Think back to the last time you washed your hands. How many things have you touched since then? A breakfast sandwich, your face, your dog, the refrigerator handle, a chair, the desk, scratched itch on your foot, your hair and, lastly, your keyboard. 

Now, think about where your computer sits. Do you eat your lunch over the keyboard? Are you in the office with people walking past? Or in a home where someone is coughing or sneezing? 

Add all of these factors together and you’re left with a lot of germs living on your keyboard. So many that WebMD ranks keyboards the fourth germiest place in the office. 

How can I safely clean my keyboard?

There are a few easy ways to clean your keyboard:

• Blow the keyboard with compressed air
• Wipe it down with distilled water
• Make your own cleaner that is safe for keyboards and screens
• Use a cotton swab to get into the smaller places, like in-between keys
• Disinfectant wipes, but do not use these on your screen
• Do not spray liquids directly on to the keyboard
• Avoid products with bleach 
• Do not put your keyboard in water

How can I keep it clean? 

A 2018 study from the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health found disinfecting your keyboard just once can significantly reduce germs and bacteria. 

Regular disinfecting in addition to frequent hand washing and avoiding activities like eating over the keyboard won’t keep the germs away, but it will cut down on all of the germs and bacteria living in the keyboard capital of QWERTY.

More problems, solved

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Originally Appeared Here

COVID-19 may be the most prominent virus of concern in the U.S. now, but public health officials also are preparing for seasonal influenza. And indications are it could be a different season than what the U.S. experienced the past two years.

During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. experienced a steep drop in influenza rates due to masking and social distancing measures. However, that has changed.

“Many have stopped masking,” says Dr. Abinash Virk, an infectious diseases specialist at Mayo Clinic. “For the for the large part, we will see the reemergence of influenza in the winter. In comparison, in 2020 winter, when we were all masking and social distancing, there was literally no influenza. But now that has all changed.”

Dr. Virk says that cases of influenza began to return as the masks came off. “We’re going to get influenza this winter again, and people should seek out influenza vaccination when it becomes available in their local community,” she says.

Seasonal influenza, like COVID-19, is a contagious respiratory illness that disproportionately affects adults ages 65 and older. However, they are not the same viruses. The similarity and differences of the two viruses also means it can be difficult to discern between the two when the symptoms overlap.

Prevention is best way to avoid confusion. Testing is the only way to be sure.

Testing helps limit spread, but it is particularly important for people at risk of severe influenza or COVID-19 so that they can then be treated with specific antiviral treatments available for these viruses.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that those 65 and older receive higher-dose, including high-dose and recombinant vaccinations, or adjuvanted flu vaccinations over standard-dose unadjuvanted flu vaccinations.

All people over the age of 6 months are encouraged to get their flu vaccination when available in their local community. The CDC recommends people are vaccinated for flu by the end of October to ensure they are fully vaccinated for the influenza season.

Along with vaccination, here are other steps you can take to protect yourself from influenza and other contagious viruses:

• Wash your hands often and thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

• Use an alcohol-based sanitizer on your hands if soap and water aren’t available.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.

• Avoid crowds when flu is spreading in your area.

• Avoid being in close contact with others who are sick.

• Cover your mouth with a tissue or your elbow when you cough or sneeze, and then wash your hands.

• Regularly clean and disinfect commonly touched surfaces, such as counters, light switches or doorknobs. This can prevent the spread of infection from touching a surface with the virus on it and then your face.

• Practice good health habits. Get regular exercise, get enough sleep, drink plenty of fluids, eat a healthy diet, and manage your stress.

• Consider masking in crowded indoor locations, especially if you have risk factors for severe influenza or COVID-19.

If you become sick with the flu, you also can help prevent the spread of the flu by staying home and away from others. Continue staying home until your fever has been gone for at least 24 hours.

And a reminder that a flu shot doesn’t protect people against getting infected with COVID-19 and getting vaccinated for COVID-19 doesn’t protect people against getting the flu which is caused by a different virus, the influenza virus. Currently, a combination vaccine against influenza and COVID-19 is not available, so it’s best to have both vaccines to have protection against both diseases. A combination vaccine may become available later this year.

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Originally Appeared Here

BOSCOBEL – At their regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, August 1, the Boscobel School Board heard a presentation from junior Dakota Bedward about the Wisconsin  Ambassador of Music recognition he received from Governor Tony Evers. He has been selected from among Wisconsin high school music students to spend two weeks in five different European nations playing music with other students selected for the program.

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Bedward told the board. “I plan to continue with music after I graduate from high school, and am hoping for the school district to support me in fundraising for the trip, and a sponshorship.”

According to the ‘Wisconsin Ambassadors for Music’ website, “for over 50 years, the Ambassadors of Music program has celebrated talented student performers by giving them the chance to both share their music abroad, and experience breathtaking destinations across Europe.”

The trip will start in the United Kingdom, with a visit to Windsor Castle, exploration of historical sites in London, and two musical performances in London at Convent Garden and St. Matthews Church. On day four, the group will move to Paris, driving through the beautiful countryside in Normandy, France. In Paris, the group will explore historic sites, visit the Louvre Museum, and provide a musical performance at Luxembourg Gardens/L’eglise de Madeleine. From there, they will drive to the Crans Montana resort in Switzerland. After exploring the town, the group will depart for Chillon Castle on Lake Geneva, Switzerland, where they will visit historic sites and provide a musical performance at Orangerie. On day nine, the group will travel by train to the Zermatt ski resort, featuring a view of the Matterhorn Mountain. From there, the students will travel to Germany via the French town of Colmar. 

On day eleven, the group will explore the German city of Rothenburg, and provide a musical performance at the city center. On day twelve, the group will move on to Salzburg, Austria, visiting the Dachau Concentration Camp en route. They will continue on to Vienna to explore, and walk the same streets that Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert and Haydn once walked. Their last day on the tour will be spent in Salzbur, touring famous concert venues, and conclude with a farewell dinner in the famous great hall of Stiegl Keller.

The dates of the trip will be June 27-July 12, 2023. The total cost of the trip is $7,000, and Bedward said that he has already raised $1,000.

“In fundraising for the trip, I have worked at A&W, Kinetic Creations, odd jobs, and sold ice cream for Udder Brothers,” Bedward said.

Bedward’s mother explained that the family is required to make monthly payments toward the cost of the trip. She said they have set up an account at People’s State Bank where donations can be sent, at 1609 Elm Street, Boscobel, WI, 53805. Checks should be made payable to Dakota Bedward.

“Dakota will continue his efforts of fundraising over the school year at sporting events, concerts, and within the community as well,” District Administrator Lisa Wallin-Kapinus explained.

2022-23 COVID

The board conducted a discussion of what the district COVID protocols for the upcoming school year would be. School Nurse Suzanne Brinkman led the discussion.

“The Wisconsin Department of Health Services is still waiting on the Centers for Disease Control to issue an updated guidance,” Brinkman said. “Grant County Public Health Officer Jeff Kindrai has pointed out that only 50 percent of Grant County citizens have been vaccinated, and is encouraging schools to require sick students to quarantine, continuing the test-to-return policy, leaving it up to parents to decide if their child should quarantine after being a close contact to a positive case, continuing to maintain a COVID dashboard for the school, requiring masking for positive cases that are returning to school, and the county will support the schools with contact tracing.”

Ultimately, after extensive discussion, the board decided:

• face coverings and masks will be optional

• students and staff should stay home when they are ill; there will be no specific COVID-19 exclusion protocols – students and staff who exhibit symptoms of illness will be sent home, and can return when they are fever-free for 24 hours, symptoms are improving, and they feel well enough to attend school. Communicable diseases guidance and illness protocols will apply

• the district will not contact trace for positive cases, and close contacts will not be identified by the school. If reported to the school, close contacts do not have to quarantine at home, and will not be required to wear a mask at school functions

• COVID-19 testing is encouraged, but not required, when symptoms are present. All COVID-19 test results, including home tests are accepted. Test results reported to the school nurse must be confirmed with evidence of the test result by lab result, screenshot of home test result, or confirmation from a public health resource

• hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette will be encouraged, and hand sanitizer will be available in classrooms, on buses and throughout the buildings

• routine cleaning and disinfection of school buildings and transportation vehicles will occur, and high contact areas will be disinfected once daily as needed

• good ventilation has been pursued through cleaning of all ducts prior to the 2021-22 school year, and unit filters are cleaned/replaced monthly

• the district’s COVID-19 protocols will be posted on the district website, positive cases within the district will be reported via the dashboard, and employees of the district are required to self-report positive test results

• students will be offered in-person learning only, and students will significant underlying health issues will be considered through 504 special education avenues. The district will arrange remote learning or homework during any isolation. Confirmed positive cases will be excused per the isolation protocol, but not more than once per 90 days. Staff will use sick days when absent due to illness or for positive COVID-19 isolation – working from home will be at their supervisor’s discretion.

School survey

Bill Foster, president of the ‘School Perceptions’ company addressed the board about conducting a survey to help gauge district voter’s thoughts and feelings about a potential buildings and grounds referendum, and prioritizing potential projects.

“You basically have one options for a referendum in 2022-23, April of 2023, because there will not be a November election in 2023,” Foster explained. “If the district wants to pursue an April 2023 referendum, then time is short to survey district voters and craft referendum language in time to meet requirements to have the referendum included on the ballot.”

Foster explained that the survey would be a paper survey, mailed to all households within the district. He said the survey could be filled out with paper and pencil, or online, and that typically about 70 percent of responses come from online. He said that the tenative timeline for the survey would be to begin work immediately, send the survey out in October, have the data by November, and make a report to the school board in December. The board would need to approve final referendum language by January of 2023.

“The beginning to end cost of the project would be $10,000,” Foster explained. “If the board is not ready to approve the entire project, you could approve phase one of survey development, sketching the framework and developing proposed language, at a cost of $1,600.”

The board voted to approve contracting with School Perceptions for phase one of survey development at a cost of $1,600, and to approve the rest of the $10,000 contract if the FAC Committee votes to move forward at their August 17 meeting.

In other business

In other business, the board:

• learned that the project to replace the tiles in the middle school building had been put on hold until further information about asbestos abatement can be obtained

• approved the district’s Seclusion and Restraint Report

• approved the Employee and Student handbooks, with proposed changes, as presented

• approved a contract with Gundersen Hospital for OT/PT services at the same price as for the prior school year

• approved an ‘Educator Effectiveness’ training contract with CESA-3.
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Originally Appeared Here

Just when the Penn State community thought it might not have to worry about a widespread virus again following the height of the coronavirus pandemic, the first case of monkeypox was confirmed at University Park.

On Aug. 17, the university announced that the individual who tested positive for the virus is an off-campus student. They have been seen by health care providers and are isolating and recovering, Penn State said.

A virus like this seems so far away from Happy Valley — until it’s not, which is similar to when the first coronavirus cases appeared locally.

However, while monkeypox is reportedly less deadly than coronavirus, the typical quarantine time is around two to four weeks, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This could lead to various issues the university needs to address before more cases appear.

In the release, Penn State said it recommends that students follow precautions, such as avoiding close, skin-to-skin contact with individuals who have a rash. The university listed the most common symptoms of monkeypox — such as a fever, headache, backache, muscle aches, rash, swollen lymph nodes and general discomfort and exhaustion.

Penn State also urged students to take precautions by self-isolating, and it said students should contact University Health Services or their health provider if they notice symptoms.

While Penn State published a press release with information about monkeypox and protocol for students, it wasn’t sent in a separate personal email. Rather, multiple releases are usually sent in the Penn State News newsletter every day.

These newsletters might go straight to the junk folder, or students may choose not to read them, making it easy to miss imperative information related to health and safety. Some Penn Staters might still be unaware of the monkeypox case altogether because of this.

Former Penn State President Eric Barron used to send letters to students’ personal emails when an issue like this arose, and something as simple as that from current President Neeli Bendapudi could have been more comforting to students.

At a large institution like Penn State, it’s almost impossible to take precautions against illnesses, considering dorms and the prominence of nightlife in downtown State College. Students seem to constantly get sick when they’re in such close quarters on campus already, and viruses and colds are even more apparent at the beginning of each semester.

Though it might not be feasible to reimplement social distancing, the university should at least have a plan to disinfect chairs and desks students are using — especially in the warmer weather when many are wearing shorts.

While there’s currently only one monkeypox case, there could be more that have gone unreported. The university said on-campus students with symptoms should prepare to finish the long isolation period at home after moving into an isolation space.

For those who live a flight or bus ride away, it’s nearly impossible for them to travel with the virus. However, Penn State said students will be able to work with Student Affairs if they are not able to travel home.

Additionally, students who live off campus are not required to quarantine in the isolation spaces, which could potentially put roommates and others close to them at risk.

There should definitely be a Zoom or other virtual learning option available for those who do need to quarantine from monkeypox since missing class and lectures for multiple weeks will likely put students very far behind education-wise.

Right now, almost all classes are in person, with a select few online, and in big lecture halls, students are basically sitting on top of one another. Students might feel safer if Penn State implemented clear education options for those who test positive.

If not, it’s further discouraging for students to report their positive case due to sigma and uneasiness surrounding the aftermath. Penn State might be attempting to push it under the rug to avoid a public relations situation — especially with football games creeping up very soon.

Amid the outbreak of the monkeypox virus, the rumors of it being a sexually transmitted disease for sexually active men in the LGBTQ community can lead to harmful, homophobic assumptions based on ignorance.

The university needs to address and educate the Penn State community to avoid this. It needs to spread awareness and facts related to the virus to reduce the growing stigma.

It’s important for people to know and be aware of safe sexual practices. Penn State could make a frequently asked questions document accessible for students to debunk the myths surrounding monkeypox and educate the community.

Faculty and staff should also be talking about the situation more, as many haven’t said anything or have lightly mentioned the virus to a room full of crowded students — with no cleaning supplies in sight.

Should there be more cases, Penn State must take this monkeypox seriously moving forward so students can continue their education in a healthy way.

Daily Collegian Opinion Editor Kit Schroder can be reached at [email protected].

If you’re interested in submitting a Letter to the Editor, click here.

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Originally Appeared Here

Alice Hart-Davis and Dr Emma Wedgeworth

Join us for our Ageless Beauty talk at Good Housekeeping Live in partnership with Dyson, a two-day event at Carlton House Terrace, London on Friday 14 and Saturday 15 October in celebration of our 100th anniversary.

What does ageing well look like? Could your skincare routine be working harder for you – and your midlife makeup? Are you tweakment-curious? Taking place on Saturday 15 October at 11.45am-12.30pm, GH beauty director Eve Cameron will host panel discussion with dermatologist Dr Emma Wedgeworth, journalist and founder of thetweakmentsguide.com Alice Hart-Davis and top makeup artist Caroline Barnes. In what promises to be a lively debate, as well as an informative session, myths will be busted, products recommended and expert secrets shared!

All ticket holders will take home a special 100th anniversary GH goodie bag. Book before August 31 and tickets for this session are just £20.00, thanks to a 20% early bird discount.

BOOK HERE

All ticket holders can also enjoy a full day relaxing in the beautiful surroundings of Carlton House Terrace, grab light refreshments in the GH Cafe, browse the GH Bookshop and have the opportunity to attend the following free workshops and experiences:

• FREE fashion talks – browse the latest looks and learn how to style them with the help of GH fashion director Oonagh Brennan.
• FREE tablescaping demonstrations from the GH Homes team.
• FREE cake and biscuit decorating demos from professional bakers.
• FREE flower-arranging workshop from the experts at Bloom & Wild.
• FREE guided taste test with the Good Housekeeping Institute team.
• FREE guided tour of the Dyson Healthy Home exhibition area, plus floor-care demonstration by experts from Dyson and the GHI.
• FREE mini treatments in The Beauty Parlour in partnership with Absolute Collagen.
• FREE talks by the fragrance and cleaning experts at Zoflora on how to create a beautiful-smelling home.
• FABULOUS live music.
• THE CHANCE TO meet and chat to the GH team about life behind the scenes of your favourite magazine.

Book before the end of August and you can take advantage of a 20% discount on the cost of all full-price Good Housekeeping Live tickets. Tickets for our Ageless Beauty session are just £20.00.

BOOK HERE

Good Housekeeping Live in partnership with Dyson is a two-day event at Carlton House Terrace, London taking place on Friday 14 and Saturday 15 October in celebration of our 100-year anniversary.

We’re delighted to offer you the opportunity to join the Good Housekeeping team for a packed programme featuring some of our favourite stars, experts and authors, which encompass live talks, masterclasses and cookery demonstrations.

Other guests at our two-day event include Fern Britton, Nadiya Hussain, Shirley Ballas and Davina McCall.

FULL LINE UP

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Originally Appeared Here

Today is John’s first day of school. His mother, Tanya, is saying goodbye to him. She kisses him. She straightens his collar and fixes his hair. She sends him off to join his kindergarten classmates.

Soon, several five-year-olds are walking into the building, all wearing large backpacks. Tanya waves again.

“I love you!” she shouts from the parking lot.

“Love you, mom!” he yells.

“So much!”

“I know, Mom!”

John’s book bag looks heavier than he is. His mother waves again and again. More I-love-yous, more blowing kisses.

Tanya says, “Lord, I never knew it would be this hard.”

She admits that she doesn’t know exactly how to feel right now. Of course she feels proud, but also a little sick to her stomach.

“For five years,” she says, “I taught him to talk, eat, how to say yes ma’am, everything. It’s always been him and me. But now…” She wipes the corner of her eye. “Now he’s in there, and I’m out here.”

There are lots of parents out here. Each parent watches his or her child join the herd of lost puppies who do not understand the concept of a single-file line.

On the sidewalk, kids await their teacher who will take them to a classroom.

Tanya’s friend, Kimberly, is also saying goodbye to her son, Townes.

Kimberly says, “This is a happy day, don’t get me wrong, but it’s bittersweet, you know?”

John and Townes are with their peers. Laughing. Horsing around. Today is the first day of the rest of their lives.

Their two mothers couldn’t be prouder if this were a Lee Greenwood hit song.

As it happens, I remember my first day of kindergarten. In fact, I remember it with startling clarity. Which is bizarre because I don’t have a good memory.

My memory has gotten worse with age. There are lots of things I can’t recall. For example, my middle name.

But I remember my first day of school.

It was hot. I wore blue shorts. Yellow shirt. We didn’t use backpacks, I don’t know why. Instead, we all carried brown paper grocery sacks. The same kind you get from the Piggly Wiggly.

My mother wore a pink dress with pockets. Her hair was long. She escorted me into an old building that smelled like mildew and disinfectant. I was nervous.

Then my mother waved goodbye, and I watched her from the window of our classroom. She walked home with her hands shoved in her dress pockets. Without me.

Oh, the humanity.

School was frightening. Our teacher was a large woman who played an out-of-tune piano and bounced around singing the song “Mairzy Doats.”

It was hell on earth. And it got worse. At naptime, our teacher taught us to fold our hands and recite:

“Now I lay me down to sleep,

“I pray the Lord my soul to keep,

“If I should die before I wake,

“I pray the Lord my soul to take.”

This disturbing little ditty suggests that any child dumb enough to fall asleep might actually stop breathing and die before he or she ever wakes up. I was so terrified by this poem that I did not fully fall asleep until I hit my mid-thirties.

After my first day of class, I darted out of the school building, carrying my paper sack. My mother was waiting. I jumped into her arms and begged her to never leave me again.

We walked home. And that night before bed, I found something on my pillow. It was a gift. A handmade book, crafted from construction paper.

My mother made it. Inside were pictures she had illustrated. The book was entitled, “Mama and Me.”

The book was a pictorial story of a mother and son who had all kinds of adventures. They flew airplanes, climbed mountains, drove race cars, and splashed in oceans.

“I missed you today,” my mother said.

And for as long as I live, I will never forget that.

Over the years, my mother and I grew up a lot. Our family story was not an easy one, but we had lots of experiences. Some were terrifying, others were adventurous.

We never flew airplanes or raced stock cars, but we survived. And that counts for something. Somehow the young woman in the pink dress helped a little boy become a man.

Right now, I am watching young parents do the same thing for their children.

Tanya says with a laugh, “God, I don’t know what I’m gonna do with myself now that he’s gone.”

“Yeah,” says Kimberly. “Same here.”

The group of children follow Teacher. They start walking toward school. The kids wave. Parents wave.

These children have a fun day ahead of them. Maybe they will sing, finger paint, dance, or learn morbid little bedtime prayers that will haunt them until they are middle-aged.

The doors swing open. The kids walk inside. Each mother and father fits in final goodbyes.

“I love you, John!” Tanya shouts.

John waves. He disappears inside.

“There goes my little boy,” says Tanya, sniffing her nose. “He’ll probably have so much fun today that he’ll forget all about his mother.”

No, he won’t.

Not for as long as he lives.

Sean Dietrich is a columnist and novelist known for his commentary on life in the American South. He has authored nine books and is the creator of the “Sean of the South” blog and podcast.

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Originally Appeared Here

(NEXSTAR) – With monkeypox reaching all 50 U.S. states around the same time that public schools are opening their doors for a new school year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is offering new guidance for parents, teachers and administrators.

In a recently-released “frequently asked questions” update, the CDC said that at this point schools don’t need to do anything beyond what they would to prevent the transmission of any infections disease.

“At this time, the risk of monkeypox to children and adolescents in the United States is low,” the CDC said. “In this outbreak, most cases of monkeypox have been associated with sexual contact.”

Should you get the monkeypox vaccine?

The CDC adds that, in the current global outbreak, monkeypox has rarely been life-threatening in children, who make up a small minority of cases.

Transmission of monkeypox among children is not unheard of, however, and has happened in the U.S. during the current outbreak. On Tuesday, health officials confirmed three new pediatric cases in Georgia, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

What about vaccinations for the staff?

The CDC reiterated that there is currently no need for widespread vaccination for monkeypox among children and staff at U.S. day cares, pre-schools or K-12 schools.

People should get the vaccination if they’ve been exposed to monkeypox or fall into one of the these three groups:

• People who have been identified by public health officials as a contact of someone with monkeypox
• People who know one of their sexual partners in the past 2 weeks has been diagnosed with monkeypox
• People who had multiple sexual partners in the past 2 weeks in an area with known monkeypox

With monkeypox dominating headlines this summer, the CDC is also reminding families and school employees that the risk is low, and if a rash and fever develop it could be from a number of far more common viruses.

If the child was confirmed to have been exposed to monkeypox and develops symptoms, administrators and other school staff are encouraged to follow CDC’s guidance here: “What should we do if a person who has been exposed to monkeypox develops symptoms while in our setting?”.

What should schools do if there is a monkeypox case?

If an infected student does come to school, make sure to clean and disinfect the area where the child spent time and any surfaces he or she might have touched, according to the CDC. Anything that can’t be cleaned and disinfected should be thrown away.

All children, staff and volunteers not involved in cleaning should stay out of the room until the process is done.

How do I know if I have a Pell Grant?

“Most children can attend school and other school-related activities even if they have had close contact with someone with monkeypox,” according to the CDC. “The health department will provide specific guidance should an exposure occur.”

If a child develops symptoms while at school, teachers should move that student to a more isolated setting, like an office, and have the child (above 2 years old) or adolescent where a mask before calling a parent or caregiver.

Staff working with the child should wear a respirator if possible, or a well-fitting mask, and avoid any unnecessary close contact by wearing protective equipment, not holding the child and not touching the rash area. Staff is still encouraged “to attend to the child in an age-appropriate manner (for example, changing soiled diapers, calming an upset toddler).”

Any cases should be reported to health officials to help with the contact tracing process.

How long should a student with monkeypox stay out of school?

If a student catches monkeypox, the CDC recommends that he or she isolate to lessen the likelihood of transmitting it.

Isolation should continue until all the scabs from the monkeypox rash have fully healed and a new layer of skin has formed. This could take as long as four weeks after symptoms start.

People who get sick should also stay away from pets and other animals. Earlier this month, a 4-year-old male Italian greyhound is believed to have contracted monkeypox from a human, which is thought to be the first documented human-pet transmission.

While the risk to children is low, schools that do have a case should “communicate fact-based information to parents and caregivers, including staff members, and avoid introducing stigma.”

I have monkeypox and I can’t isolate from my child

In an ideal scenario, another parent or adult in the household without monkeypox should serve as the primary caregiver.

If that’s not possible, here are some precautions that the CDC recommends while caring for the child:

• During interactions, the parent or caregiver should cover their rash with clothing, gloves, or bandages, wear a well-fitting mask, and follow other prevention practices.
• The child or adolescent, if 2 years of age or older, should wear a well-fitting mask or respirator during interactions with the parent or caregiver.
• The guidance for Disinfecting the Home and Other Non-Healthcare Settings to clean and disinfect surfaces, floors, and shared items used by the person with monkeypox should be followed.
• The parent should work with their doctor and health department for further guidance on the child’s activities outside the home.

If the parent or caregiver is able to isolate and the child wears a mask during any contact, the child should be able to return to school, according to the CDC.

Children exposed to monkeypox should be monitored for symptoms for 21 days.

Daily temperature checks, full-body skin checks and inspection of the inside of the mouth for sores or ulcers is recommended, but symptoms may still be hard to detect.

Parents can ask older children to let them know if they experience any pain or rashes on the skin in their private areas.

“It is also important to discuss vaccination for exposed children with the health department,” according to the CDC. “A vaccine is available that can help prevent monkeypox in people who have been exposed if it is given soon after exposure.”

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Originally Appeared Here

Want to ditch cleaning products with harsh chemicals? Try theseNews Sports Entertainment Life Money Tech Travel Opinion

There are many ways to clean your home without having to turn to conventional cleaning products that are often full of harsh chemicals, like bleach. Using readily available alternatives is better for both your health and the environment. Inhaling many common cleaners, for example, is bad for your respiratory system and can be bad for your skin.

Some of these items you may already have and can use instead of having to run to the store to pick up a disinfecting spray or cleaning solution. 

Alternative home cleaners 

• Distilled white vinegar: This will help kill bacteria around your house in addition to tackling hard water spots
• Hydrogen peroxide: This can be used as a disinfectant 
• Isopropyl, or rubbing, alcohol: This can be used to kill germs on almost any surface .
• Baking soda: This can be used to deodorize, remove stains and clean surfaces. 
• Castile soap: A versatile cleaner, castile soap can be used to clean everything from dishes to laundry and can be used as a body soap. It should be diluted with distilled water.
• Essential oils: These can help your home smell good or mask other odors. 

More problems, solved

© 2022 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC.

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Originally Appeared Here

FULL STEAM: Company Owners Mike and Kristie Masucci with the truck that applies 230-degree water and pressure of 3,000 PSI to cans while they’re held over spinning devices. With them are children Michael, Jacob and Leah.(Photo by Jack Reynolds)

Aqua Fresh Bin Cleaning LLC is a new, locally owned and operated business that offers a curbside trash/recycle bin cleaning service that not only cleans but sanitizes the inside and outside of each bin.

A state-of-the-art truck lifts the bins and cleans them with water heated to 230 degrees and applied at pressure of 3,000 pounds per square inch while positioned over customized spinning heads.

“Most importantly, we do this in a manner where we protect families and neighborhoods from the hazards of harmful bacteria found in, and around, these bins,” said the owners. Wastewater is contained and discharged by permission at a treatment facility.

The idea and the need to start the first trash bin cleaning service in this shore area hit co-owner Kristie Masucci as she was going for a morning jog in her Stafford Township neighborhood. It was a hot summer day shortly after garbage pickup. The foul odor that filled the air from the empty trash bins was hardly the refreshing experience she had hoped for. Upon returning home, she was distressed to notice that her family’s bins were possibly the worst on the block.

After realizing that the harmful chemicals they were using to clean their own bins was not working when combined with their low-pressure garden hose, they sought out a more eco-friendly and time-effective solution for deep cleaning. Aqua Fresh Bin Cleaning evolved. Her husband, Mike Masucci, who is employed in a law enforcement career, is co-owner of the venture.

Their website says, “It only takes one bag of trash containing common household items like tissues, napkins, diapers, eggs, raw meat, spoiled milk, and rotting produce to infect your trash bins with harmful bacteria such as Salmonella, E coli, Listeria, and more.

“Within hours bacteria will multiply by the thousands and one single touch could potentially infect you,” warns the site, which invites customers to “Leave the dirty job to the professionals,” and call Aqua Fresh.

“It’s also a safety issue,” added Mike Masucci, noting incidences where kids at sporting events can get stung by bees that are attracted to residue from beverage containers that are thrown in the trash cans. If the kids are allergic to bees, a serious event can result. Cleaned bins “would definitely help the situation,” he said.

Step one of the cleaning process is a curbside cleaning visit after a date is scheduled. The trucks wash the bins on the spot.

Step two is clean and disinfect. “Our 360 cleaning heads remove dirt and debris from every nook and cranny of your trash bin. Blasting water at 230 degrees while pairing it with a disinfectant kills all festering bacteria, promoting true cleanliness.”

Step three is deodorizing. “After your trash bin is sanitized and disinfected, we deodorize each container by hand with a fresh, clean scent.”

The couple, Southern Regional High School graduates and high school sweethearts, grew up working for and learning from their family members who also own successful businesses in town. Kristie’s parents own Abbott’s Wood Enterprises Inc. They credit “learning from the best,” and they say their strong work ethic has prepared Aqua Fresh for service. Kristie was a biology major in college, so her concern for the environment naturally figures into the company’s green practices.

The company handles disposal of cleaning water. “Our fully self-contained cleaning unit collects all the chemicals and wastewater to avoid urban run-off, causing no harm to the storm water system or environment the way manual cleaning does,” the owners detailed in company literature. “Our wastewater is then disposed of safely at a locally approved water treatment facility. Also, our cleaning solutions are ‘Green Certified.’”

A question-and-answer section on the website includes a query asking whether the company can service non-municipally issued trash cans. The answer: “We can service reinforced plastic cans in the 30-96 gallon range. Thirty-gallon is typically your in-home bin size while 96-gallon is the largest available outdoor residential trash bin. Our specialized equipment is customized to clean nearly all medium and heavy-duty plastic cans out there. If we arrive curbside and cannot safely and effectively service your bin, you will be 100% refunded.”

The company currently services Manahawkin, LBI, Little Egg Harbor, Tuckerton, New Gretna, Waretown and Barnegat.

“The support of the community has been amazing,” Kristie said.

Pricing for monthly, quarterly or one-time residential service is listed on the website. Also, the time of year is approaching when owners of rental properties may want to consider having bins serviced before a property is closed for the winter. The couple expects to starts commercial service soon as well. Their phone number is 609-905-0411.

— Maria Scandale

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Do you feel like you’re constantly cleaning and it’s never enough to stay on top of all the dirt, grime and germs? Do you wonder how professional cleaners get everything so sparkling and fresh in such little time? The trick is to work smarter, not harder, and one of their best-kept secrets is utilizing the natural cleaning power of steam.

Steam is a surprisingly powerful cleaning tool, with the ability to break down tough grime and disinfect virtually any surface. Plus, water is pure and natural, so you don’t have to worry about harsh cleaners with chemicals that may be bad for you and the environment. Here are the top reasons why many people use their steam cleaner as much as (or more than) their vacuum once they realise everything it can accomplish:

1. Steam kills bacteria and viruses

The pandemic caused people to become acutely aware of how easily germs can spread and the desire grew to regularly disinfect commonly touched surfaces. Steam is scientifically proven to kill bacteria and viruses because they cannot survive the heat. This allows you to sanitize, disinfect and clean in one simple step.

2. Steam works almost anywhere

Steam can clean any type of flooring, including tile and grout lines, but it can be helpful in many more ways as well. It can tackle tough messes like burned-on grease in your oven or grill, heavy stains in furniture and upholstery, and grime in showers or bathtubs. It’s also great for cleaning your vehicle’s interior. It can sanitize your infant’s crib and your fitness equipment. Steam is also great on softer surfaces, such as sanitizing mattresses, children’s toys and pet furniture, especially those items that can’t be put in the washing machine. Not to mention, you can use steam to get into all the nooks and crannies that are otherwise hard to reach.

3. Steam cleaning improves air quality

 Because steam cleaning is all natural, it’s a great way to help improve indoor air quality. Steam cleaning helps eliminate dust, bed bugs, pet dander, pollen, allergens, mold and more. Cleaner air means a healthier home so everyone can breathe better, day and night.

4. Steam eliminates most other cleaning supplies

How many bottles of cleaner do you have in your home and how much money have you spent on them? By investing in a steam cleaner you eliminate the need for many of those bottles, not to mention their toxins, helping you save money and green your home. Steam cleaning is environmentally friendly so you can feel proud to have a healthier, eco-smart home.

5. Steam saves time and is so satisfying

Steam cleans fast and dries even faster, which means less time scrubbing. This is why professionals use it in commercial and hospitality settings. -BPT

    

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