Now that new and more infectious COVID-19 variants are emerging all over the world, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continues to amplify the need for universal mask-wearing to further slow down the spread of the coronavirus. Despite encouraging both healthcare sectors and the general public to go for medical-grade masks like N95 or KN95 respirators which block 95% of nanoparticles in the air, such personal protective equipment (PPE) remains in short supply.
Health experts have finally said what we’ve all dreaded– COVID-19 may never go away. Even if the world achieves herd immunity through the magic of vaccines, the virus will still linger on for years or decades though in a reduced capacity that’s not able to create the same present damage.
The Biden administration achieved a breakthrough in mid-April by vaccinating over 50% of its total adult population. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is still adamant in telling us that no one is out of the woods yet.
Few people know that proper hand-washing to prevent diseases has been a global campaign since 2009. The SAVE LIVES: Clean Your Hands campaign or World Hand Hygiene Day is an annual celebration every May 5th to encourage healthcare professionals around the world.
Nothing good comes out of being ill from COVID-19. Aside from the damage it can cause our bodies and its potential to be fatal, some coronavirus patients have also experienced trauma from others who pointed fingers at them and told them it’s all their fault.
Last year, 29% of America's entire workforce were forced to perform their jobs at home to allay new cases of COVID-19. For industries who do not have the luxury to opt for ‘work from home’ arrangements, doubling efforts to protect themselves while at work is necessary especially this year as everyone is gearing up to open up more offices to cause an economic rebound.
Despite 27 states along with the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, recently extending or issuing stricter mask mandates this month to curb the spike of COVID-19 cases, 23 states have relaxed the wearing of face masks, leaving their constituents to decide on whether to protect themselves from COVID-19 or otherwise.
Wearing face masks and respirators as protection from COVID-19 and other harmful aerosol particles in the air is something most people have a hard time getting used to. For healthcare workers and individuals with sensitive skin, adverse dermatological effects are very common from the prolonged wearing of face masks or respirators. Unfortunately, we all have to wear them both to shield ourselves from the coronavirus and to comply with federal mandates.
A lot has changed since the COVID-19 pandemic emerged worldwide particularly on how health experts are encouraging the public to protect themselves. Last year, filtering respirators such as the N95 and KN95 varieties were in short supply prompting health authorities to reserve them for medical use only. However, health authorities are now recommending the wearing of N95 and KN95 respirators for the general public instead of opting for low-grade face masks this year.
Many questions are being raised about new COVID-19 variants of concern (VOCs) which are said to be more transmissible than the original SARS-CoV-2 strain, and how we can protect ourselves from them.