OPENING the door to my Tinder date Sami’s home in August 2020, and catching a whiff of what lay ahead, I knew he was about to be disappointed.

When I glimpsed his greasy oven fan and dirty cupboard tops, I had one thing on my mind: cleaning.

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Auri Kananen is a cleaner who lives in Tampere, Finland

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She has more than 10million followers online

He was stunned as I whipped Marigolds out of my bag and began scrubbing his house clean.

Sami proposed in January 2022 and we’re getting married next year, so my obsession with being a ‘super cleaner’ – who loves tackling the stench of rotting food and the sight of squirming maggots – didn’t put him off!

It’s also made me the world’s most famous cleaning influencer, with 10 million followers.

I started cleaning professionally when I was 16 and still at school, helping my mum Sanna, 52, who ran a cleaning company.

Our home in Tampere, which we shared with my dad and brother, was always immaculate.

She taught me how to clean, including hacks like using a squeegee on floors, not just windows.

Aged 20, I went to Tampere University to study applied sciences, which included learning about specialised cleaning and hospitality management.

Afterwards, I got a job as a manager in a large commercial cleaning company partly owned by Mum.

I started working full-time with her in 2012 and realised the jobs I got greatest satisfaction from were the ones other cleaners refused.

The most extreme was a bathroom that hadn’t been cleaned for six years.

It was black with mould, the floor strewn with waste and bottles of urine and poo – I called it my ‘dirtylicious challenge.’

I first got the idea to share my work on social media during the pandemic in June 2020 – I knew people were stuck at home and I wanted to show them how easy cleaning could be.

So I set up accounts on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube and Facebook and started sharing before and after videos.

They went viral, getting 1.9 million views, then double that and treble. By December, I had 3million followers, and I now have more than 10 million across my channels.

The following June, I become self-employed, thanks to my social media success.

My friends and family are proud of me, and while cleaning is how I earn a living, I also do some for free, helping people with illnesses.

I receive so many heartbreaking messages and photos of filthy homes.

Recently, I had a message from a woman who was concerned about her 86-year-old friend with Alzheimer’s who was squirrelling away rotting food in drawers and behind sofas.

I started working full-time with her in 2012 and realised the jobs I got greatest satisfaction from were the ones other cleaners refused. The most extreme was a bathroom that hadn’t been cleaned for six years.

Her bathroom was filled with mould and unwashed clothes.

I was determined to create a nice environment for her, so I spent two days wiping away inches of rotted food and maggots. The stink was overwhelming.

When I’d finished, she offered to pay me, but seeing her happiness was enough. I also talked to relatives and support groups to ensure they could keep her house clean.

For other vulnerable people, I leave them a kit and a list of when to clean and how.

One man contacted me because he was depressed and his bedsit had fallen into squalor.

I used a scraper to get rid of a year’s worth of cigarette butts and ash from the floor, and removed a mountain of rubbish and rotting food from the kitchen.

People think I use high-tech equipment, but I don’t. I use a broom to get rid of dirt and hair, then a dustpan and brush, followed by soap and water or carpet cleaner.

My top products are degreaser, scrapers, dishwasher soap and water, power paste, toilet cleaner and Scrub Daddy scrubbers.

After each job, I shower and change, before disinfecting my tools and washing my clothes on a hot cycle.

I don’t employ anyone, but I hope to set up a network of cleaners around the world to help those in need.

People might find my job disgusting, but I’m never happier than when I’m knee-deep in mould and grime.

BTW

Two hours of cleaning burns around 400 calories

An office phone can contain 25,000 germs per square inch*.

Leave antibac on surfaces for 1-2 minutes before wiping or it won’t be effective.

Source: *Cleaning Services Group

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Auri is the world’s most famous cleaning influencer

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She is getting married to electrical company CEO Sami next year

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Originally Appeared Here

Emerging Artists Theatre will kick off its 29th season by showcasing over fifty performances (in various stages of development) at its bi-annual New Work Series. The diverse lineup includes new musicals, dance pieces, solo shows, short and full-length plays and runs from March 21 to April 10, 2022, at TADA Theater in New York City’s Flatiron District.

The festival features a broad range of topics and genres, including a comical tale of queer love set in Paris, a multicultural story of a Turkish man searching for truth, and a solo show about a cleaning guy that has been scouring New York City apartments for the past 30 years.

Eight new musicals will be presented including pieces set in unique places such as an Irish wake, 5th Century BC Athens, Seattle in the 1980s, a roaring 1920’s party where someone is murdered with a ukulele, and a backward tale of Ethel Merman starring Beth Leavel as Ethel Merman and Emily Skinner as Benay Venuta.

For a full list of shows visit www.emergingartiststheatre.org

Artistic Director Paul Adams shared his thoughts on the series, “Since our inception 29 years ago, Emerging Artists’ mission has been an incubator for new work and new voices. We strive to provide a supportive and encouraging environment where artists and their work can grow.”

He went on to say, “Artists in the series are encouraged to focus on the text or structure of their pieces which are in various stages of development, whether it’s a staged reading or a fully-realized production. Shows are followed by a short talkback in which the artists get feedback from the audience. We’re excited to announce that our Spring New Work Series will present 51 artists’ work and greatly expand the energy exchange between artists and audience.”

Tickets range between $20 – $25 and are available at www.newworkseries.com. All performances take place at TADA Theater, 15 West 28th Street (between Broadway and 5th Avenue), 2nd Floor (elevator accessible), New York, NY 10001. Subways: N/R/1/2 to 28th Street, B/D/F/W to 34th Street.uired for audience members while in the theater.

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Originally Appeared Here

Penguin Rep Theatre, the Stony Point-based nonprofit professional theatre, launches its 2022 mainstage season with I AND YOU by Lauren Gunderson, one of the country’s most widely produced authors for the stage, starting Friday, April 29, artistic director Joe Brancato announced today.

“I AND YOU is an inspiring work about youth, life, love, and the mystery of human connectedness,” Mr. Brancato says. “We are excited to have the play kick off Penguin’s mainstage season, which this year is comprised of four fully staged productions that share stories that uplift and entertain.”

According to executive director Andrew M. Horn, the production will follow Penguin’s pre-season special events – the well-received world premieres of SMALL and FAR FROM THE HOME I LOVE – and marks the return of “the Penguin Rep Theatre experience — new works in the inviting environs of our repurposed barn in Stony Point, New York – and brings it into a new, more accessible chapter with lower ticket prices.”

In I AND YOU, the last thing Caroline wanted was a classmate named Anthony walking into her life to work on a school project. But as the two let down their guards and share their secrets, they embark on a journey of exploration that will leave audiences breathless.

Author Lauren Gunderson has been one of the most produced playwrights in America since 2015. She is a two-time winner of the Steinberg/ATCA New Play Award for I AND YOU and THE BOOK OF WILL, the winner of the Lanford Wilson Award and the Otis Guernsey New Voices Award, and a finalist for the Susan Smith Blackburn Prize and John Gassner Award for Playwriting.

Under the direction of Thomas Caruso, Outer Critics Circle Award and Lucille Lortel nominee who staged the Broadway national tours of MATILDA, GHOST and MASTER CLASS, the cast features Johnathan Dougan (as Anthony) and Mairéad O’Neill (as Caroline).

The production is designed by David Goldstein (set), Martin E. Vreeland (lighting), Myra Oney (costumes), and Max Silverman (sound).

I AND YOU will be presented through May 15. Performances are scheduled Thursdays at 7 p.m., Fridays at 7:30 p.m. Saturdays (2 shows) at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m. There is also a specially discounted matinee scheduled at 2 p.m. on Friday, April 29.

Individual tickets to I AND YOU are priced at $39 (including facility fee and service charge). Discounts are available for groups of 10 or more and young people (30 and under).a??

Season tickets for all four mainstage productions are on sale now. Prices start as low as $104 for the four plays, a savings of one-third off the cost of individual tickets.

Performances take place at Penguin’s intimate, 108-seat theatre, located at 7 Crickettown Road. “The converted barn, circa 1880, has never been more inviting” (The New York Times). Says Mr. Horn, “it’s theatre so close you can feel it, with comfy upholstered seats and no seat more than 30 feet from the stage.” The theatre is air conditioned, handicapped accessible, and has plenty of free parking.

During its closure due to COVID-19, Penguin made physical modifications to its venue to make the theatergoing experience safer and more comfortable. Air filtration was upgraded, air circulation modified to ensure increased exchange of inside and outside air, and high-intensity UVC light installed inside the ductwork to remove airborne and surface contaminants.

To order tickets or for further information, visit Penguin Rep’s website at www.penguinrep.org or call 845-786-2873.

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Originally Appeared Here

Imaginechina

A disinfection staff works in a residential building in Shanghai’s Yangpu District.

Household disinfection will only be conducted in the homes of COVID-19 positive cases. But if they live in old residential neighborhoods, the homes of their neighbors, who share common kitchens and bathrooms, will also be disinfected, according to Shanghai’s housing authority.

Before conducting the home disinfection, community workers must fully communicate with the infected persons and their families, seeking their understanding and cooperation.

Residents should also tell the staff about any belongings that are sensitive to disinfectants or need special protection, Jin Chen, deputy director of the Shanghai Housing and Urban-Rural Development Commission, said.

“Authorities have rolled out a series of rules and procedures on indoor disinfection, as well as evaluation standards,” Jin told the city’s daily COVID-19 press meeting.

Professional disinfection staff must launch a terminal disinfection in the living and working places of COVID-19 positive cases in line with the city’s coronavirus prevention requirements.

Imaginechina

A staff shows the disinfectant pills used in community disinfection.

Disinfection teams have been asked to keep an inspection work record and the home disinfection process must be under supervision and should be evaluated, Jin stated.

A notice must be publicized in the community after they finish the work, he added.

The city’s disease control authority will launch random checks on disinfection services every day. The inspectors will mainly check the ratio of disinfectants, tools and the whole process.

About 160,000 specialists are conducting disinfection in public spaces of the city’s 13,000 neighborhood communities. They also carry out home disinfection after positive cases are transferred to quarantine sites.

Meanwhile, a road cleaning campaign has been launched to wash about 3,000 local streets and clear 600 tons of garbage per day.

To support work resumption, the professional teams will focus on malls and supermarkets, street shops, wet markets, office buildings and residential compounds in the next step, Jin revealed.

Imaginechina

Disinfection staff work in a Yangpu District community in Shanghai.

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Originally Appeared Here

Although water levels are starting to recede in some areas, they remain extremely high in several communities and rural areas.

That has prompted the Northwestern Health Unit to issue an alert of health risks associated with flooding.

Local officials state when flooding impacts buildings, prolonged wet or damp conditions can cause mould that can lead to allergic reactions and asthma.

Chronic or severe exposure to mould can cause symptoms like eye, skin, nose and throat irritation, as well as headaches, poor concentration, and fatigue.

The flooding can also impact private drinking water wells and result in contamination of the ground water in the well.

If this is the case you are urged to use a different source of water for drinking, preparing food, and brushing teeth.

You can also boil the water for at least one minute.

For more information visit Boil Water Advisories.

Other tips:

-When the flood waters recede, take a well water sample to make sure that your water is ok to drink again. Wells that have been contaminated with flood water may require disinfection before they can be safely used.

-Food that has been in contact with flood waters or has been stored in basements or other areas that have been flooded should be discarded, except for undamaged canned goods.

-Labels from undamaged cans should be removed, and wash and disinfect the cans before they are opened.

-Structural and electrical safety concerns can also exist when dealing with flood conditions. Please visit Canada’s After a Flood webpage for more information about safely re-entering your home and cleaning up after a flood.

Visit Health Canada’s Floods and Your Health webpage for information about the potential dangers of flood water.

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Originally Appeared Here

Jun. 10—As prices on everything from eggs to gasoline skyrocket due to inflation, other major issues have understandably faded out of focus.

One issue that won’t disappear entirely, though, is COVID-19. Cases are on the rise nationally, again, and many virologists expect the spike in to continue into the summer months.

Although Cass County and the surrounding areas have not seen any significant spikes, COVID-19 cases in Indiana are on the rise. New cases in the state fell to below 300 a day in March according to the Centers for Disease Control, but have slowly risen since, and the most recent 7-day rolling average is 2,800.

Most of the population is tired of thinking and talking about COVID-19 as we move into the third year of the pandemic, but the threat remains. Breakthrough cases are accounting for almost half of the new cases as vaccines wear off and variants evolve causing vaccines to become less effective. Vaccines still show significant protection against hospitalization and death, according to the CDC.

Restrictions and emergency orders across the country have expired as society has basically returned to pre-pandemic norms, but there are still basic actions the individual can take to protect themselves.

With no federal or state guidelines in place, here is a reminder of some basic tips to follow to help prevent contracting the disease:

Get vaccinated — Current figures by the CDC suggest vaccines offer 30 to 40 percent protection against infection, a 70 percent protection against hospitalization without boosters and a 90 percent protection against hospitalization with boosters.

Stay 6 feet away from others — There’s no need to carry a tape measure around, but try to keep a decent amount of space between yourself and others when in public spaces.

Avoid poorly ventilated spaces and crowds — Go to the concert or game at your own risk, but just know the risks going in. Large crowds in tight spaces are credited as the most common spreader of the disease.

Story continues

Test to prevent spread to others — Although tests are no longer required for most activities or gatherings, it never hurts to make sure you are clear. Home tests are helpful but lab tests are the most accurate.

Wash your hands — Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.

Clean and disinfect — Use sanitizer and clean surfaces at home regularly. Keep some sanitizer in your vehicle for after you pump gas, go to a store, etc.

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Originally Appeared Here

This document is guidance only.

Who this guidance is for

This guidance is for people who have been diagnosed with a monkeypox infection and who have been advised to self-isolate at home. You may have been discharged from hospital to continue isolation at home, or you may be self-isolating at home without being admitted to hospital.

It is important to follow the advice in this guidance as much as you can. By self-isolating, you are protecting others and preventing the spread of infection.

About monkeypox

Monkeypox is a rare disease that is caused by the monkeypox virus. Monkeypox is most commonly seen in central and west Africa but there has been a recent increase in cases in the UK as well as other parts of the world where it has not been seen before.

Monkeypox usually causes a mild illness that resolves without treatment and most people recover within a few weeks. However, severe illness can occur in some people. It is possible that young children, pregnant women and immunocompromised people are more at risk of becoming severely unwell than others.

Many cases of monkeypox across the world are suspected to be caused by contact with infected animals. Monkeypox can also spread between people but it does not spread easily.

Infection mainly spreads between people through direct (skin to skin) contact, including sexual contact, or close contact via particles containing the monkeypox virus. Infection can also be spread via contaminated objects such as linen and soft furnishings. The chances of catching the infection increases when there is close contact with an infected person who has monkeypox symptoms.

Monkeypox infection usually starts with symptoms such as fever, headache, muscle aches, backache, chills or exhaustion. This is followed by a rash a few days later that may start on the face, groin or hands, before spreading to the rest of the body. It starts as raised spots, which turn into small blisters filled with fluid (lesions). These blisters eventually form scabs which later fall off.

An individual with monkeypox is considered infectious from when their symptoms start, until their lesions have scabbed over, all the scabs have fallen off and a fresh layer of skin has formed underneath. This may take several weeks.

How to isolate safely at home if you have monkeypox infection

Isolate at home

If you have been diagnosed with monkeypox and you have been advised to self-isolate at home by your doctor, you should not go to work, school or public areas.

If you have a garden, it is fine to use it. As monkeypox spreads via close contact, to protect other members of your household you should keep at least 3 steps (1 metre) away from them even while you are in the garden.

You should only leave your home for essential purposes such as emergencies, urgent medical appointments, or for urgent health and wellbeing issues.

If you need to leave your home, make sure the rash on your body is completely covered for example by wearing long-sleeved top and full-length trousers. Wear a well-fitting surgical face mask or a double-layered face covering while you are outside your home.

Keep the time spent outside your home as short as possible and avoid all contact with objects such as furniture in public spaces. If you need to attend hospital you should walk, cycle or drive yourself there. If you do not have your own vehicle, public transport can be used but you should avoid busy periods, cover any lesions with cloth (for example using scarfs or bandages) and wear a face covering.

Ask friends or relatives to help with buying groceries, other essentials or collecting medication, or order them online. Friends, relatives and delivery drivers should leave items outside your home and should not come inside. They should not touch anything that you have touched.

Do not invite or allow social visitors, such as friends and family, to visit you at home.

Avoid close contact with people you live with

People who live in the same household as someone with monkeypox are at the highest risk of becoming infected themselves because they are most likely to have prolonged close contact. If you live with other people, they will have been advised to isolate at home and provided with public health advice.

You should limit close contact with others in your household and take the following steps to reduce the chance of passing your infection on to the people you live with:

• sleep in a separate room, if available, and do not share bedding. You may need to change your sleeping arrangements to accommodate this
• use a separate bathroom from the rest of your household, if available. If you do not have a separate bathroom, follow the cleaning instructions below
• make sure you use separate towels from other people in your home
• eat in a separate room. Ask the people you live with to bring your meals to you
• cover your mouth and nose with disposable tissues when you cough or sneeze and dispose of them in a bag. Place this bag in another bag and follow the instructions for disposing waste. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water for 20 seconds
• clean your hands frequently throughout the day by washing with soap and water for 20 seconds. Care should be taken if there are extensive or ulcerated hand lesions

If you need to spend time in the same room as someone in your household you should avoid physical contact and aim to keep at least 3 steps (1 metre) away from the other person. In addition wearing a well-fitting surgical face mask or double-layered face covering may provide some additional protection.

It is particularly important to avoid close contact with young children, pregnant women and immunosuppressed people as they may be at higher risk of serious illness. Use your own toothbrush, eating and drinking utensils, dishes, towels, washcloths and bed linen. Do not share food and drinks.

If you are no longer able to follow the advice in this section at any time during your self-isolation period you should speak to your doctor as it may be necessary for you to self-isolate in another location.

Cleaning, disinfection and waste disposal

You should handle your own used crockery and cutlery, and if you have one, use a dishwasher to clean and dry these items. If this is not possible, wash your own crockery and cutlery using your usual washing up liquid and warm water and leave them to air dry.

If you have lesions on your hands and you have no access to a dishwasher, wear single use disposable gloves or reusable washing up gloves while washing up. Any reusable gloves should not be shared and should be discarded at the end of your isolation period.

You should regularly clean surfaces that you touch frequently, such as door handles and light switches and use a damp cloth to prevent dust from accumulating on surfaces, especially in your bedroom. You can use your usual household cleaning products for this, such as detergents and bleach.

Personal waste (such as used tissues) and disposable cleaning cloths can be stored securely within disposable rubbish bags.

Vacuum cleaner waste, including disposable filters if your vacuum cleaner has one, should be carefully emptied into a disposable rubbish bag.

As an additional precaution, all disposable rubbish bags should be placed into a second disposable bag, tied securely, before being disposed of as usual with your domestic waste. You should not put any waste into recycling bins until you have ended your self-isolation.

You should do your own laundry. Keep your laundry items separate from the rest of the household’s laundry and wash them using your normal detergent, following manufacturer’s instructions. If possible use the highest temperature which the items can withstand, do not overload the washing machine (aim for half or two-thirds full) and avoid shorter ‘economy cycles’ (those which reduce water and save energy) until you have fully recovered.

When you are taking laundry to the washing machine it is important to avoid shaking the laundry, as this could spread virus particles into the air and onto surfaces in your home. If you are carrying laundry from one room to another you should consider placing dirty laundry in a large plastic bag (such as bin liner) or a container then taking it straight to the washing machine.

If you do not have a washing machine, you can handwash your laundry using warm water and your normal detergent. This might be more effective in a large sink or bathtub. It is important to clean all surfaces when you have finished. Take extra care if using bleach to clean these surfaces: always follow the manufacturer’s instruction for diluting disinfectants, protect your eyes, and thoroughly rinse the disinfectant off every surface, to prevent accidental contact with skin or eyes, once you have finished.

If you have had to travel in a car with a friend or relative, you should wear a well-fitting surgical face mask or double-layered face covering while in the car. Your friend or relative should wipe down all hard surfaces after the journey using a standard detergent or detergent wipes while wearing gloves and surgical face mask or face covering.

Waste should all be double bagged and disposed of as described above.

Pets

No cases of monkeypox have been reported in wild animals or pets in the UK but it is possible that pets could become infected or contaminated with the virus through close contact with an infected person and spread the virus to others.

If you have pets you should avoid close contact with them as much as you can and practice good hygiene:

Do not let pets sleep in the bed with you.

Wash your hands before and after handling pets or materials they have had contact with (such as collars, leads, feed and feeding bowls, litter trays, bedding and toys).

You will be contacted by Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) who will provide you with advice on how to manage your pets while you are isolating.

Until you hear from APHA, your pets should remain in the house with you but you may let them out for toileting purposes on a lead and maintaining 1 metre distance from other people and animals. Outside visits should be kept to an absolute minimum while you are isolating.

If your pet needs veterinary care while you are isolating at home, do not take your pet to your usual veterinary practice, but call them in advance to ask their advice. You may have to ask someone else to take your pet to the surgery for you.

If you need medical advice

You will have been provided with contact details of the medical team providing your care and they will be in contact with you regularly. You should call this team if you have any concerns. Seek prompt medical attention if your illness is worsening. In an emergency, dial 999 and inform the call handler or operator that you have monkeypox infection.

All non-urgent medical and dental appointments should be cancelled while you are isolating at home. If you are concerned or have been asked to attend in person within the period you are home isolating, discuss this with your medical contact first.

Ending self-isolation

You should self-isolate at home until:

• you have not had a high temperature for at least 72 hours
• you have had no new lesions in the previous 48 hours
• all your lesions have scabbed over
• you have no lesions in your mouth
• any lesions on your face, arms and hands have scabbed over, all the scabs have fallen off and a fresh layer of skin has formed underneath

If you meet all of the points above, you may be able to stop self-isolating and you should contact the medical team for further advice.

You should continue to avoid close contact with young children, pregnant women and immunosuppressed people until the scabs on all your lesions have fallen off and a fresh layer of skin has formed underneath. This is because you may still be infectious until the scabs have fallen off.

After your self-isolation has ended you should cover any remaining lesions when leaving the house or having close contact with people in your household until all the scabs have fallen off and a fresh layer of skin has formed underneath.

Resuming sexual activity

Whilst you are self-isolating, you are advised to refrain from sexual activity to reduce the risk of you passing the infection on to your partner.

It is not known how long monkeypox virus remains present in semen and other genital excretions. If you wish to resume sexual activity after your self-isolation has ended, you should use a condom for 8 weeks after your rash has scabbed over and scabs have fallen off. This is a precaution to reduce the risk of spreading infection to your partner.

This guidance will be updated as further information is available.

Look after your wellbeing

Staying at home for a prolonged period can be difficult, frustrating and lonely for some people and you or other household members may feel low. It can be particularly challenging if you don’t have much space or access to a garden.

It is important to remember to take care of your mind as well as your body and to get support if you need it. Stay in touch with family and friends over the phone or on social media. There are also sources of support and information that can help.

The Every Mind Matters website has provides a lot of useful information.

You may be eligible for financial support if you are unable to work

Many people find it helpful to remind themselves why what they are doing is so important. By staying home, you are protecting others and preventing the spread of infection.

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Originally Appeared Here

As prices on everything from eggs to gasoline skyrocket due to inflation, other major issues have understandably faded out of focus.

One issue that won’t disappear entirely, though, is COVID-19. Cases are on the rise nationally, again, and many virologists expect the spike in to continue into the summer months.

Although Cass County and the surrounding areas have not seen any significant spikes, COVID-19 cases in Indiana are on the rise. New cases in the state fell to below 300 a day in March according to the Centers for Disease Control, but have slowly risen since, and the most recent 7-day rolling average is 2,800.

Most of the population is tired of thinking and talking about COVID-19 as we move into the third year of the pandemic, but the threat remains. Breakthrough cases are accounting for almost half of the new cases as vaccines wear off and variants evolve causing vaccines to become less effective. Vaccines still show significant protection against hospitalization and death, according to the CDC.

Restrictions and emergency orders across the country have expired as society has basically returned to pre-pandemic norms, but there are still basic actions the individual can take to protect themselves.

With no federal or state guidelines in place, here is a reminder of some basic tips to follow to help prevent contracting the disease:

Get vaccinated – Current figures by the CDC suggest vaccines offer 30 to 40 percent protection against infection, a 70 percent protection against hospitalization without boosters and a 90 percent protection against hospitalization with boosters.

Stay 6 feet away from others – There’s no need to carry a tape measure around, but try to keep a decent amount of space between yourself and others when in public spaces.

Avoid poorly ventilated spaces and crowds – Go to the concert or game at your own risk, but just know the risks going in. Large crowds in tight spaces are credited as the most common spreader of the disease.

Test to prevent spread to others – Although tests are no longer required for most activities or gatherings, it never hurts to make sure you are clear. Home tests are helpful but lab tests are the most accurate.

Wash your hands – Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.

Clean and disinfect – Use sanitizer and clean surfaces at home regularly. Keep some sanitizer in your vehicle for after you pump gas, go to a store, etc.

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Originally Appeared Here

Tim Brody – Editor

As the State of Emergency in the Municipality of Sioux Lookout continues due to high water levels and localized flooding, the Municipality is continuing efforts to have Sioux Lookout declared a flood area.
In a phone interview with The Bulletin on June 3, Mayor Doug Lawrance shared, “We continue to make the request and seem to get indecisive, indeterminate responses from the Ministry.”
He added, “Yesterday I sent a Letter to the Deputy Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, there is no minister now but yesterday being election day, I hope it’s on the minister’s desk as soon as there is a minister, outlining the dire straits many people in Sioux Lookout are in and our request to be declared a flood area so that people would have access for the Disaster Recovery Assistance for Ontarians program.”
Asked about the apparent lack of response from the Ministry, Lawrance said, “My understanding is that perhaps, because of the election and the lack of a minister, maybe that’s why there hasn’t been a definite response.”
He added, “Many people are distressed, I understand that; we understand that fully. It would give them some relief to know that that is an avenue they could pursue, to be eligible to apply to the province for disaster relief.”
Painting a picture of the situation Sioux Lookout finds itself in, Lawrance remarked, “For some people, how could it get any worse? Their home’s been flooded, they’ve been forced to move out, it’s a terrible situation. For many their home is at risk, certainly the wind and the wave action doesn’t help any. My observation is that the water has not started to go down… There’s probably I would say 20 households that have had to leave their home and there’s probably at least 20 more that are at risk and are defending their homes and then there’s many more that are battling the rising water in different ways.”
The high water has closed some roadways in town such as Lakeshore Drive and a portion of Ethel Street.
“Our hearts go out to all the people who have been forced to leave their homes and to people who are still battling, the Municipality is doing what it can with our limited resources to help people and protect our infrastructure,” Lawrance said, adding, “We just ask everybody to be patient and understanding; what may be an inconvenience for some is a disaster for others.”
Asked about having Sioux Lookout declared a flood area, the Ministry shared, “The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing activated the Disaster Recovery Assistance for Ontarians (DRAO) program in Fort Frances in early May, after a flood. The program helps homeowners, tenants, not-for-profits, and small owner-operated businesses and farms with costs not covered by insurance after a natural disaster.
“The ministry is currently working to assess damage from the flood in Sioux Lookout and other parts of northwestern Ontario. We are actively engaging with local officials to assess the impacts in their communities and to determine next steps.”
Lake of the Woods Control Board (LWCB) Executive Engineer Matt DeWolfe shared the following water level update on June 3, “Rainfall in the last days of May marked the 12th straight week for above average precipitation across the Lac Seul watershed, and the wettest April-May period on record. Inflow to Lac Seul also set a record for this period as well.
“The level of the main body of Lac Seul rose by 16 cm over the past 7 days and is expected to rise an additional 9-12 cm over the next 7 days. It is above the 1-in-20 year high for early June (above 95th percentile).  With dry weather in the forecast, the main tributaries to Lac Seul upstream of Sioux Lookout, the English River and the Sturgeon River, should continue to fall from the very high flows still occurring. Flows through the lakes around Sioux Lookout should also be declining, indicating a possible peak in the first half of June, timing depending on the weather. 
“Going forward, a return to normal summer levels in the Sioux Lookout area may take a few weeks, while the level of the main body of Lac Seul could peak by mid-June if the weather is favourable.”
Last week, the Northwestern Health Unit warned of potential health risks relating to the flooding being experienced across the region.

In a June 3 media release, the health unit said those risks could include: 
•    Flood waters can contain pollutants such as agricultural waste, chemicals, or raw sewage. Visit Health Canada’s Floods and Your Health (https://bit.ly/3auAHnE) webpage for information about the potential dangers of flood water.
•    Where flood waters impact buildings, prolonged wet or damp conditions can cause mould growth.
o    People who are sensitive to mould may experience allergic reactions such as asthma, and other allergy-type symptoms. Chronic or severe exposure to mould can cause symptoms like eye, skin, nose and throat irritation, headaches, poor concentration, and fatigue.
o    For general information about mould and cleaning up mould, visit Health Canada’s webpage on Mould (https://bit.ly/3MCu4gF).
•    Flood waters can also impact private drinking water wells. If a well has flood water pooling around or over it, there may be contamination of the ground water in the well. In this case:
o    Use a different source of water for drinking, preparing food, and brushing teeth; or bring water to a rolling boil for at least 1 minute before using. Please visit our Boil Water Advisories (https://bit.ly/3xlkNoy) webpage for more information.
o    When the flood waters recede, take a well water sample (https://bit.ly/38XiH54) to make sure that your water is ok to drink again. Wells that have been contaminated with flood water may require 
disinfection (https://bit.ly/3xgT2MW) before they can be safely used.
•    Food that has been in contact with flood waters or has been stored in basements or other areas that have been flooded should be discarded, except for undamaged canned goods.
o    Labels from undamaged cans should be removed, and wash and disinfect the cans before they are opened.
•    Structural and electrical safety concerns can also exist when dealing with flood conditions. Please visit Canada’s After a Flood (https://bit.ly/3MpYanj) webpage for more information about safely re-entering your home and cleaning up after a flood.
Anyone with questions about flood-related health risks is asked to contact the Northwestern Health Unit and ask to speak with a public health inspector.

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YPSILANTI, MI – Three farmworkers suing a large Michigan greenhouse say they were exposed to harmful chemicals while harvesting crops and faced a deceptive bonus program.

Plaintiffs Benjamin Lopez, Oscar Carlos Lopez Ramirez and Ramona Reyes Saucedo filed a class-action lawsuit against their former employers Mastronardi Produce and Coldwater-based Maroa Farms in federal court on June 1.

They are being represented by the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center and Farmworker Justice.

“Unfortunately, we see repeatedly in the cases that come into our office that many farmworkers are working in unsafe and unhealthy working conditions while performing essential work that puts food on our tables,” said Anna Hill Galendez, lead attorney at the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center. “We see it as really important that these abuses be brought to light, and farmworkers deserve, at the very minimum, working in safe and healthy workplaces.”

Mastronardi Produce did not respond to a request for comment.

Maroa Farms, a subsidiary of Mastronardi Produce, grows tomatoes, strawberries and cucumbers at its sprawling two-million-square-foot indoor greenhouses located 120 miles southeast of Grand Rapids. About 200 seasonal farmworkers are employed every year to harvest produce for the Sunset brand.

Lopez worked at Maroa Farms from August 2020 through February 2021, Lopez Ramirez for two seasons from November 2019 to June 2021 and Reyes Saucedo from 2014 to 2020.

Related: Michigan leans on migrant workers amid labor shortage

The lawsuit claims farmworkers were “regularly exposed” to pesticides like Virkon S without proper protective equipment or training which led to “adverse health effects.” This disinfectant use increased during the 2020-2021 growing season to prevent the spread of a tomato virus.

In November 2020, farmworkers began noticing a “strong odor of bleach” in one greenhouse, the complaint says. They were also told to keep working in greenhouse rows even as chemicals were being sprayed on plants.

Workers then started experiencing ongoing medical issues like nose bleeds, burning eyes, headaches and skin reactions, the complaint alleges. Lopez described seeing “piles of bloody tissue paper” in employee bathrooms during disinfection periods.

“When greenhouse workers were unable to work because of adverse reactions to the disinfectants they were told to take a break. If they were then not able to continue working, they were sent home without pay,” the lawsuit says.

Reyes Saucedo, speaking to MLive with Michigan Immigrant Rights Center interpreter Deddi Gaston, said frequent nose bleeds and other health issues made it difficult to properly care for her family during this time.

“She can’t believe even nowadays in 2022 employers treat employees in that way,” Gaston said.

Related: Michigan needs more workers from abroad, but migrant worker authorization rare, costly

Reyes Saucedo said she joined the lawsuit so farm employees can be treated with “dignity and respect” in the future.

Plaintiffs also accused Mastronardi Produce and Maroa Farms of wage theft.

Reyes Saucedo said she worked sporadic hours doing janitorial work, sometimes up to 70 hours a week, without overtime.

The lawsuit also describes how a “false and misleading bonus structure” created a moving target for farmworkers. They were allegedly promised bonuses for harvesting more quickly, but constantly changing production standards put the financial incentives out of reach.

“For migrant workers this creates a particular vulnerability because they rely on those recruitment promises when deciding which job to take and forgo job opportunities,” Galendez said. “They often move their whole family for these jobs and are reliant on their employer and the employment conditions they find themselves in once they arrive.”

The Michigan Immigrant Rights Center says the lawsuit fits into a pattern of issues at Mastronardi facilities across the United States.

Greenhouses in New York and Michigan reportedly experienced COVID-19 outbreaks two years ago. A Maine facility was ordered to pay $337,000 in back wages following a U.S. Department of Labor investigation. And Maroa Farms faced a $167,000 fine for wage violations in 2013.

“We hope that this lawsuit will bring accountability for those practices so that workers like Ramona, other plaintiffs and their coworkers are not subjected to these conditions in the future,” Galendez said.

Plaintiffs are seeking unspecified damages.

More on MLive:

Where tannery spread sludge on Michigan farm, a PFAS problem grows

Michigan banks on sustainable farming plans worth $8.6 million

5 land preservation programs unite to protect a 101-acre farm outside Ann Arbor

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