You're not supposed to reuse the common N95 filtering facepiece respirator mask. But given that they're almost impossible to find or impossible to afford amid the coronavirus pandemic, here are some acceptable methods to decontaminate and reuse common N95 masks.

Method 2: Steaming or boiling

Dr. Tsai says submerging an N95 in 125C/260F degree steam or boiling water for 3 minutes will disinfect the mask without significantly reducing its filtration efficiency (FE). Don't excessively stir the mask if you boil it, use only enough manipulation to keep it submerged. If your mask has paper outer and inner layers, neither the steam or boiling methods are advisable as they will disintegrate those paper layers that hold the filter medium between them.

More at source: CNET

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Our ability to reopen the economy ultimately depends on our ability to better understand the spread and risk of the virus,” said Betsey Stevenson, a University of Michigan economist who worked on the White House Council of Economic Advisers under President Barack Obama. “It’s also quite likely that we will need to figure out how to reopen the economy with the virus remaining a threat.”

Public health experts are beginning to make predictions about when coronavirus infection rates will peak. Economists are calculating when the cost of continuing to shutter restaurants, shopping malls and other businesses — a move that has already pushed some 10 million Americans into unemployment, with millions more on the way — will outweigh the savings from further efforts to slow the virus once the infection curve has flattened out.

More at source: NY TIMES

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CDC Recommends Americans Wear Nonmedical Cloth Masks As US Coronavirus Cases Top 270,000

More At Source: NBC News

More Info From: CDC

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It doesn’t simply rely on being coughed on or respiratory secretions within a six-foot radius of a patient,” he said. “Being airborne would allow a virus to travel further than that. There have been hints.”

Air samples taken inside hospitals, in COVID-19 patients’ rooms and the hallways outside, tested positive for the coronavirus, according to University of Nebraska research. The study is published on a pre-publication research site, but is not yet peer-reviewed.

The samples were taken farther than 6 feet away from patient beds. Analysis of the samples found in the air did not indicate the presence of viral replication.

A university post noted that this was not conclusive evidence that the virus is airborne, and that further research is needed to see if live virus was captured and determine the risk of transmission through the air.

More at source: Clevleand.com

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The video was shared by the official Twitter account of Hospital Sant Joan de Déu Barcelona. In the caption for the video, written in Spanish, the hospital thanked its staff for "continuing to perform their tasks in exceptional circumstances due to COVID-19", adding: "A well-deserved applause."

Source: Hospital Sant Joan de Déu

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The CDC released some rather intense housecleaning guidelines that, if enacted, might consume all of your time. (“Clean surfaces using soap and water . . . tables, door knobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, sinks, etc.” Also, clean all rugs.) You see the problem. Here’s what to do:

IF NO ONE IN YOUR HOME IS SICK . . .

If no one in your home is sick with what might be COVID-19 (or flu or a bad cold), you do not need to spend your days cleaning. Just focus on making sure that COVID-19 doesn’t come into your house by practicing social distancing. 

Clean

• Clean surfaces using soap and water. Practice routine cleaning of frequently touched surfaces.

High touch surfaces include:
Tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, sinks, etc.

Disinfect

• Clean the area or item with soap and water or another detergent if it is dirty. Then, use a household disinfectant.
• Recommend use of EPA-registered household disinfectantexternal icon.
  Follow the instructions on the label to ensure safe and effective use of the product.
  Many products recommend:
  • Keeping surface wet for a period of time (see product label)
  • Precautions such as wearing gloves and making sure you have good ventilation during use of the product.

• Diluted household bleach solutions may also be used if appropriate for the surface. Check to ensure the product is not past its expiration date. Unexpired household bleach will be effective against coronaviruses when properly diluted.
  Follow manufacturer’s instructions for application and proper ventilation. Never mix household bleach with ammonia or any other cleanser.
  Leave solution on the surface for at least 1 minute
  To make a bleach solution, mix:
  • 5 tablespoons (1/3rd cup) bleach per gallon of water
    OR
  • 4 teaspoons bleach per quart of water
• Alcohol solutions with at least 70% alcohol.

Detailed disinfection guidance

Soft surfaces

For soft surfaces such as carpeted floor, rugs, and drapes

• Clean the surface using soap and water or with cleaners appropriate for use on these surfaces.

• Launder items (if possible) according to the manufacturer’s instructions.Use the warmest appropriate water setting and dry items completely.

  OR

• Disinfect with an EPA-registered household disinfectant. These disinfectantsexternal icon meet EPA’s criteria for use against COVID-19.

Electronics

For electronics, such as tablets, touch screens, keyboards, and remote controls.

• Consider putting a wipeable cover on electronics
• Follow manufacturer’s instruction for cleaning and disinfecting
  • If no guidance, use alcohol-based wipes or sprays containing at least 70% alcohol. Dry surface thoroughly.

Laundry

For clothing, towels, linens and other items

• Wear disposable gloves.
• Wash hands with soap and water as soon as you remove the gloves.
• Do not shake dirty laundry.
• Launder items according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Use the warmest appropriate water setting and dry items completely.
• Dirty laundry from a sick person can be washed with other people’s items.
• Clean and disinfect clothes hampers according to guidance above for surfaces.

Clean hands often

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds.
  • Always wash immediately after removing gloves and after contact with a sick person.
• Hand sanitizer: If soap and water are not readily available and hands are not visibly dirty, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. However, if hands are visibly dirty, always wash hands with soap and water.
• Additional key times to clean hands include:
  • After blowing one’s nose, coughing, or sneezing
  • After using the restroom
  • Before eating or preparing food
  • After contact with animals or pets
  • Before and after providing routine care for another person who needs assistance (e.g. a child)
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

More at source: CDC

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Q: What mistakes are other countries making?

A: The big mistake in the U.S. and Europe, in my opinion, is that people aren’t wearing masks. This virus is transmitted by droplets and close contact. Droplets play a very important role—you’ve got to wear a mask, because when you speak, there are always droplets coming out of your mouth. Many people have asymptomatic or presymptomatic infections. If they are wearing face masks, it can prevent droplets that carry the virus from escaping and infecting others.

Q: What about other control measures? China has made aggressive use of thermometers at the entrances to stores, buildings, and public transportation stations, for instance.

A: Yes. Anywhere you go inside in China, there are thermometers. You have to try to take people’s temperatures as often as you can to make sure that whoever has a high fever stays out.

And a really important outstanding question is how stable this virus is in the environment. Because it’s an enveloped virus, people think it’s fragile and particularly sensitive to surface temperature or humidity. But from both U.S. results and Chinese studies, it looks like it’s very resistant to  ...

More at source: Science Mag

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James Dyson designed a new ventilator in 10 days. He's making 15,000 for the pandemic fight

London (CNN Business)Dyson has received an order from the UK government for 10,000 ventilators to support efforts by the country's National Health Service to treat coronavirus patients.

James Dyson, the company's billionaire founder, confirmed the order in a letter to employees shared with CNN on Wednesday.

'Desperate' shortage of ventilators for coronavirus patients puts manufacturers on wartime footing

"A ventilator supports a patient who is no longer able to maintain their own airways, but sadly there is currently a significant shortage, both in the UK and other countries around the world," Dyson wrote.

More at source: CNN

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 United States

Coronavirus Cases:

54,963

Deaths:

784

Recovered:

379

• Now
• Yesterday

Search:

USA State	Total Cases	New Cases	Total Deaths	New Deaths	Active Cases	Source
New York	26,348		271		25,969	[source] [source] [source] [source] [source]
New Jersey	3,675		44		3,631	[source] [source] [source]
California	2,617	+51	55	+4	2,554	[source] [source] [source]
Washington	2,469		123		2,222	[source]
Michigan	1,791		24		1,767	[source] [source] [source]
Illinois	1,535		16		1,517	[source]
Florida	1,467		20		1,447	[source] [source]
Louisiana	1,388		46		1,342	[source] [source]
Massachusetts	1,159		11		1,147	[source] [source]
More States
Total:	54,963	107	784	4	53,800

More at source: Worldometers

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China has announced it will lift the lockdown on Wuhan, the city at the epicenter of the corona virus pandemic, on April 8, marking a significant milestone in its battle against the deadly outbreak.

The date comes more than two months after the city was first sealed off from the outside world, in an unprecedented bid to contain the fast spreading virus. Similar lockdown measures will be lifted Wednesday for other cities in Hubei province, of which Wuhan is the capital, provincial authorities announced Tuesday. 

More at source: CNN

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