How Big Is Amazon, Really?

By Shira Ovide

I’m fond of ( ) repeating a shopping statistic ( ) that often surprises people. In the United States — even during the pandemic — only about $14 out of each $100 worth of stuff we buy is spent online. Amazon is responsible for roughly $5 of that.

So is Amazon a giant that dominates ( ) our internet spending or a blip ( ) in America’s shopping universe? It depends on how you look at the numbers. Amazon is huge in internet sales, but puny ( ) relative to all the goods Americans buy.

Our perception ( ) of Amazon’s size influences how the public and policymakers think about the company. And yet while the company’s share of spending matters, it also doesn’t tell us everything.

Permit me to get a little nerdy ( ) about numbers. Without a doubt, Amazon is the king of online shopping in the United States. Research firm eMarketer estimated that Amazon will be responsible for more than 40% of Americans’ e-commerce spending this year. The second-largest internet store, Walmart, is far behind at about 7%.

Back to my point, though, that internet shopping remains relatively ( ) small. The picture is a little different depending on how you count.

U.S. government data on online shopping plus those eMarketer estimates ( ) put Amazon at about 5% of all U.S. retail sales.

(And there’s a wrinkle ( ): A trade group for retailers recently told me that there could be inaccuracies in the government counting of shopping that blurs ( ) the line between stores and online, such as picking up online orders in person.)

Data can be a weapon. Amazon often uses a version of the 5% sales figure to counter ( ) critics who say the company is too big and powerful. But government investigations into big technology companies are looking at the behavior of Big Tech, not just their size. They’re trying to answer whether companies abuse their power to get advantages over competitors and hurt us.

Amazon has had a profound ( ) influence on people’s behavior, the strategies of entire industries and our communities no matter what the numbers say.

What we’re seeing in real life from Amazon and beyond are big ripple effects ( ) from a small market share.

So, is Amazon big? Yes and also no. And the reality is that no matter what the numbers say, Amazon commands ( ) the attention of people, other companies and governments because it’s influential in reshaping the world.

亞馬遜到底算不算大？

我喜歡重述一個常讓人吃驚的購物統計數字。在美國，即便是疫情期間，我們每購買100美元商品，僅14美元是在網上消費，其中亞馬遜約占了5美元。

所以，亞馬遜究竟是主宰我們網路消費的巨人，還是美國購物世界乍現的一個小光點呢？端視你如何看待這些數字。亞馬遜網路銷售金額龐大，但跟美國人總體商品購買額相比卻微不足道。

我們對亞馬遜規模的感受，影響著民眾和決策者對該公司的看法。然而，該公司在消費者支出中所占比率固然重要，卻並不代表一切。

且容我在數字上再多著墨些。無疑地，亞馬遜是美國網路購物之王。研究公司eMarketer估計，亞馬遜將占今年美國民眾電子商務支出的40％以上。第二大網路商店沃爾瑪則以7%左右遠遠落後。

不過，回到我原先談到的重點，網路購物規模仍相對較小。隨著計算方式的不同，情況也會有些差異。

根據美國政府有關網路購物的數據及eMarketer的估計，亞馬遜約占美國零售總額的5%。

（還有一個小問題是，一個零售業的同業組織日前告訴我，政府對購物數字的統計可能不準確，因為模糊了實體商店和網路商店的界限，例如在網路下單卻親赴實體商店取貨。）

數據可以是一種武器。亞馬遜經常用5%的銷售比率來反駁那些認為該公司太強大的批評者，但政府對大型科技公司的調查不僅關注其規模，還關注行為。他們正嘗試查明這些公司是否濫用權力來獲得超越競爭對手的優勢，並對我們造成傷害。

無論這些數字代表什麼，亞馬遜對人們的行為、各種產業的整體策略，以及我們的社群，都有著深遠影響。

我們在現實生活中從亞馬遜及其他公司身上看到的是，來自低市占率的巨大連漪效應。

那麼，亞馬遜很大嗎？是，也不是。現實的情況是，不管這些數字代表什麼，亞馬遜都吸引著人們、其他企業和政府的注意，因為它在重塑這世界上具有影響力。

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PRESS STATEMENT (IN REPLY TO RONNIE LIU)

I refer to the press statement from the State Assemblyman of Sungai Pelek, titled “Muhyiddin must come clean on the COVID-19 vaccine.” The State Assemblyman has claimed several inaccuracies, allegations, and misrepresentations that require answering in this statement.

I will answer them one by one.

1. The State Assemblyman has alleged that the mRNA vaccine will alter the DNA of a person. He has also questioned whether it will be approved by JAKIM based on the same premise.

Briefly, in our cells, mRNAs (messenger RNAs) are temporary molecules that are made from our genomic DNA before it is translated to make a protein. It is essentially a short-term, temporary message.
In this case, the temporary message instructs the body to produce one of the proteins on the surface of the coronavirus. The immune system will then learn to recognise the virus protein and produce antibodies against it. That’s all the mRNA vaccine does. It does not alter your DNA.

In response to State Assemblyman’s query if JAKIM will approve the vaccine since “it is capable of altering the DNA of a person?” The DNA issue has been addressed above. In addition, I have already stated that JAKIM is part of the Jawatankuasa Khas Jaminan Akses Bekalan Vaksin COVID-19 (JKJAV) which assesses COVID-19 vaccines. Furthermore, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) YB Datuk Seri Dr Zulkifli Mohamad Al-Bakri clarified in Parliament, the Muzakarah (Conference) of the National Fatwa Council will study and deliberate on the matter.

2. The State Assemblyman has also questioned who will be paying for the vaccine. If he read beyond the headlines of the announcement, he would have seen that the Prime Minister has pledged that the Government will fund the public COVID-19 vaccination programme for Malaysians with an initial target of 70% of our population to reach herd immunity. The Malaysian Government has set aside at least RM 3 billion solely for this purpose.

3. The pricing of the Pfizer vaccine is covered by a non-disclosure agreement as each country negotiates directly with the pharmaceutical company. Suffice it to say we are satisfied with the terms and pricing that we have agreed upon. The terms we have reached protect Malaysia’s interests both financially and with regards to the safety of the vaccine.

I can categorically confirm that it is definitely less than the RM100 per dose as assumed by the State Assemblyman.

4. The State Assemblyman also claimed that we are rushing to sign deals with vaccine manufacturers. I can categorically say that this is false. We have been negotiating with vaccine manufacturers since April 2020 when we announced our Science Diplomacy strategy. We are considering all data provided by the companies we are negotiating with in order to make the best, most informed decision. This is just the first of many deals that we are considering. Negotiations are ongoing including with vaccine manufacturers from China (including the manufacturer which the State Assemblyman strongly champions). I would like to emphasise that the vaccines must be deemed safe and efficacious by the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA) under MOH before we execute the agreements and begin the vaccination process.

It is important to note that not any one pharmaceutical company will be able to supply vaccines for the entire Malaysian population. This is why the multi-pronged approach to procure a portfolio of vaccines is significant in order to obtain enough doses to meet our herd immunity target of 70% of the population.

5. With regards to the ultra-cold supply chain required; the shipment will be handled and delivered by Pfizer directly.

As for ultra-cold storage, we have ultra-low temperature freezers in universities and research institutes in the country which can be redeployed, if necessary. Pfizer has also shown that the vaccines are stable at 2-8 degree Celsius for five days.

We are also not getting the 12.8 million doses in one shot. They will be staggered throughout the year. Our planning for storage will take the delivery schedule into consideration.

6. MOH’s efforts during the crisis have not only been domestically praised but also internationally recognised. They have been working constantly and consistently to ensure that Malaysians have among the best standards of healthcare in the world. All of us will help where we can.

We are taking a whole-of-government approach to the COVID-19 crisis. It is all hands-on deck. Every one of my Cabinet colleagues is involved in this effort to get us through this pandemic.

On the question as to why I am involved, I co-chair the JKJAV with Health Minister, YB Dato’ Seri Dr Adham Baba. MOSTI is also involved in vaccine negotiations as the ministry in charge of biotechnology. The Malaysia Genome Institute under MOSTI is producing whole genome sequencing and bioinformatics analysis to detect mutations in the genome from COVID-19 samples.

MOSTI is also in the midst of developing a National Vaccine Roadmap. The National Institutes of Biotechnology (NIBM), Malaysia under MOSTI is collaborating with multiple foreign research institutes in vaccine development R&D as well.

I continue to welcome questions and queries on this important national endeavour.

KHAIRY JAMALUDDIN

30 NOVEMBER 2020

https://www.khairykj.com/statements/press-statement-in-reply-to-ronnie-liu

Direct Composite Build-up • Full Clinical Workflow 🦷

Wax-up has been one of my favourite things to do. With digital wax-up more prevalent nowadays, I tend to do less and less conventional wax-up but when it comes to simple cases like this, I’d still go for manual wax-up.😊

This patient requested to close the space on her front teeth. Having her preferring a simple build-up over Ortho, we went for a direct composite buildup. She initially requested to increase the size of her laterals but considering the shape & size of all 4 anteriors, the result would be more natural if we were to build up the centrals instead of the laterals.
Wax-up and silicone template are prepared pre-op to save some clinical time.

💡Tips: One thing to remember about silicone template is to always extend it to the palatal region so it can seat firmly, preventing any inaccuracies during the Palatal shell buildup.

Apologies for the Palatal shell and proximal buildup picture, my twin-flash ran out of battery.😂

💡Tips: Building up a good Palatal shell and proximal wall saves a lot clinical time...and composite. 😂 Thanks to my first composite veneer class lecturer @doctorarmyempol for teaching the technique.

Being a fan of layering, I’ve chosen @3moralcaremalaysia ‘s Z350XT Enamel A3 to build the Palatal shell and proximal wall, followed by dentine layer with Shade A3 Dentine, and final layer of Enamel A3 again. Layering done with @dental2u composite instruments (I love the red one which gives me a good control to contour the proximal line angles!)

💡Tips: Thanks to @griya.rr for the tip of always placing a thin final layer of enamel instead of building up a thick layer and grinding it down.

Polishing is done with @shofudentalapac One Gloss & Diacomp Eve Twist.

💡Tips: Always document your cases, doesn’t matter if you only have a mobile phone camera. That’s good enough!! Self-review is always the best way to grow.🤗

#SmileMakeover #Composite #Veneers #CompositeVeneers #InjectableComposite #CompositeInjection #Aesthetic #Dentistry #AestheticDentistry #Smile #Dental #CeramicVeneers #Veneer #Dentist @ Subang Dental Specialist Clinic

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DISCLAIMER: CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money due to leverage. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the risk of losing your money. Prior to trading products offered by NAGA Global, you must carefully read and understand the Terms and Conditions.NAGA assumes no liability for errors, inaccuracies or omissions, inaccuracies or incompleteness of information, texts, graphics, links or other items contained within these materials.

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