Health and Science
Preventing the Spread of Coronavirus Disease 2019 in Homes and Residential Communities
Household members, intimate partners, and caregivers in a nonhealthcare setting may have close contact with a person with symptomatic, laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 or a person under investigation. Close contacts should monitor their health; they should call their healthcare provider right away if they develop symptoms suggestive of COVID-19 (e.g., fever, cough, shortness of breath) https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/php/risk-assessment.html more »
Deaconess Health System Face Mask Sewing Instructions: How to Make a Face Mask and Boston Globe Opinion Piece on Covering Your Face
From a Deaconess Health System Nurse: “Prior to modern disposable masks, washable fabric masks were standard use for hospitals,” said Dawn Rogers, MSN, RN, FNP-C, Patient Safety & Infection Prevention Office. “We will be able to sterilize these masks and use them repeatedly as needed. While it’s less than ideal, we want to do our best to protect our staff and patients during this pandemic.” more »
Weekly Legislative Update March 9-13, 2020: Bills For Paid Sick Leave, Perinatal Workforce, Public Health Emergency, Maternity Care Coordination by Dept of Veterans Affairs
A bill to establish the Leadership Institute for Transatlantic Engagement to develop a diverse community of transatlantic leaders at all levels of government, including emerging leaders, committed to democratic institutions; A bill to provide improved care and protection to incarcerated mothers, and for other purposes.; A bill to accept a statue depicting Harriet Tubman from the Harriet Tubman Statue Commission of Maryland and display the statue in a prominent location in the Capitol; A bill to end preventable maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity in the United States and close disparities in maternal health outcomes; A bill to provide grants to eligible local educational agencies to encourage female students to pursue studies and careers in science, mathematics, engineering, and technology.
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From the National Institutes of Health (NIH): New Coronavirus Stable for Hours on Surfaces Including Copper, Cardboard, Plastics and Stainless Steel
The scientists found that severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was detectable in aerosols for up to three hours, up to four hours on copper, up to 24 hours on cardboard and up to two to three days on plastic and stainless steel. The results provide key information about the stability of SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19 disease, and suggests that people may acquire the virus through the air and after touching contaminated objects. The study information was widely shared during the past two weeks after the researchers placed the contents on a preprint server to quickly share their data with colleagues. more »