Minimalist-looking furniture doesn’t always mean they serve a single purpose only, especially if they can hide their other functions in plain sight.

There are quite a few trends in the past few years that have sent ripples through different industries, changing the ways things are traditionally made or how things usually function. For example, there has been an increase in devices that claim to sanitize your belongings at home with UVC light. The ubiquity of smartphones inside the house has also pushed even the likes of IKEA to adopt new features to accommodate these electronic devices. Another example is this furniture set that, at first glance, is both minimalist and minimal, but actually hide their smart features in an ingenious way.

Designers: Martin Poon and One Object Design Studio

We have gotten used to seeing a lot of minimalist products, especially as furniture or even appliances for the home. There is an undeniable appeal in the cleanliness and purity of these objects, and their simple or singular use also almost has this liberating feeling that frees the mind from having to think twice about what something does. That said, there’s always the possibility of incorporating more features in what looks like a simple design, like what this WITS collection on home furniture demonstrates.

ROLL, for example, looks like a simple fabric-covered stool, though the seam at the top clearly indicates that it can be opened. Rather than being a hidden container, however, it can accommodate a detachable UV light module that can clean larger objects like toys, books, or even bags. It’s something handy to have around the house, especially during these days when people tend to worry alot about indoor sanitation.

FLOAT definitely has a simple cabinet feel to it, one that’s designed to stand by your bed for easy access to your things. However, a portion of its top surface actually acts as a wireless charging area for your phone so you won’t have to worry about forgetting to plug your phone in every night. Pull the top drawer, however, and you’ll be greeted by a soft LED light that could save you a lot of pain at night.

BOX is like a smaller version of ROLL, though clearly not to be sat on. Its body is wrapped in the same soft fabric as the stool, conveying feelings of comfort and warmth for the home. The wooden cover, however, comes off to reveal plenty of room inside for keys, wallets, and even your phone. It is also compatible with the same UV light module to disinfect your things while they lie in wait for their next use.

Last but not least is the LAYER sofa table, admittedly the most complex among these minimalist pieces of furniture. Its wooden top can swivel to any position to maximize or minimize the area the side table occupies, while its foot can stand inside a basket that serves as additional storage. And like its wooden sibling, the FLOAT, the LAYER also has a wireless charging area for your phone while you take your dinner and binge on your favorite show.

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At-home COVID-19 tests have risen in popularity throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, and many American households are eagerly awaiting their free kits.

But while self-test kits are a quick and easy way to check your health status, getting a sample can be tricky.

The Food and Drug Administration has approved dozens of at-home or self-test kits. Some are traditional molecular, or PCR tests, while others are antigen tests, which are less sensitive. Some kits require patients to drop off samples at laboratories, while others produce instant results at home.

Most of the self COVID-19 tests approved by the FDA require a type of nasal swab. The FDA says it’s important to carefully follow the instructions on self- or at-home tests, because failing to properly swab or handle the sample could lead to an inaccurate result.

Here’s what you need to know about properly swabbing yourself using an at-home COVID-19 test.

Free COVID-19 rapid tests ordered through the federal government’s are seen after delivery by the United States Postal Service at a North Texas home on Friday, Jan. 28, 2022. The program provides 1 billion rapid, at-home COVID-19 tests to families. Each address is limited to one at-home COVID-19 kit, which includes four individual rapid antigen tests and is shipped for free.(Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)

Wash your hands and follow instructions

Before you collect the sample, make sure you disinfect the area where you will open the test kit and wash your hands for at least 20 seconds, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says.

Be sure that you’re reading and closely following the instructions on your test kit. Health experts say not all tests are created equal, and some have different tips or requirements for accurately collecting a sample.

Some self-test kits also require a person to perform multiple tests in order to get accurate results.

You can find a list of the at-home kits that have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration here.

Tests using anterior nasal swabs

Some tests work by taking what is known as an anterior nasal swab – that means the Q-tip won’t go that far into your nose during the test.

Once you take the swab out of the packaging, don’t touch the end that is going to enter your nose.

Take the swab and enter it no more than three-fourths of an inch (just over a centimeter) into your nostril. Rotate the swab while gently pressing against the inside of your nostril for at least 15 seconds. You should complete at least four circles around each nostril, the CDC says.

The CDC says you should try and get as much discharge on the cotton swab as possible.

Tests using mid-turbinate nasal swabs

Other tests work by taking mid-turbinate nasal swabs. These types are generally a little more uncomfortable.

For these, insert the swab just under 2 centimeters into your nose, or until you feel some resistance.

You should gently rotate the swab along the insides of the nasal passage several times in each nostril.

Should you also swab your throat?

Health experts are currently divided on whether you should add a throat swab to your at-home COVID-19 test.

Some say it may improve the sensitivity of your test, while others say there isn’t enough evidence to support an additional swab.

The FDA has said that at-home antigen tests should only be swabbed in the nose.

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Great Falls Public Schools has adjusted its COVID health protocols in response to rising case numbers in the district and Cascade County.

GFPS officials said Jan. 28 that the district is adopting the same rule as the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and the Cascade County City-County Health Department that requires a person who tests positive to COVID-19 to isolate for a minimum of five days.

GFPS approves additional pay for substitute teachers

“If the infected individual is feeling better by the sixth day they may return to work or school, if they wear a mask/face covering for the remaining five days of their infection. If you choose not to wear a mask, you must remain out of school/work for the remaining five days of your illness,” according to GFPS.

As of Jan. 28, there were 258 active COVID cases within the district.

GFPS returning to classrooms Jan. 18

The cases within the district have increased since students and teachers returned from the holidays.

In mid-January, the entire district went remote for a week due to the high number of COVID cases in the district.

“The closure was due to the district’s inability to adequately staff classrooms, with so many staff members out ill. Since that time infection rates for staff have subsided some, and schools have remained open, despite higher infection rates among students and across the community. Our commitment is to work hard to keep schools open and students in classrooms with their teachers if at all possible. This reduces the pressure and stress on many stakeholders and it is what is best for students,” according to the district.

GFPS waiting until Sunday to determine whether to reopen next week, cases increasing

The district adopted its COVID policy, Board Policy 1905, in May 2020 and revised it several times, most recently in November.

District officials are reminding the community of the health and safety practices in GFPS schools:

• Handwashing frequently- “GEL In and GEL Out” of schools, classrooms, offices and restrooms
• Monitor your personal health and wellbeing- school nurses will monitor students who are feeling poorly at school, check their temperature and may administer a COVID-19 rapid test, with parent permission
• If you are feeling ill and exhibiting symptoms, stay home, get a rapid test and consult with health officials if symptoms persist
• All school personnel are reminded to clean work surfaces regularly. Custodial teams will handle deep cleaning and sanitation/disinfecting as per COVID-19 cleaning protocols
• Physical distancing of 3-6 feet is recommended where and whenever possible in the school/work setting
• Wearing of face masks and or shields is highly recommended in all Great Falls Public School buildings, classrooms and offices.

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Known locally as Piweet the “fogging clown,” a professional entertainer in Malaysia has found a niche fogging houses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Photo: Courtesy of Shaharul Hisam Baharudin

In what is now basically a daily routine, Shaharul Hisam Baharudin puts on his rainbow-striped shirt and vibrant overalls, and dabs face paint over his eyebrows in front of a mirror. The finishing touch of the get-up is a face mask designed with a bright red nose and large grin, the last bit of detail before he transforms into Piweet the clown.

But he’s not heading to a toddler’s birthday party or a festival; he’s on his way to fog people’s houses with disinfectant.

Before the pandemic, 43-year-old Shaharul was a full-time DJ, emcee, and party clown based in Taiping, Malaysia. But since the country implemented movement control order restrictions in May followed by a lockdown (and a ban on social gatherings like weddings and birthday parties), he saw his gigs grind to a complete halt. 

In August, after three painful months of sitting in uncertainty, he whipped out his old fog machine (previously used to create smoke at events he hosted), poured in some disinfectant liquid, and started fogging houses—all while in character as Piweet the clown.

One reason he pivoted to his new role as the “fogging clown,” Shaharul told VICE, is because he’s an entertainer at heart. He said he wanted to perform for kids who were missing out on socializing with other kids. 

“So I said, ‘Why not have a family invite an entertainer, have him come to their house, and entertain their kid?’” he said. 

As Piweet the clown, Shaharul is now on a mission to bring some joy to kids cooped up at home, while disinfecting their houses. His other reason for taking on a clown-clad fogging stint is more pragmatic—he wanted to set himself apart from other disinfecting services, and offering clownish entertainment along with residential sanitizing is as unique as it can get. He now fogs 10 to 15 houses with disinfectant a day and has a weekly disinfecting schedule at a local mall.

According to Shaharul, the fog makes some children feel uncomfortable. So before officially getting down to disinfecting a house, he usually entertains the children as Piweet and explains that he’s there to kill germs lurking in their home. He also enchants them with magic tricks and balloon sculptures. Then, he carries his handheld fog machine and disinfects the house systemically, from the back to the front. He also sometimes disinfects people’s cars, upon their request.

“Before I leave, they ask for a selfie,” Shaharul said. “So we have a connection.” 

While the effectiveness of the practice remains inconclusive, fogging homes and public spaces with disinfectant is common in Malaysia, with health ministry-approved disinfectants available for public purchase—Shaharul said he uses one of these. Besides wearing rubber gloves and keeping a distance from his clients, he said he also first makes sure that no one in the household is positive for COVID-19 or in quarantine before accepting a job. 

Shaharul’s unique combination of cleaning and clowning has made him somewhat of a local celebrity, appearing on the news and experiencing a boom in business.

Even with the increased demand, Shaharul said he plans to keep his services affordable. He charges about 50 Malaysian ringgit ($12) for a fogging visit in clown costume, and less if he isn’t in character as Piweet.

Since going viral, Shaharul has also started sanitizing mosques for free as a way to give back to his community. 

Even when he’s not working, he still tries to wrestle a chuckle out of his daily interactions, a habit he picked up from his late father whom he describes as a “joker.” 

“I’m happy-go-lucky,” he said of his lifelong interest in bringing laughter. “I like to give happiness because I want to get happiness.” 

Shaharul was first inspired to pursue a clowning career in 2012, when he was an emcee at a public event alongside a professional clown. Over the course of the day, he saw how the clown brought wide grins to people and realized that he wanted to do the same. 

“I looked at the clown and I said, ‘I feel like I want to be a clown,” he recalled. Before he knew it, he was learning how to make balloon sculptures at home and reaching out to his clown friends for tips.

Having to fog houses while dressed in a clown costume doesn’t make the job much harder, Shaharul said. In fact, it actually makes it more enjoyable. 

Whenever he’s in his clown get-up, his “energy and aura is different than normal,” he said. “I don’t know why… I wear my clown costume [and] my energy totally changes.”

He’s not sure how long his stint as the fogging clown will last, but he sure is making the most out of Piweet, his beloved alter ego.

Follow Koh Ewe on Instagram.

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AUSTIN (KXAN) — Tens of thousands of Central Texas college students will be back inside classrooms Monday.

UT Austin, Texas State University and Austin Community College are all resuming in-person learning.

Central Texas University students prepare for return to in-person classes after virtual start

Each institution has outlined COVID-19 safety guidelines that include isolating at least five days if you test positive for the virus.

But a study out of Japan this month indicates you might need more time than that.

“Best friends!” says Antonella Membreno, a UT junior, as she hugs her roommate, Maya Forest, a sophomore.

Like many of their peers, Membreno and Forest are excited to be back.

“I think… my grades definitely like went down a little bit during online classes, because I just didn’t want to like be logged on the computer all day,” Membreno says.

“I feel that when you have in person classes, you have the opportunity to be able to communicate with other students and ask more questions as you would do on a Zoom meeting,” Forest says.

UT students have handled in-person learning during the pandemic before, but this time, there’s a new dominant variant — Omicron — that we’re learning more about.

In a recent study, researchers from Japan found that omicron patients shed the virus for longer than previous variants.

“It found that the amount of viral RNA was highest three to six days after diagnosis or symptoms,” explains Rodney Rohde, professor and chair of Texas State University’s clinical laboratory science program.

The CDC’s current patient isolation time is five days — which Texas State is following, as well as Austin Community College.

The Japanese study said omicron became undetectable after 10 days, which is what Rohde, an epidemiologist, personally recommends.

“That 10 day rule that we had for many, many months, if not years, is still something that we believe in,” he says.

UT’s back to school guidance recommends students isolate for at least five days from when symptoms first appear, plus at least 24 hours after a fever is gone and symptoms have improved.

Omicron may live longer on surfaces

Another study out of Japan found that the omicron variant lives longer on plastic and skin than other variants.

Baylor Scott & White doctor David Winter explains according to the study, omicron can last two hours on the skin.

“So think of this: If you’ve got a mask and you’ve worn this properly in a crowd and you’ve got COVID on the outside of it, if you take it off, and then touch this with your finger, then later rub your eye or your nose, you’re going to get COVID, so we need to be careful with that,” he explains.

The study has not been peer-reviewed, or reviewed by other experts.

It also indicates that omicron can last up to eight days on a plastic surface.

“So, disinfecting and cleaning is now more important than with the previous viruses,” Winter says.

The good news, Rohde adds, is that the study found that all variants were “completely inactivated” on skin when exposed to common disinfectant for 15 seconds.

He also says it matters how much of the virus lingers on these surfaces.

“I’m not real concerned about it yet, unless we start seeing high levels of virus and we see some direct proof that it’s causing a chain of transmission from surfaces to patients,” Rohde says. “So that’s kind of a different study, a different kind of needs assessment.”

Rohde said although he predicts a spike in COVID-19 cases as students return to campuses, he also expects it to plateau relatively quickly, as it has at Texas State in the past.

He said campuses can stay safe if everybody is transparent about their health.

“I’m not overly concerned as long as people are following the rules, right, good health practice staying home,” Rohde says, emphasizing vaccines, boosters and masking.

Membrano hopes it all works.

“Honestly, I’m pretty hopeful that from here to the time I graduate, I get to be back in the classroom,” she says.

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How often do you need to clean your home gym?

How often do I need to clean my home gym?

A general rule of thumb would be to wipe down “high-touch surfaces,” such as dumbbells, mats, or a bench, after every use, Dr. Nelson recommends. “You can serve as an unwitting courier for bacteria from anything you’ve come in contact with during the day — think: subway rail, grocery cart, your coworker’s desk,” he explained. 

If you share equipment with someone else, even if they live in your household, you’ll also want to disinfect surfaces in addition to wiping them down after each use, Dr. Nelson adds. 

Ideally, you should deep clean at least once a month — more often if you use your home gym a lot or if the space has poor circulation or is damp, Dr. Nelson said. 

How should I clean my home gym equipment?

For your regular cleaning, first wipe the equipment down with plain old soap and water, a damp cloth, or a dry dust cloth depending on what your equipment can handle, Dr. Nelson recommends. You’ll want to remove visible dirt and particles because those will “serve as a barricade to protect any resident bugs,” he explains.

Note: Be sure to unplug all electronics first and avoid drenching anything with electrical input or output, like the display on a spin bike. 

Then, choose a disinfectant that kills bacteria and viruses. In addition to the recommendations below, check out the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) official guidelines for disinfecting your home.

Can all equipment be cleaned the same way?

Not necessarily.

A note of caution: “Many clear plastic displays and housings are made from polycarbonate, which has low chemical resistance to base alcohol solutions found in cleaners such as Lysol, Windex, and bleach,” explained Alex Davis, a fitness expert, and former plastics engineer.

You’ve likely seen the effects of hard cleaners on credit card checkout kiosks and the like, with cracked panels and erased number keys. For polycarbonate equipment, wash displays with only mild dish soap and water with a soft material, as sponges can also scratch, Davis advises.

During your monthly deep clean, soak any mats, clean items you use less frequently, and take extra care to clean areas that might get overlooked, such as the floor, handlebars, chairs, foam rollers, resistance bands, and yoga blocks. Don’t forget about your phone and headphones, too. 

Most importantly, let the disinfectant sit on all surfaces for a bit. These products have a “dwell time,” meaning the time the solution has to be in contact with the bacteria to do its job, Dr. Nelson says. In other words, if you wipe off the disinfectant right away, you may compromise its effectiveness, so be sure to take a look at the directions before using a disinfectant, he recommends.

Should I also clean my fitness tracker?

Absolutely, yes. Dr. Nelson added that “if you wear the same watch for exercise and daily use, consider taking it off after vigorous exercise to let your skin breath and give it a quick wipe down so sweat and bacteria aren’t trapped up against your skin.”

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EVERETT — COVID-19 again has struck transit service in Snohomish County, leading Community Transit to temporarily cancel 36 daily trips through mid-March and add up to a week of sick leave for employees.

Absences and vacant positions after Community Transit’s Dec. 31 deadline for full vaccination against the coronavirus led to weekday ride cuts for more predictable service. Adjustments to the Swift Blue and Green lines and routes 101, 109, 112, 115, 119 and 202 took effect Monday and are set through March 18. Dial A Ride Transit (DART), the agency’s para-transit service, was not affected.

Thirty-nine employees self-reported testing positive as of Jan. 19. By Tuesday it had grown to 62 across the agency’s departments, though a union representative said the transportation department accounts for most of the cases.

“We are experiencing both a number of employee absences and a number of vacant positions,” Community Transit spokesperson Monica Spain said in an email. “Combined, these factors are making it difficult to operate all scheduled trips.”

The vaccine requirement prompted 61 employees, including 29 drivers, to leave, Spain said.

Community Transit’s budget this year planned for 400 drivers, who generally are over-scheduled to cover absences. There were 355 employed as of this week, and the agency is seeking applicants.

But the budget wasn’t able to account for this month’s surge in employees calling out sick.

The union warned Community Transit’s leaders the vaccine requirement would put jobs in jeopardy.

“It’s just been awful,” said Kathleen Custer, president of Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) 1576, which represents hundreds of Community Transit employees.

Early in the pandemic, Community Transit agreed to notify the union leadership about positive test results among its members. She said the majority of positive tests are from drivers and maintenance employees.

“We’re getting them every day,” Custer said. “It’s been a rough go for sure.”

ATU 1576 negotiated for more sick leave because of rising case counts, Custer said.

Employees now have up to 40 hours of additional COVID-19 leave, on top of previously guaranteed paid time off. Spain said the agency didn’t have an estimate on how much would be spent on that, but staff believe the adopted budget can cover the costs.

Custer and union leaders have asked for plastic barriers between drivers and passengers since the pandemic’s start. It would help enforce distancing or at least provide protection from direct exposure if someone’s boarding or near the driver, Custer said.

ATU 1576 also wants better mask enforcement by Community Transit supervisors and security contracted with the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office. Masks are required on public transit per a federal order through March 18.

“Everyone has become very lax now, especially since the vaccine is out there,” Custer said of mask adherence. “All the other administrative staff get to work from home. Bus drivers don’t get to work from home.”

Community Transit has reduced its quarantine and isolation policy to five days, in line with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines, for employees experiencing symptoms and testing positive.

Community Transit’s Swift Blue Line lost four southbound trips and three northbound trips through March 18 because of employee absences and vacancies. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

It also requires employees to notify the human resources department when they test positive and provide documentation of future COVID-19 vaccine shots. Close contacts of employees who have symptoms are required to take a test and stay home until the company clears them to return to work.

That information is kept confidential, according to agency documents.

All employees are required to wear a KN95 mask when on Community Transit property and vehicles through the end of January.

Most contractors on Community Transit property, such as those who do cleaning, repair or marketing work, also will be subject to the vaccination requirement starting Feb. 15.

A similar rule will be in place then for most visitors.

Contract companies First Transit and Transdev, the para-transit provider for Community Transit, aren’t subject to the vaccine requirement. They are, however, subject to federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations. But the federal agency’s vaccine requirement was blocked by the U.S. Supreme Court and withdrawn Tuesday by OSHA.

“We do work with all contractors to ensure they are following public health guidelines related to masks and PPE, cleaning and disinfecting, social distancing and keeping employees home if they are sick,” Spain said.

Staff considered overall route frequency to choose which trips to temporarily cut, Spain said. They also avoided first and last trips, as well as consecutive trips.

“We also consider a smaller number of adjustments across the system vs. a majority of adjustments on one or two routes — so that we are not disproportionately impacting riders of any one route,” Spain said.

Everett Transit has not been affected similarly, though ridership on route 70, between Boeing and Mukilteo, was so low that the city-run agency suspended service indefinitely on Jan. 3. No other changes were being considered, a city spokesperson said.

Ben Watanabe: [email protected]; 425-339-3037; Twitter @benwatanabe.

Suspended Community Transit trips

• Swift Blue Line southbound from Everett Station at 1:10, 3:30, 5:50 and 8 p.m., and northbound from Aurora Village Transit Center at 2:20, 4:40 and 7 p.m.;

• Swift Green Line southbound from Seaway Transit Center at 6:10, 7:50, 9:10, 9:40, , 10:50, 11:20 a.m., 12:30 and 2:20 p.m., and northbound from Canyon Park Park and Ride at 7, 8:50, 10, 10:30, 11:40 a.m., 12:20, 1:30 and 3:20 p.m.;

• Route 101 southbound from Mariner Park and Ride at 2:22 and 4:28 p.m.;

• Route 109 southbound from Lake Stevens Transit Center at 1:07, 3:09 and 6:06 p.m., and northbound from Ash Way Park and Ride at 12:21, 2:01 and 4:19 p.m.

• Route 112 northbound from Mountlake Terrace Transit Center at 3:29 p.m.

• Route 115 northbound from Aurora Village Transit Center at 5:24 p.m.

• Route 119 southbound from Ash Way at 10:40 a.m. and northbound from Mountlake Terrace Transit Center at 11:28 a.m.

• Route 202 northbound from Lynnwood Transit Center at 7:18 p.m.

Gallery

Community Transit’s Swift Blue Line lost four southbound trips and three northbound trips through March 18 because of employee absences and vacancies. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

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STONY BROOK, NY, January 5, 2022 – Entering a third year of the COVID-19 pandemic and the latest infection surge nationwide comes with many challenges. One of those is for a continued adequate supply of masks, including the often used N95 respirator masks for healthcare and other settings. A study led by Stony Brook University researchers discovered that a readily available method using dry ovens can be used to disinfect N95s for reuse, in settings where new masks may not be available. Their findings are published in PLOS ONE.

To combat any shortages of N95 masks during the pandemic, many institutions were forced to search for other alternatives to protect health care providers and their patients. While some studies have evaluated the impact of various methods of decontamination on how  well masks filter viral-sized particles, this study adds to such research and also addresses the equally important concept of maintaining proper mask fit after decontamination.

Electron microscopy image showing that dry head disinfection at 100 degrees C did not damage the microscopic structure of N95 masks.

“Our study demonstrated that treatment of N95 face masks using dry heat was sufficient to inactivate COVID-19, while preserving the ability of these masks to filter aerosolized particles for potentially exposed workers,” summarizes Kenneth Shroyer, MD, PhD, lead author and the Marvin Kushner Professor and Chair of Pathology at the Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University.

Since heat is potentially more readily accessible than other methods of decontamination in many healthcare facilities, the researchers used dry heat sterilization to disinfect the masks. They also used X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, contact angle, and electron microscopy collected at the Center for Functional Nanomaterials—a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science user facility at DOE’s Brookhaven National Laboratory—to test for changes in the material of N95 masks post decontamination.

By contrast, other methods for disinfection, including treatment with hydrogen peroxide vapor, may be equally effective in specially equipped facilities but are usually not available in most hospitals or outpatient clinical care facilities.

Graduate student John Yuen wearing an N95 mask for fit testing in the Aerosol Research Laboratory led by Daniel Knopf in the School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences.

Dr. Shroyer and colleagues also tested autoclaving, which is widely available in most hospitals and is a proven method of sterilization but found that this caused the fit of the respirator onto the user’s face to fail. Thus, the researchers ruled out autoclaving as a safe method to decontaminate N95 masks.

The research involved experts from the School of Medicine, the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, the College of Arts and Sciences, the Institute for Electrochemically Stored Energy, and the School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences (SoMAS), along with colleagues in the Interdisciplinary Science Department and the Center for Functional Materials at Brookhaven National Laboratory.

For additional details about the initial studies that served as the foundation for this study – which was launched during the first wave of the pandemic in April 2020 – see this story.

Dr. Shroyer emphasizes that the findings from the study highlight the importance of both optimal disinfection and mask fit and suggest that when no other decontamination alternatives are available, N95 masks can be reused after dry heat treatment to ensure the safety of health care workers.

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Alcohol kills some viruses, but not all. The effectiveness depends on the concentration and type of alcohol, along with the species of the virus.

Although the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend washing the hands with soap and water, this mode of cleansing is not always available. When it is not, using alcohol-based hand sanitizers can help prevent transmission of viral infections, including SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

As well as using sanitizers to cleanse the hands, people can use rubbing alcohol to disinfect frequently touched objects in the home, such as phones and computer keyboards.

This article discusses how well alcohol can kill viruses, how it works, and what concentrations to look for. It also provides instructions on how to use hand sanitizers and rubbing alcohol.

According to a 2020 study, both isopropyl alcohol and ethyl alcohol can kill an array of viruses. Isopropyl alcohol is the main ingredient in rubbing alcohol, while ethyl alcohol is the type of alcohol present in alcoholic beverages.

The efficacy of these alcohols depends on their concentration and the type of virus. Enveloped viruses have a lipid membrane, while nonenveloped viruses are those without a lipid membrane. Generally, nonenveloped viruses are more resistant to disinfectants.

Isopropyl alcohol works against enveloped viruses but not against nonenveloped viruses. Ethyl alcohol works against enveloped viruses and a few nonenveloped viruses. Both ethyl and isopropyl alcohol have potent antiviral action against:

These alcohols do not have antiviral action against nonenveloped viruses, such as polio and hepatitis A.

Few studies have looked at how alcohol kills viruses. However, scientists believe alcohol disrupts the cell membrane of the virus by changing the structure of its proteins. A 2021 article refers to this process as “denaturing and coagulation.” Without a functional membrane, the virus cannot reproduce and cause infection.

Adding water to alcohol makes it more effective in denaturing the proteins. This is because alcohol on its own evaporates very quickly. Water slows this down, exposing viruses to the alcohol for longer.

SARS-CoV-2 is the virus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic. Since the outermost membrane of SARS-CoV-2 contains lipids, alcohol is effective against it.

A 2020 study found that certain concentrations of ethyl or isopropyl alcohol rendered the virus inactivate after 30 seconds. The CDC advises using alcohol-based hand sanitizers to prevent SARS-CoV-2 transmission when soap and water are not available.

A 2021 research article states that the recommended concentration of alcohol in sanitizers is 80% ethyl alcohol or 75% isopropyl alcohol. However, sanitizers containing at least 60% alcohol are also effective, according to the CDC.

The 2020 study that evaluated the impact of hand sanitizer formulations on SARS-CoV-2 found that concentrations higher than or equal to 30% resulted in complete viral inactivation.

People can use alcohol-based sanitizers or rubbing alcohol around the home to clean small objects and high touch surfaces, such as phones or door handles. To clean these items, first:

1. Ensure the room has good ventilation.
2. Apply rubbing alcohol to a cotton pad.
3. Replace the cap to avoid inhalation.
4. Wipe the pad over the surface.
5. Dispose of the cotton pad safely.

The National Capital Poison Center warns that rubbing alcohol has certain dangers. Even small amounts are toxic if a person inhales the fumes or drinks any quantity of it. To reduce the risk, a person should:

• store rubbing alcohol securely out of the reach of children
• only use it in well-ventilated rooms
• keep away from open flames
• never swallow rubbing alcohol

There are two ways to use alcohol on the skin to kill viruses. The first is using alcohol-based hand sanitizer gel. People can use this by applying some gel to the palms and rubbing all over the hands, including between the fingers. Then, wait until it dries.

Doctors no longer recommend that people use rubbing alcohol to clean wounds, as it can further damage tissue. Instead, a person can rinse the wound under running tap water for 5–10 minutes before soaking a gauze pad in saline solution or tap water and gently dabbing or wiping the skin with it. Alternatively, they can use an alcohol-free wipe.

While alcohol gels and sterilizing products effectively kill a number of potentially harmful microbes, they have some disadvantages.

Inferior to washing with soap and water

The CDC advocates washing hands with soap and water whenever possible. Unlike hand sanitizers, soap and water can remove all kinds of germs from the hands. This includes all types of bacteria, viruses, and other substances, such as pesticides.

In some situations, washing the hands with soap and water is necessary for proper hygiene. These include:

• before, during, and after food preparation
• after using the toilet
• after touching garbage
• when the hands are visibly greasy or dirty
• before and after caring for a person who is sick
• before and after visiting someone with a weakened immune system

If soap and water are not available, use a sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

Inferior to other surface cleaners

Alcohol is less effective than some other disinfectants for cleaning surfaces or equipment. For example, in hospitals, staff typically opt for hydrogen peroxide or other disinfectants instead of alcohol to clean surroundings, such as floors.

These substances can kill a wider variety of microbes than alcohol and do not evaporate as quickly, meaning they are in contact with the microbes for longer. However, they have their own pros and cons and have not entirely replaced alcohol.

The fast evaporation of alcohol can be an asset when disinfecting noninvasive equipment, such as thermometers. Additionally, unlike hydrogen peroxide, alcohol does not discolor clothes and fabrics.

Antibiotic resistance

Alcohol-based sanitizers have antibacterial properties in addition to their antiviral ones. However, bacteria can evolve over time so that substances no longer harm them. This is known as antibiotic resistance.

Some researchers have concerns that hand sanitizers may contribute to antibiotic resistance. However, a 2021 research article reports that alcohol has not shown the potential to cause bacterial resistance.

Certain experts advise cleaning the hands with sanitizer for a full 20–30 seconds and allowing it to dry to reduce the chance of leftover bacteria evolving resistance.

Both isopropyl and ethyl alcohol can kill viruses that have cell membranes with high lipid content. SARS-CoV-2 fits into this category, along with HIV, the hepatitis B virus, and herpes viruses. Alcohol works by changing the structure of the viral membrane, making it unable to function.

Washing the hands with soap and water is superior to using alcohol-based sanitizers. However, when this option is not available, people can use hand gels containing 60–90% alcohol. The optimal concentrations are 80% ethanol or 75% isopropyl alcohol.

People can also use rubbing alcohol to clean small items around the home, but it is important to follow precautions while handling it.

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Whether you need basic cleaning or a more intense post-COVID disinfection, there’s a cleaning company you can call

MANILA, Philippines – With all the time that we spend at home nowadays, it’s never been more important to have a clean space. 

Not only is a clutter-free, dust-free space more relaxing, but it also keeps allergens and all sorts of disease-bearing organisms at bay. If you’re coming out of COVID isolation or quarantine, a freshly cleaned space makes you feel like your recovery is complete.

Actually cleaning your home, though, is easier said than done. More often than not, it’s best left to the professionals who know exactly what to do to wipe down every stubborn spot and scrub each hard-to-reach corner.

We’ve rounded up a number of professional cleaning services available in Metro Manila below. Here’s a tip before you request a quote or book: make sure you know how many square meters your home or space is (they always ask), and have a date and time in mind already. Also, most cleaning companies ask how many rooms, mattresses, carpets, and sofas need cleaning, so it’d be good to have that information handy before you get in touch. 

Busy Bee Cleaning Co

This Instagram-famous cleaning company is a bit on the pricier side, but their cleaners work quickly and efficiently. If you’re after an intensive cleaning, this is the company you call. Their deep cleaning service covers all the nooks and crannies of your space, and also includes a dry vacuum of your beds and mattresses, air purification, cooktop cleaning, and polishing of faucets, sinks, and counters. You also have the option of adding anti-bacterial misting and 3-in-1 germproofing – perfect for post-COVID disinfection. Booking and inquiries can be done by contacting +639171748158. Check out their website to know more.

Master Clean

If the dirtiest thing in your home is the couch, Quezon City-based Master Clean might be the service for you. They offer condo and general cleaning but specialize in deep cleaning beds, couches, and carpets. Booking can be done via text at 09279117666, and you can check out their Facebook page for the (extremely satisfying) before and after photos of couches and mattresses they’ve cleaned.

Cleaning Lady PH

Cleaning Lady offers surface cleaning, deep cleaning, post-COVID, and post-construction packages at affordable rates (starting at P549/1.5 hours for condo cleaning).They use their own line of cleaning agents that are supposedly eco-friendly, including their signature room sprays that previous customers have raved about. Based on their website, they also service spaces in La Union and Cebu. Booking can be done on their website.

Happy Helpers

Happy Helpers’ main services is deep cleaning – which includes a full sweep and wipe-down of every corner, plus sanitizing and basic disinfection. On top of that, clients can opt for add-on services like aircon cleaning, upholstery cleaning, steam cleaning, air sanitation, fogging disinfection, and, for post-COVID, disinfection via the Sanondaf system (a contact-free disinfection solution that apparently kills 99.9% viruses, bacteria, mold, and other germs). They also offer weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly subscription if you want your home cleaned on the regular. Booking can be done on their website or via 09567445415.

Lemon Cleaners

This homegrown cleaning service has been around since 2014, and while they offer a slate of cleaning services (including post-construction cleaning and virus disinfection), their forte is general cleaning for condos and homes – perfect for periodic maintenance if your house isn’t especially dirty, but could do with a refresh. Their service includes a team of cleaners (one or more, depending on the size of the place), use of equipment and tools, and cleaning materials. Booking can be done via text at 09453176283. For more information, check out their website.

Captain Cleaners

Recommended by clients for their professional and thorough staff, Captain Cleaners promises to clean and polish surfaces to a high shine through their deep cleaning package. They also offer a home and office housekeeping service, which is a regular basic cleaning of your space per month. They even have a clothes ironing service, if that’s something you need help with. You can book a package on their website, or by contacting +639171432373 or +639206337129. – Rappler.com

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