Money and Computing
June 8, 2020: Daily Updates On the Emerging Novel Coronavirus From the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security
"In terms of materials, the WHO now recommends that cloth masks be made out of at least 3 layers of different materials, ideally an inner layer of absorbent material (e.g., cotton), a middle layer of non-woven material (e.g., polypropylene), and an outer layer of non-absorbent material (e.g., polyester). WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasized that mask use alone does not protect against SARS-CoV-2 infection and that masks should be used as part of a “comprehensive strategy” of protective measures." more »
Elaine Soloway's Hometown Rookie: Mirror, Mirror; Jealous; Terms of Endearment
Elaine Soloway writes: After two marriages, in contentment with my solo routine, and blessed with family and a multitude of friends; I'm not trying to lure a guy. Hold on, let's change "guy" to "senior citizen," which leads me to an interesting question: Would I be attracted to someone my age who bears the same telltale signs of dotage as I? The gray hair, I'd likely adore. It's one thing to grow old with someone, but why would I pick a new swain who is accumulating wrinkles, saggy skin, body breakdowns, and signals of caregiving to come? more »
Small Asteroid Flew by Earth ...at a Distance of Approximately 3.2 million Miles
NASA Editor's note, June 5, 2020: Asteroid 2002 NN4 will safely pass by the Earth on June 6 at a distance of approximately 3.2 million miles (5.1 milliion kilometers), about 13 times further away from the Earth than the Moon is. There is no danger the asteroid will hit the Earth. As they orbit the Sun, Near-Earth Objects occasionally approach close to Earth. CNEOS calculates the motion of all NEOs forwards to 2200 A.D. and backwards to 1900 A.D., and determines the times and distances of the Earth close approaches. more »
GAO: COVID-19 Complicates Already Challenged FDA Foreign Inspection Program; It Could Be 2 to 3 Years Before New Staff Are Experienced Enough To Conduct Foreign Inspection
In March 2020, FDA announced that, due to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), it was postponing almost all inspections of foreign manufacturing establishments. While FDA has indicated it has other tools to ensure the safety of the US drug supply, the lack of foreign inspections removes a critical source of information about the quality of drugs manufactured for the US market. more »