Coronavirus COVID-19 - Global Health Pandemic #75

[Sundog]

Out of curiosity, how does a gaiter make it worse? i wouldn't wear one anyway but i just wonder why that is the case. Thanks

According to Duke University study:

Least effective, however, were bandanas, knitted masks and neck fleeces (also called gaiter masks), the latter of which may be worse than wearing no mask at all. The researchers found that neck fleeces actually dispersed more spray into the air, not less, because the material broke down larger respiratory droplets into smaller particles.

"Considering that smaller particles are airborne longer than large droplets (larger droplets sink faster), the use of such a mask might be counterproductive,” the study's researchers wrote.

The 5 Most Effective Masks

1. Fitted N95 (no exhalation valve)

2. 3-layer surgical mask

3. Cotton-polypropylene-cotton mask

4. 2-layer polypropylene mask

5. 2-layer cotton, pleated style mask (Researchers tested three different 2-layer cotton, pleated-style masks. See the full study for photos and specific design details of all masks tested.)

The 3 Least Effective Masks

1. Gaiter-type neck fleece

2. Double-layer bandana

3. Knitted mask

List provided by AARP article based on results of Duke University Study.


Researchers Rank Face Mask By Effectiveness

Note that AARP article includes a hyperlink to Duke University Study that I posted earlier today.

ETA Link to Duke University Study
Low-cost measurement of facemask efficacy for filtering expelled droplets during speech

 

[CSIDreamer]

According to Duke University study:

Least effective, however, were bandanas, knitted masks and neck fleeces (also called gaiter masks), the latter of which may be worse than wearing no mask at all. The researchers found that neck fleeces actually dispersed more spray into the air, not less, because the material broke down larger respiratory droplets into smaller particles.

"Considering that smaller particles are airborne longer than large droplets (larger droplets sink faster), the use of such a mask might be counterproductive,” the study's researchers wrote.

The 5 Most Effective Masks

1. Fitted N95 (no exhalation valve)

2. 3-layer surgical mask

3. Cotton-polypropylene-cotton mask

4. 2-layer polypropylene mask

5. 2-layer cotton, pleated style mask (Researchers tested three different 2-layer cotton, pleated-style masks. See the full study for photos and specific design details of all masks tested.)

The 3 Least Effective Masks

1. Gaiter-type neck fleece

2. Double-layer bandana

3. Knitted mask

List provided by AARP article based on results of Duke University Study.


Researchers Rank Face Mask By Effectiveness

Note that AARP article includes a hyperlink to Duke University Study that I posted earlier today.

I wonder if the gaiter isn't fleece if that makes a difference. Dollar General provides all employees with gaiters but I can tell they aren't fleece. What do you think?

 

[CSIDreamer]

So, Indiana. Poser. I'm attaching our positive cases and death graphs. It seemed like deaths and cases peaked the first of May/end of April. Our positive cases are higher than the supposed peak now. The death peak has stayed back in April/May and deaths are staying pretty low and even. Anyone else seeing this in your state? Jmo

ISDH - Novel Coronavirus: Indiana COVID-19 Dashboard

 

[Sundog]

I wonder if the gaiter isn't fleece if that makes a difference. Dollar General provides all employees with gaiters but I can tell they aren't fleece. What do you think?

I don't know what the science is on gaiters made of other materials. One of the school districts in our region is not allowing gaiters and bandanas because they don't fit tightly on the face. Some parents are upset because their kids have gaiters from their sports teams that are made of polyester and spandex. Not sure how effective those would be. But the school district won't allow them.

 

[CSIDreamer]

I don't know what the science is on gaiters made of other materials. One of the school districts in our region is not allowing gaiters and bandanas because they don't fit tightly on the face. Some parents are upset because their kids have gaiters from their sports teams that are made of polyester and spandex. Not sure how effective those would be. But the school district won't allow them.

I can see their reasoning.

 

[24Roses]

Iowa numbers today: As of 10:30-11:00 a.m. today, we had 666 new confirmed cases for a total of 52,306 confirmed cases of which 40,493 have recovered (+124). 2 more had passed away for a total of 975. Total number of COVID-19 cases in Iowa since March pushes past 52,000
Iowa COVID-19 Information

 

[margarita25]

Ten African innovations to help tackle Covid-19

Some nifty innovations coming from Africa. I like the robots.

Great stuff

Here’s one:
Socially distanced haircuts

In Ethiopia, barbers have come up with a way to continue cutting hair for clients while minimising the risk of Covid-19 transmission.

 

[beatrixpotter]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/school-nurse-unsafe-reopening/2020/08/14/92011c48-dd84-11ea-8051-d5f887d73381_story.html?hpid=hp_save-opinions-float-right-4-0_opinion-card-c-right:homepage/story-ans#comments-wrapper

Most interesting article: nurse states her county in Georgia wanted school nurses to justify its unsafe re-opening plan. So she quit

Here are some of her more interesting comments:

" The district makes no provisions to check temperatures at the school's entrance and mask-wearing is optional. From personal experience-not just as a nurse, but as a single mother, I know that when a child feels under the weather, it is tempting to give them a fever- reducer and send them to school anyway, hoping for the best. That instinct will be catastrophic in a community where many people have been vocally skeptical about the severity or even the existence of the pandemic. they are impatient with what they see as over cautious restrictions. Our county's case count has been rising throughout June and July, as these plans were being drafted. It seems
inevitable that someone will come to school carrying the virus and we will have an
outbreak".

She goes on to state: "These new routines don't seem to be designed to stop viral spread and promote public health. they seem like products of magical thinking."

This is a wonderful article by a courageous woman who has the guts to say what obviously needed to be said and she decided to quit her position rather than be part
of what she perceives as a very unsafe situation.

It drives me nuts I can't read anything from this paper except snippets!

 

[tresir2012]

Six Covid-19 cases linked to fishing boat

This is interesting how this case was traced back to Aberdeen.

 

[Simply Southern]

Considering the speed of Congress, I'm slightly optimistic that we'll have an effective and widely accepted mask law for the 2119 Pandemic. Imo

Ya, think????

What about states any projections on a date????

MOO....

 

[Simply Southern]

Birx says college football players can get back on the field if they’re ‘ultra careful’

“When they travel, or when they’re in school, they need to do what I do,” Birx said. “I don’t come out of this mask. When I travel around the United States, I’ve not become COVID positive. I stay in hotels, I dine out, I do all the things that American people are doing. But I do them ultra-carefully.”

 

[Trino]

Millions cannot afford food in pandemic.
26 million Americans are going hungry amid the pandemic. What to do if you're one of them

Birx says college football players can get back on the field if they’re ‘ultra careful’

“When they travel, or when they’re in school, they need to do what I do,” Birx said. “I don’t come out of this mask. When I travel around the United States, I’ve not become COVID positive. I stay in hotels, I dine out, I do all the things that American people are doing. But I do them ultra-carefully.”

Isn't this more about an athlete's heart?
Lately, physicians are identifying the condition in young, healthy Americans — including athletes. “The last month or two, even asymptomatic young people are developing myocardial injury."
https://www.si.com/college/2020/08/09/ncaa-cardiac-inflamation-coronavirus-myocarditis-concerns

 

[musicaljoke]

Public Health England 'to be replaced'

Public Health England is to be replaced by a new agency that will specifically deal with protecting the country from pandemics, according to a report.
The Sunday Telegraph claims Health Secretary Matt Hancock will this week announce a new body modelled on Germany's Robert Koch Institute.
Ministers have reportedly been unhappy with the way PHE has responded to the coronavirus crisis.
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: "Public Health England have played an integral role in our national response to this unprecedented global pandemic.
"We have always been clear that we must learn the right lessons from this crisis to ensure that we are in the strongest possible position, both as we continue to deal with Covid-19 and to respond to any future public health threat."

more at link

 

[CoverMeCagney]

Good luck with the contact tracing - I imagine a few won’t want to admit to being there

Brothel sees COVID-19 outbreak in small town in Spain but locals fear married men will avoid coming forward for testing - Olive Press News Spain

 

[ilovewings]

It drives me nuts I can't read anything from this paper except snippets!

i have a subscription but i thought if i posted plain text people would
be able to read it- i guess not

 

[Simply Southern]

Millions cannot afford food in pandemic.
26 million Americans are going hungry amid the pandemic. What to do if you're one of them


Isn't this more about an athlete's heart?
Lately, physicians are identifying the condition in young, healthy Americans — including athletes. “The last month or two, even asymptomatic young people are developing myocardial injury."
https://www.si.com/college/2020/08/09/ncaa-cardiac-inflamation-coronavirus-myocarditis-concerns

Not in my opinion. I worked in HC, we've had extremely contagious diseases and especially infections for years. Granted not to the extent of Covid and I'm certainly not downplaying it.

HC workers are accustomed to universal precaution. Wearing mask, gloves, gowns, face sheilds is not new to prevent spread, especially during major flu outbreaks. Folks just never hear about it, as it not news that sells.

Yes, we've had HC worker infected with Covid, but we've had more that are not. Why .....Hospitals require HC workers to practice UP, medical school teach this, we practice in school and most hospitals will fire/ reprimand an employee on the spot for not following infection control procedures. It was biggie, long before Covid.

The problem is, most don't want to live in a bubble for their college experience. They've not had the life experiences that help us make the best decisions.

We've seen story after story from families who did not listening, did not believe the severity of Covid, begging us to wear a mask and listen to the health experts.

Recently a sports player tried to sneak his girlfriend into the bubble. The cost ...he lost his million dollar contract and can now enjoy the company of his girlfriend on a daily basis. Its stuff like this that will prevent teams from playing sports.

Some folks just aren't gonna follow the rules no matter the cost. If teams would/could follow the rules, like HC workers do they would be safe.

Yes, teams could play sports and all be safe, but lack of self discipline with prevent them.

Moo...

 

[Rose in SC]

SOUTH CAROLINA Update - Sunday, August 16

Maybe its' just the weekend effect, but lower numbers all around today!

DHEC: 537 new COVID-19 cases, 9 more deaths announced in SC

105,466 confirmed positive cases (+537)
2,165 confirmed deaths (+9)
Percent Positive - 11.0%

SC Testing Data & Projections (COVID-19) | SCDHEC

 

[WichitaFalls]

Data: WHO; Chart: Naema Ahmed/Axios
Over the past several weeks, the coronavirus has killed Americans at six times the average rate in other rich countries. And we’re recording about eight times more infections.

Why it matters: The virus burned through the rich world like wildfire in the spring, but this new data confirms that the U.S. is one of very few wealthy countries that have failed to suppress it since then.
More at link . . .
The coronavirus is deadlier in the U.S. than the rest of the richest countries combined

 

[CSIDreamer]

SOUTH CAROLINA Update - Sunday, August 16

Maybe its' just the weekend effect, but lower numbers all around today!

DHEC: 537 new COVID-19 cases, 9 more deaths announced in SC

105,466 confirmed positive cases (+537)
2,165 confirmed deaths (+9)
Percent Positive - 11.0%

SC Testing Data & Projections (COVID-19) | SCDHEC

Go SC!

 

[Simply Southern]

Data: WHO; Chart: Naema Ahmed/Axios
Over the past several weeks, the coronavirus has killed Americans at six times the average rate in other rich countries. And we’re recording about eight times more infections.

Why it matters: The virus burned through the rich world like wildfire in the spring, but this new data confirms that the U.S. is one of very few wealthy countries that have failed to suppress it since then.
More at link . . .
The coronavirus is deadlier in the U.S. than the rest of the richest countries combined

Not per 100,000 population. John Hopkins shows deaths per 100k for US at 3.2 % Italy at 14%,

Of course we will show the most, as we have one of the largest population,

Mortality Analyses - Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center