FORT DRUM, N.Y. (WWTI) — On the final day of March, the Fort Drum military base lowered its COVID-19 Health Protection Level.

This was confirmed in a memorandum from the 10th Mountain Division Commanding General Major General Milford H. Beagle, Jr. on March 31 as Fort Drum moved to Health Protection Condition Level Alpha.

COVID-19 cases remain low across Jefferson, Lewis, St. Lawrence counties

Health Protection Condition Levels, or HPCON, are assigned by the Department of Defense Public Health Emergency policy during disease outbreaks such as COVID-19. These levels are based on the severity of the disease and transmission levels occurring in the local community.

In HPCON A, the DoD says there is limited community transmission. Because Fort Drum is now operating in this level, there are fewer restrictions on unnecessary contact, unnecessary travel and less preparation needed for impending travel restrictions, cancellations or closures.

MG Beagle said that this relief is following high vaccination rates and lower transmission rates as Jefferson County currently has a “LOW” COVID-19 Community Level.

MG Beagle also added that Fort Drum is “gearing up for an extremely high operational tempo” for the second half of 2022. He urged all community members to remain vigilant, mindful and diligent.

Fort Drum will still require its community to avoid close contact with sick individuals practice hand hygiene, ensure immunizations are up-to-date, routinely clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces and stay home when sick.

‘Drumming Up Prevention’: Fort Drum concert series based on April awareness topics

As of March 28, DoD COVID-19 travel restrictions remained lifted for the Fort Drum military base. These restrictions have been lifted since the fall of 2020.

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SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – Students at Springfield Public Schools will no longer be required to wear masks beginning Monday, April 4.

Northampton mask mandate has ended

The Springfield School Committee unanimously voted Thursday night to end the mask mandate. Masks will still be required for anyone entering the nurses’ office and for anyone returning to school from a five-day quarantine after a positive COVID-19 test. Although masks will not be required, they are still recommended to be worn by those that are not vaccinated or those with a compromised immune system.

“It’s been a very long time since students and teachers have been able to see one another’s smile and since they have been able to enjoy the school day without covering their faces,” said Warwick. “I can’t say enough about our students, staff and families who have weathered these difficult times with the level of perseverance and determination that they have shown.”

Mayor Domenic J. Sarno stated: “I want to thank Health and Human Services Commissioner Helen Caulton-Harris, SPS Director of Nursing Jeanne Clancy, Superintendent Daniel Warwick, Parks, Buildings and Recreational Management Director Patrick Sullivan, and everyone for their continued efforts working together to defeat this COVID-19 pandemic. We have not only made numerous improvements to the physical building of all of our schools but also kept appropriate public health and safety measures in place for the good of all our students and staff. I want to commend everyone for their patience and cooperation. We followed all of the proper federal and state public health guidelines and recommendations. The health of our students, teachers, and faculty always remained our number one priority.”

Springfield Public Schools will take a zero tolerance policy for anyone harassing or making fun of students that still choose to wear a mask.

“We know there are strong feelings on both sides of the issue, and we are committed to cultivating an environment of understanding and acceptance. There will be consequences consistent with the Code of Conduct for any behavior to the contrary,” said Warwick.

COVID-19 safety practices will still be taken inside the schools including daily cleaning and disinfecting, frequent handwashing, social distancing when possible, and staying home when sick. Masks and COVID-19 testing will remain available for students.

Parents and visitors will also be allowed to enter school buildings beginning on Monday.

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GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS

GSA Releases Polaris Q&A Signaling Key Changes in Upcoming RFPs, March 25, 2022, Isaias “Cy” Alba, IV
GSA recently released a Q&A in anticipation of the first two Polaris Requests for Proposals (RFPs). GSA anticipates the RFPs for Small Businesses and Women-Owned Small Businesses will be released soon, while those for the Historically Underutilized Business Zones Small Business (HUBZone) and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) pools will be released between July 1, 2022, and September 30, 2022. Some of the answers in the Q&A clarify what offerors should expect, while others continue to create ambiguity. In this client alert, we review the major changes presented in the Q&A and offer our insight into their impact on small businesses seeking work on Polaris. Read more here.

HUBZone Principal Office Flexibility Ends April 1, March 25, 2022, Jon Williams
The Small Business Administration’s HUBZone office will soon end the principal office flexibility it introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic. Starting April 1, 2022, firms will no longer be able to count employees who spend most of their time working at home as a principal office employee. HUBZone firms need to be mindful of this as they prepare for their 2022 recertification and manage their HUBZone eligibility going forward. Below, we review the changes announced by SBA and offer our recommendations for dealing with them. Read more here.

GSA Launches Modernized Federal IT Dashboard
GSA’s Office of Government-wide Policy (OGP) announced on March 21, 2022 the release of the modernized federal IT dashboard, which provides public visibility into how the government spends IT dollars. The modernized system collects and displays agencies’ IT cost and management data, including IT costs, schedules, and contracts. Read more here.

DOD Issues Class Deviation Restricting Acquisition of Personal Protective Equipment from Non-Allied Foreign Nations
The Defense Department (DOD) has issued Class Deviation 2022-O0008, which requires contracting officers to include contract clause 252.225-7968, Restriction on Acquisition of Personal Protective Equipment and Certain Other Items from Non-Allied Foreign Nations, in solicitations and contracts for covered items with an estimated value above $150,000, unless an exception applies. Covered items include personal protective equipment materials and components or sanitizing and disinfecting wipes, testing swabs, gauze, or bandages. This class deviation implements section 802 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022. Read more here.

DOD Nominee LaPlante Testifies Before Senate Committee
William A. LaPlante, Jr., nominee for Under Secretary of Defense, Acquisition and Sustainment, testified before the Senate Committee on Armed Services on March 22, 2022. LaPlante said the Department of Defense (DOD) must field emerging technologies—such as hypersonics, artificial intelligence, autonomy, and directed energy—for operational use and improve its ability to acquire software and software-intensive systems. He also said DOD must tap the innovation of the private sector by lowering the barriers to doing business with DOD for small businesses, non-traditional commercial firms, and startups. Read LaPlante’s opening statement here. 

GAO Denies American Roll-On Roll-Off Carrier Group’s Bid Protest
American Roll-On Roll-Off Carrier Group (ARC), of Parsippany, N.J., protested the award of a contract to HomeSafe Alliance of Houston, Texas, under RFP No. HTC711-19-R-R004, issued by the Department of Defense (DOD), U.S. Transportation Command, for relocation services for DOD service members and civilians and Coast Guard members. ARC challenged the adequacy of the agency’s responsibility determination, asserting that its evaluation of technical and price proposals was unreasonable and that the best-value tradeoff analysis was flawed. GAO denied the protest, finding that the agency’s evaluation was reasonable and in accordance with the solicitation, that the price reasonableness evaluation was consistent with the solicitation and the Federal Acquisition Regulation, and that the agency’s source selection rationale was documented and consistent with the stated evaluation criteria. Read the decision here.

GAO Sustains Starlight Corporation’s Bid Protest
Starlight Corporation (Starlight), a small business in Carlsbad, Calif., protested the award of a contract by the Department of the Air Force to Empire Aircraft Services, Inc., a small business in Summerville, S.C., under request for proposals No. FA449721R0014, for aircraft wash and corrosion control services at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware. Starlight challenged the agency’s past performance evaluation. GAO sustained the protest, finding that the agency failed to adequately document its relevancy evaluation of the offerors’ past performance information and improperly reduced one of Starlight’s ratings on a past performance questionnaire. Read the decision here.

Zoom’s New Security Authorization Likely Signals Wider Use in Defense Sector
NextGov is reporting that Zoom for Government, a videoconferencing and software platform, recently earned a provisional Defense Department Impact Level 4, or IL4, authorization from the Defense Information Systems Agency. This new approval will likely enable wider use of Zoom across and beyond Pentagon components. Read more here.

GSA Announces Ambitious Goal to Support Small Disadvantaged Businesses in Federal Contracting
General Services Administration (GSA) has set its agency-wide prime contracting small disadvantaged business (SDB) goal for FY22 at 21 percent, up from the government-wide statutory goal of 5 percent in FY21. The new fiscal year 2022 goal for SDB contracting announced by the GSA represents a more than four-fold increase from the previous year. The goal advances the Biden administration’s whole-of-government approach to expanding contracting opportunities for SDBs across the country. Read more here. See a related article by Government Executive here.

Senate Bill Would Push Replacement of Legacy IT Systems at Federal Agencies
A new Senate bill, The Legacy IT Reduction Act of 2022, would effectively force federal agencies to replace their outdated legacy information technology (IT) systems. Introduced by Sens. Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and John Cornyn (R-Texas), the bill would require agencies to identify and create an inventory of all legacy IT systems. The Office of Management and Budget would create guidance to instruct agencies on the best methods for identifying and replacing their legacy IT systems. Read more here.

Upcoming Government Contracts Presentations

WEBINAR: Flowdowns, April 6, Cy Alba. Read more here.

WEBINAR: Bidding for Major Contracts? Compliance Requirements You Should Prepare for Now, April 7, Cy Alba and Meghan Leemon. Read more here.

WEBINAR: SBA Recertifications and Their Impact on Small Business, April 19, Sam Finnerty and Meghan Leemon. Read more here.

WEBINAR: Return to Work, April 20, Cy Alba. Read more here.

WEBINAR: Joint Venture and Mentor-Protege Bidding Strategies, April 26, Peter Ford and Meghan Leemon. Read more here.

EVENT: Labor Law Impact on Contracts, April 28, Nichole Atallah. Read more here.

WEBINAR: Growth by Acquisition: Important Considerations for Government Contractors, Part 2 of 2, May 18, Cy Alba. Read more here.

LABOR & EMPLOYMENT

OFCCP Proposes to Modify Procedures and Standards for Pre-enforcement Notices and Conciliation
The Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) is issuing a proposed rule to modify its procedures and standards for issuing pre-enforcement notices and securing compliance through conciliation. Read more here. The Department of Labor (DOL) explained that the proposed rule seeks to revise the final rule, “Nondiscrimination Obligations of Federal Contractors and Subcontractors: Procedures to Resolve Potential Employment Discrimination,” that has been in effect since 2020. DOL says that the final rule imposed rigid evidentiary standards and definitions, which impede OFCCP’s ability to provide contractors with early notice of indicators of discrimination. Read DOL’s press release here.

OSHA Partially Reopens Comment Period for Interim Final Rule on COVID-19 in Healthcare Settings
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is partially reopening the comment period and holding an informal public hearing in its rulemaking on occupational exposure to COVID-19 in healthcare settings. Read more here.

Three Restaurants and Their Owners Must Pay $1.45 Million in Back Pay and Damages to 116 Workers
The U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania entered a consent judgment against three restaurants and the restaurants’ owners after investigators found they paid back-of-the-house employees off-the-books salaries and failed to pay overtime to the employees for work hours beyond 40 in a workweek. The judgment requires the defendants to pay $1.45 million in back wages and liquidated damages to 116 current and former workers. The Labor Department (DOL) also assessed the restaurants and their owners $76,724 in civil money penalties for the willful nature of their violations. Read the DOL news release here.

Contracting Community Is Wary of OFCCP’s Proposed Rule
Government Executive reports that a rule proposed by the OFCCP, ostensibly to streamline the procedures and standards it uses to resolve claims of discrimination by federal contractors, is seen by some in the contracting community as a sign that the agency will be far more aggressive in compliance evaluations. The proposed rule would eliminate the requirements that OFCCP issue pre-determination notices and notices of violation to contractors; eliminate the mandate that pre-determination notices must be approved by the compliance office director before issuance; allow the office to issue notices of violation for violations not included in pre-determination notices; and decrease by half the amount of time for contractors to respond to pre-determination notices. Read more here.

Upcoming Labor & Employment Presentations

EVENT: Labor Law Impact on Contracts, April 28, Nichole Atallah. Read more here.

LITIGATION & DISPUTE RESOLUTION

UPS Will Pay $5.3 Million to Settle False Claims Act Allegations for Falsely Reporting on Overseas Mail Deliveries
The Justice Department announced that United Parcel Service Inc. agreed to pay approximately $5.3 million to resolve allegations under the False Claims Act that it falsely reported the time and destination at which it delivered U.S. mail delivered to foreign posts of the State Department and Defense Department under contracts with the U.S. Postal Service. There has been no determination of liability. Read more here.

DIA Contractor Agrees to Pay $820,000 for Improper Billing
Reveal Global Consulting, LLC (Reveal) agreed to pay $820,000 to the federal government to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by improperly billing time and expenses in its performance of a contract with the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA). Reveal entered into a time-and-materials contract with DIA under which Reveal could bill the United States only for time it actually expended and materials it required to fulfill its contractual obligations. Instead, Reveal allegedly billed the DIA for one-twelfth of the total contract, even for months in which less than one-twelfth of the total required effort was devoted to the contract; devoted fewer than the promised employees for multiple months; submitted inflated and misstated bills for work by subcontractors; and invoiced the DIA for work supposedly performed by Reveal employees who had already left the company. The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only; there has been no determination of liability. Read more here.

Woman Sentenced to Nine Years in Prison for Multi-Million Dollar DOD Contract Fraud Schemes
Stephanie Dianna Elliott of Fayetteville, N.C., has been sentenced in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina to nine years in prison after pleading guilty to charges of wire fraud and money laundering. Court documents stated that from 2011 to 2020, she defrauded the Department of Defense (DOD) by obtaining contract payments after falsely certifying that she had shipped supplies to the U.S. military. Elliott and/or businesses under her control were debarred from federal contracting on four occasions, but Elliott allegedly circumvented the debarments by using aliases and various business names to continue bidding on federal contracts, racking up more than 1,000 federal defense contracts valued at more than $2.2 million. Read more here.

Texas Man Sentenced for Selling Chinese-Made Military Helmets and Body Armor to Federal Agencies
Tanner Jackson of Celeste, Texas, has been sentenced to 33 months in prison for a wire fraud scheme involving the selling of Chinese-made military helmets, body armor, and other products to the Department of State and other federal agencies while falsely claiming that his company manufactured the goods in Texas. According to court documents, Jackson operated Top Body Armor, LLC USA, and a related entity, Bullet Proof Armor LLC, from his Texas home. To conceal the Chinese origin of the products and associated shipping delays, Jackson created and controlled numerous email accounts in the names of supposed shipping company employees and wrote email exchanges between himself and the bogus employees to explain shipping delays. Jackson also won contracts with the Department of the Air Force. Furthermore, Jackson obtained HUBZone status by falsely listing his business location. Read more here.

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Ticks and the many diseases they transmit are here and it looks like a banner year for the little pests. This week, my wife had to visit her doctor for treatment of a bite. She blames Laney for being the “vector.” The mild winter seems to have been good for them and thus bad for all of us. Virtually every backyard in the Mount Grace region is home to ticks and the deer tick is a real problem as it carries a number of serious diseases. You need to take immediate steps to protect your pets as they will carry ticks into your home and ultimately put you and your family at risk.

There are topical products like Advantix and Frontline, ingested products like Bravecto, and collars like Soresto. We have used all three successfully. It seems like a matter of personal preference and you should ask your vet for advice as to what might best suit your needs.

Tick-borne diseases are transmitted through the bite of an infected tick. These include Lyme disease, Anaplasmosis, Ehrlichiosis, Babesiosis, Powassan (POW), Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, and Tularemia. In data I reviewed, Powassan and Tuleremia had not been found in Massachusetts but it was a few years old. Infected ticks can be the vector for these diseases and when an infected tick bites the human host, the human may become infected. Dogs also suffer from Lyme disease and should be protected.

It is best to avoid direct contact with ticks but that is not always possible. Avoid wooded and brushy areas with high grass and leaf litter. Ticks climb grass and plants and literally jump on you when you brush up against the plant. Walk in the center of trails. You can repel ticks with DEET or Permethrin. You should use repellents that contain 20 to 30% DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide) on exposed skin and clothing for protection that lasts up to several hours. Always follow product instructions. Parents should apply this product to their children, avoiding hands, eyes and mouth.

You can also use products that contain permethrin on clothing. Treat clothing and gear, such as boots, pants, socks and tents, with products containing 0.5% permethrin. It remains protective through several washings. Pre-treated clothing is available and may provide longer-lasting protection.

You need to check for ticks, regularly! Bathe or shower as soon as possible after coming indoors (preferably within two hours) to wash off and more easily find ticks that are crawling on you. Conduct a full-body tick check using a hand-held or full-length mirror to view all parts of your body upon return from tick-infested areas. Parents should check their children for ticks under the arms, in and around the ears, inside the belly button, behind the knees, between the legs, around the waist, and especially in their hair. Examine gear and pets. Ticks can ride into the home on clothing and pets, then attach to a person later, so carefully examine pets, coats and day packs.

Tumble-dry clothes in a dryer on high heat for 10 minutes to kill ticks on dry clothing after you come indoors. If the clothes are damp, additional time may be needed. If the clothes require washing first, hot water is recommended. Cold and medium temperature water will not kill ticks effectively. If the clothes cannot be washed in hot water, tumble dry on low heat for 90 minutes or high heat for 60 minutes. The clothes should be warm and completely dry.

To remove an attached tick, grasp with tweezers or forceps (they make small tick removers you can purchase that also do an excellent job) as close as possible to the skin, and pull upward and out with a firm and steady pressure. If tweezers are not available, use fingers shielded with a tissue or rubber gloves. Try to avoid handling with bare hands. Be careful not to squeeze, crush or puncture the body of the tick, which may contain infectious fluids. After removing the tick, thoroughly disinfect the bite site and wash hands. See or call a physician if there is concern about incomplete tick removal. It is important that a tick be removed as soon as it is discovered. Check after every two or three hours of outdoor activity for ticks attached to clothing or skin. If the tick has been on for less than 48 hours, the risk is much less.

Ticks feed on small wild rodents (particularly the white-footed mouse), deer, pets and humans. When a tick becomes infected and continues to feed on various hosts, the bacteria, virus, or parasite can be transmitted. Ticks that are located in the brush and on tall grasses come into contact with humans as we pass through these environments. The ticks can then crawl up sleeves and bite the skin, typically around warm areas under the hair.

Lyme disease, Anaplasmosis, and Babesiosis are spread by the deer tick. Ehrlichiosis is spread by the Lone Star tick. Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever is spread by the American Dog Tick, Rocky Mountain Wood Tick, Lone Star tick, and Brown Dog tick.

Lyme disease, Anaplasmosis, and Babesiosis are the most frequently reported tick-borne diseases in New England. The ticks that carry these diseases are common in the northeastern and upper midwestern United States. The greatest risk of being bitten exists in the spring, summer and fall. However, ticks may also be out searching for a host during the winter, any time temperatures are above freezing.

In the event that you get bitten by a tick, there is always the possibility that you could develop one of these aforementioned diseases, but not every tick is a carrier. If you have become infected, symptoms can appear between a few days and a few months later or may not appear at all. The type and severity of symptoms vary with the specific disease, but there are some common symptoms, which include tiredness, body/muscle aches, joint pain, fever, rash, stiff neck and facial paralysis. Early diagnosis is key so get yourself to your doctor if you get bitten. In many cases, as it was with my wife, a small dose of a strong antibiotic (God bless doxyclycline!) will be the treatment.

Turkey hunting is really putting yourself in the “tick zone.” This writer has found that treating my hunting clothes with a Permethrin spray like Sawyers works to repel ticks and also helps keep black flies and mosquitoes away. You can now buy hunting clothing that is treated as well. Protect yourself!

Mike Roche is a retired teacher who has been involved in conservation and wildlife issues his entire life. He has written the Sportsman’s Corner since 1984 and has served as advisor to the Mahar Fish’N Game Club, Counselor and Director of the Mass. Conservation Camp, has been a Hunter Education Instructor for over 40 years and is a licensed New York hunting guide. He can be reached at [email protected].

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St. Louis, MO: Clean Concepts Maid Service provides top-rated house cleaning and maid services in St. Louis. The company has adopted a top-bottom, left-to-right systematic cleaning approach, which reduces errors and uses the latest time management techniques to eliminate backtracking. They use eco-friendly chemicals and offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee.

Cleaning Concepts Maid Service offers a variety of house cleaning options and also customizes its services as per the client’s needs. The key services at the premier home cleaning service company include cleaning and maid services. They offer routine house cleaning, maid services, and move-in and move-out cleans. This is in addition to deep house cleaning and electrostatic disinfection. The company uses the latest technology to deliver the best cleaning outcomes. They have a 7000 square foot center, which houses the company and acts as a training center. Their products are formulated locally and also pre-tested at the facility.

Clean Concepts Maid Service was founded in 1991, bringing over 30 years of experience in the industry and services in the Louis community. They have a team of highly trained maids who offer top-notch services while maintaining company standards in every home. They arrive in uniform and a clearly marked company car during the scheduled time. A happy client had this to say about their St. Louis cleaning services, “My antique stove looks brand new after a deep clean. Their staff were polite and very professional, which assured us that the outcome would be great, we were right. I highly recommend the company to anyone looking to work with professionals without looking behind their back.”

The company is top rated with 5-star ratings on Google reviews, Yelp and Facebook. They are also highly rated on Better Business Bureau, which implies utmost trust from their clients with minimal or no complaints. The company has adopted a top-bottom, left-to-right systematic cleaning approach, which reduces errors, ensuring they do the cleaning right the first time. They also use environmentally friendly chemicals for the safety of the entire family and pets. The company also uses the latest time management techniques to eliminate backtracking. For instance, they have customized aprons that allow their technicians to have the tools and proper chemicals at hand. This maximizes efficiency by reducing back and forth movement across the room to retrieve additional supplies.

The company employs full-time workers who are paid a living wage. They do not use subcontractors assuring top-notch services to their clients. They have built a 5-star customer service experience and offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee. The professional cleaners follow strict protocols to ensure safety and avoid damaging anything in a client’s home. They also use EPA registered cleaning products that guarantee effectiveness while at the same time protecting the client’s health. These products are potent hospital-grade disinfectants that kill harmful viruses, fungi, and bacteria. The disinfection process is safe and highly controlled to ensure human health is prioritized.

The cleaning expert has also designed a service for cleaning and disinfecting strategic surfaces such as doorknobs and faucets, which have a greater chance of containing viruses and other germs. Combined with a deep clean, their process gets rid of all harmful germs leaving everything sparkling clean and disinfected.

Clean Concepts Maid Service is headquartered at 8837 Manchester Rd, St. Louis, Missouri, 63144, USA. Clients can call the company at 314-781-0018 or check their website for more information on their services.

Media Contact

Company Name
Clean Concepts Maid Service
Contact Name
Jeffrey Marquie
Phone
314-781-0018
Address
8837 Manchester Rd
City
St. Louis
State
Missouri
Postal Code
63144
Country
United States
Website
https://stlouismaidservice.com/

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KARACHI:

After two gloom-struck years under Covid-19, the port city is finally ready to break free from pandemic-related restrictions and welcome the holy month of Ramazan with uncompromised fervor and the once lost spirit of togetherness.

Days ahead of the month of fasting, mosques across the city appear abuzz with anticipation, many being installed with new speakers, lighting systems, water dispensers, and carpets to wholeheartedly welcome back worshippers this year.

Karachi’s Muslim residentiary on the other hand also seems to be counting days until the start of Ramazan, hoping to delve into all the rituals and festivities they had to hold back on during the worst of Covid-19.

According to Muhammad Shakeel, who is part of a local mosque committee, the National Command and Operation Centre’s decision to scrape off all pandemic-related restrictions has renewed the enthusiasm of mosque management and worshippers alike. “The good news has filled us with joy, but there is also a lot of work to do. A lot of mosques have expedited their renovation works to have everything ready for the worshippers when they come,” he told, adding that despite the abolishment of Covid-19 protocols they are keen on continuing to disinfect mosque premises to keep the virus at bay.

Speaking in the same vein, Maulana Yasir, Imam of another local mosque pointed out that mosques across Karachi tend to see an influx of worshippers, who come to not only pray the five daily prayers but also for Taraweeh prayers and various other supererogatory acts of worship all day long. “So mosques get really busy during the holy month, and cannot conduct repairs or arrangements- everything has to be done beforehand. It’s going to be particularly hot this year, so we also have to make sure that praying areas are well-ventilated and all electrical works are taken care of. The finances for all of this come from generous donors and benefactors, who have been very keen to contribute to the mosque’s expenses and are overjoyed to witness the return of festivities,” he expressed.

Muhammad Saif, a young, Muslim resident of Karachi believes that Taraweeh prayers are an essential element of the holy month and that he had always enjoyed partaking in the practice with his friends and family. “Although not Farz, this congregational prayer really makes up the Ramazan experience. It is something that we participate in communally, be it at home, on some open ground, or at the mosque. That is very much in line with the spirit of togetherness that the month of fasting is all about, and something that we were deprived of for two years. I am excited to return to normalcy and enjoy both Ramzan and Eid with my friends and family, without any impediments of the past,” he told The Express Tribune.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 1st, 2022.

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Featured Image for Fragrance Creators Association

Featured Image for Fragrance Creators Association

WASHINGTON, March 31, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Fragrance Creators Association President & CEO Farah K. Ahmed issued the following statement after the Senate’s passage of the Ocean Shipping Reform Act, S. 3580:

“Fragrance Creators applauds the Senate’s passage of the Ocean Shipping Reform Act. As an original endorser of the legislation, along with our allied trades, we are pleased to play an active role in advancing this important legislation designed to address shipping supply chain challenges that ultimately impact consumers in the form of increased prices and empty shelves.

We applauded the House’s passage of their version of the Ocean Shipping Reform Act last December and look forward to the chambers quickly moving to conference to reconcile the differences in the two versions.

Fragrance is a critical input into a myriad of finished products, including personal care, cleaning and disinfecting, and delay in fragrance supply has a ripple effect down the value chain. This is why, as responsible industry stewards, our members remain committed to advancing legislation that alleviates supply chain disruptions.”

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Fragrance Creators Association is the principal fragrance trade association. The organization provides comprehensive representation for the majority of fragrance manufacturing in North America, as well as fragrance-related interests along the value chain. Fragrance Creators’ membership is diverse, including large, medium, and small-sized companies that create, manufacture, and use fragrances and scents for home care, personal care, home design, fine fragrance, and industrial and institutional products, as well as those that supply fragrance ingredients, including natural extracts and other raw materials that are used in perfumery and fragrance mixtures. Fragrance Creators established and administers the Congressional Fragrance Caucus, ensuring ongoing dialogue with members of Congress and staff. Fragrance Creators is an active participant in IFRA and has a designated representative on the IFRA Board to help ensure the associations’ membership is represented in global discussions and the North American perspective is considered in global fragrance positions and policies. Fragrance Creators also produces The Fragrance Conservatory, the comprehensive digital resource for high-quality information about fragrance—www.fragranceconservatory.com. Learn more about Fragrance Creators at fragrancecreators.org—for people, perfume, and the planet.

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Contact: Katie Cross

[email protected]

+1 571 317 1500

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These can be used for all forms of indoor workspaces including offices, factories, warehouses, laboratories, engineering facilities, broadcasting studios, as well as any other premises where people can gather in enclosed spaces.

Malaysia has begun its transition to an endemic phase of COVID-19, effective today (Friday, 1 April 2022).

In light of this, the National Security Council (Majlis Keselamatan Negara, or MKN) has today released a set of guidelines for employers and HR leaders to follow, in “living and working safely with COVID-19.”

As shared by MKN, these guidelines can be used for all forms of indoor workspaces including buildings and premises such as offices, factories, warehouses, laboratories, engineering facilities, broadcasting studios, as well as any premises that may have the potential to cause people to gather in enclosed spaces.

“These guidelines are encouraged to be complied with and are used to illustrate requirements in the standard operating procedures (SOPs). The SOPs are (to be) prioritised if there are any contradictions”, the council added.

An excerpt of the guidelines is as follows:

Assessing COVID-19 risks to make safer choices – Four key factors to consider

#1 Location
Well-ventilated areas such as outdoor are safer than enclosed spaces such as indoors.

#2 Proximity
Maintain physical distancing of at least one metre, between individuals is safer than crowding.

• Limit face-to-face social interactions between employees from different households (examples: working hours according to shifts, and staggered break times).
• Avoid physical greetings such as handshakes. Instead, gree by placing your hands on your chest.
• Working from home is encouraged.
• Individuals who are symptomatic, COVID-19 positive, or under home surveillance order (HSO) are not allowed to enter premises or conduct activities.

#3 Duration
Interacting for a shorter duration is safer than interacting for a longer duration.

#4 Masking
Wearing a face mask is safer than being mask-off.

With indoor-based work posing a higher risk of infection given the enclosed spaces, employers or premise owners “should strive to improve the ventilation system and focus on improving indoor air quality.

“Additional attention must be paid to activities where face masks are not worn, such as in dining areas/ pantries/ cafes as well as in workers’ accommodation.”

How to manage COVID-19 cases and close contacts 

Employers are to prepare a set of health and safety protocols and manage symptomatic individuals, confirmed cases of COVID-19, and close contacts based on COVID-19 Management Guidelines for Workplaces set out by the Ministry of Health (Annex 25).

In the event a COVID-19 case is identified at the office, employers are to:

• Carry out cleaning and disinfecting process based on Annex 36. and
• Cover the cost of testing if employees are identified as symptomatic while on the premises or at the locations where activities are held, and the cost of cleaning and disinfecting on premises;
• Employers are required to cover the cost of isolation for confirmed cases, and the cost of quarantine for close contacts. For civil servants, this is subject to government circulars from time to time;
• Accept digital HSO for employees who are suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19 as proof of employee undergoing isolation or quarantine, and
• If a COVID-19 cluster is detected at a particular premise, report it to the nearest District Health Office promptly.

If you or your employee showcases any COVID-19 symptoms — fever, fatigue, breathing difficulty, body/muscle ache, headache, runny nose, cough/sore throat, vomiting/diarrhea, loss of sense of taste/smell —, be sure to use the TRIIS self-assessment method:

• Test: Get tested with a self-test kit as soon as possible, if you are experiencing any infection symptoms.
• Report: Report the test results (negative, positive, or invalid) on MySejahtera immediately.
• Isolate: Isolate immediately with discipline if tested positive for COVID 19. Adhere to the HSO  imposed by MOH.
• Inform: Inform close contacts and immediate family members urgently if test result is positive. List out close contacts’ information and assess health through HAT 2 on MySejahtera. A virtual CAC will monitor your/your employee’s health status and contact you/your employee if necessary.
• Seek: Seek immediate treatment at any healthcare facility nearby if you are experiencing worsening symptoms.

The following infographics share the detailed steps to take:

Have in place staggered working hours and breaks

Employers are encouraged to stagger the start time for all employees (one group of employees arrive before 10am and the others arrive after 10am). This allows employees to plan their commute and avoid rush hour crowding, especially when using public transport.

Employers are also encouraged to implement staggered break hours in order to limit contact between groups. For example,

• Team A goes for lunch at 11am
• Team B goes for lunch at 12pm
• Team C goes for lunch at 1pm

ALSO READ: Capacity limit at the workplace abolished from 1 April 2022 as Malaysia gears up for endemic phase

Definition of “fully vaccinated”

According to MKN, recipients of Sinovac and Sinopharm vaccines, as well as individuals aged 60 years and above, who have not received their booster dose are allowed to perform activities that are permitted for individuals who are fully vaccinated.

Individuals must show proof of their fully vaccinated status, such as cards or digital certificates, in order to participate in activities with vaccination requirements.

However, individuals who are not eligible for vaccination (due to health reasons and have been verified by registered medical practitioners) must refer to the latest applicable guidelines.

Managing workers’ accommodation

Employers must comply with the minimum standards stated by the Minimum Standards of Housing, Accommodation and Employee Facilities Act 1990 [Act 446] in addition to the actions stated below:

#1 Cleaning & disinfection

• Frequent cleaning in communal areas and high-touch surfaces after breaks.
• Provide and regularly empty rubbish bins with cover/ lid.
• Provide handwashing facilities with soap and water or hand sanitisers.
• Disinfect common touch surfaces at workers’ accommodation using liquid bleach or disinfectant containing at least 70% alcohol if positive case is detected.

#2 Worker movement

• Workers are to remain within the accommodation compound and are encouraged to stay in their respective rooms.
• Provide direct transportation between workers’ accommodation and the workplace.
• Staggered breaks for each group of workers to reduce crowding in resting areas.

#3 Health monitoring

• Perform self-test if employee is symptomatic and upload test results on MySejahtera application.
  • If negative:
    • Employees can return to work by wearing a surgical mask (three-ply) and maintaining physical distancing.
  • If positive:
    • Employees must isolate in the designated isolating room and perform daily health assessments through the Health Assessment Tool in the MySejahtera application.
    • Management to immediately trace close contacts of positive patients.

DON’T MISS: Malaysia’s endemic guidelines, effective 1 April 2022: For the general public

Photo /  123RF

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Nutroz’s neutralizing ozone technology is proving a game changer for smelly sports gear, helping to eliminate the bacteria that cause those unpleasant odors.

The revolutionary patent pending technology developed by Nutroz harnesses the power of ozone to reach surfaces most other cleaners can’t and neutralize the molecules and bacteria that cause stubborn odors through a process called oxidation.

“In sports, there’s no pain without gain, and a usually a fair amount of sweat, sometimes even blood and tears. If you lead an active lifestyle or manage a locker room, all that effort equals smells that can be tough and time-consuming to remove. Not to mention the costs associated with traditional cleaning. The washing, the laundry soap, the water, the utilities, they add up quickly. Plus, with every wash and high heat drying session, you’re compromising the fabrics and bindings of your jerseys, shoes, and other gear,” explains a representative for the company.

“Nutroz not only offers an easy and effective way to deodorize sports equipment, but it’s also gentle and great for people with sensitivities to harsh disinfectants, chemicals, and sanitizing aerosol sprays. And being planet-friendly, you get to stay green while keeping your gear clean.”

Nutroz units are fast gaining popularity among athletes, fitness centers, yoga studios, second-hand sports stores, and spin facilities for their versatility and portability. 

“You can easily take it with you on the bus, to the locker room, even the field, for fast gear refreshes between games. That means no more riding home with pungent smelling equipment or forcing mom to open that stinky hockey bag at the end of the tournament weekend.”

Nutroz removes stubborn odors from all sports equipment, including helmets, jerseys, gloves, jockstraps, elbow pads, yoga mats and blocks, spin shoes, ski boots, socks, cleats, and gym bags.

“Whatever sport or activity you’re passionate about, the Nutroz unit gives you the confidence to perform at your best while extending the life of your gear. Thanks to our revolutionary ozone technology, you get to play hard, and do it all again tomorrow with gear that smells as fresh as the day you bought it,” concludes the representative.

Conclusion

Nutroz is the brainchild of a small group of entrepreneurial engineers who wanted to solve an everyday household problem: refreshing and removing odors from their hockey equipment while saving space in their already cramped houses. After reviewing the available disinfecting and sanitizing options, none of which were liquid, detergent, or chemical free, they realized the need for a more sustainable, innovative hygiene solution and so the Nutroz vision was born.

Media Contact
Company Name: Nutroz
Email: Send Email
Phone: 1-888-708-7876
Country: United States
Website: https://nutroz.com/

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CORPUS CHRISTI, TX – The Corpus Christi – Nueces County Public Health District received notification of one COVID-19 related death. The patient was a female in her 60’s. Comorbidities included  leukemia, hypertension, hypothyroidism, and deep vein thrombosis. Our condolences go out to her family and friends. Further information is not being released for privacy and confidentiality reasons.

All Nueces County residents must make every effort to stop the spread of COVID-19. Here are Public Health strategies we should all be following:

● Wear a mask when in public.

● Practice social distancing with everyone outside of your immediate household.

● Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

● Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

● Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

● Stay home when you are sick.

● Disinfect frequently touched surfaces at home and at work.

● Get vaccinated as soon as eligible.

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