Voices from the Frontlines

By Stephanie Zeller, a science writer, artist, and researcher with Los Alamos National Labs and the Texas Advanced Computing Center based in Austin, Texas.  As COVID-19 continues to spread, eradicating every last tiny, virulent particle from your home or facility can seem an insurmountable task. No facility can be 100 percent germ-free, but taking the appropriate sanitation measures can help you protect yourself, your loved ones, and your patients by inhibiting viral transmission in enclosed spaces.   The National Institute of Health (NIH) separates proper sanitation into two categories: cleaning and disinfecting. The NIH defines cleaning as “the removal of visible…

By Dana Glaser Since the CDC issued guidance three weeks ago that Americans should wear face masks in public to prevent the spread of COVID-19, a lot of people have been scrambling to get clear on the difference between different kinds of masks, how they work, and who should wear which masks, when. This post explains the differences between your new favorite dinosaur-printed mask and the face coverings we desperately need to supply healthcare facilities, the much-discussed N95 respirators, and everything in between. Using the right mask in the right situation can help ameliorate the risk posed to healthcare workers…

By Maranda Hall  Even on a quick trip to the mailbox, it is now commonplace to see (hopefully, from afar) someone wearing personal protective equipment (PPE). Due to the high demand and low shortage, many people have resorted to creating their own forms of protection, ranging from infinity scarves from last fall’s hottest collection to transparent face-shields recycled from last year’s yard work. Here are the essential need-to-knows:  The Center for Disease and Control Prevention (CDC) has requested that disposable face masks be designated only for patients with confirmed or possible SARS-CoV-2 or healthcare personnel caring for those patients. If…

By Angelika Pavlovna In the global fight against COVID-19, healthcare professionals are seeking the best protection available. The two primary medical-grade PPE products that cover the mouth and nose are N95 respirators and ear-loop surgical masks. Both the N95 and the surgical mask are designed for single-use purposes, and are intended to be thrown out if they become contaminated, deformed, soiled, or improperly fitted. While N95 respirators and surgical masks both create an important barrier, their usage and level of protection differ significantly. Surgical masks, also known as medical or procedural masks, are typically constructed with micro- and nano-fibers to…