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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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has released a list of disinfectants to protect against the spread of the coronavirus.

According to the EPA, products on the list have "qualified for use against COVID-19" through the agency's Emerging Viral Pathogen program where manufacturers provide the EPA with data that "shows their products are effective against harder-to-kill viruses."

Coronaviruses are what are called enveloped viruses, "meaning they are one of the easiest types of viruses to kill with the appropriate disinfectant product," the EPA says.

“Using the correct disinfectant is an important part of preventing and reducing the spread of illnesses along with other critical aspects such as hand washing,” EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler said in a news release. “EPA is providing this important information in a public and transparent manner on disinfectant products to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.”

More at source: EPA

To view the list of EPA-registered disinfectant products, visit https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2020-03/documents/sars-cov-2-list_03-03-2020.pdf

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As the coronavirus spreads in the Chicago area, some schools are proactively scrubbing down desks, doorknobs and other high-touch surfaces where experts say the virus can live for days.

While state and local public health officials continue to say the risk in the area remains low, some school administrators — and in some cases, the teachers themselves — are increasing the frequency of cleanings. Some are even enacting procedures typically saved for when students or staff fall ill.

More at source: Chicago Tribune

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Wash your hands. Keep a supply of medicines. Get a flu shot. Experts offer practical tips on how to get ready for an outbreak.

Federal health officials have warned that the coronavirus is likely to appear in communities in the United States. If it does, what can you do to protect yourself and your family?

Much of the advice from experts is common sense, and not much different from what you would do to dodge the flu or any other respiratory virus.

“The mantra is, ‘Keep calm and carry on,’” said Dr. Marguerite Neill, an infectious disease expert at Brown University.

More at source: NY Times

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In China, new measures – including the deep cleaning and destruction of paper money -- were announced by the People’s Bank of China, aiming to contain the spread of the virus, which has infected more than 71,000 people globally and killed 1,775, the majority in China.

Coronaviruses are a large group of viruses common among animals. In rare cases, they are what scientists call zoonotic, meaning they can be transmitted from animals to humans, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

More at source: CDC

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 New parents who obsessively clean their homes to protect babies from germs might want to relax a bit, suggests a new study linking high exposure to cleaning products with an increased risk of childhood asthma.

Researchers surveyed parents about how often they used 26 common household cleaners over babies' first three to four months of life. By the time the kids were 3 years old, children with the highest exposure to cleaning products were 37% more likely to have been diagnosed with asthma than those with the least exposure.

With greater exposure to cleaning products, kids were also 35% more likely to have chronic wheezing and 49% more likely to have chronic allergies, the study found.

"Parents are striving to maintain a healthy home for their children," said study coauthor Dr. Tim Takaro of Simon Fraser University in Vancouver, Canada.

More at source: CMAJ

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An enormous floating device designed by Dutch scientists for the non-profit Ocean Cleanup successfully captured and removed plastic from the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, the company announced Wednesday, as CNN reported.

Ocean Cleanup has been hard at work on creating a device to attack the plastic waste crisis for seven years, by creating a device that captures plastic in its fold like a giant arm, according to Business Insider. The company announced that it was able to capture and hold debris ranging from large cartons, crates and abandoned fishing gear — according to an Ocean Cleanup press release.

More at source: Eco Watch

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LOS ANGELES (CNS) - More than 1,000 janitors in Los Angeles will carry out a march today to demand that the owners of the world's largest buildings adopt a “new deal” for immigrant workers.

Janitors will also rally in Orange, San Jose, Oakland, Sacramento and San Diego.

These events mark the start of the contract campaign for 25,000 janitors across California organized by SEIU United Service Workers West, according to a union statement. They are using the occasion to lay out a list of human rights standards that they are asking all building owners and property managers in California to adopt.

After their march, the workers will be addressed by speakers, including L.A. County Labor Federation President Ron Herrera.

More at source: KFI

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