Coronavirus
Technology Solutions
February 25, 2021
Microsoft Daily
Pass Provides
Elements of the
Safe Bubble
AJ Manufacturing
has Customizable
Ceiling
Solutions with
HEPA Filters
Neal, Pascrell
Praise Decision
to Deliver Masks
to Communities
Hit Hard by the
Pandemic
Consumer Reports
is Up to Speed
on ASTM Mask
Standards
The Main Stream
Media Needs to
be Educated
About Mask
Efficiency
Are New ET
Online Mask
Ratings
Completely
Obsolesced by
the New ASTM
Standards?
______________________________________________________________________________
Microsoft Daily
Pass Provides
Elements of the
Safe Bubble
McIlvaine has
been analyzing
the potential
for the safe
bubble which
includes
screening of
individuals
entering a
bubble.
Microsoft has a
system which
checks for
temperature and
testing history.
But could it
also include a
mobile app and
check mask fit?
The Los Angeles
Unified School
District on
Monday announced
the launch of
"Daily Pass,''
the first
comprehensive
system in the
nation that
coordinates
health checks,
COVID-19 tests
and vaccinations
in one online
tool.
In a statement,
the district
called Daily
Pass "a critical
component of Los
Angeles
Unified's Safe
Steps to Safe
Schools'
reopening plan
"The Daily Pass
sets the highest
standard
possible for
school safety,''
said LAUSD
Superintendent
Austin Beutner.
"MERV-13
upgraded air
filters in every
school, COVID
testing for all
students and
staff at least
every week and
now the Daily
Pass -- Los
Angeles Unified
is proud to lead
the nation in
creating the
safest possible
school
environment.''
"The LAUSD said
it's the first
school district
-- and likely
the largest
employer in the
nation -- to
adopt the
technology, the
district said.
Daily Pass was
developed with
support from
Microsoft Corp.
and can be
accessed from
any mobile
phone, tablet or
a computer, the
district said.
Since last June,
our teams have
been
collaborating
closely with Los
Angeles Unified
to support
running schools
remotely,'' said
Eran Meggido,
corporate vice
president
Windows Product
& Education, at
Microsoft.
"We are pleased
to be working
with Los Angeles
Unified to help
educators, staff
and students
return to
schools sooner
and safer.''
Daily Pass
generates a
unique QR'' code
for each student
and staff
member, and that
code authorizes
entry to a
specific LAUSD
location for
that day only --
as long as the
individual
receives a
negative test
result for
COVID, shows no
symptoms and has
a temperature
under 100
degrees, the
district said.
Students,
families and
employees can
access Daily
Pass at https://dailypass.lausd.net.
Students and
employees should
use their Los
Angeles Unified
logins. Family
members can log
in using their
Parent Portal
accounts
AJ Manufacturing
has Customizable
Ceiling
Solutions with
HEPA Filters
AJ Manufacturing
introduced a
customizable
ceiling solution
engineered to
provide the
clean air and
high-quality LED
lighting needed
to meet today’s
operating room
needs. (but
McIlvaine
believes the
concept can be
widely adopted
in areas such as
employee lunch
rooms where
masks need to be
removed).
The new
Stainless Steel
Lighted
Operating Room
System (SSLORS)
maximizes the
often-limited
ceiling space in
hospital
surgical areas.
It features a
12″ low profile
common plenum
with multiple
laminar flow
diffusers, with
or without HEPA
filters, to meet
air filtration
needs.
To meet surgical
lighting needs,
powerful LED
lights (tunable
and dimmable up
to 300fc) can be
built into each
diffuser,
eliminating the
need for
traditional
hanging lights,
freeing up
additional
ceiling space
for other
equipment.
What’s more,
green lights are
included on the
same board —
requiring half
the number of
drivers, less
wiring and less
time and effort
during
installation.
The SSLFHFD-FP
Series “Criti-Clean”
Fan Powered
Laminar Flow
HEPA Filter
Diffuser
utilizes the
well-proven and
time-tested
concept of
vertical air
mass ‘laminar
flow’
technology. The
SSLFHFD-FP
produces a
non-aspirating,
low velocity,
uniformly
distributed
downward moving
‘piston’ of
conditioned air.
The filters are
designed to
accommodate a
Gel Seal HEPA or
ULPA filter,
which can be
easily removed
and replaced
from the face of
the unit. These
high quality
filters
incorporate a
separator less
2″ (51) deep
media, integral
test port and an
anodized
aluminum gel
seal frame.
They may be used
individually, or
as in the case
of hospital
operating rooms,
several units
may be linked
together to
sufficiently
cover the area
and produce one
large combined
laminar mass.
Installed in an
operating room
above the
operating table,
the clean
conditioned air
flows over and
blankets the
operating table,
helping to
protect and
effectively
isolate the
patient from
contaminated
air. The only
significant
amount of room
air entrainment
occurs at the
outer boundary
of the laminar
flow mass,
outside the
confines of the
operating table.
The patient is
therefore bathed
in ‘clean air’
and effectively
isolated from
secondary room
air and any
airborne
contaminants.
The advantages
of Laminar Flow
technology
provide similar
benefits in
other ‘clean
room’
applications
such as research
laboratories,
animal
laboratories,
food processing
plants,
pharmaceutical
laboratories and
protective
environment
rooms.
The ability of
the SSLFHFD to
maintain a
sterile
environment
directly below
is enhanced by
the use of low
level exhaust
grilles located
around the room
periphery which
remove the
contaminated air
before it can
react with the
boundary layer
of the laminar
flow mass.
Neal, Pascrell
Praise Decision
to Deliver Masks
to Communities
Hit Hard by the
Pandemic
The House Ways
and Means
Committee
Chairman Richard
E. Neal (D-MA)
and Oversight
Subcommittee
Chairman Bill
Pascrell, Jr.
(D-NJ) applauded
the Biden
Administration’s
announcement of
urgent actions
to deliver masks
to communities
hit hard by the
COVID-19
pandemic.
“We applaud the
Biden
Administration’s
efforts to make
masks more
easily available
to communities
most impacted by
the pandemic,” said
Chairmen Neal
and Pascrell. “The
COVID-19
pandemic is far
from over, and
the science is
clear: masks
work. Last year,
we were appalled
by the previous
administration’s
decision to
reject a
straightforward
approach to
deliver masks to
every household
in America. We
are glad to see
the Biden
Administration
take seriously
the Centers for
Disease Control
and Prevention
(CDC)’s face
mask
recommendation
as a key tool in
slowing the
spread of this
virus and
appreciate the
focus on
prioritizing
hard-hit
communities. As
we know, many
low-income
Americans
unfortunately
still lack
access to this
basic
protection, and
it is our duty
to get them the
help they need.”
According to a statement from
the White House,
the reusable,
American-made
masks will be
available
beginning in
March and into
May, and an
estimated 12 to
15 million
Americans will
receive masks.
In total, more
than 25 million
masks are
expected to be
distributed
nationwide.
Consumer Reports
is Up to Speed
on ASTM Mask
Standards
We have praised
Consumer
Reports for
anticipating the
ASTM mask
standards. They
did not
disappoint us
and have
immediately
started advising
consumers now
that the
standards are
set.
Rachel
Rabkin Peachman
wrote the
following
analysis about
the new
standards.
While everyone
knows the
benefits of
wearing a N-95
or other
medically-rated
mask, there's
been questions
about the
effectiveness of
non-medical
cloth masks. A
newly published
set of
standards, will
help people
navigate the
marketplace.
For almost a
year, many
Americans have
been wearing
cloth face
coverings to
limit the spread
of the
coronavirus—but
without clear
guidelines on
which types or
brands of
consumer masks
are best. That
changed this
week with the
publication of
the first-ever
standard for
"barrier face
coverings,"
created through
ASTM
International,
an organization
that creates
voluntary
performance
standards for
thousands of
consumer
products.
It's unclear
when
ASTM-certified
face masks will
be available for
sale, but
manufacturers
can start taking
advantage of the
standard
immediately.
While surgical
masks, N95
masks, and other
medical-grade
personal
protective
equipment have
long had
established
standards in
place, this new
standard
for everyday
face masks is a
first and is
meant to provide
a benchmark for
both
manufacturers
and the general
public.
Manufacturers
will be
encouraged to
comply with the
standard, and
consumers will
be able to have
confidence in
compliant
products,
knowing that
they meet the
standard.
The new
standard, which
applies to face
coverings worn
by the general
public and
workers outside
of healthcare
settings, will
provide
guidelines for
how well masks
should filter
out airborne
particles, as
well as for
their
breathability,
fit, and
labeling. The
standard will
also provide
guidance on
cleaning and how
long masks can
be used.
To meet the
standard,
manufacturers
need to have
their masks
tested by an
independent
third-party lab.
The products
that pass will
be able to note
on their
labeling that
they are
certified as
ASTM-compliant,
which will
signal to
consumers that
those face
coverings have
been vetted.
The standard
will be a big
help to
consumers, says
Linsey Marr,
PhD, a professor
of civil and
environmental
engineering at
Virginia Tech in
Blacksburg who
studies airborne
viruses.
Currently, "most
people have no
idea what to
look for or how
to judge a mask
when shopping
for one," she
says. "The No. 1
question I hear
from members of
the general
public [is],
'how do I know
this is a good
mask?' With the
new standards,
manufacturers
can share their
mask's
filtration
efficiency, fit,
and
breathability,
and consumers
can easily pick
masks with
higher numbers."
The lack of an
established
standard for
consumer face
masks "was a gap
that we
recognized back
in the
springtime,"
says Jonathan
Szalajda, deputy
director at the
National
Personal
Protective
Technology
Laboratory at
the National
Institute for
Occupational
Safety and
Health, and
co-chair for the
ASTM working
group that
created the new
standard.
While it would
have been ideal
to have the
standard in
place sooner,
arriving at one
was complicated,
requiring input
from a group of
manufacturers,
government
officials,
academics,
medical experts,
and consumers.
And compared
with the typical
ASTM process,
"this was
lightning-fast,"
Szalajda says.
"It's been a
Wild West with
regard to these
types of
products, and
there really
needed to be a
baseline
established for
identifying some
minimum level of
performance," he
says. "We
understand that
not everyone—for
instance, small
sellers—will be
able to meet the
ASTM
requirement, but
the hope is that
this standard
will provide for
better products
in the workplace
and for the
public."
ASTM came up
with two
classifications
for the mask
standard: a
lower level 1,
which is the
minimum level
required to meet
the ASTM
standard, and a
higher level 2,
for
manufacturers
that want to
produce face
coverings that
go beyond the
ASTM minimum.
Level 1
ASTM-certified
masks will have
to show via
independent
testing that
they can filter
out at least 20
percent of
particles
smaller than a
micron, which is
roughly the size
of the
respiratory
droplets that
generally carry
the coronavirus.
Level 2
ASTM-certified
masks will have
to show that
they filter out
at least 50
percent of these
particles.
By way of
comparison, the
ASTM-certified
masks will be
required to
filter out far
less than an N95
mask but will
still offer much
more protection
than do most
consumer face
coverings
currently on the
market, says
Jose-Luis
Jimenez, PhD,
professor of
chemistry at the
University of
Colorado in
Boulder. Right
now, "I can
guarantee you
that half of
what is sold
doesn't meet
either level 1
or level 2 of
the new
standard," says
Jimenez, who
studies
aerosols. "So as
the standard
starts to be
applied,
consumers will
have a way to
choose."
Marr agrees that
"the new
standards are
very useful, in
that they
address the
three most
important
qualities in a
mask:
filtration, fit,
and
breathability,"
she says. "The
standards for
filtration are a
minimum, and
people will be
able to choose
masks that have
much higher
filtration
efficiencies if
the manufacturer
provides this
information."
Ultimately,
having the
standard in
place is a win
for consumers
because it
should elevate
the quality of
the face
coverings
available on the
market.
Until
ASTM-compliant
masks are
available,
experts say to
look for
snug-fitting
masks that fully
cover your nose
and mouth, and
that don't have
valves or vents,
which increase
the risk of you
breathing out
unfiltered air,
possibly
exposing people
around you. For
more on how to
find and wear a
mask that offers
the best
protection, see
"5
Ways to Upgrade
Your Mask.
The Main Stream
Media Needs to
be Educated
About Mask
Efficiency
With the new
ASTM standards
mask suppliers
will be forced
to provide
specific
efficiency
information.
But in
addition there
needs to be
evaluation of
claims such as
the
benefits of
anti-microbial
coatings.. Here
is what CNN was
reporting in
October.
In recent
months, brands
including
Burberry have
introduced masks
that, they
claim, are
protected from
microbes and
germs.
Burberry's
forthcoming
beige and blue
designs come in
the label's
signature check.
Under Armour's
multi-layered UA
Sportsmask,
which is
marketed as
having
antimicrobial
properties, sold
out in under an
hour when it was
released this
summer.
And Diesel is
selling denim
that it claims
is
"virus-fighting."
The Italian
brand announced that
it will use a
technology
called ViralOff
-- which it says
"physically
halts 99% of any
viral activity"
-- in a number
of items in its
Spring-Summer
2021 collection.
ViralOff works
"by interacting
with key
proteins,
inhibiting the
virus from
attaching to
textile fibers,"
reads Diesel's
press release.
In the US,
brands cannot
claim that
products will
protect wearers
from SARS-CoV-2,
the virus that
causes Covid-19,
without
providing
sufficient
evidence.
Therefore, some
labels simply
allude to extra
protection or
hygiene, though
the small print
often reveals
that
antimicrobial
treatments are
only intended to
inhibit
bacterial or
viral growth,
not protect the
user from
pathogens.
(Washing
garments with
soap once a
day, as
recommended by
the World Health
Organization,
or WHO, can also
kill bacteria
and viruses.)
The FDA and CDC
did not
immediately
respond to CNN's
requests for
information
regarding
products that
have been tested
or submitted
for formal
approval.
Without sound
scientific
testing by
brands across
the board, it is
difficult to
assess whether
antimicrobial
treatments can
protect wearers
from the novel
coronavirus,
according to Amy
Price, a senior
research
scientist at
Stanford
Anesthesia
Informatics and
Media (AIM) Lab
who has advised
the WHO on its
face mask
guidelines.
"The challenge
is that
sometimes claims
are made, but
they aren't
tested on the
actual masks or
with the actual
virus," she said
over a video
conference call.
"So they're like
gimmicks."
Price has not
tested any of
the products
mentioned in
this article.
Some companies
say they have
tested their
products with
SARS-CoV-2, like
IFTNA's PROTX2
AV that
Under Armour
says it uses,
and HeiQ's Viroblock,
which, according
to the company's
website, is used
by numerous
brands to produce
reusable face
masks, coats and
even mattresses.
IFTNA says
recent lab
testing "shows
PROTX2 AV's
efficacy against
Covid-19," while
HeiQ claims that
Viroblock, which
is added to the
fabric during
the final stage
of the textile
manufacturing
process, has
been "tested
effective
against
Sars-CoV-2." CNN
has not been
able to
independently
verify these
claims.
Price, who
studied the
effectiveness of
fabric masks
alongside AIM
Lab's director,
Larry Chu, said
there are a
number of
variables that
determine how
much protection
a product
offers.
"Oftentimes,
bacteria and
viruses have
different ways
of reproducing,
and different
things are
effective
against them,"
she explained.
"With
antimicrobial
(treatments)
it's important
to know what
you're dealing
with, what it's
been tested with
and if it's safe
for human skin.
"(With) anything
that you put on
your face --
especially that
you're going to
be wearing day
in and day out
-- you want to
make sure it is
really something
that is safe or
FDA approved."
Since the
coronavirus
outbreak was
labeled a
pandemic by the
WHO in March,
the guidance
around
mask-wearing has
continued to
evolve. Many
countries now
require face
coverings to be
worn in public
spaces in order
to reduce the
spread of the
virus.
"If you're
wearing (a mask)
and the people
around you are
wearing it,
we've seen that
transmission (of
the coronavirus)
probably drops
in the 90% plus
range, which is
pretty good
odds," Dr. Atul
Grover,
executive
director of the
Association of
American Medical
Colleges
Research and
Action
Institute, told
CNN in
August.
In their study,
Price and Chu
found that cloth
masks can "do
better than
surgical masks
in terms of
blocking
particles,"
Price said --
but only "if
they're made
well," with a
triple-layered
and
tight-fitting
design. (The WHO
has produced a series
of videos on
recommended
materials and
fit, based on
the pair's
research.)
https://www.cnn.com/style/article/antimicrobial-fashion-coronavirus/index.html
Are New ET
Online Mask
Ratings
Completely
Obsolesced by
the New ASTM
Standards?
Here are just
released
analyses of face
masks for use in
public by ET
Online. The
emphasis is on
masks which can
be used
during
exercise. Only
one mask has a
filter insert.
None of the
others appear to
be able to meet
AST Level 1 let
alone Level 2.
One mask maker
talks about
donations to
stopping the
pandemic. But if
it is suppling
inefficient
masks the effort
is
counterproductive.
Media such as
ET Online
are going to
need the advice
of the
filtration
experts in order
for them to make
credible
assessments.
McIlvaine has
recommended a
multi-step
rating approach
which results in
credible advice
to the media
such as ET
Online.
Cities across
the country have
mandated wearing
face masks in
public, as the
winter and
colder
temperatures
take over. We've
culled our massive
list of face
mask styles for
the best face
masks to breathe
in and exercise
in to get you
through your run
or workout
safely and
comfortably.
According to the
sporting goods
company
StringKing, a
mask's
effectiveness
comes down to
its balance
of filtration
and
breathability properties.
Breathability is
especially
crucial when
you're moving
around,
breathing
harder,
exercising and
sweating. When
choosing the
best mask for
working out, look
for knit (versus
woven) fabrics,
which have
elasticity for a
better fit,
absorb moisture
and allow for
more air flow.
Sportswear
brands like
Reebok and
activewear
companies like
Onzie have
stepped up and
started
producing
effective yet
breathable face
masks to help
slow the spread
of coronavirus
cases without
disrupting your
exercise
routine.
Other retailers
have started
offering face
masks that are
alternatives to
true personal
protective
equipment (PPE),
which are
disposable and
predominantly
used by medical
staff. These
every day,
reusable options
include face
masks for adults, face
masks for kids, clear
face masks and face
masks with
matching outfits.
Well-known
apparel and
fashion brands
like Levi's, J.Crew, Athleta, Old
Navy, The
Honest Company, Forever
21, Gap and
Kim Kardashian's SKIMS sell
their own lines
of masks as
well. Additionally,
check out ET
Style’s
curated list of face
mask accessories.
Under Armour
Under Armour UA
Sportsmask
Made for
athletes, the
durable UA
Sportsmask is
soft but
structured and
secure but not
tight. Plus,
according to
Under Armour,
rain rolls right
off it. Get 2
for $40, while
supplies last.
$30 AT UNDER
ARMOUR
Adidas
Shop the Adidas
Face Covers in
the bright blue
bird shade.
$20 FOR 3 AT
ADIDAS
Everlane
Everlane The
100% Human Face
Mask 3-Pack
You're not just
protecting your
health with
Everlane's 100%
Human mask,
you're
protecting civil
liberties. For
every 100% Human
product sold,
10% goes to the
ACLU to fight
for fundamental
freedoms. Each
100% Human
reusable mask
has double
layers with
comfort stretch
and elastic ear
loops.
$9 FOR 3 AT
EVERLANE
(REGULARLY $18)
Athleta
Athleta Activate
Face Mask 2 Pack
Designed for an
active
lifestyle, the
adjustable
Athleta Activate
Face Mask is
made from
performance-driven
TurboDry fabric
and has a
moldable fit
plus soft knit
ear loops that
are comfortable
for all-day
wear.
Reebok
Add the Reebok
Face Covers,
made from soft,
breathable
fabric, to your
daily workout
routine.
$20 FOR 3 AT
REEBOK
Hammacher
Schlemmer
Hammacher
Schlemmer The
Antibacterial
Cooling Face
Mask
Infused with
antibacterial
silver nano
particle, this Hammacher
Schlemmer face
mask protects
from bacteria
and odors. The
breathable
fabric feels
cool on the
skin. Plus, it
comes with five
disposable
filters.
$19.95 AT
HAMMACHER
SCHLEMMER
Carbon38
Carbon38’s mask
kit includes two
masks, featuring
a multi-layered
filtration
system, made
from fast-drying
antibacterial
fabric that
keeps you cool
while working
out. The brand
is donating 15%
of the mask kit
profit to Girls
Inc.
$29 FOR 2 AT
CARBON38
StringKing
A 2-ply
StringKing face
mask
with elastic ear
loops and two
layers of
premium Supima
cotton.
$6.99 AT
STRINGKIN
Western Rise
Western Rise
StrongCore
Merino Face Mask
This Western
Rise face mask
is double-lined
with a slot for
a filter.
$19 AT WESTERN
RISE
Onzie
Made from
up-cycled
materials, the
Onzie Mindful
Masks are
quick-drying,
stretchy and
comfortable.
Proceeds will
benefit healthcare
workers through
a donation to
the Center For
Disaster
Philanthropy.
$24 FOR 2 AT
ONZIE
https://www.etonline.com/best-face-masks-for-exercising-reebok-under-armour-adidas-and-more-149056
