Time to Mask Up Again

U.S. Retains Lead for COVID Cases and Deaths

CDC Warns Against Travel to France, Thailand and Several Other Countries

More Than Seven Million COVID Cases in Africa

Thailand COVID Cases Surging

The Dixie Fire Became the Largest Fire in California History

Correct Size Air Filter is Important

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Time to Mask Up Again

After a brief respite over the summer, it may be time to mask up again says Elizabeth Segran of Fast Company.

The Delta variant of the coronavirus is now the most prevalent one circulating in the United States, and according to new documents from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it is more transmissible than previously imagined. The data shows that it is just as contagious as chickenpox, and more contagious than the viruses that cause Ebola, the common cold, and the seasonal flu. And while vaccinated people are less likely to get infected with the variant than their unvaccinated counterparts, those who do get infected carry just as much virus in their nose and throat as unvaccinated people, meaning they are just as likely to spread the disease to others.

The CDC has long recommended that the unvaccinated keep wearing masks in indoor settings. But last week, it began advising vaccinated people to wear masks indoors in counties where the virus transmission rates are “substantial” or “high.” But the CDC stops short of offering guidance on what type of mask to wear to protect yourself. I spoke with two researchers who study masks and COVID-19 transmission to better understand what products will work best in this new phase of the pandemic.

For optimal protection, N95 masks, and their Chinese equivalent, KN95 masks, are the gold standard. These are masks that have been certified to filter out 95% of airborne particles as small as 0.3 microns, which means they would prevent coronavirus particles from entering. “These masks are far more efficient as compared to a cloth mask, which will filter out 20% to 50% of particles,” says Christian L’Orange, a professor of mechanical engineering at Colorado State University, whose lab focuses on testing the effectiveness of masks. “That’s assuming they are worn correctly, with a close fit around the face that prevents particles from getting in from the side.”

However, L’Orange points out that many people find it uncomfortable to wear an N95 or KN95 for extended periods of time because it can feel hard to breathe as particles get trapped in the material. He says it’s important to be realistic and find a mask that you can actually wear for as long as you are in an indoor environment. “Sure, an N95 is great if you’re able to do it,” he says. “But if your N95 mask is sitting below your nose, I would much rather [you were] wearing a cloth mask that is well-fitting.”

L’Orange also says that if you are in the market for an N95 or a KN95, be wary of counterfeits. He recommends buying the mask from a reputable retailer like Home Depot or Target rather than from online vendors on eBay or Amazon. Official N95 masks are registered on the website of the National Institute for Occupational Safety, so if you’re concerned about the authenticity of your mask, you can reference this database.

Surgical masks are designed to offer more protection than cloth masks, and they are made from materials that can filter up to 90% of airborne particles. Experts say that the problem with these masks is that they tend to come in a rectangular shape that doesn’t create a close fit, so particles can easily enter through the side. “It doesn’t matter how high quality the mask material is at filtering out airborne particles if it is just loosely drooped on your face,” says Alex Huffman, a professor in the department of chemistry and biochemistry at the University of Denver who studies aerosols, including airborne COVID transmission.

Huffman says it is possible to improve the fit of your surgical mask by making knots on the ear loops and adapting the top of the mask to the bridge of your nose, as demonstrated in video tutorials that have gone viral. But if you see big gaps on the side of your face when you wear a surgical mask, it’s likely that the mask is not doing much to protect you.

Cloth masks can still be an effective tool, according to both L’Orange and Huffman. Given that many Americans already have stacks of cloth masks available from earlier in the pandemic, the experts believe that a large percentage will turn to them during this new wave. If a cloth mask is comfortable enough to be worn for an extended period of time and it fits properly, it can offer some protection against the virus.

Yet there is a lot of variation in terms of how much protection they provide. The key, as with any mask, is to make sure the mask fits tightly on your face. “See that it creates a seal around the cheeks, on the bridge of your nose, and on the chin,” Huffman says. He points out that there are accessories that will allow you to create a better fit, including plastic or rubber strips that go over the mask to keep it well-sealed to the face. There are also some other simple ways to enhance the effectiveness of a cloth mask.

In terms of fabric, L’Orange says that the more tightly woven the material, the better it can protect you. Even if you don’t have information about the particular thread count of the cloth, you can simply examine the material. Both natural materials like cotton and synthetic materials like polyester can work well, as long as there is a tight weave. “If you can see clear daylight through the mask, it’s a pretty good indication the particles are going to get through,” L’Orange says, noting that if you do go for the cloth mask option, it’s important to practice good hygiene. This means washing it frequently and making sure not to leave it on a dirty surface when you’re not wearing it.

Ultimately, both experts agree that the central tension with masks is that the more efficient they are at filtering out particles, the harder they are to breathe through. So each person needs to make a personal decision about how much discomfort they are willing to tolerate for their own safety. “If a person has a mask that is so uncomfortable to them that they are not actually willing to wear it or [are going to] wear it incorrectly, that’s not the right mask for them,” L’Orange says. “If wearing a slightly less efficient mask means that they wear the mask correctly, that’s probably the better mask for them.”

It’s also worth acknowledging that many Americans are experiencing mask fatigue, Huffman says. The pandemic has dragged on for nearly a year and a half, and many people hoped that by now we would not have to deal with the inconvenience and discomfort of wearing masks. Huffman points out that we’re not exactly where we were a year ago. We no longer need to wear masks outside, unless we’re in crowded areas. And if we’re vaccinated, we can now meet with vaccinated relatives and friends at home unmasked. “The context on where to wear a mask is important,” he notes. “When you are in public areas indoors and you don’t know the people you are in close quarters with, that’s when you need to step up, wear your mask, and protect yourself as much as possible.”

https://www.fastcompany.com/90660797/the-delta-variant-is-highly-contagious-which-masks-offer-the-best-protection

 

U.S. Retains Lead for COVID Cases and Deaths

With the recent Delta variant surge the U.S. is maintaining the lead  with close to 37 million cases and more than 630,000 deaths.

 

 

 

CDC Warns Against Travel to France, Thailand and Several Other Countries

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warned on Monday against travel to Israel, France, Thailand, Iceland and several other countries because of a rising number of COVID-19 cases in those nations.

The CDC has been adding to its highest "Level 4: Very High" COVID-19 level as cases spread around the globe. The United States added Israel, the West Bank and Gaza, along with other places, including Aruba and French Polynesia.

The U.S. State Department also issued its parallel Level 4: Do Not Travel" advisories for Iceland and France on Monday.

In July, the CDC had raised concerns about Israel, the West Bank and Gaza, lifting its travel health notice by two levels to "Level 3: High."

The CDC also hiked alert levels to "Level 3: High" for Austria, Croatia, El Salvador, Azerbaijan, Guam, Kenya and Jamaica. The CDC says unvaccinated travelers should avoid nonessential travel to those countries.

 

More Than Seven Million COVID Cases in Africa

The overall number of coronavirus cases in Africa has reached 7,054,430, according to the data released by the Health Organization’s (WHO) Regional Office for Africa said on Tuesday.

The number of coronavirus-associated deaths amounts to 178,243. More than 6.1 million patients have recovered.

South Africa accounts for the biggest number of Africa’s coronavirus cases and fatalities - 2,540,222 and 75,012, respectively. Tunisia is second after South Africa in terms of coronavirus-associated deaths and cases - 21,089 and 613,628, respectively. As many as 16,582 coronavirus-related deaths and 284,789 cases were reported from Egypt.

In Sub-Saharan Africa, Ethiopia is second after South Africa in terms of coronavirus cases (284,531 cases and 4,430 fatalities). Next are Kenya (212,573 cases and 4,179 deaths), and Nigeria (178,506 cases and 2,192 deaths).

 

Thailand COVID Cases Surging

Thailand reported on Tuesday a daily record of 235 new coronavirus deaths, bringing the country's total accumulated fatalities to 6,588.

The country also reported 19,843 new infections, taking total cases to 795,951.

 

The Dixie Fire Became the Largest Fire in California History

That same morning, measured air quality degraded in mountain towns across most of California’s Sierra Nevada mountain range. Drifting wildfire smoke also created unhealthy air quality in Salt Lake City, Denver, Santa Fe, and Cheyenne.

Denver and Salt Lake City were listed among the most polluted major cities in the world on August 9.

Air quality in the United States and Canada has been impacted by numerous western wildfires for weeks, resulting in air quality in the Eastern United States that has measured from “moderate” (51 to 100) to “unhealthy” (151 to 200) on the U.S. air quality index.

No amount of air pollution, even if it is measured as “good” or “moderate,” is safe for human health.

On August 9, most of the Eastern U.S. and Canada measured its air quality as “moderate”. Western cities ranged from “unhealthy for sensitive groups” (101-150) to “very unhealthy” (201-300) on the slopes of the Sierra Nevada mountains.

Extreme heat and dry conditions are intensifying the wildfire season in Canada and the western United States as a result of human-caused climate change. While major fires like the Bootleg Fire in Oregon and the Tamarack Fire in California had contributed to poor air quality in eastern North America late in July through early August, those fires were mostly contained by August 9. 

Pictured: California’s Dixie fire, combined with other fires in the state, resulted in unhealthy air quality throughout California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Wyoming, and New Mexico. Source: IQAir

The Dixie Fire posed a serious safety threat across four counties and a further health hazard as smoke was carried to neighboring counties and states.

Meanwhile, the Dixie Fire has fed on dry conditions to pose a serious safety threat across four counties and a further health hazard as smoke was carried far from its source to neighboring counties and states.  

The Dixie Fire, which ignited on July 13, merged with the Fly Fire on July 22.

The fire destroyed the historic town of Greenville and 589 buildings. Three firefighters were injured and at least eight people were missing. The cause of the fire is still unknown, though drought, hot, dry conditions, and strong winds have played a role in sustaining the fire.

5,813 personnel were assigned to contain and extinguish the fire, which burned in Lassen Volcanic National Park, Lassen National Forest, Plumas National Forest, and along the shores of Lake Almanor.

Like nearly all of California, the region has endured serous drought conditions through the summer. Regional drought reached an intensity of “exceptional” by late July. 

 

Correct Size Air Filter is Important

Choosing the correctly sized air filter is important in order to keep air clean in your home says Alex Kenitzer ,Digital Marketing Specialist and content writer for AAF Flanders. An improperly sized filter may have limited performance. Determining the proper air filter size can be confusing, since filter packages generally display two sets of dimensions. It is important to understand that these dimension sets are the nominal and actual dimensions of the filter, and differences between the two. 

The dimensions listed on the side of air filter frames and printed largest on air filter packaging are normally the nominal size dimensions. These measurements indicate the length, height, and depth (thickness) of the air filter, rounded up to the nearest inch. An example of nominal dimensions would be 16” x 24” x 1”.

 

Actual Size: These are the exact dimensions of your air filter when measuring length, width, and depth (thickness). On air filter packaging this number is typically listed under or to the side of the nominal size and is normally in a smaller font size.  Most actual size measurements include fractions. An example of actual size dimensions would be: 15 ½” x 19 ¾” x ¾”. 

Air filters are grouped and sold by their nominal size, but it is important to know the actual dimensions in order to get the best fit. Different brands may have the same nominal sized air filters, but the actual size could be slightly different.