on coping with C19 lockdown

[18.99s]

N95s are still expensive. But you can get independently certified KN95s for less than $3/mask. We've used these for any "higher" risk situation - https://packedhealth.com/products/kn...32020773732446. With the new variants we're using them all the time, except in the lowest risk situations.

Your mileage may vary.

I found this list of test results for several brands of KN95 masks (with paragraphs of disclaimers at the top of the page).

https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npptl/respirators/testing/NonNIOSHresults.html

[gh]

France closes its borders to all non-EU citizens

https://metro.co.uk/2021/01/30/france-to-close-borders-to-all-countries-outside-the-eu-from-sunday-13990973/

[jeremyp]

France closes its borders to all non-EU citizens

https://metro.co.uk/2021/01/30/france-to-close-borders-to-all-countries-outside-the-eu-from-sunday-13990973/

Which is like having a sieve that keeps out honey

[J Rorick]

France closes its borders to all non-EU citizens

Cole Walsh just sneaked into France (Mondeville) from Karlsruhe JUST under the deadline.

[user4]

My understanding is that medical professionals wearing N95s use a surgical mask over the N95 to protect it and make it last longer. The static charge of the N95 is part of what makes it so effective. No idea if there is any science behind protecting the N95s or just sound logic.

My understanding was that moisture was the bane on the N95 mask.

[gh]

here's a great little story.....

They Had Six COVID Vaccines Left And Were Stuck In The Snow — So They Started Knocking On Car Windows

https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/davidmack/surprise-covid-vaccine-stuck-snowstorm-oregon

[Tuariki]

New Zealand has also committed to providing free vaccinations to Pacific Nations. I'm assuming that the AUS and NZ programs will be coordinated but maybe the plan is to have fights in the street between rival vaccination teams? Tauriki might be able to confirm either way.

I understand that NZ and OZ covid-19 administration teams are working closely together to coordinate all covid-19 related activities.

Both countries have committed to providing resources, funding and access to the vaccine for the poorer surrounding countries.

Unlike the big EU countries, France, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, spain, Italy etc. Their combined message to Africa, Asia, their former colonies that they looted over the past 100 plus years is get stuffed, you can all die for all we care.

[jeremyp]

From Florida's Great and Glorious Leader.
“We’re not going to divert second doses away from seniors,” DeSantis said Tuesday in defense of why the state hadn’t administered half of the doses received so far. “If the White House is suggesting that we shouldn’t be doing that, I think that that’s not a good suggestion.”
So while hundreds of thousands could be getting their first dose, he decides, against CDC advice to hold it for the second dose folks. Even a first dose is 50% protective, almost as good as the flu vaccine and it would stop the spread.

[18.99s]

Hmm... shouldn't those mutations that emerged in the UK and South Africa late last year be called COVID-20? 🤔

[TN1965]

I'm a doctor in Singapore. Our COVID-19 cases have been low since last fall - here's what we're doing right.

• Dr. Lim Hui Ling, 51, is the medical director for the International Medical Clinic in Singapore.
• Lim says going through the 2002-2003 SARS pandemic helped prepare her and other healthcare workers to deal with COVID-19.
• She also credits fellow Singaporeans for helping stop the spread of the virus by willingly wearing masks, social distancing, and using a contact tracing app.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/im-doctor...135100878.html

[Atticus]

Hmm... shouldn't those mutations that emerged in the UK and South Africa late last year be called COVID-20? 🤔

It's a strain of Covid-19, not a 'new' virus.

[tandfman]

From The Onion :

Headline - Andrew Cuomo Unveils Plan To Reduce Covid Spread At Nursing Homes By Throwing Residents Out Onto Street

😉

https://www.theonion.com/andrew-cuomo-unveils-plan-to-reduce-covid-spread-at-nur-1846175584

[gh]

meanwhile, in Canadia....

Canadian snowbirds abroad grapple with tough new travel rules that include a big hotel bill

https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/canadian-snowbirds-travel-rules-government-1.5895021

[bad hammy]

meanwhile, in Canadia....

Canadian snowbirds abroad grapple with tough new travel rules that include a big hotel bill
https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/can...ment-1.5895021

Soon, air passengers will be required to take a COVID-19 test upon arrival and spend up to three days of their 14-day quarantine in a designated hotel — which could cost them upwards of $2,000.

"I'm not going to pay $2,000 a person for three nights. That's ridiculous," said Canadian snowbird Claudine Durand, 50, of Lachine, Que., who's spending the winter in Florida.

$666/night (ha) does seem a bit steep for three days at a hotel during covid times. Sounds like screw-you triple-the-rack-rate prices . . .

[TN1965]

In the meantime, here is a bargain if you want to live in a luxury hotel for a month...

Tokyo's Imperial Hotel repurposes luxury rooms as rentals

Meals and laundry service offered with monthlong stays starting at $3,400

https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Tra...oms-as-rentals