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Face masks, once an essential Covid-19 protective measure, are now being worn by criminals to conceal their identities, according to New York police who are urging businesses to unmask customers before letting them in stores. The recommendation is a 180-degree turn from mask-wearing norms at the onset of the pandemic. During peak periods of infection, federal agencies mandated mask-wearing in public places, while many businesses required customers to wear them on the premises. Now, however, some businesses are banning customers from entering the premises with face masks on, saying the policy change is needed to identify thieves. And after numerous...

Research suggests CDC’s claims of mask effectiveness may have been exaggerated By Melissa Rudy | Fox News The stance by the Centers for Disease and Control Prevention (CDC) on face masks has taken many twists and turns throughout the COVID pandemic. After initially claiming face coverings weren’t necessary, the CDC changed course in April 2020, calling on all Americans — even children as young as 2 years old — to mask up. That September, then-CDC Director Dr. Robert Redfield said during a Senate hearing that "face masks are the most important powerful health tool we have," even suggesting that they...

The CDC took nearly two years to formally recognize distinctions between masks for mitigating COVID-19 spread, finally saying in January that cloth masks offer "the least" protection and N95 respirators, which meet strict federal standards, "the highest." The agency's slight nod to the largely symbolic value of cloth masks, predominantly worn in school settings, followed months of calls by onetime White House COVID advisers, among others, to promote masks actually designed to stop aerosolized transmission. It also spurred a run on N95s, sending prices skyward. But a new peer-reviewed, randomized controlled trial (RCT) of N95s versus surgical masks, considered the...

To ensure effectiveness, it’s important to buy authentic N95 and KN95 masks. Buy directly from the manufacturer’s website or a reputable site. Markings are printed on respirators to show that they are genuine. N95, N99, N100, P95, P100 masks are the only types that have National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) approvalTrusted Source. They will have a certification mark and the term “NIOSH-approved”. Make sure the masks are of high quality. Look out for loose straps or misalignment in terms of fit. Masks should not have decorative add-ons, such as sequins or tassels

Several pathogenic microbes were identified and quantified on masks worn during the pandemic, according to a Japanese study that was published in Scientific Reports. The study is one of the first to address the probable hygiene issues caused by bacterial and fungal growth on masks worn daily in the community. “Since masks can be a direct source of infection to the respiratory tract, digestive tract, and skin, it is crucial to maintain their hygiene to prevent bacterial and fungal infections that can exacerbate COVID-19,” the authors wrote. The study involved 109 participants aged 21 to 22 years who were asked...

The COVID-19 pandemic is by no means over, but as time goes on, scientists are learning more and more about the virus – and the various ways that we can protect against it, including new and improved face masks. A new membrane-based respiratory mask developed by researchers can capture and deactivate SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins as it comes into contact with them. These spike proteins are what allow the virus to enter host cells once they're in the body. As per tests, almost 99 percent of targeted airborne particles can be filtered out by the new mask, giving wearers a vital...

A year ago President Biden went on TV to tell Americans "you're not going to get Covid if you get vaccinated." Today, it was announced that the fully vaxxed and twice-boosted Biden has covid. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said "his doctors describe his symptoms as very mild. He is still able to eat and sleep with the same vigor he has demonstrated since he took office in January of 2021. He is careful not to infect others—as was demonstrated by his thoughtful fist-bumping during his trip to Saudi Arabia. He continues to be an inspiration to us all."...

The COVID-19 pandemic has led people to wear face masks daily in public. Although the effectiveness of face masks against viral transmission has been extensively studied, there have been few reports on potential hygiene issues due to bacteria and fungi attached to the face masks. We aimed to (1) quantify and identify the bacteria and fungi attaching to the masks, and (2) investigate whether the mask-attached microbes could be associated with the types and usage of the masks and individual lifestyles. We surveyed 109 volunteers on their mask usage and lifestyles, and cultured bacteria and fungi from either the face-side...

Fauci appeared on MSNBC on Tuesday to recommend viewers continue to mask up indoors and get their second booster shot to combat the spread of the BA.5 variant, though he admitted it would be a "hard sell" for the American people.

As the highly infectious BA.5 variant spreads across the US, experts say they're wearing masks outdoors, especially in crowded settings, to protect against contracting COVID-19. The BA.5 Omicron subvariant appears to better escape the disease-fighting antibodies produced after vaccination or prior infection than other subvariants, which means people are more likely to become infected, irrespective of prior immunity — though vaccines will still stop most from getting sick

Masks are no longer required on public transportation or in public places. But the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continues to recommend masks for travel, releasing a new statement on May 3 upon the expiration of their previous mandate that required masks, which was struck down by a judicial decision in the federal court system. Are you looking to up your stash of N95 masks for upcoming travel in light of this news? You're in luck, because N95 face mask availability is high, and N95 prices are lower than ever.

The New York City Health Department is urging residents to put their face masks back on after a patient in the city tested positive for Orthopoxvirus, with officials waiting to confirm whether it is monkeypox. “Masks can protect against monkeypox, as well as other viruses circulating in New York City, such as COVID-19,” the health department said. “The Department continues to recommend masks in public indoor settings. As a precaution, any New Yorkers who experience flu-like illness with swelling of the lymph nodes and rashes on the face and body should contact their health care provider.” More info: https://t.co/Hpgu5m0xYL— nychealthy...

Science recently published the largest cluster-randomized trial to date on face coverings, a massive study that the science community had been calling for since the start of the pandemic.As the fear of Covid wanes with its news coverage, one of the remaining vestiges of the narrative involves face coverings. The premier journal Science recently published the largest cluster-randomized trial to date on masks, a massive study that the science community had been calling for since the start of the pandemic. This study divided rural villages in Bangladesh into those encouraged to wear either medical or cloth masks, or no mask....

UNIVERSITY CITY, Mo. (AP) — When the coronavirus pandemic first hit the U.S., sales of window coverings at Halcyon Shades quickly went dark. So the suburban St. Louis business did what hundreds of other small manufacturers did: It pivoted to make protective supplies, with help from an $870,000 government grant. But things haven’t worked out as planned. The company quit making face shields because it wasn’t profitable. It still hasn’t sold a single N95 mask because of struggles to get equipment, materials and regulatory approval. “So far, it has been a net drain of funds and resources and energy,” Halcyon...

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention last week stated 90% of Americans no longer need to wear face masks indoors, including in K-12 schools. Yet through mandates or local guidance, young children — who face the lowest risk of COVID complications — are still being forced to mask for hours a day across the country, including in New York, California and DC and its suburbs, in some cases even outdoors. In America’s great unmasking, 2- to 5-year-olds are excluded even as the harms from masking them continue to come to light. ... Many places in Europe, including the United...

On August 6, 2021, the Centers for Disease Control released a report that the agency claimed showed “Vaccination Offers Higher Protection than Previous COVID-19 Infection.” This assertion came amidst a public battle with Sen. Rand Paul, as the CDC released this data from Kentucky, Paul’s home state. Yet after indisputable scientific evidence continued to pile up in favor of natural immunity, the CDC finally capitulated on January 19, 2022, recognizing the superiority of natural immunity over vaccination alone: “Between May and November 2021, people who were unvaccinated and did not have a prior COVID-19 infection remained at the highest risk...

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) on Sunday defended his recent decision to lift the mask mandate for schools in his state and predicted that local government will follow suit as warmer weather begins to set in. "Our numbers are improving and I would use the word 'dramatically,'" Murphy said while appearing on CBS's "Face the Nation."

Types of Respirators This guide provides a brief overview. Please review the following for more detailed information: • OSHA • NIOSH There are a variety of different types of respirators that are typically categorized as either air-purifying or atmosphere-supplying, with some being further sub-categorized as: • Positive or negative-pressure • Tight or loose-fitting • Continuous-supply, demand or pressure-demand • Half or full-face What is important is to make sure the appropriate one is being used given the: • Type and concentration of airborne contaminants in question. • Comfort of the user. The more uncomfortable it is, the less likely it...

The federal government is making 400 million N95 masks available for free starting this week at thousands of locations. By early February, the aim is to have the program fully operational, giving Americans a chance to acquire the higher-quality masks at no cost. Here’s what Chicagoans need to know about the rollout of free N95 masks: Why do I need N95 masks? Respirators — including N95 masks, KN95s and KN94s — are designed to achieve a close facial fit and efficient filtration of airborne particles. When will the masks be available? Some locations will begin making the masks available this...

The Biden administration plans to distribute millions of them to local pharmacies. But is there really any evidence that the same people who were wrong about masks are now suddenly connected to God’s word when it comes to respirators? And who says it is safe for people to wear something like that for long periods of time, which until now required rigorous testing, medical exams, and training? Yes, N95s, unlike masks, actually meet the standard for PPE in hazardous environments. But for which sort of hazard? Not an airborne respiratory virus. Stephen Petty, a certified industrial hygienist and hazardous exposure...