A new report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says routine cleaning and disinfection may have helped two monkeypox patients limit the amount of contamination in their home.

The report, released Friday, looked at the situations involving two people, referred to as patients A and B, who lived together in Utah.

Local health officials swabbed objects in the patients’ home, with monkeypox virus DNA detected on many objects and surfaces, the CDC says.

“However, the inability to detect viable virus suggests that virus viability might have decayed over time or through chemical or environmental inactivation,” the report says.

The CDC adds that even though both patients were symptomatic and isolated in their home for more than three weeks, “their cleaning and disinfection practices during this period might have limited the level of contamination within the household.”

The agency cautions that the data is limited and more studies are needed to determine the likelihood of household surface contamination and indirect transmission from monkeypox.

CANADIAN OFFICIALS GIVE MONKEYPOX UPDATE

Monkeypox spreads primarily through close personal contact, often skin-to-skin, with the rash, scabs, lesions, bodily fluids or respiratory secretions of a person who has the viral disease, the CDC says. Transmission through contaminated objects or surfaces also is possible.

As of Friday, Canada had a total of 1,168 confirmed cases of monkeypox. However, it’s unclear how many of those are still active and which have recovered.

Speaking to reporters Friday, Chief Public Health Officer of Canada Dr. Theresa Tam said the number of new reported cases nationally has slowed down in recent weeks.

Of the cases confirmed to date, 30 have resulted in hospitalizations, she said, and more than 99 per cent involve males. The median age for patients is 36.

In cases where additional information was available, Tam said a majority reported intimate sexual contact with other men, a factor consistent with other countries.

Health officials have stressed, though, that anyone can become infected and transmit the virus.

As of Aug. 12, Canada had no plans to declare monkeypox a public health emergency, something the U.S. and World Health Organization (WHO) have already done. A WHO global emergency, while the highest level of alert, does not necessarily mean a disease is particularly transmissible or lethal.

Tam also said the Public Health Agency of Canada has, to date, distributed more than 105,000 doses of the Imvamune vaccine to provinces and territories, with 59,000 people receiving at least one dose as of Aug. 14.

“At this time, to lower the overall risk of getting infected and spreading the monkeypox virus, the Public Health Agency of Canada recommends practising safer sex. Having fewer sexual partners, particularly anonymous partners even when they don’t have symptoms, can also reduce your risk of getting infected,” Tam said.

UTAH PATIENTS DID REGULAR CLEANING, DISINFECTING

In Utah, the CDC says the local Salt Lake County Health Department reported two real-time polymerase chain reaction, or PCR, confirmed monkeypox cases in May 2022.

Both were associated with travel and referred to the Utah Department of Health and Human Services.

The report describes the two individuals as having a mild illness. Both experienced early symptoms such as fatigue and body aches, with lesions ranging in appearance and appearing on various parts of their bodies in the days after.

It took approximately 30 days for patient A to recover and about 22 for patient B.

Utah Department of Health and Human Services staff, wearing personal protective equipment, entered the patients’ home and swabbed high-contact objects and surfaces, 20 days after the two individuals had spent time isolating. Both were still symptomatic.

The staff collected specimens from 30 objects in nine areas of the home. The temperature inside during the patients’ isolation period ranged from 20.6 C to 23.9 C.

The Utah Public Health Laboratory processed and tested the samples. While most produced positive PCR results, including those taken from cloth furniture, blankets, handles, switches and a chair, the CDC says none produced a viral culture, meaning they were unable to infect cells.

While isolating, both patients said they showered once or twice a day, cleaned their hands about 10 times a day, washed their bedding and clothes weekly and did routine cleaning around the house, including mopping and using a multi-surface spray daily on most high-contact surfaces, the CDC report says.

However, the CDC says the cleaning spray was not listed on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s list of disinfectants for emerging viral pathogens.

With files from CTVNews.ca Online Politics Producer Rachel Aiello, CTV News Parliamentary Bureau Writer and Producer Spencer Van Dyk, The Associated Press and CNN

[ad_2]

Originally Appeared Here

The Hurtigruten’s MS Polarlys in port at Svolvær, Norway. Passengers are booking their 2023 cruises … [+] now.

Christopher Elliott

Cruise lines started the 2023 wave season early by dropping almost all of their COVID vaccination requirements. Bookings have reportedly surged this week, and if you’ve ever considered a cruise, maybe you’re thinking of one right now.

I am. I’m writing this on the observation deck of the MS Polarlys, the legendary Hurtigruten ship that runs from Bergen, Norway, to Kirkenes, north of the Arctic Circle.

The pandemic is a distant memory out here in the cold waters of the Norwegian Sea. There are no masking requirements, no vaccination requirements, and no testing requirements on board. It’s as if COVID never happened.

But so much has changed during the pandemic. Passengers are returning to a radically different cruise industry. Cruise lines have overhauled their health and safety protocols. There are new laws that protect cruise passengers. There are new travel insurance options. The rest of the travel industry has changed, too — particularly airlines. And that has the potential to affect your next cruise.

Wave season is the time of year when people book their cruises. It typically begins in October and November. But by quietly loosening their vaccination requirements, the cruise industry kicked off wave season a little early for 2023. So what do you need to know before you book a cruise next year?

Book your 2023 cruise soon

Susan Stafford says this is an ideal time to book a cruise. She’s tracked the ebb and flow of consumer sentiment in the last two years. It’s gone from cautious social distancing and rigorous testing at the beginning of the year to wide open today.

“If we have learned anything from the past two years, it’s that we can’t predict the future,” says Stafford, a cruise expert and professional planner.

But one thing is predictable: the trajectory of cruise fares.

“Should the current trends continue,” she adds, “cruise prices will rise.”

If you buy a ticket now, and the price of your cruise drops before your departure date, many cruise lines will adjust your price before you make your final payment. So experts say you should not pay for the entire cruise now.

Mind your connections for your 2023 cruise

Annie Scrivanich, senior vice president of Cruise Specialists, says one of the biggest concerns for cruise passengers in 2023 is air connections. This summer has shown travelers how unreliable air travel can be, with a record number of flight delays (24 percent of all flights) and cancellations (3.2 percent of all flights). She advises anyone planning a cruise to keep that in mind.

“Arrive in your departure port city at least one day before embarkation,” she says. “Depending on where you are flying to and from, it might be prudent to add another day or two onto that and spend some time exploring that port city.”

That’s new advice. The conventional wisdom used to be one extra day on both ends — a safety cushion just in case there’s a delay on either end. But after this summer, travel pros are advising cruise passengers to make it 48 hours — just in case.

Another way around the problem: Try driving to your port. “This helps to avoid any airline-related hassles and also helps to save on the increasing cost of airfare,” says Aaron Saunders, a senior editor at Cruise Critic.

Get the right travel insurance for your cruise

You’ll probably need travel insurance for your 2023 cruise, according to virtually all of the experts. More passengers are going all-in with a pricey “cancel for any reason” policy. It allows them to cancel their cruise for any reason — another outbreak, bad weather, not feeling well — and get anywhere between 50 percent and 75 percent of their nonrefundable prepaid expenses back.

“This can be especially attractive to travelers concerned about changing COVID requirements for cruises and those who might be worried about infection rates for COVID and other illnesses at international ports of call,” says Angela Borden, a product marketing strategist with Seven Corners.

One must-have coverage is for a missed cruise connection, notes Borden.

It covers expenses such as meals, lodging, and local transportation as well as the additional transportation cost to catch up to your departed cruise, she says. Missed cruise connection typically covers any delay, cancellation or mechanical breakdown.

Know what happens if you get infected

Tracy Schatz, owner of Elite Travel Journeys, says passengers have changed since the pandemic. “They’re more aware of how viruses spread and want to make sure that the cruise lines are doing things to mitigate the spread of viruses,” she says.

That was one of the significant changes I noticed on my Norwegian cruise this week. At meal times, everyone used hand sanitizer. And if you forgot, a crewmember asked you nicely to disinfect your hands.

Every cruise line has an established protocol for handling an infection. Some will confine you to your quarters. Others have a special section for COVID-positive passengers. Smaller ships may send you to a medical facility in the next port of call. Special insurance policies such as COVAC Global cover infectious diseases like COVID and will ensure you get all the way home, rather than just to the nearest medical facility.

Beth Bodensteiner, the chief commercial officer for Holland America Line, told me that during the pandemic pause, the cruise line overhauled all of its procedures. That included thorough sanitization, better air filtration and adding 24/7 medical care to its onboard medical centers. Still, a lot can change between now and 2023. “Keep up to date on the latest health protocols,” she advises.

New laws may protect you if your cruise line cancels in 2023

Your rights at sea are governed by maritime law, or the law of the sea. Earlier this year, the Federal Maritime Commission created a new regulation that required cruise lines to provide refunds for canceled or delayed voyages. Previously, cruise lines could keep your money indefinitely and force you to take a replacement cruise, even if they canceled.

Under the new rules, if a cruise line delays your cruise by more than three calendar days, it counts as a cancellation, and you get a full refund. Passengers also get any fees refunded, such as shore excursions or port fees. The new regulation also lets travelers file a claim against the cruise line’s bondholders when there’s a bankruptcy. Note that these rules only apply to cruises leaving from a U.S. port.

Still, the consumer protections for cruise passengers are severely lacking, as I explain in my ultimate guide to taking a cruise. Your rights are governed by your cruise line ticket contract, a lopsided contract that favors the cruise line, as well as maritime law, which almost always favors the cruise line. Bottom line: If you want the same rights as you have on land, don’t book a cruise.

Don’t wait too long to book your 2023 cruise

You know how this summer, hotels were full and flights were expensive? That’s going to happen next year for the cruise industry, say insiders.

“Don’t think you’re going to be able to book a trip at the last minute and save,” warns Fernando Diaz, marketing director of Quasar Expeditions, which offers cruises in Patagonia and the Galapagos islands. “This is not only because of the high prices of flights booked at the last minute, but also because some low season dates of the past are almost full for 2023 due to the increase in demand.”

Choose your next cruise carefully

If there’s one takeaway from cruising on a small ship north of the Arctic Circle, it’s that now more than ever, you need to choose a cruise that will meet your needs. My fellow passengers are energized by the fjords and love the adventure of being on a supply vessel that reaches some of the most remote parts of Norway. They had a knowledgeable travel advisor who knew what they wanted. Others have spent much of the journey staring at the ocean and playing video games. I wonder who advised them to take this cruise.

So, amid all the changes, one thing is still the same. Talk to an expert or do a lot of research before you book a cruise. Because the only thing worse than booking the right cruise at the wrong price is booking the wrong cruise at the right price.

[ad_2]

Originally Appeared Here

Mississippi Today has compiled data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to answer frequently asked questions about monkeypox and its presence in Mississippi.

Click to jump to a specific question

What is monkeypox?

According to the CDC, monkeypox is a rare disease caused by infection with the monkeypox virus, in the same family as the virus that causes smallpox. Before 2022, most monkeypox cases were traced back to central and western Africa; cases outside of the continent were related to international travel or imported animals.

Has monkeypox spread to Mississippi?

The first case of monkeypox was identified in Mississippi on July 25, according to the Mississippi Department of Health, and six cases were reported by early August. As of Aug. 18, the CDC reports 18 total cases in the state.

How does the virus spread?

Monkeypox can spread through close contact, including contact with rashes, scabs, fluids or respiratory secretions from someone with the disease. Contact also includes touching fabrics or surfaces someone infected has interacted with.

Intimate or sexual contact and even hugging, massaging, kissing or prolonged face-to-face contact can spread the virus.

Monkeypox can spread from a pregnant person to the fetus through the placenta, and bites, scratches, meat or other byproducts from animals can transfer the virus.

What do monkeypox symptoms look like?

Within three weeks of exposure, monkeypox symptoms can appear, most notably rashes — which may appear near the genitals, hands and other parts of the body — that go through several stages of appearing and healing, which can be painful and itchy. If flu-like symptoms start, a rash will likely develop up to four days later. Spread can occur from the start of symptoms until the skin has fully formed a new layer after healing.

View the CDC website for images to better help visually identify monkeypox rashes.

How can I protect myself and others?

Primarily, avoid any contact with someone who has monkeypox or appears to have the rashes associated with the disease, including any objects they may have interacted with. And as always, wash your hands often, and use alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

Furthermore, similarly to COVID-19 vaccines, there is a two-dose and single-dose vaccine available for monkeypox, although MSDH only offers the two-dose version. But, the CDC recognizes the two-dose monkeypox vaccine, JYNNEOS, as the preferred version as it has less potential for side effects that could affect someone with a weaker or compromised immune system. JYNNEOS reaches maximum immune protection two weeks after the second dose.

Earlier this month, MSDH announced it would be expanding the eligibility criteria for receiving a monkeypox vaccine to include LGBTQ+ Mississippians at risk of infection. 

Adults 18 and older may be eligible for a monkeypox vaccine if:

• They have been notified or are aware of close, intimate or sexual contact with someone diagnosed with monkeypox.
• Or they identify as gay, bisexual, or as other men who have sex with men, or as a transgender individual, and they report having multiple or anonymous sex partners, or having attended an event or venue where monkeypox may have been transmitted (for instance, by sex or skin-to-skin contact).

Vaccination is the best form of protection against monkeypox, but it is also important to limit other behaviors to protect oneself, including reducing number and frequency of sexual partners, time spent at events in spaces with more likelihood of skin-to-skin contact, etc.

What should I do if I believe I have contracted monkeypox?

No specific treatment yet exists for monkeypox, but most individuals recover within a month or less without the need for treatment. The severity of how sick one becomes ultimately determines what kind of treatment or management is needed.

Otherwise, here are some ways to manage symptoms while you recover:

• Cover your rashes and scars with gauze or bandages to limit spread; wear (preferably disposable) gloves when handling or touching objects and surfaces in shared spaces; besides showering or bathing, keep rashes clean and dry
• Do not pop or scratch lesions, which can spread the infection to other people and other parts of the infected individual’s body; do not shave until the intended area is free of scabs and new skin has formed
• Wear a well-fitting mask — N95 or similar quality with an adjustable nose bridge — while around others
• Typical ibuprofen and acetaminophen brands help with pain
• Rinse rashes in the mouth at least four times a day with salt water

Pets can contract the virus as well, so if you believe or know you have monkeypox, ask a friend or family member to keep the pet until you recover and disinfect your home.

We want to hear from you!

By listening more intently and understanding the people who make up Mississippi’s communities, our reporters put a human face on how policy affects everyday Mississippians. We’re listening closely to our readers to help us continue to align our work with the needs and priorities of people from all across Mississippi. Please take a few minutes to tell us what’s on your mind by clicking the button below.

Republish This Story

Republish our articles for free, online or in print, under a Creative Commons license.

[ad_2]

Originally Appeared Here

Health & Safety Protocols

ASM Global – U.S. Bank Stadium’s management team – continues to execute its VenueShield program, ensuring the facility is clean and certified at the highest standards of health and safety. VenueShield focuses on six key components of venue management best practices for health and safety and is specialized for sports and entertainment facilities. VenueShield’s environmental hygiene program specifies protocols for disinfection of surfaces, enhanced cleaning methods and applications, and infection control plans.

The Vikings, ASM and the MSFA also implement extensive cleaning, disinfecting and sanitization measures on game days and adhere to guidelines set forth by the CDC and the Minnesota Department of Health. All high-touch surfaces throughout the stadium — including seats, railings, food and drink surfaces, elevators and escalators — are cleaned, disinfected and sanitized before, during and after games. Hand sanitizer locations are located throughout U.S. Bank Stadium, including at entrances, concourses, premium areas and restrooms.

U.S. Bank Stadium offers a clean and safe environment for guests through the virus-fighting protection of a bi-polar ionization system, which is installed in every air handling unit in the venue. This state-of-the-art technology actively contributes to better health by restoring indoor air to its natural state through an ionization process, mitigating or limiting airborne viruses and keeping the air inside the stadium cleaner and healthier. The system installed at U.S. Bank Stadium has been proven in labs to effectively improve indoor air quality. Stadium officials also monitor air flow and take reasonable steps to maximize air exchange.

Downtown Minneapolis/U.S. Bank Stadium Security/Safety

The Vikings and our stadium partners collaborate with multiple law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, Homeland Security, the Minneapolis Police Department and the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Department, to ensure the appropriate number of law enforcement officials are on site and that U.S. Bank Stadium and the surrounding areas are safe for Vikings fans, players and staff. Additionally, together with BEST Security, the team contracts with hundreds of security personnel on game days to ensure a strong security presence throughout the stadium. For 2022 night games, fans will see easily identifiable safety ambassadors present throughout several blocks surrounding the stadium and lighting towers will be strategically placed near parking lots and parking ramps. For additional information regarding public safety downtown, please visit the City of Minneapolis, Meet Minneapolis and the Minneapolis Downtown Council web sites.

U.S. Bank Stadium has earned the Ecolab Science CertifiedTM seal. The program combines hospital disinfectants and food-contact sanitizers approved for use against the COVID-19 virus with public health and food safety protocols, training and periodic auditing, giving fans confidence that practices are repeated and checked. Fans will see the Ecolab Science Certified seal displayed in participating areas throughout the stadium. For more information on the Ecolab Science Certified program, visit www.sciencecertified.com.

[ad_2]

Originally Appeared Here

Children and teens are at low risk for contracting monkeypox, but schools can still take steps to prepare for possible exposures or cases, officials from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Friday.

So far, a handful of the 14,000 confirmed cases of monkeypox in the U.S. have been among kids under 18, a CDC official said. In other countries, monkeypox has been much less common among children than adults, too. 

In a new fact sheet, the CDC says the risk of getting monkeypox at school or in an early childhood setting is low. There’s been only one known case to date — an Illinois day care worker who tested positive for monkeypox earlier this month. All of the potentially exposed children and adults got screened, and none had tested positive as of last week, the local health department said.

Many of the precautions the CDC suggests schools take will sound familiar after two and a half years of following COVID protocols. That includes routinely cleaning and disinfecting classrooms, asking students and staff to regularly wash their hands, and providing personal protective equipment to staff who care for sick students.

Here’s what else the CDC says K-12 schools, early education providers, and after-school programs can do:

Understand the symptoms of monkeypox and how it spreads

Adults and children can contract monkeypox if they have close, personal contact with an infected person. So far, most monkeypox cases have been associated with sexual contact, though it’s possible to spread the virus by touching contaminated objects or fabrics — such as toys, books, and blankets — or a surface the infected person has used.

The main monkeypox symptom to watch for is a rash that can appear on the genitals, as well as the hands, feet, chest, face, or mouth. The rash may look like pimples or blisters at first and then scab over. Other signs include fever, chills, muscle aches, and other flu-like symptoms. 

But the CDC cautions that many illnesses can cause a rash and fever in children, including chickenpox, so kids who haven’t had a known exposure should be assessed by a doctor.

Know what to do in case of an exposure

Schools should follow the steps they normally would to avoid the spread of illness, the CDC says. If a school does have a case of monkeypox, staff should clean and disinfect the places the infected person spent time, as well as any items or surfaces they touched. Schools should wash any linens or towels the infected person used, and throw away any items that can’t be sanitized.

There’s no test for monkeypox right now, unless a person develops a rash after being exposed. Children and teens who are exposed should be monitored for symptoms for 21 days, the CDC advises.

During that period, parents and caregivers of kids who were exposed should take their temperature daily, check their skin for new rashes, and look in their mouth for any sores or ulcers. Schools should also be prepared to watch for symptoms so they can communicate with families. School officials should ask their local or state health departments for guidance on how best to do that.

In most cases, children and staff who were exposed to an infected person don’t have to be excluded from school. “It is important to avoid stigma and fear-based exclusion of children and adolescents,” the CDC says.

Generally, contact tracing will be possible, since the virus spreads through touch and schools will know which students and staff were in a particular classroom. But in cases where contact tracing isn’t possible and there was a high degree of exposure, a health department may limit a student’s participation in school or other activities.

“The health department will consider the age of the individual and their ability to recognize or communicate symptoms, the types of interactions in the environment, and the risk of more severe disease to others in the setting,” the CDC says.

Students or staff who develop symptoms while under monitoring should isolate at home.

Know how to handle symptoms at school

If a student shows signs of monkeypox at school, school staff should bring the student to a private space away from other kids, such as an office. If they’re at least 2 years old, the child should wear a well-fitting mask and a parent or caregiver should pick them up and have them checked by a doctor.

Staff who are monitoring the possibly infected student should avoid close contact, if possible, the CDC says, but still attend to the child in an age-appropriate way, such as changing their diapers or calming them down if they’re upset. The school staffer should wear a gown and gloves if close contact is needed, such as to hold the child. 

If the child has a rash, staff should try not to touch it and cover it with clothing, if possible. The staffer should also wear a KN95 mask, or other well-fitting mask, and wash their hands.

Widespread vaccination isn’t recommended for children or school staff, the CDC says, but vaccines are available for people who’ve come into close contact with a person infected with monkeypox. The American Academy of Pediatrics says that the Jynneos vaccine can be recommended for children under 18 after they’ve been exposed to monkeypox.

Have questions? The CDC is hosting two webinars on Monday for early education providers from 2 to 2:30 p.m. Eastern, and for K-12 schools from 3 to 3:30 p.m. Eastern.

Kalyn Belsha is a national education reporter based in Chicago. Contact her at [email protected].

[ad_2]

Originally Appeared Here

Dr. Jason Bowling clears up common questions about the monkeypox outbreak, including information on vaccines, transmission and treatment of the virus.

What is monkeypox?

Monkeypox is an orthopox virus. It is in the same family of viruses that includes smallpox, which people are very familiar with, and vaccinia virus. Vaccinia virus is important because it’s used in the vaccine that helps prevent smallpox and monkeypox. 

What are the symptoms of monkeypox?

The symptoms of monkeypox are similar to the symptoms of smallpox, but they’re much milder. In a typical syndrome with monkeypox, people will start off with fever, muscle aches, fatigue — general non-specific viral infection symptoms. 

After about a day or two of those symptoms, they can start to develop a rash, which classically began on the face, the arms and the legs, and maybe moves to the trunk. 

What we’re seeing with the outbreak that started this year is that the symptoms can be a little bit different. Sometimes people don’t have the initial fever and muscle ache — they may just start off with a rash. And the rash may not be as distributed throughout the body. They may only have a few lesions. 

Many of the people in this current outbreak have lesions in the genital area or perigenital area, so it’s a little bit different than the classic presentation we’re familiar with from prior outbreaks and infections with monkeypox.

When should I seek medical attention for monkeypox?

If you know that you’ve been exposed to somebody that has confirmed monkeypox, it’s important to reach out to your medical provider. Public health might be reaching out to you because they’re doing contact tracing on people that have known exposures so they can provide them with vaccine to hopefully reduce their risk of having monkeypox. 

Otherwise, if you don’t have a known exposure but if you have a fever and a rash, that’s something you’d want to get evaluated. Again, this rash can look different for different people. 

It tends to start as flat lesions and then it can progress to what looks like little bumps or pimples, and then move into blisters before it starts to scab over and eventually fall off with new skin, kind of like what you see with someone with chickenpox. The rash can be really painful initially, and then as it starts to scab and fall off, it can be really itchy.

How do I get tested for monkeypox?

Testing for monkeypox right now is through a PCR test, but it’s PCR testing of skin lesions, so you have to have the skin lesion or rash to get tested. Your provider will swab the top of the rash a couple of times, and those swabs will be sent off to the specialized lab where they do PCR testing to confirm that it’s monkeypox. 

How serious is monkeypox? Is it fatal?

Monkeypox can be caused by a couple of different strains. Fortunately the strain that’s causing this current global outbreak and the cases in the United States is causing milder infections. So fortunately, most people who get monkeypox have symptoms that go away and they don’t end up in the hospital. 

In the United States outbreak there haven’t been any deaths so far. It’s not as serious as it could be, and fortunately most people don’t end up in the hospital, but it’s still something to be aware of. 

Does monkeypox leave lasting scars or consequences?

Monkeypox can leave scars. Any time you have a viral infection that causes a rash, there’s a potential that you could get an infection of the rash, you could get scars from that, similar to having chickenpox or other viruses that cause a rash. 

But most people don’t. The lesions will resolve, they’ll scab over and the new skin will form. 

And it doesn’t seem to cause long-lasting symptoms like we hear about with long-COVID. We’ll need to continue to follow this monkeypox outbreak, this is a little bit different than monkeypox outbreaks we’ve seen in the past, but so far we’re not seeing long-lasting symptoms other than the disease itself which lasts about two to four weeks. But after it’s resolved, people are not complaining of long-lasting symptoms. 

How is monkeypox treated?

There is treatment for monkeypox. Fortunately most people in this outbreak have not required treatment, they’ve just have supportive care, which means they stay hydrated, they rest at home and they take some ibuprofen or Tylenol as needed for pain or fever. But they haven’t required specific treatment. 

There is a treatment available through the CDC. This treatment is actually approved for smallpox, and it’s in the national stockpiles in case we had an outbreak of smallpox, which fortunately we do not have. But it can also be used to treat monkeypox, and it’s reserved for people who have severe cases of monkeypox. 

So if it was a rare case that ended up in a hospital or an immunocompromised person, or somebody who had skin lesions in a place that was causing problems like in the throat and you were unable to eat or drink, that might be a good candidate for treatment. 

Their provider would apply through the CDC to get this medication to treat it. The treatment comes in pill form that you can take by mouth, or through an IV, so you can get it in a couple of different ways. 

How is monkeypox spread?

There is still some ongoing study with this outbreak so we can have a better understanding of that. The predominant way it’s being spread is by prolonged skin to skin contact with someone that has lesions of monkeypox. This can happen with close encounters, intimate encounters, sexual encounters, but it’s actually the skin to skin itself, not what we normally think of with sexually transmitted diseases where it’s being transmitted by other bodily fluids. 

There’s still ongoing research to see what other bodily fluids contain monkeypox. It can also be transmitted if there is contaminated bed sheets or clothing from somebody that has the monkeypox lesions. Those pustules can have fluid in them and if that fluid contaminates sheets and someone handles those sheets, that’s another potential avenue of getting infected. 

It can also be transmitted by large respiratory droplets, but it’s not clear how effective it’s transmitted in that way. They haven’t had, so far in this outbreak with these contact tracings, found anyone that’s contracting monkeypox from a casual conversation with somebody else. And even with somebody that’s traveled in an airplane close to somebody else with monkeypox, they haven’t seen transmission that way or through health care encounters. 

So respiratory doesn’t seem to be as effective a means of transmission. It’d be something you’d be concerned about for household contact — someone that spends a prolonged time talking to somebody closely could potentially be a method of transmission. 

How do you clean and disinfect surfaces that may have been contaminated with monkeypox?

Monkeypox is an envelope virus, which means it responds readily to disinfectants. It’s like SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, or influenza virus, which causes the flu. All of those respond really well to EPA-registered disinfectants. 

If you’re going to disinfect surfaces in your house to check the label. There’s an EPA-registered number on there and you can see if it’s registered for that. If it’s active against flu it’s going to be active against monkeypox. 

Hand hygiene is important, so washing your hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub. 

For silverware and plates, it’s important that you can use the dishwasher so you don’t have to use separate utensils if someone else in the house had monkeypox and you were trying to not get it yourself, it’s okay if you run it through the dishwasher with hot water and detergent or if you hand wash it with hot water and soap. 

How long should people plan to isolate with a monkeypox infection?

The short answer is two to four weeks — it depends on the skin lesions. 

One of the challenges with monkeypox infection is that it lasts for a while. A person can potentially be transmissible from the skin lesions, which are the major way that someone should transmit it to somebody else, until those skin lesions have scabbed or fallen off or new skin has grown there. That can take around two to four weeks in an average case of monkeypox, so people are potentially transmissible in that time period. 

The CDC would ideally like somebody to stay home that whole time period, but practically speaking that may not be feasible. What’s important is if someone leaves the house, if they have to go to the grocery store or something else, is that they keep all of those skin lesions covered. They can wear long sleeves, they can wear pants and gloves. 

It’s also recommended if they’re going to have prolonged face to face contact with somebody, the person with monkeypox should wear a well-fitting mask. 

The FDA now allows a smaller dose of the JYNNEOS vaccine for monkeypox. How does that work?

JYNNEOS is the vaccine that’s currently available and recommended for preventing monkeypox. The challenge is there’s not a huge supply of that right now. The vaccine manufacturer is working on making more JYNNEOS vaccine so that we can distribute it more widely in the United States and globally so we can cut down this outbreak faster. 

The initial dosing of the JYNNEOS vaccine — it’s a two-dose vaccine — you give a dose and four weeks later you give a second dose. It was studied by giving it through the subcutaneous tissue, which is the layer of fat right underneath the skin like a standard vaccine.

However, they’ve studied and seen that if you give the injection in the skin layer itself, not going through to the fat but stopping in the skin layer, you can still get a good immune response while using less vaccine. You can actually use one-fifth or 20% of the vaccine amount and still get a good response. 

By doing that, we can extend the limited vaccine supply by five. So because of that, it’s recommended for people that are age 18 and older that are getting the monkeypox vaccine that it be administered in the skin layer itself so we can have more doses for everybody.

[ad_2]

Originally Appeared Here

A top California public health official on Friday told reporters that new guidelines for people who contract monkeypox provide more specificity than national guidance, in an effort to be of more practical use. Meanwhile, nonprofit service providers from across the Golden State are seeking an emergency infusion of nearly $40 million from state lawmakers to support their monkeypox response activities.

At the same time, Dr. Tomás Aragón, director of the California Department of Public Health and the state’s public health officer, said that health departments around the state have shifted to intradermal administration of the Jynneos vaccine in an effort to provide immunizations to more people. One vial of the vaccine is now used for five doses. San Francisco announced it was beginning the new vaccine administration August 18.

“This is transition week,” Aragón said on the call. He said that despite some medical professionals who are skeptical of the new dosing regimen, the immunity level is the same. Intradermal vaccinations are given just under the skin, similar to how people have received tuberculosis skin tests.

Going forward, when health officials note the number of vaccines, they will be referring to doses. “The federal government has moved from counting vials to counting doses,” Aragón said. “We do our calculations on doses.”

As of August 18, California reported 2,660 probable or confirmed cases of monkeypox, which Aragón said the state is now referring to as MPX to avoid using the word “monkey.” Those cases were in 36 local health jurisdictions. There have been 62 hospitalizations and no deaths, he said.

Aragón also made it clear that state officials are prioritizing reducing stigma, especially toward the LGBTQ community. The vast majority of monkeypox cases are among men who have sex with men. He discussed recent reports that show Latinos and Blacks are being disproportionately affected but noted that the number of Latinos affected so far, about 38.8%, lines up with their representation in the state.

“I am hearing that in San Francisco there’s a higher proportion of Latinos than in their population,” he added.

In San Francisco, as of August 10, Latinos comprised 28% of monkeypox cases, while they comprise only 15.7% of the city’s population, according to U.S. Census figures from 2021.

The Bay Area Reporter asked Aragón about the progress of using the state’s My Turn vaccination appointment system used for COVID for monkeypox vaccines. Dr. Susan Philip, San Francisco’s health officer, told the Board of Supervisors at its special August 8 meeting that the system change should be in place by the end of the month.

“We’re working on that right now,” Aragón said, adding that there were challenges due to the state often not knowing how much of the monkeypox vaccine would be available.

In Long Beach, the city’s health department has transitioned to the My Turn system effective August 19. According to a news release, the change will help manage efficient and equitable vaccine distribution as supply increases.

New guidelines

Regarding the new guidelines issued August 18 about how people should isolate if they contract monkeypox, Aragón said the goal is focused on home isolation. Asked what the difference is between state guidelines and those issued by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, he said, “We get a little more specific on what people can do.”

People who have contracted monkeypox should isolate at home until the lesions are completely healed and a fresh layer of skin has formed at lesion sites, CDPH stated in the new guidance.

CDPH stated that persons with MPX who live with other people should take several precautions at home until all skin lesions are healed (i.e., scabs have fallen off, a fresh layer of skin has formed at the lesion sites), and other symptoms have been resolved for at least 48 hours.

People should keep skin lesions covered. They should stay in a separate room and use a separate bathroom, if possible. If the same bathroom must be used by others, it should be cleaned and disinfected after use by the person with monkeypox.

When in the same room, both the person with MPX, as well as other household members, should wear a respirator or a well-fitting mask when in close contact (e.g., within six feet) for more than a brief encounter.

Clean and disinfect frequently touched items following CDC guidance. If cleaning and disinfection is done by someone other than the person with MPX, that person should wear, at a minimum, disposable gloves and a respirator. If cleaning and disinfection is done by someone other than the person with monkeypox, that person should wear, at a minimum, disposable gloves and a respirator.

Disinfect or launder items that have been worn or handled by the person with MPX, following CDC guidance. Persons with MPX should handle their own laundry, if possible, and shaking of linens should be avoided. If laundry is done by someone other than the person with MPX, that person should not shake laundry, and, at a minimum, should cover arms, and use disposable gloves and a respirator.

How it spreads

While anyone can get monkeypox, the current outbreak is primarily affecting men who have sex with men and their sexual partners.

In its guidelines, CDPH stated that monkeypox can spread person-to-person through: direct skin-to-skin contact with the lesions or scabs, or direct contact with body fluids such as drainage from skin lesions or saliva that was in contact with oral lesions; respiratory secretions, such as saliva, during prolonged, face-to-face contact or during intimate physical contact, such as kissing, cuddling, or sex; and touching items (such as objects, surfaces, clothing, and linens such as bedding and towels) that previously touched lesions or body fluids from people with monkeypox.

More rarely, handling contaminated linens could release monkeypox virus into the air, potentially enabling inhalation of virus. The virus can survive for varying lengths of time on surfaces or objects (though it is still unknown as to how long the virus remains on different types of surfaces), the CDPH guidelines stated.

State officials stated that they are still learning about how monkeypox is spread in this current outbreak. “However, it is thought that the most common route of transmission during the 2022 global monkeypox outbreak is direct (i.e., skin-to-skin) contact with monkeypox lesions, including but not limited to contact that occurs during sexual activity and close contact within households,” CDPH stated in the guidelines.

Monkeypox lesions are infectious at all stages until lesion scabs separate and a fresh layer of skin has formed at lesion sites, CDPH stated. Lesions may be present in locations that are not externally visible such as the mouth, throat, anus, or vagina. Monkeypox virus may be present in other body fluids, including blood, urine, feces, and semen. However, it is not known if or how transmission can occur via those routes, the guidelines stated.

More help requested

Meanwhile, Los Angeles-based APLA Health this week called for increased state and federal resources to address the monkeypox outbreak.

A news release stated that APLA Health led a group of over 50 organizations in sending a letter to Governor Gavin Newsom and legislative leaders. Because the current legislative session ends later this month, APLA Health and the other organizations urged lawmakers to “take immediate action” to halt the course of the current outbreak and prevent monkeypox from “becoming further entrenched in the LGBTQ+ community and other vulnerable communities across California,” the release noted.

The letter asks for $38.5 million to support monkeypox response activities at CDPH and local health departments. This includes scaling up outreach and education efforts, vaccine clinics, emergency staffing, improving data collection, and accelerating access to treatment.

The organizations want the state to provide reimbursement for monkeypox vaccine administration. While vaccines are distributed by the federal government, APLA Health stated that there is no dedicated funding for the “significant costs associated with vaccine administration at community clinics like APLA Health with large numbers of LGBTQ+ patients,” the release stated.

The state should also require paid leave and financial support for those affected by monkeypox, the letter stated. Similar to COVID-19, California should provide disability and paid leave benefits for those who need to take time off work to be vaccinated, seek testing, isolate due to a positive diagnosis, or care for a family member or loved one affected by the virus.

The organizations also want the state to make publicly available demographic data for those affected by monkeypox. The letter referenced information that shows, as the B.A.R. recently reported, Black and Latino LGBTQ+ community members in some parts of the country are receiving a fraction of the limited vaccine supply in comparison with their white counterparts.

APLA Health also continues to ramp up pressure on the federal government to improve its response to the monkeypox outbreak, the release stated. On July 20, APLA Health CEO Craig E. Thompson was joined by Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Los Angeles), Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda Solis, and local LGBTQ+ leaders for a news conference to demand stronger leadership from the federal government. APLA Health also endorsed a letter from more than 100 members of Congress urging the Biden administration to dedicate $100 million to support monkeypox response efforts.

This week, APLA Health strongly supported a letter from Congressman Adam Schiff (D-Los Angeles) and 10 members of the LA County congressional delegation to U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra highlighting the urgent need to procure and distribute additional monkeypox vaccine doses — particularly for areas like LA County that have been hardest hit by the current outbreak.

Help keep the Bay Area Reporter going in these tough times. To support local, independent, LGBTQ journalism, consider becoming a BAR member.

[ad_2]

Originally Appeared Here

The nonprofit agency Rebuilding Together Tampa Bay (RTTB) has enough money to provide free repairs to 20 low-income homeowners with children in Hillsborough County before the program expires in October.

What You Need To Know

• The nonprofit agency Rebuilding Together Tampa Bay (RTTB) has enough money to provide free repairs to 20 low-income homeowners with children in Hillsborough before the program expires
• RTTB needs 20 applicants before Oct. 1
• The free services include cleaning air conditioning units, ducts and installing a UV light to prevent future mold growth

“You qualify for this program by having children, by being low income,” said Brandy Canada, RTTB Dir. of Operations. “You essentially go to the website and you apply.”​

Canada said the Children’s Board of Hillsborough County partly funded the program and provides money to repair 90 homes. The ‘Safe and Healthy Homes For All’ program lasts for one year and will expire on Oct. 1, with 20 open slots remaining.

“We need families with children. You must own your own home,” said Canada. “As long as you have any child who’s under the age of 14 in your home, you are more than welcome to apply.” 

Diab “Daniel” Ibrahim, 45, said he recently had RTTB do thousands of dollars worth of repairs at his Temple Terrace home.

“I think it’s a blessing from god. It’s unbelievable to have these people helping us,” he said. “There’s a big difference between what it was before and today.” ​

The free services include cleaning air conditioning units, ducts and installing a UV light to prevent future mold growth. Crews will also install smoke detectors, exterior solar powered motion lights, basic mold remediation, pest control, weatherization, carpet cleaning, a new mailbox and numbers for the house. 

“Our goal as Rebuilding Together is to keep people in their homes generationally year-after-year. We want them to be able to have a safe and healthy home,” said Canada. “We want them to be able to thrive. We want the kids to be in school and not at the doctor’s office.” 

For over 20 years, RTTB has helped thousands of Tampa Bay families and is part of a national affiliate network that works towards a vision of safe and healthy homes for all communities, according to the agency’s website. 

[ad_2]

Originally Appeared Here

The following health and safety updates were issued on August 12 by the School District of Philadelphia and the Philadelphia Department of Public Health:

The first day of school is Monday, August 29 and we are excited to welcome our students and staff back to our classrooms for in-person learning. The School District of Philadelphia and the Philadelphia Department of Public Health (PDPH) have been working closely throughout the summer, monitoring local COVID-19 conditions, and following federal and local public health guidance to determine the best health and safety measures to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 as students return to school.

For the first 10 days of the new school year – from August 29 through September 9 – all students and staff will be required to wear masks while in school, regardless of the COVID-19 Community Level. This is an extra precaution for everyone’s health and well-being since increased end-of-summer social gatherings may heighten the risk of exposure to COVID-19. Masking may then become optional under specific circumstances. Our updated General COVID-19 Protocols for SY 2022-2023 can be found here. Here are the highlights:

Masking

Masking will be optional but recommended for students and staff except:

• for the first 10 days of the new school year – August 29 through September 9.

• when the COVID-19 Community Level is high according to the CDC COVID-19 Community Level Indicators. In this instance, the District will notify families and staff that indoor universal masking will be required in schools, school buses and offices until the Community Level returns to medium. At a Community Level of medium, masking is strongly recommended.

• in specific instances where universal masking may be required, regardless of the COVID-19 Community Level, including classroom or school-wide outbreak, or upon return from extended breaks and holidays when increased social gatherings may heighten the risk of exposure to COVID-19.

Students and staff at PreK Head Start programs are still required to wear masks at all times, regardless of the Community Level.

Mask to Stay: Students and staff who have been exposed to Students and staff who have been exposed to COVID-19, regardless of vaccination status, are no longer required to quarantine at home unless COVID-like symptoms are present. Instead, they may return to school but are required to wear a mask for 10 days.

Isolation

Students who test positive for COVID-19: Students who test positive for COVID-19 are required to isolate at home for at least 5 calendar days and participate in virtual learning. Parents/guardians must also notify their school nurse or call the COVID Response Team at 215-400-5454. If symptom-free after 5 days of isolation, students may return to school but must wear a high-quality (N95 or KN95) mask for an additional 5 days and must eat in a designated area.

Student Testing

School nurses will provide COVID-19 testing for students who begin to show symptoms during the school day. In case of an outbreak at a school, a testing vendor will provide additional on-site testing support. A signed parental consent form on file at the school is required for student testing to occur, so please submit the completed form to your child’s school nurse. All families must submit a new consent form for the 2022-2023 school year. The District will also continue to make free COVD-19 testing available for students at five school-based testing locations. The locations are listed here.

Vaccines

COVID-19 vaccines are encouraged but not required for students, including student athletes. Children six months of age and older are now eligible for the primary COVID vaccine and those five and older are eligible for booster shots. To learn more about vaccines and where to get them, visit the COVID-19 Information Hub, the City of Philadelphia’s website here or www.vaccines.gov.

General health and hygiene

All schools will be equipped with high-quality masks, hand sanitizer stations, and air and surface purifiers to further promote healthy learning environments. To further support the health and well-being of everyone in our schools, families are asked to monitor their child’s health and keep them home if they are sick, and practice proper handwashing and mask wearing with their child.

Monkeypox may also be top of mind for our families and staff. Please know that we are working closely with PDPH to monitor the situation, and we will seek guidance from PDPH and the Centers for Disease Control to identify any needed safety measures for our schools. We will update you as more information is available. In the meantime, we will continue to implement enhanced cleaning and disinfecting procedures daily in schools and offices, paying special attention to high-touch areas such as bathroom facilities, desks, and doorknobs.

You can always find the latest information, including information about upcoming Health & Safety Town Halls for families, by visiting the COVID-19 Information Hub at: www.philasd.org/coronavirus/. As COVID-19 and other public health matters continue to evolve, so too will our response. The last several years have taught us all that by working together and remaining flexible as needed, we can support the healthy in-person learning environments our students need. We look forward to working together with you as we welcome students back to school on August 29.

Dr. Kendra McDow

School District Medical Officer                                        

The School District of Philadelphia

Dr. Cheryl Bettigole

Commissioner of Health  

Philadelphia Department of Health

[ad_2]

Originally Appeared Here

Funding is often the biggest obstacle in the way of schools when it comes to enhancing the learning environment beyond the basics.

The Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) fund is providing a significant influx of resources for schools across the nation. However, an interesting problem revealed itself as schools find themselves struggling to decide how to spend the largely unexpected funds. In fact, according analysis of the federal ESSER data by the National Conference of State Legislatures, only 19.1% of the program’s funding has been used as of Feb. 28.

The relief package, which provided nearly $190.5 billion to the ESSER Fund through three separate stimulus bills, is incredibly helpful and impactful in addressing the impact that COVID-19 has on schools across the U.S. For many schools, which are historically underfunded and lacked resources, this money gives them the opportunity to make facility updates that have been needed for years.

And as the pandemic continues to burden schools for more than two years into the initial outbreak, many schools are choosing to allocate resources towards cleaning, disinfection and other safety measures that will prevent the spread of disease and ensure there is a plan in place should a case occur at their school. The hope is that these measures will reduce the frequency of at-home learning, which is difficult for teachers and students alike.

Truth is in the numbers

Extensive research from organizations including the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) revealed how a healthy school environment affects attendance, concentration and overall education outcomes. Indoor air quality, the use of safe chemicals for cleaning and disinfection, and mold and mildew management are just a few facilities maintenance categories that drastically impact students.

The CDC also revealed asthma to be one of the leading causes of school absenteeism, resulting in nearly 14 million missed school days annually. Yet, proper facilities maintenance can reduce the number of irritants and allergens in the air that exacerbate asthma symptoms and trigger attacks.

Regular facilities maintenance is critical to preventing the spread of viruses like COVID-19 and ensure safe and healthy environments on the whole.

Creating cleaner, safer schools using ESSER funds

From thorough cleaning to indoor air quality improvements, there are many ways schools can use their ESSER funding to create a safer learning environment for students and staff. But to ensure that schools are taking the best first step forward, and one that will be attainable for the long-haul, school operations should zero in on five key areas of focus regarding regular cleaning and disinfection, deep cleaning, periodic disinfection, long-lasting surface protection and indoor air quality. By strategically budgeting for each of these categories, schools can minimize disruptions by ensuring all necessary measures are taken to prevent the spread of illness and restore a safe environment quickly if an outbreak does occur. Specifically:

1. Regular cleaning and disinfection

How effective is your school’s current cleaning routine? Do you have regular disinfection practices in place to remove the germs that spread illness? Ensuring a routine is in place is important, but equally critical is the need to use tools and chemicals that are both safe and effective, especially in learning environments. The EPA provides a list of disinfectants, List N, which are proven to kill the virus that causes COVID-19.

Regular cleaning and disinfection keep students and staff safe from germs, dirt and dust that cause adverse health effects. It includes removing dust, dirt and germs from high-touch surfaces and high-traffic areas.

2. Deep cleaning

A deep cleaning should be completed periodically to address any areas that are difficult to clean while school is in session. Some of these services require wait periods in which the surfaces can’t be walked upon or would otherwise disrupt students and staff, which is why they should be completed over breaks. A deep cleaning usually includes carpet cleaning and extraction, strip and floor wax, high dusting and tile scrubbing, among several other services.

These services help to maintain the school and prevent the buildup of dirt and grime. Hard-to-reach places like cafeteria rafters may go unnoticed on a day-to-day basis, but they can quickly acquire enough dust to become unsightly and pose a health risk. Deep cleans address every surface of the school and bring it back to life after a semester of heavy use.

3. Periodic disinfection

If the coronavirus outbreak taught schools anything, it’s that periodic disinfection isn’t something that should be taken lightly. In fact, the pandemic ensured that is just as essential as regular cleaning. Periodic disinfection means having a plan in place and a service provider in the event of a COVID-19, or other virus outbreak, event at a school. High-quality providers have access to advanced technology, such as electrostatic sprayers, which are safe and effective for killing the germs that cause viruses. Periodic disinfection should be used as both a prevention strategy, as in the case of COVID-19, the flu and common cold, and an emergency response.

4. Long-lasting surface protection

Even if those schools or districts that prioritize frequently disinfecting high-touch areas, it’s impossible to ensure they are wiped down between each and every person touching them. Technology now exists to protect surfaces for longer periods of time. Products like Continuous Care use cutting-edge technology to disinfect and create a long-lasting antimicrobial coating and surface protectant that is applied after cleaning is complete. The disinfectant and antimicrobial coating used with Continuous Care is an EPA List N approved disinfectant, confirmed to be effective in killing SARS-CoV-2, the virus associated with COVID-19. Applying it with an electrostatic sprayer provides 360-degree coverage, killing viruses and inhibiting the growth of bacteria and microorganisms.

5. Indoor air quality

It goes without saying, but properly operating ventilation is vital to maintain the ongoing health and wellbeing of everyone at a school. For school leaders, it’s important to consider Ventilation Mitigation strategies as part of the disinfection process. Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) monitoring devices report on the levels of common pollutants and other air conditions in real-time. They also help reduce costs by identifying areas of overspending on heat and air conditioning and improve employee happiness by increasing air quality. Portable air cleaners can help reduce airborne contaminants, including particles containing viruses. They may be particularly helpful when additional ventilation with outdoor air is not possible without compromising indoor comfort (temperature or humidity) or when outdoor air pollution is high.

That said, an air filter is not nearly enough by itself to fully protect people from COVID-19 and other viruses. The CDC recommends HEPA fan/filtration systems be used only to enhance air cleaning, especially in high-risk areas. Dry Hydrogen Peroxide (DHP) systems turn humidity from the air into hydrogen peroxide that can safely and effectively reduce microbes in the air. In addition to being safe for human exposure, it is used in occupied settings and provides an effective no-touch addition to a manual cleaning process, which assists with ongoing decontamination in high-traffic areas.

Making the most of every ESSER dollar

At a time when every dollar spent is scrutinized, it becomes more important than ever to ensure discussions about cleanliness and disinfection are part of a larger operational conversation. Getting leadership’s buy-in will be critical to not just launching a sound program but maintaining it for years to come.

Start by creating a committee of advocates whose expertise and vision from diverse areas of the school can strengthen your cleanliness and disinfection plan. Bringing different points of view to the table, they’ll likely bring up questions that are otherwise not considered.

Next, create a realistic budget. Leveraging the strength of a national facility management provider like OpenWorks helps build a framework for a right-sized budget. They also help identify priorities by building out “must-haves” and “nice-to-haves” based on individual needs.

Become well versed in what your cleaning plan currently looks like and put a critical lens on what may be missing. Ask industry experts about often overlooked areas, and also off-limits areas, deep cleaning and disinfection frequency, the need for air filter changes and general guidelines on best practices in terms of regularity and effectiveness.

Faculty, staff and students play a critical role in a facilities management program. Take the opportunity to educate them about new cleaning and disinfection practices, and empower them to have skin in the game by taking on tasks to help create a safe place to learn.

Know you’re not alone

The idea of implementing and maintaining an effective advanced cleaning and disinfection regimen is daunting. But the existence of ESSER funding, which currently needs to be spent by Sept. 30, 2024, creates an opportunity for facilities and operations managers to leverage the many resources that exist to put them on the path to continued success.

From ongoing day-to-day cleaning, disinfection and indoor air quality checks – to specialized summertime solutions – it’s essential to have a commercial cleaning provider that understands the unique needs of schools and aligns with each school’s needs. Not only are health and wellness philosophies invaluable, but it’s also key to execute a well-thought-out plan, while making the most of the precious funding that has been made available to create a foundation for lasting change in a school’s facilities management plan.

Edward Pim is senior vice president of operations and experience at OpenWorks, a national leader in facilities management. OpenWorks’ facilities maintenance services include cleaning and disinfecting, landscaping, supply replenishment, HVAC service and more.

[ad_2]

Originally Appeared Here