Moreover, the inability of the government to make the people of Australia wear masks has contributed to the rise in the patient count of COVID-19. The Coronavirus has affected more than 15 thousand people in Australia, while almost 175 people have died at the hands of this pandemic. It is important that during these times, the people remain educated about the day to day updates of the COVID-19 pandemic. People should be educated on how they can protect themselves and their family members and loved ones from this deadly virus.
They need to be educated on what this COVID-19 virus is and how it can be stopped from spreading further. The current crisis of the mask shortfall is affecting every health care worker in the world at the moment. This situation is not an exception when it comes to Australia as well. The country is facing an acute shortage of masks and personal protective equipment, which is necessary for health care providers to keep them working around the clock.
This article is aimed at educating its readers about the timeline of the spread of COVID-19 in Australia and also discusses different guidelines that are provided by the Australian Department of Health on ways to protect yourself from this deadly virus. We will also be discussing the rise of COVID-19 patients in Australia and the various reasons that lie behind it.
The coronavirus disease can be defined as the illness caused by a new coronavirus that causes severe acute respiratory syndrome. The first case of the novel coronavirus was recorded in Wuhan City of the Hubei province in China on December 31st, 2019. The World Health Organization declared it a global pandemic after three months.
There are plenty of theories surrounding the origin of the novel Coronavirus, but nothing has yet been confirmed. The first cluster case was originated in a fish market in the Wuhan district of Mainland China. The COVID-19 virus is primarily spread by symptomatic people who are in close contact with others by respiratory droplets or by touching your face after touching an infected object.
Since its inception in China, the COVID-19 virus has taken almost 662 thousand lives, leaving almost 17 million people still infected. The scale at which this virus spreads and impacts was last seen after World War 1, during the Spanish Flu pandemic.
There has been no cure or vaccine being invented to prevent further cases from coming up. Different research facilities and pharmaceutical companies like Pfizer, GSK, and Johnson and Johnson invest millions of dollars in research and development, finding a vaccine or a cure.
But until these companies and facilities come up with something, it is up to us to protect ourselves and our loved ones from this silent but deadly virus. We all need to follow all the guidelines provided by the World Health Organization and our local government to stop the spread of the virus, so we can contribute our piece in flattening the curve and later bringing it down.
Like any other country in the world, COVID-19 has affected Australia as well. It has been especially hard here as Australia had just gotten out of one of the worst bush fires in the country's history. The first recorded case of COVID-19 patients in Australia was recorded on January 25th in Victoria. After that, the country recorded nine patients by the end of the month. By the start of February, strict flight restrictions were imposed on travelers coming from mainland China.
Every passenger coming from mainland china was asked to stay in isolation for 14 days in a third country before entering the country. By the end of February, Iran became the second country whose travelers were required to spend a fortnight in another country before entering Australia.
March marked the month when deaths due to Coronavirus started to begin. On March 1st, the first death of a 78-year old man was recorded due to COVID-19. From March 1st to March 31st, there were 19 deaths recorded with the death toll still rising. March was also the month when two-times Oscar winner, Tom Hanks, made headlines after being hospitalized along with his wife in Queensland after being infected by the Coronavirus.
On April 1st, the western state government imposed a strict inter-state travel ban, which was aimed to limit movement in the western region of Australia. By the end of April, the death toll was raised to more than 90 deaths. The rapid rise of affected patients and the increasing death toll caused the federal and state governments to take more drastic measures to stop the spread of Coronavirus. From May to July, various outbreaks of Coronavirus in various states have caused the death toll to its current number, which is more than 180.
We will now be discussing the month-wise spread of the novel Coronavirus in Australia.
January 2020
By January 23rd, officials from the biosecurity agency had begun to screen arrivals from Wuhan to Sydney. The travelers were presented with a questionnaire asking them if they had a fever or any symptoms that might lead suspicion to possible infection. On January 25th, the first victim of the COVID-19 was recorded.
The Patient had traveled from Guangzhou on the 19th and was tested positive for Coronavirus. A total of nine cases were recorded by the end of the month. From January 31st, foreign citizens were asked to stay in another country for a fortnight before entering Australia.
February 2020
On February 6th, three members of a tour group returning from Wuhan were positive for COVID-19. In February, it was also discovered that almost 25 Australians were tested positive for the Coronavirus. By February 27th, the prime minister had initiated a national health response plan for the novel Coronavirus. On February 29th, Iran was also put in a list with China after a case from Queensland emerged who had recently returned from Iran. By the end of February, the patient count had increased to 23.
March 2020
On March 1st, the country reported its first death by the hands of Coronavirus. A 78-year old man from Perth, who was one of the passengers of Diamond Princess. On March 2nd, four new cases were recorded. The new thing with these cases was the two of these cases, which were caused by community transmission.
Both of these patients were detected in New South Wales; one of them was infected by a relative, while the other was a healthcare worker. On the same day, another case was recorded—a 40-year-old man who landed in Launceston from Melbourne.
On March 4th, the second death in Australia was recorded. A 95-year-old woman who died at an old age home in Sydney. On March 7th, the Victorian minister for health confirmed that a doctor in Victoria had contracted novel coronavirus. The doctor had consulted about seventy patients before being diagnosed with Covid-19.
2nd Week of March
On March 8th the death of an 82-year-old man increased the death toll to 3 in the country. On March 9th, the principal Carey Baptist Grammar announced that one of the school's teachers had contracted the virus. The teacher, aged 50 years old, was confirmed to be the partner of one of the travelers who shared the flight with physicians coming from the United States. On March 11th, the MONA FOMA winter arts festival was canceled due to the pandemic.
On March 12th, The Australian Capital Territory had announced its first case on Coronavirus, making it 142nd of the country. Actor Tom Hanks and his wife were also tested positive in this period and were put in isolation. Later that day, the Prime Minister announced a 17.6 billion dollar stimulus in the aftermath of the crisis. The health minister of Western Australia informed the public about postponing upgrades at the Peel Health Campus to cadre to patients more. Victoria, in the meantime, confirmed nine more cases, one of them being the first as a result of human to human transmission.
3rd Week of March
By March 10th, the premier of Victoria had warned its citizens of the extreme measures in the wake of the current crisis. These measures could include canceling sporting plans, working from home, and bringing back recently retired health care professionals.
Queensland University halted all kinds of teaching when three of their students tested out to be positive. The Ovation of the Seas, a cruise ship, docks in Sydney on the 18th and shows about 80 passengers who were infected by the Coronavirus. The trend was the same for two other cruise ships as well, which docked on the 18th and 19th of march. On March 19th, Qantas announced that it would be scaling its operation down by 60 percent. On March 22nd, the prime minister announced a second stimulus of 66 billion dollars.
4th Week of March
On March 24th, a passenger from Ruby Princess passed away while 133 were tested positive. On the 28th, 284 were diagnosed with Coronavirus. On 25th, the National Covid-19 Coordination commission was set up by the Prime Minister.
5th Week of March
On 27th, Artania docked at Fremantle. Most of the passengers flew to Germany on 28th and 29th March. Forty-one of the passengers on the flight were later tested positive, including the crew. On March 31st, the Prime Minister the biggest economic support program to the date of 130 billion dollars, known as the 'job keeper.'
April 2020
On April 1st, the government of Western Australia announced restrictions on interstate travel to limit the movements between the regions. On April 2nd, the number of COVID-19 positive patients in Victoria had surpassed 1000 benchmark. On April 5th, the New South Wales PD launched an investigation on whether the crew of Ruby princess broke any biosecurity laws. By April 6th, the health department announced that the federal government started to log recovery stats.
On April 11th, Anglicare announced that more than 2000 coronavirus patients had been discovered in the Newmarch old age home. By the 14th, it was found out that these cases were linked to an infected staff member. On 27th and 28th, four residents passed away in less than a day. By May 9th, 69 cases of COVID-19 were connected to the facility, 32 staff, and 37 residents. On May 19th, the 19th resident passed away due to COVID-19.
On April 13th, the government of Tasmania closed the North West Regional and North West Private hospital for cleaning and placed its employees and their families under quarantine. On April 15th, a western Australian man was jailed for breaking quarantine.
On the 30th, the ACT became the first Australian jurisdiction to claim free of active COVID-19 cases, although on may the 4th, there was one case that came forward who had gotten infected by the virus overseas. But this was quickly taken under control, and ACT again became free of active COVID-19 cases on May 10th, 2020
May 2020
An outbreak of Coronavirus was discovered in Victoria at a meat works, which was later revealed to be Cedar meats. The outbreak was announced on May 2nd with eight recorded cases. By May 8th, the cluster cases that originated from cedar meats started rose to 71 cases. These cluster cases consisted of 57 of which were workers, and the 13 were infected by close contact.
By the 12th of May, McDonald's Faulkner had churned out almost a dozen cases. By May 15th, there was some relief in New South Wales regarding public gatherings. On this day, South Australia had also lined itself with ACT after reporting no new active cases of Covid-19. This good news did not last long, on May 26th, A woman who had been traveling from overseas had acquired access in South Australia was tested positive from her quarantine in her hotel.
This was the first case for Victoria in 19 days. This, too, was soon reported to have been treated, making South Australia active cases free once again. On May 17th, two further businesses had been shut down in Victoria due to a suspicion of existing cases. The Fairfield Domino's had been shut down for almost a couple of weeks now as well as comfort, the mattress manufacturer, had been closed since May 15th.
On May 19th, another resident of the old-age home in Newmarch passed away from novel coronavirus. This death marked the sad milestone of 100 deaths all over Australia. On May 21st, the Northern areas also claimed to be active cases free.
June 2020
On June 6th, South Wales and Victoria both recorded no new cases for the previous 24 hours, while only Queensland and Western Australia reported one case each. These were the lowest numbers recorded since February. Two older cases were announced in Western Australia during this time as well. However, the new case in Queensland seemed to have been linked with the Swanston cluster in Melbourne. This cluster appeared when a man boarded a flight from Melbourne to Brisbane and tested positive on June 1st. On June 7th, a man who traveled overseas to the Australian Capital Territory had tested positive for the novel Coronavirus.
This was Capital Territory's first case in more than a month, where the last case was reported on May 4th. By the 17th, this man had completely recovered, leaving the Capital Territory again with no active cases to pursue. On June 12th announced that it had no active cases as well. On June 20th, the Victorian government officials announced their plans of re-tightening household gathering protocols, as the number of active cases had spiked over the previous week.
On June 22nd, restrictions were imposed on households of having no more than five visitors in a single home at a time. Any further plans of leniency were postponed until the situation is back in control. On the same day, the Western government announced that it would be moving into phase 4 of its plan. As a result of this, restrictions were lightly lifted in the country. On June 30th, the Victorian officials announced local lockdowns on ten different locations.
Residents of these locations will have to comply with the rules of the restrictions imposed if you were in that area and wanted to get out of your house. You had to have one of the following reasons. Shopping for essentials, for medical or compassionate needs, for exercising, for work, and education purposes.
July 2020
On July 4th, the Victorian Government added two more postcodes in the list of areas being severely affected by the Coronavirus. The addition will result in lockdown until July 29th 2020. Moreover, nine public housing towers that housed more than 3000 residents were added to the list as well. This addition meant that no resident would be allowed to leave the premises of their apartments for five days, which are subject to extension to 14 days.
From July 5th, at the request of the NSW Government, the federal government introduced strict restrictions on travelers arriving at Sydney airport. A limit of fifty passengers per flight and 450 international arrivals per day was set to contain and quarantine the incoming passengers properly.
By July 6th, interstate borders were announced to be closed from the start of July 8th.
On July 7th, metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire were to re-enter lockdown after recording 191 new Coronavirus cases.
On July 11th, the previously free, compulsory hotel quarantine was to be charged from July 18th. The rule was implementable on those who had confirmed tickets afternoon on July, 12th 2020.
On July 14th, the NSW Government announced increased preventive measures and precautions due to the increasing rate of cases piling up. The step introduced new rules for pubs and restaurants. It allowed ten seating per table instead of 20 and a maximum of 300 people in any venue.
On the 18th, the federal parliament announced that its schedule for the first two weeks of August was canceled. The parliament is now scheduled to commence once again from August 24th.
On July 19th, the Victorian premier announced that covering your faces was made mandatory in Melbourne and Mitchell Shire. The residents are not allowed to leave their homes if they are not wearing a mask. The rule was implementable after 11:59 AEST on July 22nd 2020. Those who are not wearing any protective gear will be fined 200 dollars. Moreover, the emergency period was extended until August 16th.
On July 20th, the number of daily overseas arrivals allowed at the Sydney airport was decreased from 450 to 350. Also, on this day, the job keeper program was extended but in an altered and at a lower rate. On July 22nd, Victoria announced that visitation at their old-age facilities would only be restricted to caregivers with a one-hour visitation schedule per day.
On July 2nd, the premier of Victoria Daniel Andrews announced the "Judicial Inquiry into Hotel Quarantine Program." The inquiry was supposed to investigate the breach in hotel quarantine infection control.
To protect the country's population, the Australian Department of Health has implemented some safety measures and precautions. These precautions are aimed at stopping the spread of the Coronavirus. It includes some common precautions like wearing a face mask, regularly washing your hands, and maintaining social distancing.
One of the most important in this list that can contribute the most in stopping the spread of Coronavirus is the use of face masks. These masks help contain the virus as it stops the respiration droplets from spreading out into the air around its wearer. There are several different types of masks available in the market. From expensive N95 masks to cheap but effective reusable cloth masks, all of them serve one common purpose of stopping the spread of the virus.
Although, the non-medical are generally discouraged from buying N95 masks as they are a rarer commodity at the moment and should be reserved for the medical staff working in hospitals and clinics. Another important safety measure advised to the general public is to wash their hands regularly for almost 20 seconds.
Most of the time, we do not realize how much we are used to touching our face and mouth. These habits could be very dangerous as our hands could have touched a surface or an object that has been contaminated by the virus. Therefore, it is important to keep your hands clean at all times. If you cannot wash your hands, it is advisable to keep a bottle of hand sanitizer of a minimum of 60 percent strength, with you at all times.
The next safety measure that is recommended by the authorities is to observe social distancing at all times. Social distancing is the most effective way to protect yourself and your loved ones from getting infected. It is recommended that you keep a minimum distance from others when you have to go out or, in the best-case scenario, stay indoors all the time. These are some of the most important and basic precautions; every person should take to get on top of the COVID-19 crisis.
Masks are considered as an essential asset in protecting yourself against the novel Coronavirus. The main function of a mask is to act as a barrier between the person and its surrounding environment. Chairman of the Centre for Disease Control said in a news conference recently that the patients of the Coronavirus could be reduced by 70 to 80 percent if everyone started wearing masks.
In Australia, the department of health has also recommended or, in some areas, forced people to wear masks when out in public places like public transportation. Wearing a face mask can provide an extra layer of protection if you happen to be in a place of the high transmission rate. But it is still advised to stay at home if you are feeling sick or do not have any important business to take care of.
Face masks and respirators are especially crucial for healthcare workers, who are working day and night among COVID-19 patients. In a situation where doctors and other health care workers are so needed, it is not affordable to have them on the benches if they contract the virus. Healthcare workers are not only Australia but also all over the world are facing a shortage of proper personal protective kits like face shields and masks. Therefore, the public needs to use clinical masks whenever they step out of their house, so the load on these hospitals and health caregivers is lightened.
As mentioned earlier, health care workers all over the world are facing an extreme shortage of face masks and respirators. Australia is, unfortunately, no exception to this situation. Doctors all over the country are appealing to the government to increase personal protection equipment production, as they are at the end of their rope.
A local manufacturer of the equipment mentioned above, who supplies this equipment to more than 500 hospitals, said that most of these hospitals are going to running out of required protective gear within days. The federal government has said that they have ordered 30 million medical masks, which will be delivered within a week, but the hospitals claim that their stocks need to be replenished within days.
One of the most required commodities at the moment is the coveted N95 masks. These specialized masks contain a specialized filter that prevents your breathing particles from getting out and restricts particles from outside from getting in your respiratory tract.
But as these masks are disposable and need to be discarded after a single-use, replenishing them is extremely important. With its increasing demand and low production, the price of these masks has skyrocketed, making it even harder to access them by local hospitals. International companies like 3M™ and Honeywell have as of yet been unsuccessful in coping up with the demand of the market.
With its increased demand and inflated prices, the situation has given birth to another problem which is forgery and fraud. Unregistered companies are starting to manufacture self-proclaimed N95 masks, which have caused increased patient count instead of decreasing them. The total demand for masks in Australia right now is almost 48 million face masks per month. With such high demand, it is becoming increasingly difficult for the state and federal governments to cope with it.
One of the most common ways a person might get infected is through airborne transmission. These cases could have been reduced drastically if everyone makes sure to wear masks and conform to the rules of social distancing. As of yet, the government has not been able to implement this precaution firmly. As a result of people not wearing masks, the recorded cases have jumped to more than 15 thousand cases, with 180 deaths.
The rise of these cases can easily be attributed to people not following the guidelines given out by the Australian health department and the world health organization. One of the hotspots for transmission is considered the Victoria region. The government recently implemented a strong mask compulsory rule in the second biggest city of Melbourne, where the cases were increasing day by day. These decisions, if taken seriously, could prevent a lot of lives. It is important to know that wearing a mask cannot guarantee your safety; it is only a guard that is supposed to protect others from your breathing particles unless it is an N95 mask. Another reason for the high rise in COVID-19 patients is clustered.
These clusters are easy to identify but harder to locate. Smaller clusters could be an extension of a large cluster, which could contribute to a larger number of patients. The number of novel coronavirus patients has been increasing day by day. People must take this virus seriously. Otherwise, it will be even harder for the government to contain the number of patients in a manageable bracket.
Apart from having an adverse medical impact, the COVID-19 has also impacted the Australian community's psyche and economy. The Australians are facing one of the most difficult economic periods of current times. When businesses are closed and people are forced to work from home, it has created a stark impact on the psychology of Australian citizens.
The rate of domestic violence, as well as the crime rate, has jumped up because of the lockdown and the lack of resources to survive the lockdown. People must be provided with proper incentives and resources to survive their lockdown. Another important aspect is to provide citizens with ample entertainment to incentivize them to stay at home.
Moreover, the absence of economic opportunities is putting a dent in the national economy as well. People are being laid off daily, and it is getting harder to provide them with enough money to keep them afloat. Small businesses that do not have a huge bank reserve are closer to liquidation every day.
The novel Coronavirus has affected every person in the world. Apart from creating great medical issues for the public, it has also caused psychological distress and economic instability. Australia has not been an exception to this scenario. Like any other country in the world, Australia also has been hit hard by this deadly virus. With the death toll nearing 200 and the total number of cases in the 15000s, the Australian government is trying its hardest to contain it.
The day-by-day spread of the virus has confused experts worldwide in coming up with ways to overcome this problem safely. With a global pandemic like this, it is important to keep on your feet and learn from your previous mistakes. As mentioned before, the last global pandemic that spread like this was influenza. The novel Coronavirus of 2020 and the Spanish flu of 1919 has a lot of similarities. Both of these diseases were at first downplayed, making the death toll higher and the situation direr. With this pandemic that has enveloped the whole world, the lack of supplies makes matters worse. While major companies like 3M and Honeywell failed to cope with the high demand for medical supplies and personal protective gear, the markets are starting to fill with second rate products that are hurting the case count.
With the high demand for medical supplies like respirators and masks, their prices have skyrocketed. This scenario has given birth to opportunists like hoarders, making it even harder for them to gain access to proper personal protection equipment to deal with their patients.
In regards to Australia, one of the major problems the country is facing right now is the non-compliance of the residents to wear a face mask or a shield voluntarily. More than 80 percent of coronavirus patients can be spared if people start wearing masks whenever they are out in public.
Moreover, with cluster patients popping up from Victoria to Tasmania, it is becoming increasingly difficult to keep track of each cluster's origin. Australia must focus on imposing more strict rules to follow as well as power down on implementing stricter rules to stop the spread of the novel Coronavirus.
]]>Many non-profit organizations are aligning their missions towards helping their communities combat the novel COVID-19 pandemic while also trying to endure the crisis themselves. San Diego Museum of Man is one such non-profit organization, which has had to close its doors for its regular operations but remains determined to deliver on its mission to connect people to their humanity, and be part of the solution to the COVID-19 problem. Inspired by their Museum's contribution in the second world war, when they offered their facilities to the Navy as a space to care for the wounded and sick, they have offered their facilities to serve their community during this pandemic. CARE, a non-profit organization missioned to save lives, defeat poverty, achieve social justice, and fight for women and girls; has directed its resources to constructing, equipping and maintaining public handwashing stations in communities; providing hygiene kits to the most vulnerable households within society; training and educating communities and community leaders on proper handwashing and sanitation practices; as well as expediting provisions of clean water through emergency water trucking and distribution of safe water storage containers to some of the most vulnerable countries in the world The organization has also advocated issues such as the impacts of stigmatization of COVID-19 infected people, and the need for Gender Based Violence to be included in COVID-19 response plans. Concerns regarding Gender Based Violence, have led The Feminist Humanitarian Network (FHN) to action. FHN is an international network of women leaders committed to a transformed humanitarian system that promotes a feminist humanitarian agenda based on a notion that women have gone overlooked for too long with their leaders and voices being ignored. They offer psychosocial support via helplines and counseling; providing their offices as quarantine stations; and taking action to mitigate false information online. The Feminist Humanitarian Network is fiscally sponsored by ActionAid, an NGO which is focused on public health education and the distribution of educational materials at community level as well as distributing of hygiene kits, food and cash for critical livelihood.
Doctors without borders (FSM), is an independent global movement providing medical aid where it is needed most. They have been combating infection prevention and control measures related to the COVID-19 pandemic response in Yemen and Venezuela. Australian Red Cross has continued its vital services for people in high risk groups. They have expanded their phone-based support services for people in isolation and provided support for emergency relief teams in the Asian-Pacific region and beyond. The Foodbank Australia & Foodbank Victoria provides meals to vulnerable groups. Providing emergency food suppliers to vulnerable communities across Australia. There are a vast number of organizations oriented to the mitigation of COVID-19 world over, from The Asylum Seeker Resource Centre in Australia to The Child Care of America; All having different focuses from supporting healthcare and other frontline workers, to supporting small businesses and supporting hygiene promotion activities and community-based care.
It's no wonder people have begun asking the question, where to buy n95 masks?
]]>Food processing refers to the transformation of agricultural products into food, or the transformation of one form of food into other forms. The grinding grain, the making of raw flour, and the complex industrial methods used to make convenience foods all represent a form of food processing. Food processing is designated as critical infrastructure, permitted to continue operations during the Covid-19 pandemic. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recommended that workers in Food Processing may be permitted to continue work following potential exposure to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, provided they have not had a positive test result for COVID-19, and additional precautions are implemented to protect them and the community. All food processing worksites should incorporate relevant aspects of CDC guidance, including but not limited to measures such as the identifying of a qualified workplace coordinator who will be responsible for COVID-19 issues, help develop plans for implementing infection control procedures and help assess the impact of COVID-19 on the workplace, including absenteeism at work. Moreover, basic infection control information and training should be provided for all workers in a language at a literacy level they understand. For instance, the distinction between respirators, which are required for workers performing some jobs in the food sector, and disposable face masks (such as surgical or medical masks) which are required in other jobs must be clarified by employers through training. Employers must check temperatures and assess symptoms of workers before entering the facility. Workers who have a fever, cough, or shortness of breath should stay home or go home if they develop symptoms during the work day. Employers should close off areas used by the person who is sick, clean and disinfect the worker's workspace and open outside doors and windows to increase air circulation in the exposed area, if reasonable given food safety regulations. Collect information about the infected worker's contacts among co-workers for the period starting two days prior to symptom onset to identify who could be considered exposed. If no fever or other COVID-19 symptoms are present, workers should self-monitor for the onset of symptoms during their shift. Good Manufacturing Practices and well-proven food safety regulations and practices are the basis of expert opinion that regards food supply as being safe and wholesome.
The World Health Organization (WHO), and The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), assert that there is no evidence of food or food packaging being associated with the transmission of COVID-19 regardless of the status of the worker in the plant. However, it remains important to always follow good hygiene practices when handling or preparing food. This includes thorough cleaning and sanitation of food processing equipment and facilities, washing hands and surfaces often, separating raw meat from other food, cooking to the right temperature, and refrigerating foods promptly.
]]>However, some of the other Australian suppliers have begun to look at other face masks brands for the supply from other countries other than China. When acquired, the products can then be imported into Australia to meet the demands. Some of the alternative brands include 3M, Honeywell, Moldex, UVEX, MSA, Prochoice, and Draeger. Also, the P2 disposable respirators are vital to the protection from thermally or mechanically generated particulates.
For a respirator to become approved and standardized by the Australia/New Zealand AU/NZA 1716, it must meet all the international and national medical requirements for a ventilator. Besides, in the occurrence of P2 masks shortage, there are ways to maximize the use of the face masks. Some of the suggested standard procedures include;
According to the Workplace Health & Safety Queensland (WHSQ), the necessary stakeholders should take responsibility for the availability of the face mask. And until then, arise to enhance the redistribution and balance the availability of the limited resource among those who need it more than others. The health or medical officers are the ones at the frontlines of the battle against COVID19, and they deserve the best form of protection. Also, they are in charge of caring for the confirmed as some more people will still recover their health.
The ABC reported that effective personal hygiene remains the most vigorous opposition to the spread of the coronavirus. If people endeavor to wash their hands very often and keep social distance, the use of face masks will be restricted to when in public places only. Besides, the P2 model of face mask is only recommended for use in public areas. In other words, the risk of contracting the virus is far lesser when you comply with the social distancing and hand washing rule.
In conclusion, the response to the virus is not fear nor panic, but careful adherence to the laid down rules and guidelines by appropriate authorities. Furthermore, the PHNs have an instruction to conserve the limited stocks of the P2/N95 respirators. At the same time, the respirators should have particular limitations according to the general practices for other bodies. In all, if demands continue to rise, and supply is not available, there is a fear the shortage might reach other parts of the world.
]]>On a broader note, some of the differences between the two sets of the release include:
Now, some of the earlier guidelines have been modified, while others remain the same. For instance,
However, some of the modified guidelines include the following;
So, what do all these guidelines mean to you? As a medical worker, you can only use the recommended P2 face mask in Australia. Whereas, as a non-medical worker, a non-medical mask will suffice, only that it must have the same quality and properties as stated in the comprehensive guidelines.
Now, everyone must know which category they belong, and the kind of mask they should use, medical or non-medical. In addition to the use of masks, other precautionary measures should be retained to achieve a reduction in the spread of COVID19 disease. Also, the WHO guideline demands to help keep everyone safe and secure in these trying times.
]]>COVID-19 has changed our lives as we know it, however, it is not the first SARS coronavirus to have caused havoc and panic across the world.
In the first month of 2003, a large number of people in South China were infected by a novel virus called SARS. At first medical experts were not aware and failed to identify what kind of human affecting virus this was, as this was the first SARS virus of its kind to have such a large negative impact. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-COVI-1) is identified as a novel virus that is spread through person to person transmission, through minute respiratory droplets that travel from one infected person to another. The virus is also transmitted by the minute respiratory droplets falling to surfaces which a non-infected person may come into contact with.
SARS-COVI-1 falls under one of thirty-six coronaviruses which have been discovered and scientifically studied throughout the years. SARS-COVI-1 was considered even more severe than any other of the coronaviruses as it primarily targets the respiratory area of the body, specifically the lungs. The World Health Organization (WHO) identified SARS as influenza. Influenza is an illness which leads to severe respiratory inadequacy. When it first appeared in Southern China, it was difficult to identify due to the fact that it has the same signs and symptoms as the common cold and flu. This caused people to be lackadaisical, taking it casually and not being aware or concerned of its high risks.
Due to the reason that the virus can be transmitted between people through normal day to day activities such as talking, handshaking, and hugging, the infection rate rapidly exploded, and this caused people to travel to other nearby cities. This travel inherently further transmitted the virus, increasing the infection rate. SARS-COVI-1 has similar symptoms as COVID-19, such as a fever, dry cough, tiredness, diarrhea, headache, loss of taste or smell, and also severe symptoms such as difficulty in breathing, shortness of breath and chest pain or pressure on the chest.
Like the COVID-19, it is suspected that SARS-COVI-1 originated from the eating of bush meat, specifically, the civet cat. The civet cat in question was also suspected to have eaten a bat. Since the recent outbreak of COVID-19, there has now been a warning issued in China on the wet market trades and the eating of wild animals.
Over ten thousand people contracted the SARS virus in a window of fifteen months and about one thousand people lost their lives. Compared to COVID-19, the SARS-COVI-1 epidemic was not as devastating. The SARS virus was successfully contained by the end of November 2004. No new cases were identified since that time and it indicated that the virus can be contained if acted upon with caution, unity, and professionalism.
It's no wonder people have begun asking the question, where to buy n95 masks?
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The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) is a US Federal Agency responsible for research of work-related disease and injury. They develop and provide necessary regulations and recommendations on a periodic basis to limit the exposure of hazardous substances or potentially unsafe environments in the workplace. NIOSH also provides measures to prevent or reduce the adverse effects of the hazards on human and environmental health. The mission of NIOSH is the generation of new knowledge, in the occupational safety and health field, and transferring that knowledge into practice for the betterment and well-being of workers. Scientific research is conducted by NIOSH to accomplish this mission, alongside developing guidance and authoritative recommendations, disseminating information, and responding to requests for workplace health hazard evaluations.
There 6 values NIOSH bases their agency on. Firstly, relevance, making sure that the programs are responsive to the occupational safety and health issues that burden workers. Next is quality, NIOSH utilizes the best scientific research, the highest level of data quality and the most transparent peer review. Another value which NIOSH is accredited for is their partnership. Working alongside industry, academe, workers, government and the scientific and the professional communities, both nationally and globally. Next is transparency, NIOSH is clear and open on all information about working processes and their customers can obtain the full NIOSH services and products through traditional, mobile, and electronic sources. NIOSH values their impact. Their programs are result orientated and are evaluation goes according to the solutions put in place for the problems of occupational safety and health found in workplaces on a daily basis, and lastly, NIOSH values diversity. Contractors and employees reflect various ethnic backgrounds found in the American workforce and research and interventions reflect the diversity of solutions needed for the American working environment.
NIOSH has released a document in guidance of preparing a workplace for the recent COVID-19 outbreak. Their main aim is to reduce the impact of the virus based on traditional infection prevention and industrial hygiene practices. It focuses the need employers should have in implementing administrative, engineering and work practice controls and personal protective equipment (PPE), as well as considerations for doing so. The guidelines were set out to aid employees identify risk levels in workplace settings and to determine any appropriate control measures to implement.
NIOSH is a diverse organization that falls under the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The wide range of disciplines that NIOSH represents include industrial hygiene, medicine, epidemiology, nursing, safety, chemistry, psychology, engineering, economics, and statistics. NIOSH’s headquarters is located in Washington DC, and have offices and divisions aimed at research in Atlanta, Georgia; Bruceton, Pennsylvania; Morgantown, West Virginia; Spokane, Washington and Cincinnati, Ohio.
It's no wonder people have begun asking the question, where to buy n95 masks?
]]>The efficiency of the disposable P2 face mask is dependent on the fitness of compliance to the necessary standards. Besides, it must be worn correctly and checked if the tool is entirely free from all compromise. The WHO, CDC, and some local regulatory authorities are responsible for the generally accepted procedures and guidelines for the use of the P2 facemask. In order not to compromise the efficiency of the P2 face mask, the following Do’s and Don’ts are quite essential:
DO’s
DON’Ts
According to the standard procedures of the World Health Organization (WHO), the following forms the summarized FIVE steps to follow to put on the P2 mask:
Also, it is essential to follow the manufacturer’s instructions when wearing and removing the P2/N95 respirator. The approval bodies in Australia that prepared this instruction guideline include the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC). But apart from the use of the medical and non-medical face masks, citizens should also adhere to the social distancing, and frequent washing of hands rule.
]]>Just like all other N95 masks, the KN95 is also a particulate respirator with an extremely effective filtration system designed to filter 95% of particles. The KN95 is a great means of protection against particles like dust, pollen, and airborne contaminants. These filtering facepiece respirators are designed to offer airtight coverage to the nostrils and mouth of the wearer, shielding them against viruses and bacteria swimming in contaminated air and spit droplets. Crafted with a 3D shape, KN95 masks are compatible with the ergonomics of the human facial structure and guarantees you a secure fit in addition to breathing convenience. Its unique design makes it less stressful put on, and convenient to speak and breathe with. This particle filtering mask is foldable; if you are moving from place to place, it can easily be folded and stored with a lesser risk of contamination.
With the barely noticeable improvement in the ongoing pandemic crisis, it is safe to say everyone sleeps and wakes up with a mask. However, if a mask is worn excessively, its functional integrity effectiveness is bound to degrade; therefore it is important to know how long a mask should last for.
Depending on the production date, which is normally written on the package, a KN95 mask has a lifespan of up to 5 years if stored in perfect condition.
The KN95 mask is designed to have an extended usage time of up to 8 hours. In a situation such as the current pandemic where healthcare workers are constantly exposed to the risk of infection for long hours, the KN95 respirator can guarantee all-day protection. Hospital wards are always crowded with multiple infected patients; without removing the mask, the wearer can conveniently engage with these patients for 8 straight hours.
According to the manufacturers' recommendations, KN95 masks are designed to be used once and disposed of immediately. Nevertheless, the pandemic hits more cities daily, leading to shortages in personal protective equipment, and as a result, devising means of re-using KN95 masks have become a necessity. Although there is no formal recommendation from the CDC and NIOSH on the re-use of facial respirators, they approve of the below strategies in a time of scarcity.
Re-using a KN95 mask is advisable, but can expose you to a greater risk of infection. Here are certain conditions that require you to dispose instead of re-using:
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While there are so many masks available in the market, every person prefers different masks depending on how much they can afford. For example, the N95 mask and the 3M mask cost considerably more than the disposable masks – but not everyone can afford it.
Read below to find a short guide on disposable masks, their uses, and efficiency:
Surgical masks previously used to have just the value piece of cloth wrapped around a doctor's or nurse's face, but now they are the need of every other person all over the world! They are constructed using non-woven materials made of plastics such as polypropylene to prevent any particles from entering your mouth. These are often available in several types and grades based on the degree of protection you need.
There are several disposable masks in the market. Read below to learn how efficient they are:
Most disposable masks are cheaper due to which most people can afford it. They are cheap because they are disposable and are not made up of hard materials, which may be costly. These disposable masks are made up of cheaper materials due to which their overall cost is low.
While disposable masks are beneficial, there are more beneficial options available!
]]>N95 masks act as personal protective equipment, which means they protect the user from airborne molecules and droplets present in the environment. The design of these N95 masks is an important aspect as they need to fit on your face comfortably.
Read below to find where you can find in stock N95 masks.
Keep your n95 masks with you at all times!
]]>The coronavirus pandemic has already inflicted severe towards small businesses all around Australia. Small businesses in any country are considered the “backbone of the economy”, as they operate directly in the community and offer services immediately. The majority of small businesses in the retail, arts and entertainment industry have been closed since the beginning of the lockdown and even though the lockdown is starting to ease up with each phase, most companies are still inactive. According to the Australian newspaper, an article was posted stating that over 65 small business companies were forced to close indefinitely. The damage done to the economy cannot be ignored or side-lined as every working-class member sees the disfigurement around us.
With the country moving into a phase 3 lockdown, at least 60% of the companies in the Victorian state are to start operating but not on a full-scale production level. Services such as restaurants and parks are now operating at 50%, as only a total of 50 people are allowed at a time. Only essential services such as supermarkets and hospitals operate at 100%.
In May 2020, the finances ministry issued 13 billion Australian dollars to assist small business owners in providing salaries. The money was set aside to provide assistance through the pandemic crisis. Most businesses that have benefitted from the grant, have reported positive feedback indicating how it really made a difference. The package was launched to support the economy through the worst of the lockdown. The Government announced that they are aware of the current economy and working on a plan to facilitate the tax budget. Other donors such as the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations (UN) have also assisted in funding different departments of the government. All in the hope of assisting companies to cope during this difficult time.
Everyone must support local businesses.
The majority of the small businesses in the country are owned by the locals or natives. As we are also locals in the community, everyone should aware that we can also assist in the support of SME. By consciously purchasing from small businesses that are not able to operate at 100%, we can ensure that the company stays active and functional. This is a fight everyone is involved in.
It's no wonder people have begun asking the question, where to buy n95 masks?
]]>Apart from maintaining proper hygiene and keeping a 6 feet distance from other individuals, it is essential that we start using masks religiously. The Australian government has a lot made it mandatory to wear masks from 2nd august 2020.
One of the best masks that helps in preventing COVID-19 is 3M. Read below to learn more:
The 3M 9004 IN is one of the many masks out there which provides respiratory protection against small dust particles. It has three layers of filter installed in it. They are crucial to use against protection from the COVID-19 as with their three-layer protection; you are completely safe in all kinds of environments.
The mask is designed to allow comfortable breathing and does not suffocate your mouth and cheeks like surgical, and cloth masks often do. They are commonly used by medical health workers, such as doctors and dental surgeons.
These 3M respirators are available in stores as well as online. Initially, they were only used by medical staff, but now they are being used by other people, such as kids because they allow easy breathing.
There are many types of 3M masks available in the market, each with unique features and uses.
9422+Aura Particulate Respirators:
These masks are specially designed for workers in food industries. They have a low resistance to breathing and allow easy and comfortable wear. They are ideal for use in places with high temperatures because it does not allow moist build up inside the masks.
8300 Particulate Respirators:
Their robust outer shell allows easy fit and covers the entire mouth and nose, thus preventing air particles contact from the skin. Its high-performance filter media makes it breathable. It does not suffocate the wearer and can be worn for long periods.
8000 Series Particulate Respirators:
This respirator mask comes with an adjustable nose clip that helps reduce the fogging of glasses. It is what makes it most suitable for those who wear glasses. The two-point latex-free straps allow the wearer to easily wear it and the mask to stay in place. It also contains a very high-quality filter media that ensures protection from dangerous particles entering into your mouth and nose from the air.
Overall, all of the 3M masks are very comfortable, but it depends entirely on your environment and the type of mask you must wear. Comfort masks such as 8300 particulate respirator and 9422+Aura particulate respirators are for those with respiratory problems such as asthma. Classic masks are for those who live in dusty and windy areas. Likewise, other masks have other features fit for other environments.
There are many features in a 3M mask, so you should use them instead of the surgical and cloth masks.
Take precautions now, as it is now or never!
]]>According to an international supplier, the difference between a P2 and an N95 mask is in their testing requirements. While the N95 is approved for use in the US, the P2 type is the recommended version for Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. But the standard of protection is the same for the two types of masks. The primary purpose is to reduce the spread of the virus across the world through scientific knowledge.
Back in the fall of 1910, a worker in the Chinese Imperial Court, Lien-teh Wu, developed a cloth facemask to curb the spread of the Manchurian plague outbreak. This mask protected the users form the bacteria infection during the empirical testing. And when the flu pandemic broke out later in 1918, the Lien-teh Wu model became instrumental in protecting citizens. A newly designed mask used the principles of the earlier cover and was inspired by the latter.
Also, during World War ‘I,’ between 1914 and 1918, the developed gas masks that were adapted by miners took inspiration from the earlier protection gadgets. However, these new ones were very bulky and very uncomfortable for the users. The weight was mainly due to the fiberglass component and the heavy rubber in use. However, these face masks were reusable, which was an advantage over the new day P2 facemasks.
In the 1970s, the Bureau of Mines, together with the NIOSH of the US, created standards for single-use masks. This led to the invention of the 3M design of the first set of N95 covers in 1972. The pioneering designer was Sara Little Turnbull, who ensured its extensive application of use. Research progressed on ways to improve the design and effectiveness of the N95/P2 masks to serve a better purpose.
Peter Tsai, as a professor at the University of Tennessee, designed and patented a model of N95 masks for industrial use in 1995. But this model became widely approved by the healthcare standard as a piece of protective equipment that can block airborne viruses. The first use was necessitated by the outbreak of tuberculosis, which defied the drugs and had non-symptomatic types. Professor Tsai called off his retirement as a result of the COVID19 pandemic to help redesign possible re-use of the N95 masks through decontamination.
In conclusion, the P variant of the face mask model number stands for the oil-proof models. For instance, the ‘N’ in ‘N95’ symbolizes that this model is for non-oil-based particulates while ‘R’ types show resistance to oil. Hence the P2 facemask is useful in filtering off oil-based particulates.
]]>Even though there are many things that you can do to prevent this virus, such as staying indoors, adhering to the quarantine and isolation regulations, and maintaining proper hygiene, using masks is one of the best and easiest to take precaution and protect yourself from COVID-19.
3M masks are one of the most recommended masks for COVID-19 due to their exceptional properties that prevent the particles from entering the mouth. Its name comes from the three layers that make up the mask preventing dust or other such particles. These masks have a shelf life of 5 years in their original packing.
Read below to find the suppliers of the 3M masks in Australia so you can shop the masks from stores having it in stock at good prices:
Please wear masks and take precautions. The Australian government has made it mandatory for Aussies to only leave houses when wearing masks, from 2nd August 2020. Remember, precaution is better than cure!
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It is the top best of the respirators and is a disposable one. The disposable marks are often sold in bulk and are stored in emergency kits to share when required. The 3M 8516 N95 respirator has stood apart from many other respiratory tests of quality. It is a comfortable mask that can be worn for a long time and has a design that gives you a broader space to breathe and stays safe. The edges of 8516 do not push against your cheeks. It has an exhalation valve that allows cooling down of the mask space while breathing and wearing the mask over longer durations. You can wear your glasses and hearing aids without any issue with 8516 N95 respirators.
This reusable half piece respirator stands on the second position of the top best N95 respirators. It is a comfortable piece that can fit on your face and not cause any irritation or uneasy feel. You can also bring in some variations in this mask with the option to use various cartridges. This respirator can be used for longer durations because of its silicone body that fits comfortably on your face. You can take off the facepiece without removing the whole headpiece because of the inbuilt quick latch technology in 3M Rugged Comfort Quick Latch Half Facepiece Reusable Respirator.
It is also vastly relied on a respirator that provides you a high-quality shield and can be worn for longer durations. It has also met the NIOSH standard for being an N95 mask and has been saving thousands of people in Australia.
This piece is highly helpful for being protected against smoking and airborne illnesses. It has the filtering ability of 95% and is a certified N95 mask. It is blue and hence matches the medical surroundings.
It is also among the top best respirators that are under the N95 category. It is a durable mask that has welded attachments. Due to this feature, the headband is least likely to break.
This respirator has a high spot in the ranking respirators that provides the best blocking shields in the market. This facemask can serve the best in areas that have dust particles or PVC residues as well. It brings a five-star comfort to the wearer and high-end protection.
This durable mask is a convenient piece that is a budget-friendly respirator and ideal for all. You can buy them in bulk and store them for emergency needs. It is the best item to accompany in working areas and also for medical needs. Just like any other N95 mask, it also has four layers of purification.
This facemask helps in easy breathing as it has the exhalation valve and also a comfortable design that fits perfectly on the face. It dissipates heat from the valve and also provides maximum protection against airborne viruses.
This is also one of the best shields against illnesses and viruses. It has two layers of fabric and is a NIOSH approved mask. This respirator can be used to have the best protective measure against COVID.
This wonderful mask is a reliable option for protection against airborne diseases. This can also be used by workers in construction sites to help ease breathing in dusty areas.
]]>Perhaps it is not so surprising for celebrities because they spend reasonable hours in one event or the other. When one tests positive, it automatically warrants that many who have come in contact with him in the past few weeks may also have contacted it. And so, it is that most celebrities and their better halves tested positive to the COVID19 virus while awaiting a quick recovery. In due time, some of them have recovered while some are still in the process.
1. IDRIS ELBA AND SABRINA DHOWRE ELBA
The two lovely couples met in 2017, and it ignited a “love at first sight” for Idris, who was on a movie set. But on March 16, the popular actor shared a clip via his Instagram handle alongside his model wife that he just tested positive to the virus. Earlier, he claimed to have been exposed to someone else who had tested positive. He further encouraged everyone to remain vigilant, wash their hands regularly, and maintain social distancing. Afterward, the wife also contracted the virus, obviously from the husband.
2. BORIS JOHNSON
The British Prime Minister declared his status via Tweeter and also went into isolation on March 27. Johnson, 55, tweeted, “Over the last 24 hours, I have developed mild symptoms and tested positive for coronavirus.” He started with mild symptoms but consequently deteriorated and had to be taken into the intensive care unit on April 6. The recovery was quick, and he was discharged on April 12.
3. TOM HANKS AND RITA WILSON
When Oscar-winning actor Tom Hanks tested positive to the Coronavirus with his wife, they retreated to Australia for isolation. Hanks broke the news on Instagram in March, saying, “We were tested for the coronavirus and were found to be positive.” He added, “We felt a bit tired like we had colds, and some body aches. Rita had some chills that came and went. Slight fevers too.” However, the couple recovered and has returned to the US.
4. PRINCE CHARLES
The Prince of Wales, 71, tested positive to the Coronavirus on March 25, according to a press statement from the Clarence House. Prince Charles and his wife, Camilla, who tested negative, went into isolation in Scotland home. However, on March 30, Clarence House further confirmed that the Prince was now out of isolation after testing negative. The Prince confirmed this in a video on April 1.
5. DEBI MAZAR
The beautiful actress shared the news of her COVID29 test result via Instagram on March 21. She also confirmed that the entire family had had an “odd bug,” saying, “Well…today is day 5, and I just found out. I’m hoping I’ve been through the worst of it already”. All in all, we can wish those who haven’t yet recovered a speedy recovery that we may have our world back.
]]>As far as the P2 is concerned, the Australian and New Zealand Standard for Respiratory Protective Devices is AS/NZS1716. But the standard that offers guidance on the selection, use, and maintenance of the facemask is AS/NZS1715. The latter is more commonly used in determining which respirator will be appropriate for industrial purposes. It is also worthy of note that different certifications are acceptable in the Australian market.
Again, the P2 respirator mainly belongs to the P-class of face masks or respirators that are similar in design to N95, only that the approving standards differ and the places of application.
The details below show the differences between the N95 and the P2 face masks;
In conclusion, users of either the N95 or the P2 must be sure of the testing results of the selected respirator. Besides, the wearer must adhere strictly to the standard methods of wearing and that of removing the respirator. After putting on the face mask, ensure that you can breathe in and out conveniently. If not, adjust the straps to the most convenient point and adjust the fitting to leave no space at the edges of the mask.
After use, when the respirator has been removed, don’t forget to drop it off into a container. The container should have a lid and must be out of reach to infect others. Remember that the protection is not only to shield the person from the wearer but also to protect the wearer from contacting the patient’s saliva or respiratory secretions.
Apart from the respirator, there is an order of removing all the Personal Protective Equipment that the health professional might be using. Other notable PPEs include protective goggles, shoes or boots, coats or gowns, gloves, and hand sanitizers.
]]>The three types of masks available in the market are:
If both the disposable and surgical Mask offer the same protective efficiency against contaminants, what is their significant difference?
First, let’s analyze the obvious similarity. Bear in mind that both masks are disposable - the surgical Mask is just a different type of disposable medical Mask. From the physical appearance of both, it might be difficult to tell them apart at first sight. They are both crafted with the same three-layer structure, namely:
What distinguishes an ordinary disposable medical mask from a surgical mask is the fluid resistance. A surgical mask is designed to block the penetration of bodily fluids like blood. When engaging in operation, certain procedures may result in an accidental splash of blood from the patient onto the doctor's Mask. An ordinary disposable mask will get soiled in such a scenario and result in a transfer of infection from patient to doctor. A surgical mask can protect the doctor in the event of a splash.
The disposable Mask has a particle filtration efficiency ideal for civilians, and it is available for purchase online. The home-made Mask is also not a bad choice if you cannot buy the disposable medical one. However, for healthcare workers, the best option is the medical-surgical Mask.
]]>Read below to find a clinical supplies essentials guide.
You should always have these clinical supplies at hand; you never know when you will need them!
Currently, the global Coronavirus pandemic is a major concern due to its high transmission rate and rapid spread throughout the world. The death rate is currently reported at 2-3 %, with no vaccine or antiviral medication available to the public.
Previously, hundreds of studies conducted have confirmed that ultraviolet (UV) light can be an effective measure in decontaminating surfaces that may have been contaminated by viruses, bacteria, and fungi. The COVID-19 virus is similar in structure to many other coronaviruses such as the Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). While COVID-19 has not has sufficient studies done on the outcome of the UV light exposure, many studies on other related coronaviruses such as SARS, have shown that it has a high susceptibility to UV inactivation.
There are two UV methods for infection control against bacteria that currently exist. UV radiation or chemicals are used as exposure in the form of a disinfectant. These range between 200 and 300 nanometers. In order for the successful killing of the Coronavirus, the wavelength of the UV light required is very high and the exposure to the light needs to be sufficient, which can be very expensive. Additional disadvantages to using the UV light is that the radiation can cause damage to your eyes and cause skin irritation with too much exposure.
There are different types of UV. Firstly, UVA, it makes up a vast majority of the rays which are emitted from the sun. it has the ability to penetrate deep into the skin and is considered responsible for 80 % aging skin, from age spots to wrinkles. Next, we have UVB. This type of UV has the ability to cause damage to the DNA in our skin. This damage leads to sunburn and in turn, can eventually cause skin cancer. Recent studies show that UVA can also be a major cause of skin cancer. Thirdly, we UVC. This is a more complicated wavelength as it is a shorter, more energetic wavelength compared to the first two. It is a good contender in completely destroying genetic material, both in humans and in viral particles. Luckily, it is less common and in a lifetime a person is unlikely to have encountered any exposure. In terms of rays from the sun, the ozone filters this type of UV, protecting our skin long before it would have reached the surface of the earth.
UVC has become a staple method of sterilization, used in many industries from hospitals to the sanitation of drinking water. While short studies have been conducted in order to get results as quickly as possible, large exposure of UVC to treat COVID-19 on surfaces has been successful. And while it may work well on surfaces of all kinds of materials, once the virus is inside your body, no amount of UV exposure is going to have any impact on whether you’re affected. Hence, the search continues.
It's no wonder people have begun asking the question, where to buy n95 masks?
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Zoo's, like any other business, have suffered huge losses with the sudden closure brought about by lockdown regulations. Despite the complete loss revenue from admission tickets, membership sales, and special events, hundreds of animals still need to be fed and looked after daily. Eric Bairrao Ruivo, conservation director at Beauval Zoo in Saint Aignan mentioned that although government support through loans is helpful, the situation cannot continue for much longer. Other zoo representatives concur with some news outlets having quoted zoo representatives saying if the situation got bad enough, they might have to slaughter some of their animals to feed others. Animal care is further complicated by unanswered medical questions on how the virus affects various animal species. For instance, chimpanzees are usually fed by hand via their keepers, but zoo staff has decided to start distancing themselves from the animals and have resolved to scatter the food throughout their enclosures. The human interaction and connection that zoo animals had grown accustomed have now been threatened and zookeepers say not all animals are happy with the change. The manner of feeding is not the only change for the animals, the types and quality of food have also deteriorated as funding has reduced reduces. As supply chains are being disrupted by the pandemic, the stoking up of animal enrichment items like fresh produce and white bread, used to reinforce positive behavior cannot be stocked up due to their short shelf life. But even though Zoo facilities are closed to the public, there remains a number of innovative ways available to raise funding. Chester Zoo in the UK is an example of a Zoo that used Facebook to host virtual tours, attracting thousands of people and "breaking the internet". Similar ideas are available on social platforms such as
Instagram, YouTube, and Patreon. Where organizations can host pay-per-view science programs for children at home and other services. The strain on the resources available to zoo animals is exacerbated by the trade-off between the supplies for human health care and that of animals. Surgical masks, shoe covers, surgical gowns and even anesthesia and any other drugs that can be used by humans are used in both fields and humans have tended to be prioritized at the expense of zoo animals. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, zoo veterinary teams could afford to spend most of their time doing preventative care or elective treatments, while the remaining time was spent caring for sick animals. But according to Dr. Ellen Bronson, a senior director in animal health, medical staff has been forced to cancel or postpone as many routine exams as possible from yearly checkups to vaccinations. With a decline in the medical care offered to animals during the COVID-19 pandemic, questions have raised regarding the safety of zoo keepers that interact with animals. In this regard, many research papers are being generated during this crisis, but the lack of strict peer review mean their interpretation must be made with caution. For instance, investigations in the Netherlands are assessing the possible zoonotic transmissions of the virus from infected mink to farmworkers. The coronavirus is a zoonotic disease, meaning that it jumped from animals to humans. The case of Nadia, a Tiger infected at the Brox zoo by an asymptomatic zookeeper suggests that the zoonotic disease that originated from bats and pangolins seems to be jumping back to infect animals. However, The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has since asserted that there is no evidence that they can spread COVID-19 to people.
]]>With the COVID-19 pandemic that suddenly struck the world, the global public health concern has been placed at top priority with all ruling governments. This has led to significantly immense use of hand disinfectants (sanitizers). In South Africa, a total of 2.5 million hand sanitizers have been reported to be sold from the period March 2020 to June 2020. The emphasis on hand sanitizers is paramount against the fight against this virus, well at least until a vaccine is found.
Hand sanitizer can be classified into two general groups:
The alcohol-based hand sanitizer may contain two or more alcohol mixtures and may also include humectants and excipients. The types of alcohol mostly found in the alcohol-based hand sanitizer are ethanol and isopropanol. There have been reports of hand sanitizers containing methanol which is harmful to humans as it is absorbed by the skin and may cause blindness. Therefore, it is important to be aware of what products you are using. If you have a sanitizer that has methanol, it is still useful to disinfect surfaces. The recommended alcohol concentration should be between 70-90%. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are the most common hand disinfectant in the market. However, there are a few cons with its effectiveness, such as its short-lived antimicrobial effect.
The second type of Hand sanitizer as mentioned above is the alcohol-free hand sanitizer. Instead of using alcohol, this one is produced with chemicals that have antiseptic (preventing the growth of disease-causing microorganisms).
All hand sanitizers have the primary purpose of destroying microbes (bacteria) and suppressing their growth. Both alcohol-based and alcohol-free hand sanitizers are produced in the forms of gels, foams, and liquids. The hand sanitizer is applied to the hands and each individual must rub their hands for at least 20 seconds thoroughly. It is important to disperse the sanitizer thoroughly on both the front and the back of the hands, as well as between fingers. The hand disinfectant will act quickly to kill the microorganisms and will reduce the bacterial count on hands.
Hand sanitizers are not a cure to the virus but do offer a level of security as they remove the fat around the virus. This fat enables the virus to stick on to the hands. And as a general motion of humans, the hands touch the face around twenty-three times an hour. That is over five hundred times a day. So, if not taken care of, transmission rates will increase. Hand sanitizers have held great importance in the fight against COVID-19.
People who unfortunately succumb to the bite or a scratch from an animal are usually treated with a shot which prevents a known virus from that animal from taking a hold of your body causing an infection. This concept has prompted medical experts to try a similar approach in regard to treating the coronavirus which has recently taken over most health field studies over the last six months.
Once a person contracts a virus, the body produces antibodies in the blood to fight off the infection or disease and which should prevent reinfections from occurring. Our body's immunity acquired through vaccines and the immunity the body can naturally produce serves the same function, but they don’t always work the same way. We have two types of immunity: innate immunity and adaptive immunity. The former immediately jumps into action in a short amount of time, within hours or even minutes, while the later where immunity develops over days and maybe over weeks.
Medical experts are not yet aware if a person who was once previously infected and who has recovered from the virus and has produced responsive antibodies can get infected for a second time, however, there are cases where a person has fully recuperated and yet contracted the COVID-19 virus once again. The second infection may have different symptoms due to the fact that each virus has a unique ribosome molecular protein which makes it difficult to find a cure. And with each virus, new antibodies need to be produced to deal with that specific virus.
There are tests available to investigate whether a person has had COVID-19 by taking an antibody test. Many people around the world have been asymptomatic carriers of the virus, remaining unaware. This test can help in the accuracy of the infections and the infection rates which inevitably help in research.
This brings up the necessity of why people, whether they are infected or not, should wear masks in public at all times. Thousands of infections could have been prevented if caution were taken. Due to the prior knowledge that there is still no vaccine to this COVID-19 virus, the wearing of masks is paramount with the containing of the infection rate. Abnegation of citizens from wearing masks endangers themselves but also the people they come into contact with. The coronavirus is transmitted through the day to day activities such as talking, handshaking, and hugging, which social distancing needs to be enforced because even social distancing without a mask is not safe enough as long as there are people around.
By being responsible, the spread of the virus can be contained alleviating the pressures of the health care system and allowing the people who really need attention to be helped.
]]>With the World affected by the coronavirus, the demand for masks has gone up like never seen before. All countries have passed various laws that force their citizens to own at least 2 masks and have one on them at all times. However, with the demand that everyone must have a mask at all times, the issue we face now is the type of masks been sold that do not offer any protection at all. At times you can walk on the street and notice another citizen walk around with a cloth wrapped around their mouth. The types of masks sold in the market should be regulated by the health officials to ensure that everyone is safe.
The highly recommended mask is the n95 respirator mask. It offers more protection than a typical surgical mask because n95 masks are manufactured to filter out small particles when the individual wearing it inhales. The mask is designed to block 95% of all small particles from passing through the filter layer. As some n95 respirators have breathing valves to make it easy when breathing. The masks can be bought online and delivered to your residence. Most stores do sell the masks at a relatively fair price.
Now after you bought your n95 mask from any online store, keeping it decontaminated is the next step. There are many ways we can do that. In this here article, we will look at 5 ways that can be done:
Having at least 3 masks is recommended medically.
There is so much happening in the world right now. Antivirus that is come upon us is very unpredictable hence mistakes might have fatal consequences, you therefore need to be very careful when it comes to the decisions you make about masks as this might save your life.
There are however available pharmacies that might help you with your problem. When buying an N95, make sure that you can verify the serial number on the box from somewhere. In the case of M3, you can go onto their MP3 website on the safeguard page and put in the serial codes to see if your mask is authentic before you buy it.
]]>The outspread of the deadly virus around the globe has unbalanced the supply and demand ratio of face masks. People are massively buying masks and respirators, and the need is ever so increasing. It is expected that if the COVID-19 does not stop spreading around, an increase in the shortage of respirator supply will be faced.
The infamous shortages of PPE and face masks have been thought to be addressed by ways suggested by innovative minds using industrial means. The industry is too new to be able to support such an immediate and urgent need for a huge level of production of PPE. The masks Manufacturers will have to maximize their production rates up to 40 percent to meet the growing demands of masses. From the month when COVID took its first phase of spreading into the world, the prices of protective equipment raised too many folds making it even more difficult for everyone to be able to have protection against the deadly virus.
The officials and governments must make sure that the industries ramp up their PPE production numbers. They must also ease the restrictions on the export and distribution of PPE and other medical supplies. To maximize the use of these masks in a limited number of items, the public should try to conserve the items they have in store. Throwing out surgical masks after a single use is advised, but N95 masks can be used repeatedly, and so they must not be thrown away after the initial application. Use face masks where necessary and not at places where you might not be able to catch the virus, i.e., your homes.
People in Australia have seen a massive surge towards the shortage of PPE and face masks due to which the providers and manufacturers faced a stressful time. Those who had bought a bulk of respirators started selling them at huge prices. An unbalance in supply and demand halted the market. Still, things can be brought back into place by maximizing the production of face masks like N95 at a faster pace. The commoditization of face masks and PPE led to even more challenges for the officials. This is why it is suggested to people of Australia to stay indoors to scale off the use of face masks and PPE.
Already, 3M produces above 400 million face masks annually, which is produced from plants in Europe, Latin America and the Asia Pacific. Then before the COVID19 outbreak, the company battled with needs for more face masks by victims of the wildfire in Australia and the Philippines volcano. Little did they know that a more significant surge for much more production is on its way. Globally, the company hopes to double its annual output of N95 face masks to reach 2 billion.
Presently, the demand for the N95 respirators still exceeds the supply by a large margin. The pandemic is affecting us all, and that is an undeniable fact all over the world. But the desperate need of the N95 protective mask is causing medical fighters to re-use the masks against general advice. On the other hand, there is ongoing research to find a way of decontaminating the face mask for possible re-use.
In this present situation, all hands must be on deck to see that there are enough available resources both for the medical team and the other people. Countries around the world are already sweeping through their coffers and firing on all cylinders. For instance, the US has release funds since May to ensure millions of N95 face masks are provided for the health workers while the citizens are still advised to stay at home.
Mike Roman, the Chairman and CEO of 3M, said, “3M is working around the clock to get much-needed personal protective equipment to the nation’s frontline healthcare workers,”. Concerning partnership with the Trump-led administration, 3M has secured an agreement to import 166.5 million respirators. This importation will be from their overseas production plants and take the next three months to land.
In addition to the production upgrade, 3M is also constructing a facility to triple the output of an N95 mask in Wisconsin. It is also worthy of note that the company has not changed the prices of respirators, and every illegal deal culprit will be brought to book. If any company would be able to manage the forced expansion well, it should be no other but the Minnesota manufacturing giant.
In conclusion, in the next couple of months, more N95 face masks should be available to medical workers for adequate protection. Also, there might have been a guaranteed way to decontaminate the used respirator without reducing its efficiency. Until then, all non-medical workers should manage cloth masks while the N95 masks are reserved for only the medical staff at the forefront of the battle against COVID19.
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People have massively been asking about the effectiveness of face masks against COVID. However, many people believe in the fact that face masks provide all the protection needed against COVID and are religiously wearing them. But if you are wondering if these masks are really effective or are just worn fearfully, then you must read the following.
Masks are recommended by world health organizations to be worn while going out in public as they provide a barrier that prevents the respiratory particles from traveling into the air and onto the closeby people if the mask wearer is suffering from the illness and coughs or sneezes out of it. This is named as source control. The clinical and laboratory studies show that masks minimize the spray of infected droplets into the air when appropriately worn over the face and mouth.
Now, if you are a healthy individual, you still must wear masks and respirators when going out. This is because we are continuously exposed to harmful viruses when we breathe in the public that may increase the possibility of a bare mouth breather catch COVID-19. If a mask is worn that is either a medical mask or an N95, the air breathed gets filtered with the soft fiber material used in medical masks, and the chance of COVID traveling to our respiratory systems reduces to a considerable amount.
As the pandemic arose, many people bought a huge bulk of respirators. In contrast, others could not get the opportunity to purchase any. In this case, many people had to rely on dust masks or cloth masks to protect themselves from COVID-19. It was being thought that dust masks work the same way as the medical respirators do. But this is merely is a misconception to people who realize what do respirators protect against. But the question many are pondering is whether general masks or dust masks protect from the deadly virus? A dust mask is made of a flexible paper-like material pad held over the nose and mouth with the help of elastic straps that wrap around your ears. These masks are mainly suitable for protecting non-toxic dust particles. But it is not built to protect harmful diseases that travel on air. They may protect from certain natural allergens like grass or tree pollen, and that is nearly it. These masks are also to be replaced after 8 hours and not used repeatedly. As dust masks are not tightly fitted to the face, they can bring in unfiltered air from the sides, which can harm the wearer if the air contains COVID particles.
Well, many medical experts strongly suggest that one should make sure of wearing medical masks when going out in public. A mask that tightly fits the face must be worn to exclude any possibility of the wearer getting sick. But a dust mask or a cloth mask does not necessarily protect you from the virus. The most 20functionality that these masks can provide is that they act as preventative measures that help already ill people to protect those that are around you. These masks keep the contagious disease restrained to only the person wearing the cloth mask in the chance that he is sick already.
But if you are using dust masks in the protection of COVID-19, then you must make sure that the cloth fits tightly and entirely on your face leaving no space fro air particles to come through unfiltered. The mask or dust protectant must be covering your nose completely. However, these masks do not provide you protection against deadly viruses entering into your system through breathing. These masks are only used to protect against dust particles and environmental pollution of such type. To have a safer option against COVID-19, you must use medical masks of N95 that are made especially for the cause.