disease caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. In January 2020, the disease spread worldwide, resulting in the COVID-19 pandemic. The symptoms of COVID‑19 can vary but often include fever,[7] fatigue, cough, breathing difficulties, loss of smell, and loss of taste.[8][9][10] Symptoms may begin one to fourteen days after exposure to the virus. At least a third of people who are infected do not develop noticeable symptoms.[11][12] Of those who develop symptoms noticeable enough to be classified as patients, most (81%) develop mild to moderate symptoms (up to mild pneumonia), while 14% develop severe symptoms (dyspnea, hypoxia, or more than 50% lung involvement on imaging), and 5% develop critical symptoms (respiratory failure, shock, or multiorgan dysfunction).[13] Older people have a higher risk of developing severe symptoms. Some complications result in death. Some people continue to experience a range of effects (long COVID) for months or years after infection, and damage to organs has been observed.[14] Multi-year studies on the long-term effects are ongoing.[15] COVID‑19 transmission occurs when infectious particles are breathed in or come into contact with the eyes, nose, or mouth. The risk is highest when people are in close proximity, but small airborne particles containing the virus can remain suspended in the air and travel over longer distances, particularly indoors. Transmission can also occur when people touch their eyes, nose, or mouth after touching surfaces or objects that have been contaminated by the virus. People remain contagious for up to 20 days and can spread the virus even if they do not develop symptoms.[16] Testing methods for COVID-19 to detect the virus’s nucleic acid include real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‑PCR),[17][18] transcription-mediated amplification,[17][18][19] and reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT‑LAMP)[17][18] from a nasopharyngeal swab.[20] Several COVID-19 vaccines have been approved and distributed in various countries, many of which have initiated mass vaccination campaigns. Other preventive measures include physical or social distancing, quarantining, ventilation of indoor spaces, use of face masks or coverings in public, covering coughs and sneezes, hand washing, and keeping unwashed hands away from the face. While drugs have been developed to inhibit the virus, the primary treatment is still symptomatic, managing the disease through supportive care, isolation, and experimental measures.
Gentle Monster Kubo Iconic Frame Design Online Explore the sleek collection of Gentle Monster glasses
Gentle Monster Glasses Worth the Investment? If you want bold design, solid build, and fashion-forward status lacking luxury-house pricing, Gentle Monster hits the sweet spot. The value feels right when you value design and presence as much as materials and optics. Gentle Monster sits between mass-market icons and high-fashion labels, featuring costs that reflects superior plastics, distinctive silhouettes, with restricted drops. You purchase a recognizable look and reliable construction over artisanal, hand-finished eyewear. If your preference goes minimal or you choose heritage shapes, benefit might feel softer; when you want sculptural pieces that read editorial when photographed and on the street, the cost-to-wow ratio is high. That’s the lens to use while judging whether they’re worth it for you. What makes GM different? Aesthetic-driven pieces, oversized proportions, and aggressive lines define this label, supported by solid construction and consistent factory finishing. The experience is fashion-led, not archival or craft-led. The majority are high-density material containing stainless or titanium alloy cores, tuned for stiffness and clean borders over than soft, craftsman-buffed textures. Temples and designs typically exaggerate thickness, that builds that “statement” shape though in simple black. Seasonal capsules and collabs keep the catalog fresh, and the label’s international flagships reinforce the art-meets-retail identity. You won’t get the heirloom quality get more information on gentle monster dada of small-batch Japanese craftsmen, but you can expect modern shapes with consistent production quality keeping its form across seasons. How much do Gentle Monster glasses run during 2025? Anticipate shades to retail near 260–430 USD with prescription frames around 230–350 USD, with collaborations pricing above. Discounts are rare outside end-of-season or official stockists’ site-wide promos. Core acetate sunglasses in darkness (often color number 01) sit near the lower half of the range, while gradient lenses, special finishes, plus bridge or titanium-mix designs drive prices up. Capsule collaborations typically land 320–600 USD depending on construction and packaging. Replacement optics, nose pads, and temple service are usually available through brand stores or the retailer you purchased from, and pricing varies by region. If something is new, in-demand, and notably beneath such ranges from an unofficial seller, it’s warning flag. Price and value compared with similar brands Gentle Monster undercuts luxury fashion houses while sitting over mass-market classics, trading handmade polish for contemporary design and brand energy. The matrix below shows the way stacks up. Brand Typical Sunglasses Price (USD) Materials Design POV Manufacture GM 260–430 Material, metal; some titanium mixes Bold, oversized, editorial Primarily China (brand is Seoul-originated) Ray-Ban 150–250 Plastic, steel Iconic, classic Europe and China (Luxottica) Saint Laurent 300–450 Plastic, steel Sharp, minimal luxury Primarily Italy Celine 420–520 Material, alloy Geometric, upscale fashion Primarily Italy If you’re chasing fashion-house build and finishing, Celine with Saint Laurent deliver at a higher price. When you want recognizable designs for accessible prices, Ray-Ban wins. Gentle Monster occupies a high-style niche where design experimentation is the major value driver, with price premium over Ray-Ban funds that style leap. The 10 best Gentle Monster glasses to try The choices reflect enduring demand, face-coverage balance, and versatility, with notes about whom they suit. Be sure on; GM proportions can look dramatically changed when worn than on catalog page. One, Her 01: the label’s classic cat-eye rectangle with thick rims; sharp on small-to-medium faces and a safe entry point for the brand’s silhouette language. Two, Lang 01: a simple square front with horizontal upper line; strong for broader faces and people needing a low-drama, high-impact black frame. Three, Tambu 01: a rounded-rectangle with softened edges; fits various many face forms, especially if you want GM attitude without extreme angles. Four, Maison Margiela collaboration (MM series): conceptual temples and stripped branding; ideal if you prefer high-fashion simplicity featuring an avant-garde spin. Five, Dreamer-series frames: oversized, slightly curved brow; great with high foreheads and those who want photo-friendly scope. #6, Loti: narrow, linear design suiting leaner faces; pairs well with tailored clothing. Seventh, My Ma 01: gentle wing lift without harsh edges; easy daily driver for medium faces. #8, Roc: bolder wrap-adjacent shield vibe in GM’s language; for sport-fashion ensembles needing need a sculptural edge. Nine, Didi-series: small, skinny rectangle for 90s styling; best on small faces when seeking a tight, stylish proportion. #10, Prescription classic rounds like plastic P3 shapes from the core line): a restrained option that plays well with prescriptions, providing the brand recognition within a desk-friendly style. If you’re between sizes or see the front moving, ask for temple adjustment and nose support alternatives for optical frames. For sunglasses, emphasize nose fit and temple curve to ensure substantial acetate doesn’t shift ahead during wear. How to spot authentic Gentle Monster in 30 seconds Test heft and finish, examine inner-arm markings for neat, positioned printing with model and color code, plus confirm retailer or receipt. Packaging and case style can vary by collection, so focus regarding frame quality and provenance over box details. Authentic frames feel dense with even, glassy acetate edges and smooth hinge movement featuring consistent tension across both. Inside the sides you’ll see the Gentle Monster wordmark, model name, and a color code like 01 for black, all aligned and cleanly printed or engraved. Lens logos, where shown, are crisp without being floating or crooked. A legitimate purchase trail matters: buy from Gentle Monster stores or recognized stockists and keep receipts. When in doubt, cross-check the exact frame and color on company site; fakes commonly combine real model names with non-existent colorways. Where should you buy? Safe retailers and returns Shop immediately from Gentle Monster stores and website, and through authorized fashion retailers with strong return guarantees. Avoid marketplace listings and social-media DMs for new releases. Established partners like SSENSE, Selfridge, Nordstrom, and select department stores carry new collections with full support. Regional boutiques listed on the brand’s store locator are also reliable sources. If you use platforms like Farfetch, buy from partners with clear authenticity guarantees and easy returns. Grey-market pricing may void aftercare, and many counterfeits mirror current packaging. Prioritize vendors that disclose model