Since the outbreak, people in China and in the rest of the world have rushed to their local pharmacies to get surgical masks. But there are different types of masks on the market, and not all of them are really effective against this virus. So, which masks actually offer protection? 

The inventor of the technology inside of surgical masks and N95 respirators wants you to know this: Surgical masks are important for sick people to wear — but everyone else should think twice.

Peter Tsai created the filtration fabric inside of most surgical masks and N95 respirators and dedicated his life to perfecting them. He spent over 30 years developing new nonwoven, microfiber fabric technology. He recently retired from the Material Sciences Department of the University of Tennessee-Knoxville.

Tsai explained that surgical masks are designed for catching the large droplets released by sneezes, coughs and sniffles. The masks are best for catching drops that leave a sick person's body.

More at source: Knox News

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The 10 states with the most cases. Just an update from https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/country/us/ - overall, the US is still doing very well in terms of both cases per capital and deaths. Obviously everything is in flux.

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CDC suggests nurses, medical personnel use bandanas, scarves during face mask shortage. - SO SHOULD JANITORS & CLEANERS

ALL MEMBERS (EVERYBODY) SHOULD BE WEARING SCARFS, BANDANNAS, FABRIC OVER NOSE AND MOUTH, GOGGLES ALSO.  

As the national shortage of face masks becomes severe, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says nurses can use bandanas and scarves as makeshift masks when caring for COVID-19 patients — although it’s unclear whether they would protect medical workers. 

The CDC says that option should be used “as a last resort” and only when the hospital nearly depletes its supply and experiences a crush of COVID-19 patients, reaching “crisis capacity.” The CDC acknowledges that its recommendations are out of step with standards of care in the United States.

Nurses and other health care providers can “use homemade masks (e.g., bandana, scarf) for care of patients with COVID-19,” the CDC website now reads. The agency says in the next sentence that the homemade masks’ capability to protect health care providers against the coronavirus-caused disease “is unknown.”

More at source: CDC

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The virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is stable for several hours to days in aerosols and on surfaces, according to a new study from National Institutes of Health, CDC, UCLA and Princeton University scientists in The New England Journal of Medicine. The scientists found that severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was detectable in aerosols for up to three hours, up to four hours on copper, up to 24 hours on cardboard and up to two to three days on plastic and stainless steel.

The results provide key information about the stability of SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19 disease, and suggests that people may acquire the virus through the air and after touching contaminated objects. The study information was widely shared during the past two weeks after the researchers placed the contents on a preprint server to quickly share their data with colleagues.

More at source: National Institute Of Health

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Rhiel Supply Co., which provides janitorial supplies to regional customers, has seen increased customer orders for disinfectants, hand sanitizers, soap and toilet paper, says Karen Blacko, customer service manager. Even the company’s outside sales and delivery services staff keep hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes in their vehicles, per the guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“Our plans are to keep searching for vendors that have products that we can order,” Blasko said. “We got product today for disinfectant sprays for customers who were waiting for it. Our outside sales people are checking with their customers and helping them find the best solution.”

Manufacturers of cleaning supplies are struggling to keep production in line with need, so getting supplies to customers has been a challenge, particularly with hand sanitizer, Blasko says. Rhiel’s purchasing department is working hard to acquire more hand sanitizer, she says.

All of the schools that Rhiel supplies are well positioned, Blasko says, because of being used to the flu season.

“They just had to tighten up a little bit and make sure they had some backup supplies,” she says. “They did real well. Smaller companies, you don’t expect to have a major virus coming, so you have to revisit your plans.”

More at source: Business Journal Daily

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Coronavirus concerns? Ask about a high touch disinfection program for your office center. Professional Certified Office & Medical Cleaning Services | Free Estimates. | Daily, Weekly, Bi-Weekly, Monthly Services Available. | Call Today! | International #Janitorial #Cleaning Services Association

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What does it mean that this coronavirus a pandemic? Even though the WHO has declared COVID-19 a pandemic, nothing in your day-to-day life should change right now. You may, at some point, be affected by public health efforts in your community, such as the closure of schools. Just using the word "pandemic" in place of "outbreak" or "epidemic" shouldn't add extra, unnecessary fear to the existing public panic.

It doesn't mean the disease has become more dangerous than it already is, and it doesn't mean that your personal risk of contracting coronavirus has increased. However, public health officials know that the designation will cause more unrest, fear and anxiety, which is likely why the large health agencies have avoided the term until now. While coronavirus should be taken seriously, the US does have resources to contain the virus and mitigate the risk.

More info at source: CDC

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Sens. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) and Patty Murray (D-Wash.) are calling on the Trump administration to issue an Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) to protect workers from the spreading coronavirus.

The senators wrote to Labor Secretary Eugene Scalia saying the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) within the Labor Department should announce an ETS after thousands of American workers are likely to be exposed to coronavirus due to their careers. They cited the "current and anticipated conditions" as reasons for OSHA to act. 

"The conditions on the ground seem to many observers to already satisfy the legal standards in the Occupational Safety and Health Act to justify OSHA issuing an ETS as health care workers, as well as other workers whose jobs involve interaction with the public, are clearly being exposed to 'grave danger' through exposure to the COVID-19 virus," the letter said.

More at source: The Hill

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"One company said their supply chain was out and they probably would not have anything available for 30 days. The one company I order direct from I ordered 300 cases on Monday. I did not get any in my order Friday," said Miller.

Janitorial supply businesses have said manufacturers predict no alcohol gel available for at least 30 days.

Miller said he also buys directly from a manufacturer, who started rationing based on past history of orders, the size of the business, and other factors. Miller said he likes to take care of customers, but if the manufacturer is out they're out. And the shortage has moved well beyond janitorial supply.

More at source: WGLT

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A group of about 200 custodial workers marched in Irvine on Friday afternoon in support of worker’s rights and to spread awareness about the sexual assault of female janitors during night shifts.

Marchers wore purple shirts bearing the words “Justice for Janitors” and held signs that read “Janitors Sweeping Out Fascism Racism Sexism” and “Building Owners: Do Your Part.”

In Spanish, the group chanted “What do we want? Justice!” and “Stop rape on the night shift!”

A woman dressed in traditional Aztec attire danced to the beat of two drummers, leading the procession through a business district near John Wayne Airport.

More at source: LA Times

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