Workers line up to take nucleic acid test at a company in Wuxi, Jiangsu province, July 1, 2022. [Photo/chinanews.com]

Suzhou of Anhui province and Wuxi of Jiangsu province have implemented effective measures to control the spread of COVID-19 after more than 100 infections were reported on Friday.

Anhui reported nine local confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 98 asymptomatic carriers on Thursday, with Sixian county in Suzhou registering the most infections, including the nine confirmed cases and 95 asymptomatic carriers, the provincial health commission said on Friday.

Now Suzhou has 40 areas classified as high-risk and eight as medium-risk. Sixian county has implemented mass nucleic acid testing and restrictive measures in all the residential communities and villages to contain the spread of the virus.

As of Thursday, Anhui has 135 asymptomatic carriers under observation in designated hospitals.

The current outbreak emerged on Sunday when three cases were detected in Sixian county during regular nucleic acid testing for groups of people at high risk of infection.

The current infection has spread to some neighboring cities, such as Hefei in Anhui, and Nanjing, Wuxi and Huai”an in Jiangsu.

Jiangsu provincial capital Nanjing reported one confirmed case and one asymptomatic case among people who had been quarantined as close contacts of the infected from Sixian, according to the Nanjing Health Commission.

Wuxi reported 10 positive infections on Friday morning. It has sent all the infected cases to designated hospitals while workers disinfect their homes, workplaces and some areas that they had visited.

Zhong Chao, who lives in Wuxi’s Liangxi district, said that he was asked to go back home for quarantine on Thursday.

“Workers of the neighborhood committee delivered chicken wings, eggs, rice, vegetables and cooking oil,” he said. “Medical workers provided door-to-door service to give me a PCR test around midnight.

“The residential building I live in has 49 floors,” said Zhong. “I cannot imagine how exhausted those medical workers must be. Many people really have sacrificed a lot to contain the virus.”

As of Friday morning, the city traced and put under quarantine more than 3,200 contacts of the infected cases. Of the 1,745 samples collected from their living environment, 58 turned out to be positive for COVID-19.

As of 2 am Friday, Wuxi had finished nucleic acid testing of 4.69 million people.

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STATEWIDE — As outbreaks of avian flu continue to emerge in small groups of noncommercial backyard birds, Maine animal health officials are urging caution.

Officials say they will continue their advisory which recommends that competitions, exhibitions, shows, swaps, and other in-person events that include gathering or co-mingling of domestic fowl or poultry be canceled or postponed.

Officials with the Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry say they usually see a drop-off in avian flu once summer hits, but that is not the case this summer.

They are now advising that all applicable events be canceled or postponed until at least 30 days after the last detection of an infected flock in Maine.

Officials say if organizers proceed with a poultry event, they should follow these guidelines for keeping birds and other flocks healthy. Most importantly, if a flock at home is not healthy, you are asked not go to the poultry show. Even if not bringing birds, clothes and footwear could carry disease into this environment. Other guidelines include:

• Minimize contact with the birds on exhibit and with their environments
• Wash hands on the way into and out of the exhibit
• Clean and disinfect poultry cages between use
• Keeping gallinaceous (chickens, turkeys, guinea fowl) birds physically separate from waterfowl at the exhibit is strongly recommended. Consider not bringing waterfowl to the exhibit, as they can carry this virus without showing signs of illness.
• Be prepared to respond to suspect or confirmed cases of influenza: document show participant information, make a plan for restricting access to the exhibition barn, and keep contact information for state and local veterinarians handy.

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Originally Appeared Here

For immediate release: July 1, 2022   (22-096)

Contact: DOH Communications

OLYMPIA — As many prepare for Fourth of July gatherings and summer outings, the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) wants to remind folks to stay healthy and celebrate safely.

“Have a safe summer. Be aware of hazards and take precautions to protect yourself and those around you,” said Umair A. Shah MD, MPH, Secretary of Health. “A little planning can make a big difference.”

Some easy ways to prepare for a safe and healthy summer include:

• Practice water safety. Always supervise young children playing in or near the water. Wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket that fits you when swimming, kayaking, paddle boarding, or boating. Remember that even water that seems warm on the surface can lead to cold water shock that will incapacitate good swimmers.
• Learn how to beat the heat and avoid heat-related health problems. Never leave any person or pet in a parked vehicle. Drink plenty of fluids and stay in air-conditioned spaces when possible. Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing, and avoid being outside during the hottest parts of the day. Use high SPF sunblock, even when the sky is cloudy or overcast. Check in on family, friends and neighbors who are elderly or may need help, and make sure pets have access to water and protection from the heat.
• Follow food safety tips and remember to wash your hands. Protect your family and friends from foodborne illnesses. Wash your hands with soap and sanitize all cooking and eating surfaces. Keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold, cook foods to safe internal temperatures, and put food away after no more than two hours at room temperature. Report any foodborne illnesses to your local health department.
• Prevent fireworks injuries. Watch fireworks displays from a safe distance. Always have an adult supervise fireworks activities and do not allow young children to play with or ignite fireworks. Call 911 immediately if someone is injured.
• For a non-serious injury or illness, consider visiting your primary care provider or an urgent care clinic if you need medical attention. Going to the emergency department only for true emergencies can help reduce the impact on our hospitals during busy times like holidays.

• Keep protecting yourself and others from COVID-19. Ensure you are up to date on vaccinations and boosters. Wear a mask in crowded spaces and while traveling. Take a COVID-19 test if you feel sick, have been in contact with someone with COVID-19, or are planning to attend an event or travel. If you test positive, stay home to help protect your community.

By taking steps to prepare, we can all do our part to help keep our communities safe during the holiday weekend and beyond.

The DOH website is your source for a healthy dose of information. Find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. Sign up for the DOH blog, Public Health Connection. 

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Originally Appeared Here

Photo: Shutterstock (Shutterstock)

So you’ve set out to do a load of laundry only to realize you already used the last of the detergent. Bummer—but there is hope for your socks and underwear yet. In a pinch, you can sub in some common household items for your Tide or All; they may not have the same stain-busting power but they will get rid of odors and bacteria. Depending on which one you have on hand, they might even leave your clothes smelling fresher.

Baking soda. There is no shortage of ways to creatively use baking soda, from extinguishing a grease fire to quickly browning your ground beef. This multi-purpose baking ingredient and cleaner also works as a suitable alternative to laundry detergent. According to Essential Home and Garden, it effectively removes acids, oils, and odors from all different types of fabric, while also being completely safe to use in the washing machine. If you want to get fancy, add a few drops of essential oil of your choosing to give your laundry a nice scent.

Lemon juice. When life gives you lemons…use them to wash your clothes? All you need to do is dilute 1/3rd of a cup of lemon juice with 3 cups of water and add it to your machine during the wash cycle. Lemon juice will loosen stains and brighten your whites. Note: Don’t try this trick with artificial lemon juice, which typically contains food dye, and will leave you with more stains than you started with.

Vinegar. Vinegar will go a long way to getting your clothes into a presentable state; its acidity will lift stains and odors that have set into your clothing, and it leaves no residue behind after rinsing. Vinegar is safe to use in the washing machine, as it won’t create suds. Perhaps this goes without saying, but this only applies to white vinegars. If you use dark vinegar, it will stain your clothes almost instantly.

Dish soap. Dish soap will get your clothes clean, provided you’re willing to put in the work. The problem is that it’s risky to put in the washing machine, since it might create more suds than the machine can handle, so it’s recommended you wash any clothes by hand when using it. Add as needed to a tub of warm water, agitate your clothes, and follow up with a thorough rinse. Since dish soap isn’t particularly acidic, you’ll see the best results on soft fabrics like cotton.

Hydrogen peroxide. This first-aid staple will also go a long way to freshen up your clothes. The Spruce writes, “the 3% solution sold in drug stores as a first-aid disinfectant is the best choice for laundry. It is safe to use on all washable, dye-stable fabric.” Hydrogen peroxide will not only remove stains, but also will eliminate accumulated odors; it’s perfect for washing an overused towel or the smelly socks you wore in the rain.

Shampoo/body wash. Much like its dish soap counterpart, shampoo or body wash can also clothes in a pinch, leaving them smelling better—THOUGH you probably won’t have much luck getting out stains. Do not put shampoo or body wash in your washing machine, as they are made to create suds; you’ll have to do a hand-washing in the sink if you opt for this method.

Vodka. This is the only alternative that will work and make you feel like a college freshman with a fake ID all over again. The List recommends pouring undiluted vodka into a spray bottle and lightly misting clothes that need some freshening up. This is mostly a stopgap—it will help reduce odors, but the alcohol won’t do much to lift dirt or stains. Opt for a flavorless vodka if you go this route, or you’ll risk giving yourself new stains to contend with.

  

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BROOMFIELD, Colo. — The Colorado Department of Agriculture State Veterinarian’s Office was recently notified of an equine neurologic case in Weld County. The State Veterinarian’s Office has been collaborating with the Colorado State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital and Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, the Colorado Horse Park, and private practicing veterinarians involved in the case.

The horse was on site for an event at the Colorado Horse Park from June 22 until June 25, 2022 before returning to its home in Weld County. Two days after returning home, the horse began displaying neurologic signs consistent with Equine Herpes Myeloencephalopathy, a disease caused by EHV-1 virus. CSU Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory completed the initial diagnostics which were inconclusive. Follow-up diagnostics showed a low viral load of EHV-1 on one nasal swab. Two whole blood samples, as well as one CSF sample, were negative for EHV. The horse remains hospitalized at CSU VTH with continued supportive therapy.

“Equine Herpes Myeloencephalopathy cases can be challenging to diagnose, as EHV is a ubiquitous virus in the equine population. This case is clinically compatible with EHM, although we do not have confirmatory tests to completely support the diagnosis at this time,” said Dr. Maggie Baldwin, Colorado State Veterinarian. “As with any equine event, there is risk for stressed horses to begin shedding the virus and pose a risk to other horses on site. Out of an abundance of caution, we recommend that any horses at the event or on site at the Colorado Horse Park be monitored for the next two weeks.”

Because the horse was removed from the premises prior to the onset of clinical signs, the risk of exposure to horses at the horse park is low. However, as EHV is a ubiquitous virus and commonly present in the environment, biosecurity measures are paramount to decreasing potential for disease transmission. Horse owners and attendees at the Colorado Horse Park should monitor their horses with twice daily temperatures and for EHM-compatible clinical signs. If fevers or neurologic signs are noticed, please contact your veterinarian who will consult with the State Veterinarian’s Office.

The Colorado Horse Park is not currently under quarantine, but will continue to work closely with event veterinarians and the State Veterinarian’s Office. The park will continue to monitor the situation and implement enhanced biosecurity practices, including the routine monitoring of twice daily temperatures. If elevated temperatures or clinical signs are noticed while on site at the Colorado Horse Park, please contact show management and the horse show veterinarian.

VIRUS INFORMATION

Infected horses may not show clinical signs of the virus but may still act as carriers. EHV‐1 is spread from horse to horse through contact with nasal discharge or spread as aerosol droplets. Horses can also contract the virus by coming into contact with contaminated surfaces such as stalls, water, feed, tack, and transport vehicles. Humans can spread the virus from horse to horse by contaminated hands and clothing. It is important for owners to watch for signs and symptoms and practice biosecurity measures. Good biosecurity practices include extensive cleaning and disinfection of surfaces and equipment that come in contact with affected horses, and individuals who treat or come into contact with infected horses need to follow appropriate disinfection protocols when handling multiple horses.

Veterinarians are asked to immediately report any suggestive signs of reportable diseases, even if the disease has not been confirmed.

Visit the CDA website at https://ag.colorado.gov/animals/reportable-diseases to see the Reportable Disease List.

The Colorado Department of Agriculture State Veterinarian’s Office may be reached any time at (303) 869-9130.

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Another detection as of June 28 of highly pathogenic avian flu in a backyard bird flock has prompted the Maine Dept. of Agriculture to issue a list of precautions. They include  recommending cancellation or postponement of competitions, exhibitions, shows, swaps, or other in-person events encouraging the gathering or comingling of domestic fowl or poultry for at least 30 days.

“The trends observed with past North American HPAI outbreaks are that we often see a reprieve in the summer months,” according to a July 1 news release from the Maine Dept. of Agriculture. “Unfortunately, this is not the pattern observed in the current outbreak.”

In Maine, two eagles, one Canadian goose and six black ducks have been found to carry avian flu amongst wild birds.

The eagles were in Lincoln and York counties; the goose in York County and the ducks in Washington County, according to the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture.

Commercial and backyard flocks have also been affected in Maine, including:

20 backyard birds in Cumberland County, June 29;
50 backyard birds in Waldo County in April;
40 in a Knox County backyard flock in April;
20 in a Washington County backyard flock in April;
250 in a Cumberland County backyard flock in April;
30 in a Lincoln County backyard flock in March;
three in Lincoln County in March;
180 in a Cumberland County backyard flock in March;
100 in a Knox County backyard flock in February

Animal health officials in Maine now recommend that all competitions, exhibitions, shows, swaps, or other in-person events encouraging the gathering or comingling of domestic fowl or poultry be postponed until at least 30 days after the last detection of an infected flock in the state.

If organizers proceed with a poultry event, follow guidelines for keeping birds and other flocks healthy, the Dept. of Agriculture said.

“ Most importantly: if a flock at home is not healthy, DO NOT go to the poultry show. Even if not bringing birds, clothes and footwear could carry disease into this environment. In addition:

Minimize contact with the birds on exhibit and with their environments;

Wash hands on the way into and out of the exhibit; and,

Clean and disinfect poultry cages between use;

Keeping gallinaceous (chickens, turkeys, guinea fowl) birds physically separate from waterfowl at the exhibit is strongly recommended. Consider not bringing waterfowl to the exhibit, as they can carry this virus without showing signs of illness.

Be prepared to respond to suspect or confirmed cases of influenza: document show participant information, make a plan for restricting access to the exhibition barn, and keep contact information for state and local veterinarians handy.

The risk assessment for HPAI transmission is ongoing and dependent on dynamic factors such as weather and wild bird migratory patterns.

As the southern migration begins this fall, adjustments to our flock management practices may remain necessary to protect these birds.

Keep an eye on the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry website for new information about the status of the HPAI outbreak. Recommendations and regulations for Maine’s bird owners can be found here: https://www.maine.gov/dacf/ahw/animal_health/.

For a complete snapshot of HPAI in Maine, the state’s response, a list of frequently asked questions, and additional HPAI resources, visit maine.gov/dacf/hpai.

To report sick poultry or unusual domestic bird deaths, call the USDA’s toll-free sick bird hotline at 1-866-536-7593.

To report a strange-acting or dead wild bird, call the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife at 207-287-8000. If after hours, contact the ME DIFW regional office at 1-800-452-4664.

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Originally Appeared Here

Hippocrates was credited with saying “All disease begins in the gut.” Twenty-five hundred years later, we’re learning he was pretty close.

Although not all disease starts there, the gut is home to an important defense against disease and infection: the gut microbiome. As pharmacists, it is essential to stay up to date with key research and findings to further support patients.

What is the gut microbiome?

Sometimes called the “forgotten organ,” the gut microbiome is a thriving community of trillions of microorganisms representing 500 to 1000 species of bacteria, viruses, and fungi.1-6

These diverse species, together called gut microbiota, mostly live deep within the colon, living inside and outside the gut.7

The gut microbiome maintains a symbiotic relationship with the cells that make up the walls of the gut mucosa. It forms a protective barrier between the intestinal walls and its contents, protects against the growth of harmful colonies of microbiota, and promotes overall health.8-10

Although our understanding of the microbial function of the microbiota continues to evolve, bacteria within the gut microbiome ecosystem have been shown to play important roles in digestion, metabolism, and synthesis of beneficial substances including vitamins. The microbiome also helps combat infection and inflammation by interfacing with and modulating our immune systems. Some of these functions can be performed by diverse bacteria belonging to different phyla, while other functions are performed in a complementary or symbiotic fashion by select microbiota.11

Composition of the gut microbiome

The gut microbiome contains a large and diverse mix of microbiota, which is essential to overall health. In some cases, an imbalance in the gut microbiome can occur leading to a state of dysbiosis, which has been connected to a wide range of diseases, such as obesity, inflammatory bowel disease, liver disease, and infections.7-12

When the volume and diversity of the gut microbiome are disrupted, and key bacteria are depleted, dysbiosis is the result.

Two of the most prevalent bacteria within the gut are Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes.2,13 Each plays a different role. Bacteroidetes have immunomodulatory effects, whereas Firmicutes have anti-inflammatory effects and fortify the gut’s barrier. These bacteria are important to help maintain balance in the gut microbiome.14-18

Causes and impact of dysbiosis

Dysbiosis is associated with diet, hygiene, and medications, including antibiotics.7,19,20 It has also been linked to a range of gastrointestinal (GI) conditions, such as irritable bowel disorder, colitis, and gastric infections, which can flourish when healthy bacteria are depleted, leaving room for harmful ones to grow.7,17,18

One of these pathogens is Clostridioidesdifficile, which may cause a serious and extremely contagious GI infection that affects nearly 500,000 people in the United States each year, often after exposure in hospitals, and which kills nearly 30,000 people per year.21

C. difficile infectionis treated with antibiotics; however, because antibiotic use, especially prolonged use, can lead to dysbiosis, the infection recurs in up to 35% of patients. Of these, up to 65% experience multiple bouts of C. difficile infection, leading to a vicious cycle of recurrence.17,22

How can we break the cycle of recurrence of C. difficile infection?

The first step to reducing recurrent C. difficile infections is prevention. This may include frequent handwashing with soap, as well as cleaning and disinfecting surfaces that could be contaminated.

Be aware that alcohol-based hand sanitizer gels will not kill C. difficile infection. Exercise caution by controlling contact and wearing personal protective equipment when caring for someone with C. difficile infection.23,24

When dysbiosis occurs, the best approach to restoring balance in the gut microbiome is to repopulate the gut with a mix of diverse microbiota.7,17,18

As scientists learn more about the gut microbiome, they are uncovering ways to harness its power and address serious diseases, including C. difficile infection and recurrence.

Why do pharmacists need to know more about gut microbiome health?

As frontline health workers, pharmacists are in a position to educate patients about the importance of a healthy microbiome and how dysbiosis and infections may be avoided. The best way pharmacists can promote good gut health is through promotion of a healthy diet and appropriate use of medications. For medications, pharmacists can guide use of agents that may precipitate or contribute to dysbiosis (e.g. antimicrobials, proton pump inhibitors).

In accordance with best antimicrobial stewardship practices, pharmacists should promote use of the narrowest spectrum antimicrobial agent used for the shortest possible duration to minimize collateral damage on the microbiome.Additionally, pharmacists can also help patients understand the benefits and limitations of probiotics and most importantly, they can guide patients to seek medical care if C. difficile infection recurs.

To learn more about the gut microbiome, visit PowerofMicrobiome.com.

References

1. Baquero F, Nombela C. The microbiome as a human organ. Clin Microbiol Infect. 2012 Jul;18 Suppl 4:2-4.
2. Gilbert JA, Blaser MJ, Caporaso JG, et al. Current understanding of the human microbiome. Nat Med. 2018;24(4):392-400.
3. Antharam VC, Li EC, Ishmael A, et al. Intestinal dysbiosis and depletion of butyrogenic bacteria in Clostridium difficile infection and nosocomial diarrhea. J Clin Microbiol. 2013;51(9):2884-2892.
4. Thursby E, Juge N. Introduction to the human gut microbiota. Biochem J. 2017;474(11):1823-1836.
5. Marchesi JR, Adams DH, Fava F, et al. The gut microbiota and host health: A new clinical frontier. Gut. 2016;65(2):330-339.
6. O’Hara, A. M., & Shanahan, F. (2006). The gut flora as a forgotten organ. EMBO reports, 7(7), 688–693. https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.embor.7400731
7. Donaldson GP, Lee SM, Mazmanian SK. Gut biogeography of the bacterial microbiota. Nat Rev Microbiol. 2016;14(1):20-32.
8. Bien J, Palagani V, Bozko P. The intestinal microbiota dysbiosis and Clostridium difficile infection: Is there a relationship with inflammatory bowel disease?Therap Adv Gastroenterol. 2013;6(1):53-68.
9. Ley R, Hamady M, Lozupone C, et al. Evolution of mammals and their gut microbes. Science. 2008;320(5883):1647-1651.
10. Mazmanian S, Liu C, Tzianabos A, Kasper D. An immunomodulatory molecule of symbiotic bacteria directs maturation of the host immune system. Cell. 2005;122(1):107-118.
11. Kho, Z. Y., & Lal, S. K. (2018). The Human Gut Microbiome – A Potential Controller of Wellness and Disease. Frontiers in microbiology, 9, 1835. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2018.01835
12. Allaband C, McDonald D, Vázquez-Baeza Y, et al. microbiome 101: studying, analyzing, and interpreting gut microbiome data for clinicians. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2019 Jan;17(2):218-230. Epub 2018 Sep 18.
13. Flores GE, Caporaso JG, Henley JB, et al. Temporal variability is a personalized feature of the human microbiome. Genome Biol. 2014;15:531.
14. Wexler AG, Goodman AL. An insider’s perspective: Bacteroides as a window into the microbiome. Nat Microbiol. 2017;2(1):17115.
15. Gill SR, Pop M, Deboy RT, et al. Metagenomic analysis of the human distal gut microbiome.Science. 2006;312(5778):1355-1359.
16. Kurokawa K, Itoh T, Kuwahara T, et al. Comparative metagenomics revealed commonly enriched gene sets in human gut microbiomes. DNA Res. 2007;14(4):169-181.
17. Faith JJ, Guruge JL, Charbonneau M, et al. The long-term stability of the human gut microbiota.Science. 2013;341(6141):1237439.
18. Li X, Kang Y, Huang Y, et al. A strain of Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron attenuates colonization of Clostridioides difficile and affects intestinal microbiota and bile acids profile in a mouse model. Biomed Pharmacother. 2021;137:111290.
19. Weiss GA, Hennet T. Mechanisms and consequences of intestinal dysbiosis. Cell Mol Life Sci. 2017;74(16):2959-2977.
20. Riaz Rajoka MS, Shi J, Mehwish HM, et al. Interaction between diet composition and gut microbiota and its impact on gastrointestinal tract health. Food Sci Hum Wellness. 2017;6(3):121-130.
21. Lessa FC, Mu Yi, Bamberg WM, et al. Burden of Clostridium difficile infection in the United States. N Engl J Med. 2015;372(9):825-834.
22. Cornely OA, Miller MA, Louie TJ, Crook DW, Gorbach SL. Treatment of first recurrence of Clostridium difficile infection: Fidaxomicin versus vancomycin. Clin Infect Dis. 2012;55 Suppl 2(Suppl 2):S154-S161.
23. Johnson S, Lavergne V, Skinner AM, et al. Clinical Practice Guidelines by the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) and Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA): 2021 Focused Update Guidelines on Management of Clostridioides difficile Infection in Adults. Clin Infect Dis. 2021;73(5):e1029-e1044.
24. Surawicz CM, Brandt LJ, Binion DG, et al. Guidelines for diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of Clostridium difficile infection. Am J Gastroenterol. 2013;108(4):478-498.

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Originally Appeared Here

Janetti Francischi (left photo, back left, giving thumbs up) teaches women in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, how to make soap (right photo) from used cooking oils.Credit: Janetti Francischi

Turning used cooking oil into aromatic soap bars might sound like alchemy. But that’s precisely what Janetti Francischi, a retired pharmacologist, has been doing since November 2020, distributing the soaps in her local community of Belo Horizonte, Brazil.

Inspired by her mother, who was a pharmacist, Francischi pursued a bachelor’s degree in biomedical sciences and a master’s degree in pharmacology at the University of São Paulo (USP). She also earned a PhD there, studying a specific type of white blood cell, the macrophage, and its role in peritoneal inflammation.

After 32 years as a professor at the Federal University of Minas Gerais, where she taught more than 5,000 students in subjects ranging from odontology to veterinary medicine, Francischi retired in 2017.

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020, Francischi decided to put her teaching and pharmacology expertise to work again. Brazil has been hit hard: as of May this year, the SARS-CoV-2 virus had claimed more than 660,000 lives in the country.

Feeling an urge to help her community fight the pandemic, Francischi started producing bars of soap from her home for washing and disinfecting. Based on a memory from her childhood, she repurposed used cooking oils, such as sunflower and olive oils.

How did you come up with this idea of collecting and transforming oil into soap?

My husband of 30 years died in an accident in 2016, and his absence affected me deeply.

My husband was the one who used to take care of the domestic tasks. I never asked what he did with our cooking-oil waste. After his death, I saw the bottles of used oil piling up in the kitchen and wondered what to do with them. I also had this distant memory of my grandmother making soap out of our used oil. But I didn’t have the ‘recipe’.

My youngest son says people can learn anything on YouTube. I gave it a try. I watched a few videos and then tried the process at home. I approached it like a laboratory experiment. I measured the quantities of the ingredients, took note of the times, and registered the pH of the soap. It’s ready to use when it reaches neutral pH after about a week, when it changes colour from yellow to white.

In this way, I fused three goals into one — to help my community control the spread of the virus, save money and reduce environmental contamination with oil.

How does this ‘magic’ happen? What are the steps?

The first step is to drain the oil with a cloth to remove any residues – a simple kitchen cloth will do the job. After that, you heat water to near boiling point and add caustic soda flakes, or sodium hydroxide, mixing it very well until they dissolve.

Safety is key in this procedure because caustic soda is very corrosive. You must protect yourself from head to toe with goggles, gloves and apron. You also need to protect your feet – something I forgot on my first try.

Then, you add the cooking oil. This is the most challenging part because the mixture must be stirred with a stick for 40 minutes, until it becomes homogeneous. This is where I added a little something that makes all the difference: I started using an electric hand-held blender, and now this step is done in five minutes.

In my recipe, I also add a little washing-up detergent to increase foaming and some washing powder for aroma. When the mixture reaches the tracing point — when the oil and caustic soda form an emulsion and will no longer separate — we pour it into a rectangular plastic mould, and five hours later it’s ready to cut. After cutting, it needs to dry for at least a week.

How do you collect the cooking oil and distribute the soap?

I started by asking my family, friends and neighbours. But soon the network became wider. I got in touch with small businesses, such as street food sellers, and now I collect their used oil.

I distribute the soap in churches, which have a big influence in Brazil. People come, bring their bottles of oil and return later for their soap. One litre of oil waste turns into about ten bars of soap. This soap can be used for dishes and laundry, but also for hand and body washing.

You’ve led workshops to teach soap-making. How did that go?

I partnered with the non-governmental organization Seu Vizinho, which promotes educational, social and cultural activities in the neighbourhood of Aglomerado da Serra, which is an impoverished area in Belo Horizonte where even basic items such as feminine-hygiene pads can be considered a luxury.

I designed four workshop sessions in the summer of 2021. We provided all the materials – the ingredients, blender, buckets, goggles, gloves and aprons for the participants.

The participants brought their own cooking oil. When we drained the oil, I noticed it had more residues than I expected from being used repeatedly so many times. That touched me a lot. I showed them how they could let this residue – which is very high in protein – dry and then reuse it, for instance, to feed animals.

They were astonished with the results, and I’ve been contacted again to do a new workshop on soap varieties. I also left all the materials at the community, so they can make soap anytime they wish.

I do this work as a volunteer. It’s a way of giving back to society. I hope to continue with this project for the rest of my life.

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PROVIDED BY THE GASPARILLA ISLAND WATER ASSOCIATION

Gasparilla Island Water Association, Inc. will be temporarily changing the disinfection process for its Placida and Boca Grande potable (drinking water) water supply.  From July 11 at 8 a.m. through August 22, GIWA will disinfect the water with free chlorine rather than combined chlorine/ammonia (chloramines).  

This conversion to chlorine (which is a stronger disinfectant) from chloramines (which are longer-lasting disinfectants) allows GIWA to perform a water distribution system purge as recommended by the Department of Environmental Protection for water utilities using chloramines as their primary disinfectant.

This temporary change in disinfectant does not cause adverse health effects. However, during this period customers may experience a slight increase in taste, odor and color of the water due to the change in treatment.

Customers on kidney dialysis who use a proportioning machine to prepare dialysate at home are advised to contact their equipment supplier or physician to take any appropriate steps to accommodate the change in water disinfection and to install the proper filtering devices if needed.

Customers who have fish tanks or other aquatic species are advised to contact the local pet store to ensure proper pretreatment of the water before adding to or changing the water in the tank to avoid any problems associated with chlorine.

If you have any questions concerning this change in disinfectants, please call Ronald Bolton at 964-2423.  

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Originally Appeared Here

If you are evacuating ahead of a hurricane, there are at least 15 basic things you should do before hitting the road, emergency officials say. 

Your top priorities should be the safety of your people (loved ones and neighbors), pets and property.

Related: Tips for evacuating with children

Before there’s a pressing storm threat, take time to make a plan. Identify several destinations in different directions. Destinations include a friend’s or relative’s home, a public shelter and hotels. Find out if you need to pick up loved ones on your way out of town. How will you transport your pets?

If you live in a trailer or mobile home, authorities strongly recommend evacuating for any storm. For other residents, the severity of the storm will determine if you evacuate or shelter in place. Here are questions to ask yourself when trying to decide what to do.

Do before leaving

Once you decide to leave, tell your loved ones where you are going and keep them updated. Posting on social media also helps so people can check your status there instead of draining your phone battery by calling and texting you.

Check on your elderly relatives and neighbors and see if anyone needs a ride or supplies.

Take your animals with you or find someone who can evacuate with them or care for them temporarily. Plan ahead for large animals like horses and cattle. Bring food and pet supplies, including proof of vaccination and a leash or travel crate.

And pack your patience. Traffic is much heavier when there’s a storm threat, and New Orleans officials say you should estimate that it will take at least four times longer than usual to get to your destination. Traffic will get heavier as the storm threat gets closer. Leave with a full tank of gas, snacks and activities to occupy your time, including a phone charger.

Property prep before leaving

If you live in a trailer or mobile home, evacuate for any storm, authorities say. Before you leave:

• Shut off fuel lines but do not disconnect them.
• Turn off the water where it enters your home.
• Use both “over the top” and “frame” ties to secure your home.

Everyone, including those in mobile homes, should do the following before evacuating:

• Gather items you need. See suggestions below.
• Remove debris from gutters, downspouts and storm drains.
• Bring outdoor furniture and decorations inside.
• Secure or bring garbage bins inside.
• Make and place sandbags if needed.
• Lock all doors and windows.
• Empty your fridge and freezer or put everything into garbage bags and then back into the appliance.
• Turn the fridge/freezer temperature to the lowest setting before leaving.
• Unplug household items, especially electronics, in case there’s a power surge.
• Move possessions to your highest floor.
• Photograph your property for insurance purposes.
• Cover your windows with plywood or storm shutters.
• Secure boats and recreational vehicles.
• Turn off electricity, water and propane gas. Leave natural gas on, unless you are instructed to turn it off.
• Leave a key with a neighbor or friend who is staying so they can access your house if needed.

Pro tips for your fridge

Take your frozen and refrigerated food with you in a cooler, especially your expensive meat and seafood.

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Anything else, put inside thick garbage bags, then put the bags back in the freezer. If the power goes out and everything melts, throw out the bags to clean up the mess. 

Related: Tips for cleaning fridge after a storm

To help you know how long the power was out, place a clear plastic pitcher with whole ice cubes in the freezer. When you get home, if the electricity is still off, throw away the melted food in the bag.

If the electricity has gone off and come back on, you will be able to tell by looking at the pitcher of ice. If it is a solid block of ice then you know that everything has defrosted and frozen again. Throw your food out because it’s not safe to eat.

If the ice cubes were partially melted but many of them are still in the shape of ice cubes, you know it was not a total defrost job. Here’s a list from the FDA about what’s safe and what’s not to eat after power outages.

A full fridge and freezer will hold its temperature longer. Fill containers or double-bagged Ziplocs with water and use them to fill gaps.

Turn the temperature to the lowest setting before leaving.

Packing list for evacuating

Several cars stop on the shoulder due to mechanical issues as westbound traffic on Interstate 10 alternates between a crawl and a standstill as drivers evacuate Saturday afternoon, August 28, 2021, while southeast Louisiana braces for Hurricane Ida’s landfall Sunday.

This is the suggested packing list from New Orleans emergency officials and LSU AgCenter experts:

• Clothes. If you are in a rush, a pro tip is to take your hamper with your dirty clothes and wash them at your destination.
• Cell phone, important electronics and chargers, including car chargers
• Soap, toothbrush, toothpaste and toiletries
• Face masks, sanitizer and disinfecting wipes
• Bedding
• Identification
• Cash, credit cards, checkbook, etc.
• List of emergency contacts, including numbers for doctors and vets
• Medications, copy of medical records and prescriptions
• Specialty items needed for children
• Birth and marriage certificates
• Documents that prove where you live
• Wills, deeds, titles, etc.
• Insurance policies
• Pet supplies, including proof of vaccination and leash or travel crate
• Activities, especially for children
• Roadside emergency kit with a printed map. Cell service is often limited and phone navigation service may be spotty.
• Food and water for the trip because services may be limited for several hours while driving.
• Laptop or tablet
• List of your usernames and passwords
• More suggestions from LSU AgCenter

Here are suggested items for children from the LSU AgCenter:

• Tablet or phone with downloaded shows and games
• Handheld video games (Example: Nintendo Switch)
• Headphones
• Snacks
• Several favorite books
• Crayons and paper
• Children’s puzzles
• Children’s board games (checkers, dominoes, etc.)
• Card games (Go Fish, Old Maid, Uno, etc.)
• Two favorite small toys, such as a doll or action figure
• A cherished stuffed animal
• A treasured blanket and/or pillow
• Pictures of family and pets
• Other special items that will comfort children

Evacuating ahead of a hurricane with children can add another layer of difficulty to an already challenging situation. Here are some tips from…

Judy Walker and Mark Schleifstein contributed to this story.

Sources: Times-Picayune archives, National Hurricane Center, National Weather Service, NOAA and NOLA Ready.

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