healthyholisticliving--2020-05-08--From Protests to Parties: Why Gathering in Groups Is a Terrible Idea Right Now

• Despite warning that gathering in groups can contribute to the spread of COVID-19 , people are meeting in large numbers for parties , beach days , and political protests .
• The spread of COVID-19 has been linked to social gatherings .
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) has referred to such gatherings as “ super-spreading events.
” • Health experts warn a rush to reopen the country could be disastrous and undo the progress that ’ s been made in the fight against COVID-19 .
All data and statistics are based on publicly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Some information may be out of date .
Visit our coronavirus hub and follow our live updates page for the most recent information on the COVID-19 outbreak .
Public health officials and experts continue to insist that failing to follow physical distancing guidelines and convening in large groups is high-risk behavior that can quickly transmit the novel coronavirus to numerous people .
Recently , public beaches were reopened in Florida , attracting large crowds and protests erupted in multiple states against lockdown measures enacted to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week , as they assembled outside governors ’ offices and other public spaces , many of them disregarding basic precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19 , like wearing face masks and maintaining 6 feet of distance between participants .
Many protesters at these events claimed the worst ravages of COVID-19 are now behind us , and they believe it ’ s now time to reopen the country .
But Dr. Anthony Fauci , the United States ’ leading infectious disease expert publicly censured the protests , stating that they would “ backfire.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ is hurting from the standpoint of economics and the standpoint of things that have nothing to do with the virus , but unless we get the virus under control , the real recovery economically is not going to happen , ” Fauci told “ Good Morning America.
” Fauci and other public health officials say the algebra of reopening the country is far more complex than it seems .
What is obvious , they say , is that meeting in a large group , while disregarding basic safety precautions is absolutely not the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Gathering in groups could prolong the pandemic and further its reach “ What we worry about when these groups come together , whether it ’ s a church service or house party or a trip to the beach or otherwise is that somebody in that group may actually be positive and contagious and if they are , there ’ s a good chance that somebody else that ’ s with them could possibly get sick , ” Dr. Richard Martinello , medical director of infection prevention for Yale New Haven Hospital and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Healthline .
Numerous incidents this month have highlighted this danger , and further served to emphasize the importance of social distancing .
In Virginia , a prominent bishop who defied stay-at-home orders and resisted calls to suspend services at the New Deliverance Evangelistic Church , subsequently died after becoming infected with COVID-19 .
Bishop Gerald Glenn famously told his congregation that “ God is larger than this dreaded virus , ” and that he would continue to preach unless he was “ in jail or the hospital.
” Glenn ’ s wife also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spread of COVID-19 also continues to be linked to parties and social gatherings , which , in some cases , the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) has referred to as “ super-spreading events.
” The CDC called attention to one such incidentTrusted Source earlier this month .
A single individual with mild respiratory symptoms is believed to have been responsible for infecting 16 people with COVID-19 after attending a pair of family gatherings : a birthday party and a funeral .
Three of those infected later died .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , illustrates “ the importance of social distancing for preventing SARS-CoV-2 transmission , even within families , ” and further enforces public health recommendations to avoid gatherings .
Much of the lingering danger associated with COVID-19 is its stealthy ability to appear mild or asymptomatic in many individuals while still remaining contagious .
In a study published in the journal Nature , Trusted Source researchers found that people with only minor symptoms , such as low-grade fever and minor cough , were most symptomatic early on .
“ This is a really tough @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Dr. Vincent Hsu , MPH , a board certified internal medicine , infectious diseases , and preventive medicine physician at AdventHealth in Orlando , told Healthline .
“ There is a larger percentage of patients who are not showing symptoms who are asymptomatic who can carry it and transmit it to other people .
Obviously if you don ’ t have symptoms it ’ s hard to know who ’ s infected and who ’ s healthy , ” he said .
It is generally understood to be more contagious than influenza @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infectious diseases like measles and smallpox .
“ Generally it ’ s thought that for every single person that ’ s sick somewhere between two to four people will become ill from that one person , ” said Martinello .
“ So there ’ s really a multiplier effect , where just one additional person who gets sick can lead to potentially tens , hundreds , or even thousands of new cases as it perpetuates through a community.
” And Martinello warns , yes , it ’ s still out there , even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That ’ s what makes reopening the economy and society so tricky .
It ’ s also what makes meeting in groups right now , to protest , party , or whatever , a serious liability .
Physical distancing is slowing the spread of COVID-19 Projections have shown that physical distancing works .
Americans have flattened the curve .
Deaths from COVID-19 and hospital resources allocated to fighting it are now subsiding .
We are now past “ the peak.
” Nonetheless , the death toll continues to rise .
In the United @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 50,000 this week , with more than 890,000 confirmed cases , according to the latest data from Johns Hopkins University .
A rush to reopen could be disastrous and undo the progress that ’ s been made .
“ The curve of new cases is trending downward and that ’ s a good thing .
However , we are not yet at the point where the public health experts , and I agree with them , believe this is sufficient to where we can start getting back together in large crowds , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cautious in their desire to reopen , but no one has been more aggressive than Georgia Governor Brian Kemp .
Today , under Kemp ’ s orders , businesses across Georgia , including gyms , hair salons , bowling alleys , tattoo parlors , and barbershops , began to reopen .
Restaurants and theaters will be allowed to reopen on April 27 .
As businesses begin to open their doors again , Georgia ’ s death toll from COVID-19 is nearing 900 , with the number of confirmed cases continuing to rise as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a case study for the rest of the country : a model of what aggressive reopening will look like .
Only time will tell whether an economic push will outweigh the risks to citizens .
Both Hsu and Martinello are skeptical .
“ We understand that there is a need to get people back to work .
We understand that the economy needs to start reopening .
But it has to be done in a very structured , deliberate way , said Hsu .
“ If it ’ s not done correctly… @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a surge even worse than what we ’ re having now .
Then the whole thing has to start all over again.
” This article is shared with permission from Healthline

Despite warning that gathering in groups can contribute to the spread of COVID-19, people are meeting in large numbers for parties, beach days, and political protests.
The spread of COVID-19 has been linked to social gatherings.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has referred to such gatherings as “super-spreading events.”
Health experts warn a rush to reopen the country could be disastrous and undo the progress that’s been made in the fight against COVID-19.
All data and statistics are based on publicly available data at the time of publication. Some information may be out of date. Visit our coronavirus hub and follow our live updates page for the most recent information on the COVID-19 outbreak.
Public health officials and experts continue to insist that failing to follow physical distancing guidelines and convening in large groups is high-risk behavior that can quickly transmit the novel coronavirus to numerous people.
This includes attending crowded beaches, religious services, and public protests.
Recently, public beaches were reopened in Florida, attracting large crowds and protests erupted in multiple states against lockdown measures enacted to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus.
Images of protestors were abundant this week, as they assembled outside governors’ offices and other public spaces, many of them disregarding basic precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19, like wearing face masks and maintaining 6 feet of distance between participants.
Many protesters at these events claimed the worst ravages of COVID-19 are now behind us, and they believe it’s now time to reopen the country.
But Dr. Anthony Fauci, the United States’ leading infectious disease expert publicly censured the protests, stating that they would “backfire.”
“Clearly this is something that is hurting from the standpoint of economics and the standpoint of things that have nothing to do with the virus, but unless we get the virus under control, the real recovery economically is not going to happen,” Fauci told “Good Morning America.”
Fauci and other public health officials say the algebra of reopening the country is far more complex than it seems.
What is obvious, they say, is that meeting in a large group, while disregarding basic safety precautions is absolutely not the way to go about reopening the country.
Gathering in groups could prolong the pandemic and further its reach “What we worry about when these groups come together, whether it’s a church service or house party or a trip to the beach or otherwise is that somebody in that group may actually be positive and contagious and if they are, there’s a good chance that somebody else that’s with them could possibly get sick,” Dr. Richard Martinello, medical director of infection prevention for Yale New Haven Hospital and Yale New Haven Health System, told Healthline. Numerous incidents this month have highlighted this danger, and further served to emphasize the importance of social distancing. In Virginia, a prominent bishop who defied stay-at-home orders and resisted calls to suspend services at the New Deliverance Evangelistic Church, subsequently died after becoming infected with COVID-19. Bishop Gerald Glenn famously told his congregation that “God is larger than this dreaded virus,” and that he would continue to preach unless he was “in jail or the hospital.” Glenn’s wife also tested positive for the virus. The spread of COVID-19 also continues to be linked to parties and social gatherings, which, in some cases, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has referred to as “super-spreading events.” The CDC called attention to one such incidentTrusted Source earlier this month. A single individual with mild respiratory symptoms is believed to have been responsible for infecting 16 people with COVID-19 after attending a pair of family gatherings: a birthday party and a funeral. Three of those infected later died. The incident, according to the CDC report, illustrates “the importance of social distancing for preventing SARS-CoV-2 transmission, even within families,” and further enforces public health recommendations to avoid gatherings. Much of the lingering danger associated with COVID-19 is its stealthy ability to appear mild or asymptomatic in many individuals while still remaining contagious. In a study published in the journal Nature,Trusted Source researchers found that people with only minor symptoms, such as low-grade fever and minor cough, were most symptomatic early on. “This is a really tough virus to detect in many cases,” Dr. Vincent Hsu, MPH, a board certified internal medicine, infectious diseases, and preventive medicine physician at AdventHealth in Orlando, told Healthline. “There is a larger percentage of patients who are not showing symptoms who are asymptomatic who can carry it and transmit it to other people. Obviously if you don’t have symptoms it’s hard to know who’s infected and who’s healthy,” he said.


healthyholisticliving--2020-05-08--FDA Issues Warning About Hydroxychloroquine Over Heart Issues

Early results for hydroxychloroquine are not positive Despite an early study finding evidence that hydroxychloroquine might help ease symptoms of COVID-19 , subsequent studies have been less positive .
One of the first studies to suggest that hydroxychloroquine , in combination with the antibiotic azithromycin , might work as a treatment for COVID-19 was done in France .
The French study , though , had several design flaws , including its small size and how people were enrolled in the study .
Despite these flaws , results from this study were shared on social media as “ proof ” of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President Donald Trump tweeted about the study .
Since the study ’ s release , the journal in which the paper appeared issued a statement of concern about some aspects of the study ’ s design .
The New York Times later reported that Trump had a “ small personal financial interest ” in Sanofi , the French manufacturer that makes Plaquenil , the brand-name version of hydroxychloroquine .
In addition , results from other small trials and paper preprints suggest that hydroxychloroquine is not effective against COVID-19 .
One part of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after COVID-19 patients taking a higher dose of chloroquine developed potentially fatal irregular heart rates .
The results were posted April 11 on medRxiv , an online server for sharing medical articles before they ’ ve undergone peer review by other researchers .
The higher-dose group of patients was given 600 milligrams of chloroquine twice daily for 10 days .
By day six , 11 patients had died , leading researchers to stop this arm of the study early .
The lower dose group — 450 milligrams for 5 days , twice daily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t have enough patients for researchers to know if the drug was effective for people with severe COVID-19 .
A French retrospective study posted April 14 on medRxiv found that hydroxychloroquine didn ’ t help patients hospitalized with the coronavirus .
Doctors reviewed the records of 181 patients .
About half had been given hydroxychloroquine within 48 hours of being admitted to the hospital .
Of patients taking the drug , 20.2 percent were admitted to the intensive care unit ( ICU ) or died within 7 days of hospitalization .
Of those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 22.1 percent went to the ICU or died .
Looking just at deaths , 2.8 percent of patients who were given hydroxychloroquine died within 7 days of hospitalization , while 4.6 percent of patients who didn ’ t take the drug died .
Neither of these differences was statistically significant , which means they could have occurred simply due to chance .
In another retrospective study of 368 patients posted April 21 , researchers found that U.S. veterans taking hydroxychloroquine had a higher risk of dying compared to those not taking the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and azithromycin had a similar risk of dying compared to those who didn ’ t receive either .
Researchers also found that patients who were given one or both drugs had a similar risk of mechanical ventilation compared to people not taking either drug .
This wasn ’ t a randomized clinical trial .
Instead , researchers reviewed the medical charts of patients who had already been treated .
So there could be bias that affects the results .
Because papers posted on medRxiv haven ’ t undergone peer review , the results @ @ @ @ @ @ @ April 30 , a clinical review published in the FASEB : Journal found there is still no good evidence that hydroxycholorquine will help treat people with COVID-19 .
Dr. Mark Poznansky , PhD , a Harvard Medical School associate professor and director of the Vaccine and Immunotherapy Center in the Infectious Disease Division of Massachusetts General Hospital , said he wanted to understand the risks to his patients who were coming with COVID-19 .
“ It was evident to me and my colleagues that there were both risks and benefits of the widespread @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of COVID-19 infection , ” Poznansky said in a statment .
“ This was based on seeing patients who , for whatever reason , appeared to be doing poorly despite the use of this medication.
” While in a lab settting the virus helped stop viral update in cells , in actual patients there is a risk that the drugs could inhibit the immune system .
As a result , Poznansky said that it is not clear that the medication will help people fight off the disease and there are serious risks of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reports are not enough Beyond the few small studies of hydroxychloroquine , a lot of the “ evidence ” for its benefits is based on reports in the news and on social media about people getting better after being given the drug .
Unfortunately , these anecdotal reports don ’ t really show whether the drug works , and just as importantly , whether it ’ s safe .
“ Most people with coronavirus get better on their own .
So if you give hydroxychloroquine to somebody who was going to get better @ @ @ @ @ @ @ works , ” said Dr. Allison Bond , an infectious disease physician at the University of California , San Francisco .
Many factors affect whether someone recovers from COVID-19 .
Older adults and people with underlying medical conditions are at higher risk of serious illnessTrusted Source .
People being treated in hospitals overwhelmed with COVID-19 patients may also be less likely to recover due to lack of medical resources .
They also can ’ t answer other important clinical questions like what medication dose works best , when to give the medication , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ combination of drugs .
“ The only way we can know if an agent actually worked or had efficacy is to do a clinical trial , ” said Dr. Steven K. Libutti , director of the Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey and senior vice president of oncology services at RWJBarnabas Health .
Bond said these trials should include not just a larger number of patients , but also a wide variety of patients .
“ That way , you can see how the drug interacts not only with the infection itself , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ preexisting medical conditions , ” Bond said .
Clinical trials are also needed to know if a drug is safe .
Doctors already know a lot about the side effects of hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine because the drugs have been around for years .
But Bond said patients with COVID-19 who are being treated may need a higher dose of the drug than what ’ s used for other conditions .
“ Even though it ’ s a drug that we already use , we ’ re using it at a different dose , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ [ higher dose ] you would be more prone to side effects.
” The Infectious Diseases Society of America ( IDSA ) released guidelines on April 11 with recommendations about the use of hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine for the treatment of COVID-19 .
Given the current “ knowledge gap , ” the IDSA recommends that these drugs — alone or with azithromycin — be used in the context of a clinical trial .
The guidelines also emphasize that the use of hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine plus azithromycin carries a greater risk due to the possibility @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Limiting the use of these medications to a clinical trial would enable doctors to potentially help patients , while gathering data needed to know if the drugs actually work for people with severe COVID-19 .
Several larger clinical studies of hydroxychloroquine have already been started , including ones at the National Institutes of Health , the University of Washington , and Rutgers Cancer Institute .
Libutti is one of the researchers running the Rutgers trial .
In this study , people with COVID-19 will be randomly enrolled into one of three groups : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or supportive care for 6 days followed by hydroxychloroquine .
“ We ’ re looking to see if these drugs , alone or in combination , can actually lower the patient ’ s viral load , ” said Libutti .
This study is similar to the French study , but is more rigorously designed .
First , people are randomized into the groups , which minimizes bias .
Without randomization , you could get mostly healthier people in one of the drug groups — this would make it seem like the drug worked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ group — people receiving only supportive care — which allows researchers to see how these people do compared to those taking one or both drugs .
Researchers will also look separately at people with mild , moderate , or severe COVID-19 symptoms , as well as those treated on an inpatient or outpatient basis .
“ We ’ re going to look at those subgroups to get an idea of whether the drug worked better at certain times in the course of the disease versus others , ” said Libutti .
The trial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ve finished enrolling the 160 people , he expects to have results in about 2 weeks .
Although this study may not answer all questions about hydroxychloroquine , the results should provide doctors with more data on how best to help people with COVID-19 .
“ If the [ drug or drug combination ] works , we need to deploy the strategy much more broadly , ” said Libutti .
“ If it doesn ’ t work , then we need to be focusing on other strategies .
”

Early results for hydroxychloroquine are not positive
Despite an early study finding evidence that hydroxychloroquine might help ease symptoms of COVID-19, subsequent studies have been less positive.
One of the first studies to suggest that hydroxychloroquine, in combination with the antibiotic azithromycin, might work as a treatment for COVID-19 was done in France.
The French study, though, had several design flaws, including its small size and how people were enrolled in the study.
Despite these flaws, results from this study were shared on social media as “proof” of the drug’s effectiveness.
Even President Donald Trump tweeted about the study. Since the study’s release, the journal in which the paper appeared issued a statement of concern about some aspects of the study’s design.
The New York Times later reported that Trump had a “small personal financial interest” in Sanofi, the French manufacturer that makes Plaquenil, the brand-name version of hydroxychloroquine.
In addition, results from other small trials and paper preprints suggest that hydroxychloroquine is not effective against COVID-19.
One part of a small study in Brazil was stopped early after COVID-19 patients taking a higher dose of chloroquine developed potentially fatal irregular heart rates.
The results were posted April 11 on medRxiv, an online server for sharing medical articles before they’ve undergone peer review by other researchers.
The higher-dose group of patients was given 600 milligrams of chloroquine twice daily for 10 days. By day six, 11 patients had died, leading researchers to stop this arm of the study early.
The lower dose group — 450 milligrams for 5 days, twice daily only on day one — didn’t have enough patients for researchers to know if the drug was effective for people with severe COVID-19.
A French retrospective study posted April 14 on medRxiv found that hydroxychloroquine didn’t help patients hospitalized with the coronavirus.
Doctors reviewed the records of 181 patients. About half had been given hydroxychloroquine within 48 hours of being admitted to the hospital.
Of patients taking the drug, 20.2 percent were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) or died within 7 days of hospitalization. Of those who didn’t take the drug, 22.1 percent went to the ICU or died.
Looking just at deaths, 2.8 percent of patients who were given hydroxychloroquine died within 7 days of hospitalization, while 4.6 percent of patients who didn’t take the drug died.
Neither of these differences was statistically significant, which means they could have occurred simply due to chance.
In another retrospective study of 368 patients posted April 21, researchers found that U.S. veterans taking hydroxychloroquine had a higher risk of dying compared to those not taking the drug.
Patients who received both hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin had a similar risk of dying compared to those who didn’t receive either.
Researchers also found that patients who were given one or both drugs had a similar risk of mechanical ventilation compared to people not taking either drug.
This wasn’t a randomized clinical trial. Instead, researchers reviewed the medical charts of patients who had already been treated. So there could be bias that affects the results.
Because papers posted on medRxiv haven’t undergone peer review, the results should be viewed with caution.
On April 30, a clinical review published in the FASEB: Journal found there is still no good evidence that hydroxycholorquine will help treat people with COVID-19.
Dr. Mark Poznansky, PhD, a Harvard Medical School associate professor and director of the Vaccine and Immunotherapy Center in the Infectious Disease Division of Massachusetts General Hospital, said he wanted to understand the risks to his patients who were coming with COVID-19.
“It was evident to me and my colleagues that there were both risks and benefits of the widespread initial use of hydroxychloroquine in the context of COVID-19 infection,” Poznansky said in a statment. “This was based on seeing patients who, for whatever reason, appeared to be doing poorly despite the use of this medication.”
While in a lab settting the virus helped stop viral update in cells, in actual patients there is a risk that the drugs could inhibit the immune system. As a result, Poznansky said that it is not clear that the medication will help people fight off the disease and there are serious risks of taking the medication while sick.
Anecdotal reports are not enough
Beyond the few small studies of hydroxychloroquine, a lot of the “evidence” for its benefits is based on reports in the news and on social media about people getting better after being given the drug.
Unfortunately, these anecdotal reports don’t really show whether the drug works, and just as importantly, whether it’s safe.
“Most people with coronavirus get better on their own. So if you give hydroxychloroquine to somebody who was going to get better anyway, it looks like the drug works,” said Dr. Allison Bond, an infectious disease physician at the University of California, San Francisco.
Many factors affect whether someone recovers from COVID-19. Older adults and people with underlying medical conditions are at higher risk of serious illnessTrusted Source.
People being treated in hospitals overwhelmed with COVID-19 patients may also be less likely to recover due to lack of medical resources.
Anecdotal reports can’t account for these factors.
They also can’t answer other important clinical questions like what medication dose works best, when to give the medication, or whether you should be giving a combination of drugs.
“The only way we can know if an agent actually worked or had efficacy is to do a clinical trial,” said Dr. Steven K. Libutti, director of the Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey and senior vice president of oncology services at RWJBarnabas Health.
Bond said these trials should include not just a larger number of patients, but also a wide variety of patients.
“That way, you can see how the drug interacts not only with the infection itself, but also with the patient’s preexisting medical conditions,” Bond said.
Clinical trials are also needed to know if a drug is safe.
Doctors already know a lot about the side effects of hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine because the drugs have been around for years.
But Bond said patients with COVID-19 who are being treated may need a higher dose of the drug than what’s used for other conditions.
“Even though it’s a drug that we already use, we’re using it at a different dose,” she said. “With that [higher dose] you would be more prone to side effects.”
Better clinical trials underway


healthyholisticliving--2020-05-08--Americans Are Accidentally Poisoning Themselves with Cleaning Supplies

• Calls to U.S. poison control centers about chemical cleaners and disinfectants surged 20 percent between January and March 2020 compared with the prior year .
• The report indicates an uptick in poisoning that ’ s clearly associated with the spread and mounting worry of COVID-19 .
• All different age groups showed an increase in exposures to cleaners and disinfectants , but young children , those ages 5 and under , were most affected .
In the fight to keep their homes and families safe from the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 , Americans are accidentally poisoning themselves with cleaning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) , calls to U.S. poison control centers about chemical cleaners and disinfectants surged by 20 percentTrusted Source between January and March 2020 compared with the prior year .
While January and February of this year were generally similar to the previous one , calls shot up dramatically in March .
The report indicates an uptick in poisoning that ’ s clearly associated with the spread and mounting worry of COVID-19 .
Additional data has yet to be published , but the trend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ April , Henry A. Spiller , MS , DABAT , director of the Central Ohio Poison Center at Nationwide Children ’ s Hospital and a co-author of the report , told Healthline .
“ This is part of the epidemic that people need to know about , ” Spiller said .
“ It ’ s not abating .
Our concern is that this isn ’ t a flash in the pan , like it happened one week and then it went away .
This is going to be with us for a while.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ increase in exposures to cleaners and disinfectants , but young children , those ages 5 and under , were most affected .
Stay-at-home orders and self-quarantining also appear to play a role in the increased number of poisonings , as more children are at home , potentially unsupervised .
“ Now so many people are really not going out , so home life is locked in .
So we ’ re seeing an increase because of that .
Essentially children , even older children who would be in day care , are now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dr. Rais Vohra , the medical director of the Fresno/Madera division of the California Poison Control System , wasn ’ t involved in authoring the report but told Healthline that it makes perfect sense .
“ We ’ ve certainly noticed that uptick in calls , and it aligns with the most plausible explanation , which is we ’ ve got a lot more kids that are staying home and a lot more people who are being mindful of cleaning their home , ” Vohra told Healthline .
Among cleaning products , bleach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in poisonings .
Another major culprit : hand sanitizers .
Calls to poison control centers about these products almost doubled ( jumping 79 percentTrusted Source ) in March compared with the year prior .
To keep children safe , store all cleaning products away from children .
And while it ’ s likely tempting to keep hand sanitizer on a countertop or by the door so it ’ s easy to access , don ’ t leave it unsupervised around kids .
Know the signs and symptoms of exposure A child who has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nauseous .
Depending on the amount consumed , there ’ s the potential for alcohol poisoning .
However , most companies add bittering agents to such products to deter consumption .
“ It ’ s basically 65 percent alcohol , 130 proof , so a lick of it we ’ re not concerned about .
But think of a child taking a shot of whiskey .
You ’ d be concerned , and that ’ s what this is , ” Spiller said .
Depending on the route of exposure , chlorine , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ result in many different symptoms , including difficulty breathing , coughing , burning of the skin , and vomiting .
Be especially cautious when using bleach and other cleaning products .
Never mix bleach with vinegar or ammonia-based cleaners .
Mixing these products creates a volatile mixture , producing noxious chlorine gas .
“ People think , well , if one is good , two is better .
It ’ s not , ” Spiller said .

Calls to U.S. poison control centers about chemical cleaners and disinfectants surged 20 percent between January and March 2020 compared with the prior year.
The report indicates an uptick in poisoning that’s clearly associated with the spread and mounting worry of COVID-19.
All different age groups showed an increase in exposures to cleaners and disinfectants, but young children, those ages 5 and under, were most affected.
In the fight to keep their homes and families safe from the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, Americans are accidentally poisoning themselves with cleaning products.
According to a recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), calls to U.S. poison control centers about chemical cleaners and disinfectants surged by 20 percentTrusted Source between January and March 2020 compared with the prior year.
Emergency calls are up
While January and February of this year were generally similar to the previous one, calls shot up dramatically in March. The report indicates an uptick in poisoning that’s clearly associated with the spread and mounting worry of COVID-19.
Additional data has yet to be published, but the trend in poisonings is still continuing well into April, Henry A. Spiller, MS, DABAT, director of the Central Ohio Poison Center at Nationwide Children’s Hospital and a co-author of the report, told Healthline.
“This is part of the epidemic that people need to know about,” Spiller said. “It’s not abating. Our concern is that this isn’t a flash in the pan, like it happened one week and then it went away. This is going to be with us for a while.”
All different age groups showed an increase in exposures to cleaners and disinfectants, but young children, those ages 5 and under, were most affected.
Lockdown orders may play a part
Stay-at-home orders and self-quarantining also appear to play a role in the increased number of poisonings, as more children are at home, potentially unsupervised.
“Now so many people are really not going out, so home life is locked in. So we’re seeing an increase because of that. Essentially children, even older children who would be in day care, are now at home,” Spiller said.
Dr. Rais Vohra, the medical director of the Fresno/Madera division of the California Poison Control System, wasn’t involved in authoring the report but told Healthline that it makes perfect sense.
“We’ve certainly noticed that uptick in calls, and it aligns with the most plausible explanation, which is we’ve got a lot more kids that are staying home and a lot more people who are being mindful of cleaning their home,” Vohra told Healthline.
Among cleaning products, bleach products were responsible for the largest increase in poisonings.
Another major culprit: hand sanitizers. Calls to poison control centers about these products almost doubled (jumping 79 percentTrusted Source) in March compared with the year prior.
To keep children safe, store all cleaning products away from children. And while it’s likely tempting to keep hand sanitizer on a countertop or by the door so it’s easy to access, don’t leave it unsupervised around kids.
Know the signs and symptoms of exposure A child who has consumed hand sanitizer may vomit or appear nauseous. Depending on the amount consumed, there’s the potential for alcohol poisoning. However, most companies add bittering agents to such products to deter consumption. “It’s basically 65 percent alcohol, 130 proof, so a lick of it we’re not concerned about. But think of a child taking a shot of whiskey. You’d be concerned, and that’s what this is,” Spiller said. Depending on the route of exposure, chlorine, commonly found in bleach products, can result in many different symptoms, including difficulty breathing, coughing, burning of the skin, and vomiting. Be especially cautious when using bleach and other cleaning products. Never mix bleach with vinegar or ammonia-based cleaners. Mixing these products creates a volatile mixture, producing noxious chlorine gas. “People think, well, if one is good, two is better. It’s not,” Spiller said.


healthyholisticliving--2020-05-08--What to Know About Long Recovery Period After Surviving Exposure

But even for people who have officially recovered , feeling 100 percent back to normal may be a long process .
We talked to experts about what to expect during the recovery process if you had COVID-19 .
That also doesn ’ t account for the numerous cases of people who had milder symptoms and were never tested or hospitalized .
According to the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center , there have been more than 116,000 recovered cases of COVID-19 , which is nearly double the number of deaths .
With the nonstop headlines about the spread and death toll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to remember one important thing : Recovery isn ’ t only possible , it ’ s the common outcome .
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) Trusted Source has explained that those with COVID-19 who are considered recovered meet three criteria : • no fever for at least 72 hours without medication • improvement in other symptoms , like cough or shortness of breath • a period of at least 7 days has passed since symptoms first appeared But after recovering from the infection , the body may not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if the person was hospitalized or severely ill .
The World Health Organization ( WHO ) estimates that it can take 6 weeks or longerTrusted Source for someone to fully recover if they were in critical condition .
“ To maximize recovery from COVID-19 , we recommend that patients work on strengthening their breathing muscles and the muscles in their arms and legs , ” said Dr. Farah Hameed , a physical medicine and rehabilitation physician at New York-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center .
Pulmonary rehabilitation is part of the recovery process , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the respiratory system .
The program is a series of exercises that helps patients improve shortness of breath , increase their exercise capacity , and improve their quality of life .
“ We encourage patients to walk , even if at home , as walking can improve overall conditioning , ” Hameed said .
Walking schedules can go as follows : Spending many hours on your back can lead to deconditioning and other medical problems .
It ’ s recommended to sit upright as much as possible throughout the day .
“ Some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ oximeter upon discharge from the hospital , ” Hameed said .
“ This device monitors heart rate and oxygen levels during activities and exercises.
” People in recovery should check their heart rate and oxygen levels before , during , and after exercise .
Normal oxygen saturation is 96 to 100 percent , and shouldn ’ t go below 88 percent during exercise .
People may also have received a spirometer when discharged from the hospital .
The device helps strengthen breathing muscles and open up airspace in the lungs .
Spirometers are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ slow , deep breaths .
It should be used for 15 minutes throughout the day , which can be broken into three sessions .
COVID-19 doesn ’ t just take a toll on the body .
It also can take a mental toll , since there ’ s so much fear centered around the threat of the virus and its disease .
And for those who were hospitalized or intubated , the disease may have been a traumatic experience .
In fact , those who recover from COVID-19 may be struggling with how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been put through .
They may even develop signs and symptoms of an acute stress reaction , or post-traumatic stress disorder ( PTSD ) .
“ When these reactions occur less than a month following exposure to the trauma , it is labeled under an acute stress reaction , ” said Jessy Warner-Cohen , PhD , MPH , senior psychologist at Northwell Health in Lake Success , New York .
“ One of the challenges that the mental health world will face post-pandemic is readjusting our expectations for mental health.
” PTSD @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arise after facing a traumatic event .
Symptoms may include : • distressing memories or dreams of the event • strong physiological reactions to reminders of the event • distrust in self , others , the world Typically , doctors diagnose mental health disorders only if certain criteria are met .
But now we ’ re living in a situation that has touched everyone , and the expected response is yet to be determined .
According to Warner-Cohen , people with a previous history of trauma , anxiety , depression , or poor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a significant trauma reaction , although anyone is susceptible .
Anyone can improve their mental health in the age of COVID-19 , whether they have had an infection or not , with a variety of mood-boosting behavior : • Engage in regular communication for social purposes while in isolation .
Hameed suggests using phones , video calls , or social media .
• Eat a healthy diet , engage in exercise , and get good sleep .
• Avoid blue light exposure for at least 1 hour before bedtime .
For people who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ professional help .
“ Reach out to a mental health professional , sooner rather than later , if you are experiencing any symptoms of acute stress or PTSD .
The sooner you get help , the better the outcome , ” she said .
Warner-Cohen adds it can help to talk to an expert and not just a family member .
“ The words left unspoken are the most dangerous .
Talking with a neutral party , not a friend or family member who experienced distress alongside you , can be extremely helpful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is shared with permission by Healthline

“Some patients may have been given a pulse oximeter upon discharge from the hospital,” Hameed said. “This device monitors heart rate and oxygen levels during activities and exercises.”
People in recovery should check their heart rate and oxygen levels before, during, and after exercise. Normal oxygen saturation is 96 to 100 percent, and shouldn’t go below 88 percent during exercise.
People may also have received a spirometer when discharged from the hospital. The device helps strengthen breathing muscles and open up airspace in the lungs.
Spirometers are designed to help people take long, slow, deep breaths. It should be used for 15 minutes throughout the day, which can be broken into three sessions.
Dealing with mental health after COVID-19
COVID-19 doesn’t just take a toll on the body.
It also can take a mental toll, since there’s so much fear centered around the threat of the virus and its disease. And for those who were hospitalized or intubated, the disease may have been a traumatic experience.
In fact, those who recover from COVID-19 may be struggling with how to mentally process everything that their bodies have been put through. They may even develop signs and symptoms of an acute stress reaction, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
“When these reactions occur less than a month following exposure to the trauma, it is labeled under an acute stress reaction,” said Jessy Warner-Cohen, PhD, MPH, senior psychologist at Northwell Health in Lake Success, New York. “One of the challenges that the mental health world will face post-pandemic is readjusting our expectations for mental health.”
PTSD describes a cluster of symptoms that may arise after facing a traumatic event. Symptoms may include:
distressing memories or dreams of the event
flashbacks
strong physiological reactions to reminders of the event
avoiding thinking of the event
distrust in self, others, the world
persistent negative emotions
emotional numbing
trouble with concentration
Typically, doctors diagnose mental health disorders only if certain criteria are met. But now we’re living in a situation that has touched everyone, and the expected response is yet to be determined.
According to Warner-Cohen, people with a previous history of trauma, anxiety, depression, or poor social support are more likely to have a significant trauma reaction, although anyone is susceptible.
Anyone can improve their mental health in the age of COVID-19, whether they have had an infection or not, with a variety of mood-boosting behavior:
Engage in regular communication for social purposes while in isolation. Hameed suggests using phones, video calls, or social media.
Eat a healthy diet, engage in exercise, and get good sleep.
Avoid caffeine in the afternoon.
Avoid alcohol.
Avoid blue light exposure for at least 1 hour before bedtime.
Consider meditating before bedtime.
For people who may require additional support, Warner-Cohen suggests professional help.
“Reach out to a mental health professional, sooner rather than later, if you are experiencing any symptoms of acute stress or PTSD. The sooner you get help, the better the outcome,” she said.
Warner-Cohen adds it can help to talk to an expert and not just a family member.
“The words left unspoken are the most dangerous. Talking with a neutral party, not a friend or family member who experienced distress alongside you, can be extremely helpful,” she said.
This article is shared with permission by Healthline


healthyholisticliving--2020-05-08--7 Ways to Attract Someone Who Adores You

Love–most of us spend large amounts of time looking for that special someone or trying to maintain the relationship once we find them .
Even if romance is not on your radar , you ’ ll still probably have to listen to friends , family , coworkers , your hairdresser , and your dental hygenist talk about their love life .
It ’ s exhausting .
But what if it didn ’ t need to be ?
Below , we ’ ve compiled seven ways that will help you find that special someone .
Dr. Richard Schwartz is a professor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ His wife is also a psychiatry professor at the same school , and they ’ ve been together for 39 years .
However , he isn ’ t just drawing off his own experiences when it comes to this tip .
It ’ s backed up by science .
Studies show that couples who have been married longer tend to overestimate what they know about the other person .
“ What keeps love alive is being able to recognize that you don ’ t really know your partner perfectly and still being curious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ works both ways ; you should “ have enough separateness that you can be an object of curiosity for the other person.
” ( 1 ) Dr , Schwartz ’ s wife , Dr. Jaqueline Olds , thinks that part of the problem with relationships these days is that people expect too much .
She talks about a study that says while people used to have an average of three close friends , they now have two–and one of them is their partner .
“ There is too much pressure , from my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ romantic partner should be , ” she says .
“ There ’ s just so much pressure on the role of a spouse that of course , everybody isn ’ t able to quite live up to it.
” ( 1 ) If you ’ re frustrated by all those Tinder conversations with people you ’ re not compatible with , it ’ s not your fault .
A study from 2010 says that when people have a wider number of partners to choose from , they ’ ll evaluate people on things @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as weight .
When you have fewer “ options , ” you ’ re more likely to take your time to look beyond that , to things that may be a better measure of compatibility .
So maybe it ’ s time to take a break from swiping and try to meet someone where you ’ re not competing with everyone in a 50-mile radius .
( 2 ) You don ’ t have to be a stand-up comedian , but having a good sense of humor helps .
E-Harmony , the dating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three of the key factors for attraction are having a good flow in conversation , putting your partner at ease , and making them laugh .
So , try practicing that story about your best friend ’ s dog in front of the mirror a few times before you go for that date .
( 3 ) The results are in , and opposites don ’ t attract !
Studies show that long-term success is greatest between couples who approach the world in a similar way .
That doesn ’ t mean you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or both cheer for the same Survivor contestants .
Think more about things like socialization preferences , conflict resolution , values , and communication .
( 3 ) Make Time For Each Other According to a Clayton State University psychology professor , proximity helps .
“ Mere exposure to someone repeatedly increases the likelihood we will be attracted to them , ” she says .
So be sure to spend that quality time together and let the sparks fly .
( 4 ) It ’ s cynical , but it ’ s true–money @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to resources , ” says State University of New York psychology professor , Glenn Geher .
“ Today , [ that ’ s ] money.
” ( 5 )

Love–most of us spend large amounts of time looking for that special someone or trying to maintain the relationship once we find them. Even if romance is not on your radar, you’ll still probably have to listen to friends, family, coworkers, your hairdresser, and your dental hygenist talk about their love life. It’s exhausting. But what if it didn’t need to be? Below, we’ve compiled seven ways that will help you find that special someone.
Be Curious
Dr. Richard Schwartz is a professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. His wife is also a psychiatry professor at the same school, and they’ve been together for 39 years. However, he isn’t just drawing off his own experiences when it comes to this tip. It’s backed up by science. Studies show that couples who have been married longer tend to overestimate what they know about the other person. “What keeps love alive is being able to recognize that you don’t really know your partner perfectly and still being curious,” Schwartz says. And it works both ways; you should “have enough separateness that you can be an object of curiosity for the other person.” (1)
Lower Your Expectations.
Dr, Schwartz’s wife, Dr. Jaqueline Olds, thinks that part of the problem with relationships these days is that people expect too much. She talks about a study that says while people used to have an average of three close friends, they now have two–and one of them is their partner. “There is too much pressure, from my point of view, on what a romantic partner should be,” she says. “There’s just so much pressure on the role of a spouse that of course, everybody isn’t able to quite live up to it.” (1)
Narrow Your Options
If you’re frustrated by all those Tinder conversations with people you’re not compatible with, it’s not your fault. A study from 2010 says that when people have a wider number of partners to choose from, they’ll evaluate people on things that are easy to notice, such as weight. When you have fewer “options,” you’re more likely to take your time to look beyond that, to things that may be a better measure of compatibility. So maybe it’s time to take a break from swiping and try to meet someone where you’re not competing with everyone in a 50-mile radius. (2)
Be Funny
You don’t have to be a stand-up comedian, but having a good sense of humor helps. E-Harmony, the dating site, did a study that found three of the key factors for attraction are having a good flow in conversation, putting your partner at ease, and making them laugh. So, try practicing that story about your best friend’s dog in front of the mirror a few times before you go for that date. (3)
Pick Someone Similar
The results are in, and opposites don’t attract! Studies show that long-term success is greatest between couples who approach the world in a similar way. That doesn’t mean you have to agree about pineapples on pizza or both cheer for the same Survivor contestants. Think more about things like socialization preferences, conflict resolution, values, and communication. (3)
Make Time For Each Other
According to a Clayton State University psychology professor, proximity helps. “Mere exposure to someone repeatedly increases the likelihood we will be attracted to them,” she says. So be sure to spend that quality time together and let the sparks fly. (4)
Make Bank
It’s cynical, but it’s true–money helps. All humans are “attracted to resources,” says State University of New York psychology professor, Glenn Geher. “Today, [that’s] money.” (5)


healthyholisticliving--2020-05-11--Five Major Banks Refuse To Fund Arctic Refuge Oil Drilling

Since late 2019 , five major U.S. banks have announced that they would stop funding Arctic Refuge oil drilling .
Goldman Sachs was the first , and they were followed by Wells Fargo , Citigroup , and Morgan Stanley .
( 1 , 2 ) The Arctic Refuge began as the Arctic National Wildlife Range in 1960 .
The purpose of its establishment was to protect the wildlife and wilderness .
The Range became part of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge through the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act in 1980 .
Its new purpose , according to the U.S @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ to conserve animals and plants in their natural diversity , ensure a place for hunting and gathering activities , protect water quality and quantity , and fulfill international wildlife treaty obligations.
” ( 3 ) The Arctic Refuge is part of the National Wildlife Refuge System , which the U.S .
Fish & Wildlife Service manages .
It includes 19.64 million acres of land and water in northeastern Alaska and is home to 37 species of land mammals , 42 fish species , eight marine mammal species , and over 200 species @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) In September 2019 , the Trump administration said it hoped to open up the entirety of the Arctic Refuge ’ s coastal plain to oil drilling .
Their plan involved building 175 miles of roads , verticle supports for pipelines , a landing and storage site for barges , a seawater-treatment plant , and up to four airstrip and well pad locations .
( 5 ) Although the petroleum has had a long-held interest in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge , it has always been closed to oil and gas exploration .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that drilling could have on the polar bears , caribou , wolves , and birds that live in the Refuge .
Polar bears , which are designated as “ threatened ” under the Endangered Species Act , have been pushed to the coastal plain as they lose their habitat to melting ice .
They would be at increased risk due to drilling .
( 5 , 6 ) Besides environmental groups , Gwich ’ in and Inupiat Indigenous activists have advocated against Arctic Refuge oil drilling .
The coastal plain is where the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ calves .
This herd is sacred to the Gwich ’ in people , and it is essential to their livelihood .
( 1 ) In a March 2019 statement to the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Natural Resources , Bernadette Demientieff , Executive Director of the Gwich ’ in Steering Committee , explained that the caribou are foundational to Gwich ’ in spirituality , and they provide food , tools , and clothing .
Demientieff said , “ Drilling [ on the coastal plain ] would cause lower [ caribou ] birth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we hold dear.
” ( 7 ) In response to advocacy for the Arctic Refuge , those five major U.S. banks have refused to fund drilling there .
In December 2019 , Goldman Sachs became the first when it changed its policies to include restrictions for financing in the oil and gas industry .
The new policy specifically mentioned protecting the Arctic Refuge .
( 1 , 2 ) Morgan Stanley joined the group in April 2020 with a new environmental and social policy statement .
Advocacy groups continue to push more banks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
They are also asking national representatives to establish permanent protections for the area .
( 1 )

Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
Since late 2019, five major U.S. banks have announced that they would stop funding Arctic Refuge oil drilling. Goldman Sachs was the first, and they were followed by Wells Fargo, Citigroup, and Morgan Stanley. (1, 2)
The Arctic Refuge began as the Arctic National Wildlife Range in 1960. The purpose of its establishment was to protect the wildlife and wilderness. The Range became part of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge through the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act in 1980. Its new purpose, according to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, was “to conserve animals and plants in their natural diversity, ensure a place for hunting and gathering activities, protect water quality and quantity, and fulfill international wildlife treaty obligations.” (3)
The Arctic Refuge is part of the National Wildlife Refuge System, which the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service manages. It includes 19.64 million acres of land and water in northeastern Alaska and is home to 37 species of land mammals, 42 fish species, eight marine mammal species, and over 200 species of birds. (3, 4)
Arctic Refuge Oil Drilling
In September 2019, the Trump administration said it hoped to open up the entirety of the Arctic Refuge’s coastal plain to oil drilling. Their plan involved building 175 miles of roads, verticle supports for pipelines, a landing and storage site for barges, a seawater-treatment plant, and up to four airstrip and well pad locations. (5)
Although the petroleum has had a long-held interest in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, it has always been closed to oil and gas exploration. Environmental groups are concerned about the impact that drilling could have on the polar bears, caribou, wolves, and birds that live in the Refuge. Polar bears, which are designated as “threatened” under the Endangered Species Act, have been pushed to the coastal plain as they lose their habitat to melting ice. They would be at increased risk due to drilling. (5, 6)
Besides environmental groups, Gwich’in and Inupiat Indigenous activists have advocated against Arctic Refuge oil drilling. The coastal plain is where the Porcupine Caribou Herd gives birth to its calves. This herd is sacred to the Gwich’in people, and it is essential to their livelihood. (1)
In a March 2019 statement to the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Natural Resources, Bernadette Demientieff, Executive Director of the Gwich’in Steering Committee, explained that the caribou are foundational to Gwich’in spirituality, and they provide food, tools, and clothing. Demientieff said, “Drilling [on the coastal plain] would cause lower [caribou] birth rates and threaten migrations, risking everything we hold dear.” (7)
Banks Refuse to Fund Drilling
In response to advocacy for the Arctic Refuge, those five major U.S. banks have refused to fund drilling there. In December 2019, Goldman Sachs became the first when it changed its policies to include restrictions for financing in the oil and gas industry. The new policy specifically mentioned protecting the Arctic Refuge. (1, 2)
Morgan Stanley joined the group in April 2020 with a new environmental and social policy statement. Advocacy groups continue to push more banks to stop funding Arctic Refuge oil drilling. They are also asking national representatives to establish permanent protections for the area. (1)


healthyholisticliving--2020-05-11--Family Paints Fence Where Their Dog Likes To Peak His Head

A 4-year old English bulldog from Denmark has become a local community attraction for an adorable reason : he likes to poke his head out of a hole in the fence .
While this may sound like an ordinary occurrence , his owner ’ s creativity has taken his people-watching habits to the next level .
With a few strokes of a paintbrush , Bogart the bulldog now has a clever costume whenever he looks through the fence .
A video of the curious bulldog shared by a local passerby online soon went viral .
Ranveig Bjørklid Levinsen and her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but they ’ re enjoying the happiness it brings to the neighborhood .
Levinsen never planned to make a “ peephole ” for her furry friend .
Bogart ’ s mom , Winston ( who Levinsen says doesn ’ t mind the male name ) had 8 puppies .
The family found new homes for all of them , except for the smallest one : Bogart .
Since their home is close to a well-used walking path , the curious pair often enjoy watching the people and receiving a pet or treat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
Levinsen was worried that all of the people would prove too tempting for her furbabies .
To prevent them from escaping the yard , Levinsen ’ s husband built the fence just tall enough so they couldn ’ t escape .
Sadly , that left Bogart and his mom unable to see all the action on the other side .
To satisfy their inquisitive nature , Levinsen decided to provide a loophole for her bulldog kids to interact with the outside world .
The two holes in the fence were created to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s head to fit through .
( 1 ) The King And The Court Jester If the site of two dogs peeking their heads out of the fence wasn ’ t amusing enough , Levinsen had a creative idea .
Thinking of the cutout characters at theme parks where you could stick your head in and become part of the scene , this dog mom thought she would do the same .
She commissioned her daughter to paint a king ’ s crown over one hole and a court jester ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a royal red robe was also added .
When a passerby took a video of Bogart poking his head through , the canine king became a viral online sensation .
Levinsen told Bored Panda that the international reactions were unexpected .
“ I , myself , am blown away that my little dog has gone viral—just because he looks goofy.
” The pudgy canine has seen an increase in foot traffic around his fence .
Strangers have complimented Levinsen and enjoyed coming by to see the bulldog pair put their painted costumes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he ’ s not complaining in the least .
( 1 ) Though Bogart has no clue how famous he ’ s become , Levinsen says he ’ s enjoying the extra attention .
“ They love it , ” Levinsen told The Dodo .
“ Attention is always good , and sometimes they get a little snack.
” She also adds that she believes her pups and their fence might be the most photographed in all of Denmark .
Though he ’ s now a local tourist attraction , Bogart is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and enjoy the neighborhood .
( 2 )

A 4-year old English bulldog from Denmark has become a local community attraction for an adorable reason: he likes to poke his head out of a hole in the fence. While this may sound like an ordinary occurrence, his owner’s creativity has taken his people-watching habits to the next level. With a few strokes of a paintbrush, Bogart the bulldog now has a clever costume whenever he looks through the fence.
A video of the curious bulldog shared by a local passerby online soon went viral. Ranveig Bjørklid Levinsen and her family never expected Bogart’s fame, but they’re enjoying the happiness it brings to the neighborhood.
A Loophole For A Bulldog’s Fence
Levinsen never planned to make a “peephole” for her furry friend. Bogart’s mom, Winston (who Levinsen says doesn’t mind the male name) had 8 puppies. The family found new homes for all of them, except for the smallest one: Bogart. Since their home is close to a well-used walking path, the curious pair often enjoy watching the people and receiving a pet or treat from regular walkers.
The only problem? Levinsen was worried that all of the people would prove too tempting for her furbabies. To prevent them from escaping the yard, Levinsen’s husband built the fence just tall enough so they couldn’t escape. Sadly, that left Bogart and his mom unable to see all the action on the other side. To satisfy their inquisitive nature, Levinsen decided to provide a loophole for her bulldog kids to interact with the outside world. The two holes in the fence were created to be just big enough for a dog’s head to fit through. (1)
The King And The Court Jester
If the site of two dogs peeking their heads out of the fence wasn’t amusing enough, Levinsen had a creative idea. Thinking of the cutout characters at theme parks where you could stick your head in and become part of the scene, this dog mom thought she would do the same. She commissioned her daughter to paint a king’s crown over one hole and a court jester’s hat over another. To the crown, a royal red robe was also added.
When a passerby took a video of Bogart poking his head through, the canine king became a viral online sensation. Levinsen told Bored Panda that the international reactions were unexpected. “I, myself, am blown away that my little dog has gone viral—just because he looks goofy.”
Newfound Fame
The pudgy canine has seen an increase in foot traffic around his fence. Strangers have complimented Levinsen and enjoyed coming by to see the bulldog pair put their painted costumes “on.” Since Bogart loves attention, he’s not complaining in the least. (1)
Though Bogart has no clue how famous he’s become, Levinsen says he’s enjoying the extra attention. “They love it,” Levinsen told The Dodo. “Attention is always good, and sometimes they get a little snack.” She also adds that she believes her pups and their fence might be the most photographed in all of Denmark. Though he’s now a local tourist attraction, Bogart is simply happy to be able to look and enjoy the neighborhood. (2)


healthyholisticliving--2020-05-11--This Jack Daniel’s Mac And Cheese Recipe Is A Boozy, Cheesy Hit Of Deliciousness

I love mac and cheese and have come up with many of my own versions to take it to the next level .
From bacon and onion , to jalapenos and seven kinds of cheese to a low carb version using cauliflower instead of pasta I can ’ t get enough of my mac and cheese .
However , when I came across the idea to combine the boozy notes of whiskey with sweet bacon and cheese , I was intrigued to see just how the two flavors came together .
The answer ?
Yummily !
It ’ s not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whiskey added .
There ’ s just enough to add subtle flavors as the perfect compliment for this all-time favorite .
Not Your Mama ’ s Mac And Cheese The addition of Jack Daniels isn ’ t your everyday mac and cheese .
While the whiskey alone might seem a little odd , this recipe adds a sweet and crispy brown sugar , hot pepper bacon to the mix .
This creates unexpected hits of heat and spice that mellow out any danger of booziness .
Despite its fancy ingredients , it can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minutes .
It ’ s a great choice if you have unexpected guests or if you need to whip up something quick for a last-minute invite to a friend ’ s potluck dinner .
At my house mac and cheese is a standalone meal , no side dishes required .
However , if you need a side dish , this will do nicely .
In fact , if you ’ re having a dinner party , serve this alongside a nice steak or chops and watch everyone gobble it down .
• Bring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a boil and reduce heat to medium .
• Simmer the whiskey until reduced to about 2 tablespoons .
• Dip bacon slices into the whiskey and then coat with the brown sugar mixture .
• Cook the bacon for 7 minutes , then flip and bake for 5 more making sure it doesn ’ t burn .
• Let cool and then chop on a chopping board coated in cooking spray .
• Cook macaroni until al dente in a pot of boiling water and drain .
• Meanwhile , melt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
• Add the flour and whisk over medium-high heat .
• Whisk in 1 cup of milk until smooth and then add the remaining milk .
• Whisk frequently until the sauce thickens and becomes bubbly .
• Add the cheese and whisk until melted and smooth .
• Add paprika and salt and pepper to taste .
• Stir in the pasta and chopped bacon until evenly coated in sauce .
I ’ m a big fan of a crusty top , so I always sprinkle bread crumbs , grated parmesan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ until it ’ s bubbly and brown .
It adds another 15 minutes or so but it ’ s worth the wait !

I don’t often align myself with products but this is one that I just had to share!
Some of you may already know years ago, I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis.
I can still recall what it felt like to have my life change overnight…
I went from an Executive Director of a non-profit organization, running marathons, rock climbing, hiking canyons and kayaking to being completely bedridden and staring at a wall for 15 hours a day.
Of course, I went to see many doctors but unfortunately I didn’t find the help I needed. So, I had to set off on my own journey to learn my true path to healing.
I’d pretty much turned-over every rock trying to find relief for my pain, sleep issues and myriad of other symptoms…
Fast-forward 18 years.
I was determined to climb one of the true wonders of the natural world, Machu Picchu, the mystical home of the Incas in Peru.
It was there, after a grueling day when my feet, knees, legs, and lower back hurt so bad, that I thought I would have to abandon hopes of our next climb which was Rainbow Mountain! That night I pulled out a little spray bottle of “aceite de magnesio” that a friend had given me before I left on my trip.
What the heck, I thought. I was desperate. And I applied it all over my body before bed.
Because of the grueling day, I woke up expecting to be immobilized, but instead we were off to climb Rainbow Mountain and…I was totally pain-free!
I know it sounds impossible, but it’s 1000% the truth.


healthyholisticliving--2020-05-11--No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars

No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars

What ’ s not to love about chocolate and peanut butter together ?
This timeless combination is about as perfect as they come , and if you ’ re a fan of Reese ’ s Peanut Butter Cups then you already know what I ’ m talking about .
The sweetness of the chocolate , the nuttiness of the peanut butter… the only thing that requires adjusting when it comes to desserts showcasing peanut butter and chocolate , is the amount of each yummy thing .
Where Reese ’ s are basically a yummy but little gob of peanut butter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these no-bake chocolate peanut butter bars are like a delicious and nutty peanut buttery bed with a light blanket of chocolate laid gently over the top of it .
What ’ s even more wonderful about this recipe is that it ’ s no-bake !
When the springtime weather starts heating up , options that don ’ t involve adding unnecessary heat to the kitchen are a very good thing .
It ’ s also nice to hang out with your friends instead of babysitting baked goods indoors , which is another major @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only are they beyond easy to prepare , but they ’ re virtually foolproof .
So what if you get caught up in stories of last weekend ’ s camping trip ?
It ’ s no worries at all… your sweet treats are just chilling in the fridge , waiting for you to come and get them .
These no-bake chocolate peanut butter bars are sure to be the life of your next backyard barbecue or potluck .
And in case you haven ’ t already noticed , there are a hundred different @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your own unique spin on the recipe .
What about adding some M & Ms to the top ?
Whipped cream on top might be a nice touch .
Oh , I know !
Whipped cream and chocolate sprinkles .
Bananas sound like they could bring a little slice of heaven to this game , but strawberries might be an even bigger winner .
No fuss , no muss , just pure deliciousness and smiles all around .
Give them a try today !
• None Use aluminum foil to line an 8″x8″ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
• None Microwave the butter in a medium-sized bowl ( microwave safe , of course ) until melted , about one minute .
To the butter , add 1 cup of peanut butter , powdered sugar and graham cracker crumbs .
Combine well .
• None Grab your lined pan and add this mixture , spreading evenly .
Pop it straight into the refrigerator .
• None Microwave 2 tablespoons of peanut butter together with the chocolate chips until the chips are melted .
( Around 45 seconds , depending on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the mixture together to make it smooth , then grab your pan from the refrigerator .
Spread the yumminess in an even layer all over the top , then put it back to chill .
• None Leave it for about an hour , long enough to firm up .
Use a sharp knife to cut them into individual servings , and enjoy !

What’s not to love about chocolate and peanut butter together? This timeless combination is about as perfect as they come, and if you’re a fan of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups then you already know what I’m talking about. The sweetness of the chocolate, the nuttiness of the peanut butter… the only thing that requires adjusting when it comes to desserts showcasing peanut butter and chocolate, is the amount of each yummy thing. Where Reese’s are basically a yummy but little gob of peanut butter wrapped in a delicious chocolate hug, these no-bake chocolate peanut butter bars are like a delicious and nutty peanut buttery bed with a light blanket of chocolate laid gently over the top of it.
What’s even more wonderful about this recipe is that it’s no-bake! When the springtime weather starts heating up, options that don’t involve adding unnecessary heat to the kitchen are a very good thing. It’s also nice to hang out with your friends instead of babysitting baked goods indoors, which is another major point in these delectable treats favor… not only are they beyond easy to prepare, but they’re virtually foolproof. So what if you get caught up in stories of last weekend’s camping trip? It’s no worries at all… your sweet treats are just chilling in the fridge, waiting for you to come and get them.
These no-bake chocolate peanut butter bars are sure to be the life of your next backyard barbecue or potluck. And in case you haven’t already noticed, there are a hundred different ways you could modify this to put your own unique spin on the recipe. What about adding some M&Ms to the top? Whipped cream on top might be a nice touch. Oh, I know! Whipped cream and chocolate sprinkles. Bananas sound like they could bring a little slice of heaven to this game, but strawberries might be an even bigger winner.
No fuss, no muss, just pure deliciousness and smiles all around. Give them a try today!
Ingredients:
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
1 cup + 2 tablespoons creamy peanut butter, divided
1 cup graham cracker crumbs
1 cup powdered sugar
1 cup chocolate chips
Directions:
Use aluminum foil to line an 8″x8″ or 9″x9″ pan and set this aside. Microwave the butter in a medium-sized bowl (microwave safe, of course) until melted, about one minute. To the butter, add 1 cup of peanut butter , powdered sugar and graham cracker crumbs. Combine well. Grab your lined pan and add this mixture, spreading evenly. Pop it straight into the refrigerator. Microwave 2 tablespoons of peanut butter together with the chocolate chips until the chips are melted. (Around 45 seconds, depending on the strength of your microwave.) Stir the mixture together to make it smooth, then grab your pan from the refrigerator. Spread the yumminess in an even layer all over the top, then put it back to chill. Leave it for about an hour, long enough to firm up. Use a sharp knife to cut them into individual servings, and enjoy!
Prep: 10 minutes
Chill: 1 hour
Total Time Needed: 1 hour and 10 minutes
Servings: 16 (or less)


healthyholisticliving--2020-05-11--Newly-Developed Enzyme That Breaks Down Plastic Bottles in Hours is On Track to Change the Recycling

Newly-Developed Enzyme That Breaks Down Plastic Bottles in Hours is On Track to Change the Recycling Game

Pollution is one of the biggest environmental problems of our time .
Plastic is one of the worst offenders .
Maybe you ’ ve seen–and been confused by–the hubbub over plastic straws .
Well , one of those straws can last 450 years in a landfill .
Plastic bags , from grocery stores ?
They ’ re practically fast , at 20 years–but with even worse consequences .
Plastic bags commonly end up in the water .
A good scenario is they ’ ll be swallowed by some ocean animal , choking them .
The bad scenario ?
They ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ocean , dissolve–and then mix with the plankton , poisoning even more animals .
But could there be a solution to the longevity of plastics ?
( 1 ) In 2012 , researchers discovered a bacterial enzyme in a compost pile .
This enzyme broke down plastics–but scientists from Carbios , a green energy company , worked to kick it up a notch .
Now , the enzyme , which has been enhanced in the lab , can break down plastics so completely that they can be used for food products , like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of recycled plastic is only good enough to end up in things like clothing , or your Aunt Heather ’ s Kool-Aid tote bag .
But Carbios has teamed up with companies like L ’ Oréal and Pepsi to make food-grade recycled plastics happen .
The process was detail in an article , released in the journal Nature on Wednesday , April 7th , 2020 .
( 2 ) The Science Behind It It started off as the lab version of The Bachelor–100,000 micro-organisms that the scientists believed could make good starting points @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the lucky bachelorettes was indeed the compost heap enzyme .
Once this enzyme took home that engagement ring , they began a series of experiments to enhance functioning .
After their enhancements were complete , this super enzyme was stable at around 162℉ ( 72℃ ) , which is the ideal temperature for the breaking down of plastics .
In fact , this enzyme worked so well it had broken down 90 % of the structure of a plastic bottle within 10 hours .
The enzyme acts on PET , “ Polyethylene @ @ @ @ @ @ @ polymer which belongs to the polyester family of polymers ” and is used to make “ packaging , fabrics , films , molded parts for automotive , electronics.
” ( 2 , 3 ) It ’ s not immediately the environmental miracle it seems .
The company projects it ’ ll be another five years , before it ’ s ready for wide-scale use .
And , at this point , this method is more expensive than fresh plastic , since the materials have to be ground up , then heated .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ getting excited .
Bertrand Piccard , who is the founder and president of the Solar Impulse Foundation , says “ I am very pleased that the scientific community recognizes [ this ] as a financially profitable solution to protect the environment .
The use of such technology is as logical as it is ecological.
” In 2018 , Senior Oceans Campaigner for Greenpeace UK , Louis Edge said that there must be “ commitment from government , corporations and consumers .
.
.to save our oceans.
” Perhaps Carbios ’ breakthrough is that @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Pollution is one of the biggest environmental problems of our time. Plastic is one of the worst offenders. Maybe you’ve seen–and been confused by–the hubbub over plastic straws. Well, one of those straws can last 450 years in a landfill. Plastic bags, from grocery stores? They’re practically fast, at 20 years–but with even worse consequences. Plastic bags commonly end up in the water. A good scenario is they’ll be swallowed by some ocean animal, choking them. The bad scenario? They’ll sink to the bottom of the ocean, dissolve–and then mix with the plankton, poisoning even more animals. But could there be a solution to the longevity of plastics? (1)
The “Mutant” Enzyme
In 2012, researchers discovered a bacterial enzyme in a compost pile. This enzyme broke down plastics–but scientists from Carbios, a green energy company, worked to kick it up a notch. Now, the enzyme, which has been enhanced in the lab, can break down plastics so completely that they can be used for food products, like water bottles. Usually, the quality of recycled plastic is only good enough to end up in things like clothing, or your Aunt Heather’s Kool-Aid tote bag. But Carbios has teamed up with companies like L’Oréal and Pepsi to make food-grade recycled plastics happen. The process was detail in an article, released in the journal Nature on Wednesday, April 7th, 2020. (2)
The Science Behind It
It started off as the lab version of The Bachelor–100,000 micro-organisms that the scientists believed could make good starting points were brought into the lab. One of the lucky bachelorettes was indeed the compost heap enzyme. Once this enzyme took home that engagement ring, they began a series of experiments to enhance functioning. After their enhancements were complete, this super enzyme was stable at around 162℉ (72℃), which is the ideal temperature for the breaking down of plastics. In fact, this enzyme worked so well it had broken down 90% of the structure of a plastic bottle within 10 hours. The enzyme acts on PET, “Polyethylene terephthalate . . . a general-purpose thermoplastic polymer which belongs to the polyester family of polymers” and is used to make “packaging, fabrics, films, molded parts for automotive, electronics.” (2, 3)
Next Steps
It’s not immediately the environmental miracle it seems. The company projects it’ll be another five years, before it’s ready for wide-scale use. And, at this point, this method is more expensive than fresh plastic, since the materials have to be ground up, then heated. But this hasn’t stopped people from getting excited. Bertrand Piccard, who is the founder and president of the Solar Impulse Foundation, says “I am very pleased that the scientific community recognizes [this] as a financially profitable solution to protect the environment. The use of such technology is as logical as it is ecological.”
In 2018, Senior Oceans Campaigner for Greenpeace UK, Louis Edge said that there must be “commitment from government, corporations and consumers . . .to save our oceans.” Perhaps Carbios’ breakthrough is that commitment. (1, 4)


healthyholisticliving--2020-05-11--Paper Towel Better Than Air Dryers to Stop Virus Spread

• The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has brought a laser focus on handwashing and hygiene .
• A new study finds using paper towels is more effective than conventional jet air dryers for removing microbes when drying poorly washed hands .
• The research team discovered there was much more environmental contamination after jet air dryer use .
All data and statistics are based on publicly available data at the time of publication .
Some information may be out of date .
Visit our coronavirus hub and follow our live updates page for the most recent information on the COVID-19 outbreak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ researchers , and to be presented at the 2019 European Congress on Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases , finds using paper towels is more effective than conventional jet air dryers for removing microbes when drying poorly washed hands .
The debate over which hand-drying method is best probably began shortly after the first air dryer was patented in the 1920s .
But the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has brought a laser focus on handwashing and hygiene .
“ The problem starts because some people do not wash their hands properly , ” study author @ @ @ @ @ @ @ microbiologist , said in a statement .
“ When people use a jet-air dryer , the microbes get blown off and spread around the toilet room.
” The U.K.-based scientists simulated hand contamination in four volunteers using a bacteriophageTrusted Source .
This is a virus that infects bacteria and is harmless to humans .
The participant ’ s hands weren ’ t washed after contamination to simulate poorly washed hands .
They were then dried using either paper towels or a jet air dryer .
“ We often say that handwashing is the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But wet hands increase the risk of transmitting bacteria , so drying is an equally important step in prevention , ” urgent care specialist Dr. Theresa Lash-Ritter told Cleveland Clinic ’ s Health Essentials series .
Each volunteer wore an apron so the degree of body or clothing contamination during hand-drying could be measured .
Drying was done in a hospital public toilet .
Samples were collected from public areas after the participants exited .
Virus samples were collected from areas that included doors , chairs , phones , and clothing worn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ paper towels and the jet air dryer removed significant amounts of virus contamination from hands , the research team discovered there was much more environmental contamination after jet air dryer use .
The findings indicate there was fivefold more virus dispersed to clothing .
Surface contamination was more than 10 times higher after jet air dryer use compared with hand-drying by paper towel .
According to researchers , this means microbes can ’ t only be transferred directly from hands that are still contaminated after hand-drying , but also indirectly from that person @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by viruses blown by the jet air dryer blast .
“ Crucially , these differences in contamination translate into significantly greater levels of microbe contamination after jet air drying versus paper towel use from hands and body beyond the toilet/washroom , ” the study authors wrote .
“ As public toilets are used by patients , visitors and staff , the hand drying method chosen has the potential to increase ( using jet dryers ) or reduce ( using paper towels ) pathogen transmission in hospital settings.
” They also believe these findings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that ’ s spreading worldwide , and that “ paper towels should be the preferred way to dry hands after washing and so reduce the risk of virus contamination and spread.
” Although it can be argued that this study was too small to firmly establish whether paper towels beat using a jet air dryer , this is only the latest study to discover the same thing .
Scientists in the United Kingdom , France , and Italy teamed up for a study to settle the question of whether hand dryers or paper @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of germs .
For multiple 4-week periods , the scientists tracked how several bacteria known to cause disease in hospitals spread ( like antibiotic-susceptible and resistant Staphylococcus aureusTrusted Source ) in multiple public bathrooms of several hospitals .
Each of the bathrooms in the study had both paper towels and a jet air dryer installed .
However , only one hand-drying method was allowed per bathroom .
This allowed them to compare how each method performed within the same hospital .
Although there were differences between the hospitals , a consistent pattern did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dryers were covered with more germs than those where only paper towel was used .
“ In effect , the dryer creates an aerosol that contaminates the toilet room , including the dryer itself and potentially the sinks , floor and other surfaces , depending on the dryer design and where it is sited , ” said Wilcox , who supervised this study , in a statement .
Another study from 2000 concluded differently .
That study collected data from 100 volunteers using four different methods of hand-drying : • paper towels from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ researchers concluded there was no significant difference between hand-drying methods .
However , they were only measuring the presence of certain bacteria and not viruses like SARS-CoV-2Trusted Source , which is likely to be carried farther .
According to Dr. Nikhil Bhayani , FIDSA , an infectious disease physician with Texas Health Resources , following these five steps will help you clean germs ( like the virus that causes COVID-19 ) from your hands — which means it won ’ t matter which hand-drying method you use : • Wet your hands with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cold ) .
Turn off the tap and apply soap .
• Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap .
Lather the backs of your hands , between your fingers , and under your nails .
• Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds .
“ Need a timer ?
” Bhayani asked .
“ Hum the ‘ Happy Birthday ’ song from beginning to end twice.
” • Rinse your hands well under clean , running water .
• Dry your hands using a clean towel , or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic , routinely washing hands is an essential practice to prevent infection .
However , poor handwashing can leave hands still contaminated with viruses .
Recent research finds that using jet air dryers to dry poorly washed hands can spread viruses all over clothing and surfaces .
Experts say that if you wash your hands following the appropriate protocol , the method of drying your hands won ’ t matter : You ’ ll have scrubbed off the bacteria and viruses that could have been spread by the air dryer blast .

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has brought a laser focus on handwashing and hygiene.
A new study finds using paper towels is more effective than conventional jet air dryers for removing microbes when drying poorly washed hands.
The research team discovered there was much more environmental contamination after jet air dryer use.
All data and statistics are based on publicly available data at the time of publication. Some information may be out of date. Visit our coronavirus hub and follow our live updates page for the most recent information on the COVID-19 outbreak.
A study recently published by U.K.-based researchers, and to be presented at the 2019 European Congress on Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases,finds using paper towels is more effective than conventional jet air dryers for removing microbes when drying poorly washed hands.
The debate over which hand-drying method is best probably began shortly after the first air dryer was patented in the 1920s. But the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has brought a laser focus on handwashing and hygiene.
“The problem starts because some people do not wash their hands properly,” study author Mark Wilcox, a University of Leeds microbiologist, said in a statement. “When people use a jet-air dryer, the microbes get blown off and spread around the toilet room.”
Poorly washed hands The U.K.-based scientists simulated hand contamination in four volunteers using a bacteriophageTrusted Source. This is a virus that infects bacteria and is harmless to humans. The participant’s hands weren’t washed after contamination to simulate poorly washed hands. They were then dried using either paper towels or a jet air dryer. “We often say that handwashing is the key to preventing the spread of illness. But wet hands increase the risk of transmitting bacteria, so drying is an equally important step in prevention,” urgent care specialist Dr. Theresa Lash-Ritter told Cleveland Clinic’s Health Essentials series. Each volunteer wore an apron so the degree of body or clothing contamination during hand-drying could be measured. Drying was done in a hospital public toilet. Samples were collected from public areas after the participants exited. Virus samples were collected from areas that included doors, chairs, phones, and clothing worn by the study participants.