News Briefs – 03/15/2020

I ran it through an online pdf to text converter. This is what was kicked out. There are screenshots of articles, but they are just confirmation of what the document says in the text:

Corona Virus Bullet Points
The virus is airborne, and infected someone without PPE (Personal Protective
Equipment) from 20 feet away, outside the Diamond Princess Cruise Ship. It’s also highly
contagious. Patient #5 in China was infected after standing next to patient #2 in a grocery
store, for 15 seconds. It can infect through exposed eyes. Goggles or other eye protection are a
must. Patients are infectious before presenting with symptoms, during the incubation period.
Incubation period may last as long as 4 weeks. 20-25% of those infected require intensive care,
usually with artificial respiration. If the health system is overwhelmed, and unable to provide
artificial respiration to all such patients, Mo rtality cou ld increase dram atically, up to that
number. Artificial respirators are presently very limited in number.
Mortality estimates range from 1-3.8% globally. There are two strains already so it is
mutating fast. The new strain is already more lethal and more transmissible, and it is likely the
seed strain in many new outbreaks outside Chinese borders. It is expected this strain will have
a much higher mortality, with the initial strain causing a more mild illness, and reducing the
overall mortality number. The 1918 flu was mild for the first year and a half. It was only in the
second year it mutated into a new strain that produced the lethal pandemic of 1918.
Based on an analysis of how it infects biologically, and human genetics, there has been
speculation it will hit smokers, Asians, males, and the elderly harder than others, but evidence
so far shows it is not so predictable, perhaps based upon strain variance. One victim who died
was a 23 year old Iranian Caucasian female who played soccer and did not smoke.
It is believed, based on observations of other Corona viruses, to be able to survive and
maintain infectivity on surfaces for 9 days minimum, and possibly up to 28 days. It can be
killed by 60 seconds expos ure to 70% alcoho l, dilute bleach, or hydroge n peroxide . Only
alcohol would not bleach uniforms.
Moderate PPE is not a guarantee against protection. Several health workers in PPE at
the Diamond Princess were infected, despite the use of paper N95 masks (without latex seals),
medical goggles, gloves, splash protection, and full Tyvek body suits.
Proper protective gear consists of minimum N95 air filtration, or optimum P100 air
filtration, through a mask with a latex face seal, plus a full body Tyvek suit with hood, gloves,
and booties to avoid treading viral particles. All must be cleaned with sterilant before being
removed and stored or disposed of.
Gear is cheap, readily available, and easily employed as described herein.

This would mean they require artificial respiration on an artificial respirator – something which
will be in limited supply at the peak of a pandemic. From: http://archive.is/rvNNp

Reinfection possible, and can cause sudden heart attacks. From: http://archive.is/Iw58p

Two strains, one mild, one aggressive and potentially lethal. Many of the more virulent outbreaks
outside of China are the more virulent strain. From : http://archive.is/WiKsp

Things are much worse than we are being told publicly. From : http://archive.is/wUTzr

Portions of a Chinese article which was posted and then censored by the Chinese government,
but which was archived here before being deleted show many cases are not being added to the
statistics, with 115 out of 120 patients being sent home without being looked at.
http://archive.is/4vj32

From: http://archive.is/UvJeA

Patient caught virus after standing next to infected woman with no symptoms for 15 seconds:
http://archive.is/ZPhrs

Regular N95 facemasks and goggles do not offer complete protection in an infection environment,
From : http://archive.is/pN6HK

Mutating rapidly, could get much more lethal very quickly. From : http://archive.is/gpZ2X

Can be spread on surfaces where it has landed: http://archive.is/xyicr

Corona virus can infect people through exposed conjuctiva (eyes). From: http://archive.is/znwlC

Can survive for nine days and remain infective on surfaces, so exposed gear should self-sterilize
after nine days of being left alone, however this could possibly be wrong. This is an extrapolation
from other Corona viruses, and this trait can vary with temperature and humidity. Still, best way
to kill it is 70% alcohol, .5% peroxide, or .1% bleach. From: http://archive.is/N6ozU

This study shows some Veterinary Coronaviruses can survive on surfaces for 28 days, but are still
sterilized chemically after 60 seconds exposure:
http://archive.is/HsmZ9

Tamiful may have activity against Corona virus, and stocking up before any shortages may be
useful. From – http://archive.is/YkCbL

Lung scarring is seen in severe cases. From: http://archive.is/4qqLY

Asians may be at biggest risk, as are smokers: http://archive.is/LAWl3

20 times deadlier than the flu. From : http://archive.is/sQ8So

Fireman was infected despite using N95 paper facemask/goggles. From:http://archive.is/kgy3m

The virus has already mutated into a more virulent, spreadable form, after just a couple of
months and 60-70,000 patients in China. Bear in mind, the 1918 flu had started relatively
harmlessly for the first year that it jumped across the globe, before mutating in a single person
into the more virulent form which tore across the world in 1918 and killed millions. Middle
Eastern Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) is a similar coronavirus (since contained) to COVID-19.
Before being contained, it had a 34% mortality rate. So COVID-19 could get much worse.

What’s the Difference Between N95, N99 and P95 Air-Masks
Air masks come in several specifications and sport a different brand and price tag each.
You might have seen people wearing surgical masks to counter pollution, but those aren’t really helpful
as they’re meant to help contain the wearer’s bacteria and viruses from getting out, not the other way
around.
Any pollution mask should be able to protect its wearer from suspended particulate matter (10 or 2.5),
sulphur dioxide and carbon dioxide.
Here, we’re going to talk about the difference between an N95, N99 and P95 air masks and which one
suits your needs the best.
N95 Air Masks
Masks that come with an N95 rating can filter up to 95% of the particulate matter 2.5 from the air you
breathe.
PM 2.5 tends to stay the longest in the air and can lead to plaque deposit in your nose, throat, lungs or
even the arteries and can lead to a heart attack.
Your best buy in an N95 air mask should have a valve or two — which are dedicated for the exhaled
air. The valves will help in ensuring that there is no moisture near the nose bridge or your eyes.
Numerous options are available online, but for N95 masks we recommend Honeywell and 3M branded
masks.
N99 Air Masks
N99 air masks can filter up to 99% of the particulate matter 2.5 from the air. Just like the N95, they
don’t work well against oil-based pollutants, but are better than the former because of the higher filter
rate of particulate matter. Due to increased filtration, they are harder to inhale through, however.
For the N99 variant, we recommend buying Vogmask, Cambridge or SmartAir pollution masks.
Packs of 5, 10 and 20s are also available in few of the brands, and you might want to opt for that
because these masks are only meant to serve their purpose for a limited amount of time —
approximately 40 hours of wear time.
P95 Air Masks
The major difference between P-rated and N-rated air masks is their ability to filter out oil-based
pollutants, which the former can while the latter can not.
In addition to clearing out oil-based pollutants, these air masks can filter out 95% of the particulate
matter from the air.
The P-rated masks are more efficient as well as more expensive than their N-rated counterparts and
have to be replaced after approximately 40 hours of usage too.
P95 air masks are sold by 3M.

P100 filters
As long as your mask fits properly a P100 filter will block 99.97% of particles .3 microns or larger,
both oil-based and water-based.
What’s the Difference Between a CV Marked Masks and Others?
CV marked masks are better at filtering out specific pollutants as explained below:
The ‘C’ in CV stands for activated carbon filter. In addition to combating foul smell, this filter helps in
fighting pollutants like Ozone and Sulphur Dioxide.
The ‘V’ signifies that the said mask has a built-in valve for the air we exhale, which prevents fogging
or moisture retention inside the mask.
The CV marked masks are more effective in combating air pollutants and keeping you safe than the
non-CV marked masks.
A mask is only as efficient as the fitting on your face — gaps between the mask and your skin will
allow for pollutants to enter your nasal passage and cause health issues.
When buying a mask, you should be careful of the size and also should read the instruction manual that
comes along with the mask carefully.
You’ve to keep in mind to invest in a mask that gives you quality for your money. Cheaper options
might seem easier to procure but keep in mind that investing in an air mask is investing in your health
and well-being.
People who are active fitness enthusiasts, such as runners or cyclists, should go for masks that have a
few valves to avoid moisture build-up within the mask which will, in turn, clog the masks and give you
trouble inhaling.

Shopping on ebay – go to ebay.com, enter search terms in search box, click enter, then alter
search results as follows:

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3
Ebay allows you to fill your cart once, and check out once as a guest. The second time you attempt to
buy, they want you to open an account with ebay, and their payment service Paypal. I have done it and
found it useful, and the prices are great, but just know you get one guest checkout, and after that first
purchase, they want an account set up to make future buying easier, and encourage you to do it.

Searches to perform:
Necessary parts of a N95 respirator with a latex seal and eye protection which offers effective
protection from airborne virus particles traveling on fomites (cough droplets) are as follows:
“Full face respirator” – Chinese brand, functional, ~$45, possibly a wait for shipping, and should be
either left for 10 days from ship date, since it has come from China, or sterilized with alcohol on
arrival.

“3M 6000 series respirator” : Brand name, quality ~$80-$120

N95 filter pad holder. Holds pad with cover and mounts to mask. If pad is not inserted properly, air
could bypass filtration.

“6001 respirator cartridge”
More expensive than above holder at $10-20 per pair. Performs the
above function, as well as chemical removal of volatile organic vapors, but also offers second pass of
marginal, (unrated/ not for standalone use) particulate filtration, so even if filter pad were to allow any
air past due to poor installation, it would still be somewhat filtered. Can be beyond expiration date if
you do not need solvent removal. The mask requires two, one for each side. You should have several
for backups if entering houses with infected patients, so it can be replaced periodically:

“501 filter cover”
Snaps on and holds the N95 filter pad against the 6001 cartridge or filter holder. Should have one pair
per pair of 6001 cartridges, with extras in the event you broke one removing/installing:

“5N11 filter 10”
N95 filter pads, the disposable part of the N95 filter. You will use them two at a time, one on each side.
Filters 95% of all particulate matter, and is very effective against airborne biological matter that could
carry viruses. Most commonly used compromise between high protection, length of functionality, and
ease of airflow through it to make breathing easy:

P100 filters N95 filters filter 95% of particulate matter. These p100 filter disks for the 6800 mask adapter will filter
99.97% of particulate matter, including the fomites that carry viruses. They are standalone, disposable
units for short use. Possibly harder to draw air through than N95. Low cost, but viruses will cling to felt
cloth on the outside, possibly making handling and removal from mask risky. Can be acquired from the
US at greater cost, or for much less if shipped from the factory in China.

P100 filter cartridges: Gold standard, standalone disposable units that do not require the 6001 cartridge
or 501 cover to be installed. Harder to draw air through, and more expensive, but offer fuller P100
protection, and the filter material with virus particles is enclosed inside the plastic housing which can
be rubbed with alcohol. As with other filters, replacement is indicated by being unable to draw air
through the filter. 3M markets this filter in the US in several forms under the 7093 model number, some
with additional protection against solvents or cyanide as indicated by letters following the 7093(which
are usable for viral protection as they still offer P100 filtration). In Europe the same filter is sold under
the 6035 model number, with variants like 6038 for example offering additional chemical protection.
They are occasionally available online or on ebay. I am not as familiar with other models, but P100
filtration designed to fit a 6000 or 7000 series 3M type mask is the key.

N95 filter mask. Some say an exhalation valve (pictured) allows air to be expelled quickly without
unseating mask and loosening fit. Others say without a valve condensate from breath moistens the filter
and enhances filtration of incoming particles. Either is inferior protection in a hot zone due to no
silicone seal, but it’s better than nothing where a full face mask is not feasible, or where infection is a
small risk: Available at Walmart website for $9-16 each, or on Ebay:
https://www.walmart.com/search/?query=N95%20

Medical goggles, or Glasses goggles. Seals around eyes more than sunglasses. You may want to seal
the outer edge on the below model with additional foam, and close off the vent holes from the inside
with liquid electrical tape/rubber to more fully enclose the eye area. Swim goggles that seal the eyes
can also be used and may be superior. All will suffer from fogging issues if they are sealed properly.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Biker-ATV-Night-inside-Goggles-Interchangeable-Anti-Fog-MotorcycleFrom-comfort-Sunglasses-3-Are-Padded-Day-Lenses-frame/359580247

SoftSeal Respirators. One brand of a few that are regular N95 paper respirators with a silicone gasket to
make a tight seal with the face. SoftSeal brand features a wire shell to prevent mask collapse, and is
available with or without a valve to allow escape of expelled air. See http://Softsealmask.com:

“70% Rubbing Alcohol”
For sterilization. More effective than 100%, Requires 60 seconds contact
with surface before removal for effective sterilization. Use 1 bottle per incident, generously.
“Nitrile gloves”

Disposable in boxes of 100

“Tyvek suit with hood”
Best if disposable, but can probably can be resued after 10-28 days of
disuse, and will have self sterilized according to current information. Can also be soaked in dilute
bleach to sterilize. Freely available on ebay.
“Medical booties” To avoid tracking virus with shoe soles. Disposable, in boxes of 100. Should be
shin or knee high, rather than the more common shoe booties which leave the top of the shoe exposed.

General procedures via online say you suit up 30 ft upwind from a site, before
entering a contaminated area. On leaving, you use 70% rubbing alcohol (MORE lethal
to microbes than 100%) to soak and rub gloves, then use clean gloves to spray/rub
exposed portions of mask with 70% rubbing alcohol (the mask is worn under the tyvek
suit’s hood). Do not get alcohol on the filter material so it enters the airflow into the
mask as it will irritate the eyes and nasal membranes. Tyvek suit is then rubbed or
sprayed down with alcohol for 60 seconds before being wiped off, and booties are
sprayed/rubbed down as well. Suit and booties are removed, and stored in a bag for 1028 days or soaked in dilute bleach, during which a new suit is used. Stretch new elastic
gloves over filters on mask to enclose them (only remove the gloves last after fully
suiting up for next use), re-alcohol hands, and then mask is removed and stored without
touching the face. Entire filter unit can be left sealed, disposed of if desired, or removed
and set aside for 10-28 days. Then gloves are removed by turning inside out and
disposed of. Do not unsuit or remove mask without decontaminating, even if you’ve left
to an uncontaminated area. Once the suit and mask are contaminated, they can infect you
if you remove your face protection. Use hand sterilizer last.
All info is best available, but the virus is mutating vast due to being an RNA virus,
much info on sterilization is based on other, previously studied corona viruses, and new
information could emerge. Masks are the critical element and are selling out quickly.
Rough prices on Ebay are as follows, but they will rise rapidly as time goes on.

Walmart.com is also a good source for respiration supplies if available:
6800 type full face Chinese respirator mask – $40-45
3M brand full face respirator mask $85-100
6001 cartridges – $20-30 for a pair
501 filter covers – $5-10 per pair
N511 N95 filter pads – $10-20 for ten, two are used at time
Round P100 filter pad – ~$2-3 per pair
3M 7093 P100 filter cartridges – ~$12-20 per pair
Tyvek suit with hood – $6-20
Gloves and booties are negligible, when bought in boxes of 100 for $10-15.

Some respirators sold as “Full Face” are actually half-face mouth respirators with goggles, which will fog up and be more difficult to remove without touching around the eyes. Full face respirators should look like the pictures above, and not look like goggles. I think you will see it, and by the time it arrives, protective gear will be sold out.

Whether it is catastrophic or not will be solely based on whether or not it is Asianspecific, whether or not it verwhelms health-care services, whether summer time reduces its ability to spread, and whether or not it mutates to grow more virulent.

Be advised many feel public recommendations for safety procedures may have a political component designed to avert panic by using lesser safety measures, such as in Japan where N95 respiratory protection was used, rather than more ominous full-face p100 respirators or positive pressure protection suits, which would normally be recommended for use in protection from potentially deadly and potentially pandemic viruses. If you receive recommendations on protective gear less stringent than here, understand there may be political factors involved in their presentation, and no harm will come from following these more stringent recommendations.

They say a mask with a silicone or latex seal is vital, and the paper N95 masks you see without seals are not as good, since they do not seal to the face 100%, making their effective rating even less than N95. Though they are better than nothing. Several health workers visiting the Diamond Princess cruise ship were infected despite using standard N95 paper masks and goggles, presumably due to virus sneaking around the paper mask where it meets the face, or N95’s reduced efficacy at filtration compared to p100.

The full face respirator offers two main advantages. Your hands do not go near your eyes, as with goggles, removing a potential means of accidental exposure. Also, the glass over your eyes will not fog up, as the mask draws clean/filtered air in front of the glass, defogging it, before sending it into the respirator to be inhaled. They say filter replacement should occur when you feel airflow restriction.

When changing N95 filter pads, spray the entire filter assembly, and the surface of the old pad while installed, with 70% rubbing alcohol before handling to prevent anything from going airborne. Then with gloves I would remove the cover plate, rub it down, and dispose of the old pad. If I would also spray the 6001 filter cartridge lightly with alcohol and let it air dry, before replacing a new pad and the filter cover. A few things when buying – look at the arrival date to make sure it comes fast. A few sellers have sold out but still list the items with a fast arrival date, planning to ship them to you when new units arrive from China, where the outbreak is. To bypass that, always click on add to cart, and then go to your cart. When you go to check out, over the item, in red, it will say the seller is on vacation, and arrival will take additional time. Remove the item from your cart and look at another listing until you see one with a fast arrival time and no such warning. Some may still have sold out, and you may still have to wait a week or two to get it and that may be unavoidable. Don’t be afraid to complain to the seller via email.

Any virus should be long dead during shipping (make sure shipping takes ten days for any item from China, or set the box aside for ten days from the ship date to be sure all viral particles will die before opening). Finally, click the feedback rating number next to the seller’s name (Figure 2), then click on the number of negative ratings in the last month (Figure 3), scroll down and see how many negative feedbacks complain about delays in their mask shipments. The cheaper the price of the masks, generally, the more likely it will be the seller will have sold out and you will have to wait a week until the next shipment arrives. Also, as in Figure 1, always arrange listings from lowest price to highest, check the box for Buy it Now (so you don’t waste time with auctions that close at arbitrary times) check the box for US sellers if you do not want to buy from Chinese vendors, and check the box for new. Google can also help you find items at good prices. 3M is a more professional brand but their masks are sized. Medium size fits 80% of the population plus most all large-sized individuals as well. Large 3M masks may be too big and not seal properly. Small 3M masks are for children and very small adults. The Chinese mask you will see most commonly on Ebay (pictured first in the mask section) may say large, but it is really one-size fits all, and will likely work for even smaller women. Tyyek suit sizing chart is attached.

Masks should be fitted to the face and straps adjusted until the seal is tight. The seal is tested by removing the filters. While the filter holes on each side are covered with the palms tightly, and the rubber gasket around the hole pressed tightly, inhale. The mask should suck tightly against the face, with no leakage of air around the seal. On 7093 filters the cover can be pressed against the mask to shut airflow off to test the seal.

There are a plethora of other types of filters beyond those listed here, and some may not fit the mask, as some masks use different mounting systems. Be certain your chosen filter offers N95 or p100 level filtration, and is compatible with 3M 6000 series masks, if your mask uses 3M 6000 series type filter mounts. Also, you might get good prices buying through the Crime lab.

Vitamin D, Vitamin C, and Zinc may help prevent viral infections. Populations supplemented with Vitamin D have been noted to be resistant to flu infection, zinc has been shown to thwart Corona virus infection, and C can shorten flu symptoms. Some researchers postulate that the seasonal variability in various viral outbreaks, from Flu to SARS, may be due to increased production of vitamin D in skin due to increased exposure to sunlight in the summer

A lot of the measures and equipment listed here sound crazy, but you have to picture being at a house with someone inside with respiratory distress, who just traveled to Italy or China, and may have a virus which kills one in 29 people who get it according to the latest WHO data, and which scars lungs in a sizable percentage of the 20-25% who need ICU care. If you go inside, you will be exposed to the virus, your elderly loved ones will be exposed to the virus, and all your friends will be exposed to the virus. Only this equipment offers a fully controllable method to avoid exposure.

The main objective with Corona virus may be to avoid infection (and reinfection) as long as possible, and hope the summer interrupts the infection cycle, and/or a vaccine becomes available. At this point it is reasonable to expect this will become an explosive pandemic, before settling down and becoming a constant, low-level endemic pathogen which will always be around.

The spectrum of times to become infected will transition from an early phase when few are afflicted, and you will be able to get treated but protocols will still be getting worked out and treatment will be poorly designed, to a pandemic phase when infections will overwhelm the hospital system and you will not be able to get treated because beds will not be available (and the 20-25% who need artificial respiration may not be able to get an artificial respirator because there will not be enough available), before transitioning to the later endemic phase when hospital treatment will be available due to reduced caseload and treatment protocols will be well worked out and designed to produce maximum efficacy.

One problem will be that in the first world now, while 75-80% of the cases require no treatment and are exceptionally minor, 20-25% of the patients require intensive care, which almost always means artificial respiration. Even this ideal treatment regime still yields a 3.4%% mortality according to the latest World Health Organization numbers, which translates to a one in twenty-nine chance of dying. However if the hospital system became overwhelmed, there are only a limited number of artificial respirators in the system. If artificial respiration is removed from the equation due to overwhelming case load, it is not impossible you could see a 10-20% mortality rate. It is suspected this may have occurred in China, and those who were turned away from the hospital (115 out of 120 according to one doctor) were not included in official statistics because they were never officially tested. So when China emphasized they were only including “confirmed cases,” all those sent home were not included or even examined for diagnosis or outcomes.

Thus it would be ideal to be among the last infected, as ICU beds open up. Absent that supplementing daily Vitamin D, Vitamin C, Zinc, and maintaining good health in hopes of being one of the 80% of minor cases is not a bad fall back strategy. Also do not forget mail can be a vector of disease. You can use perfect protection outside of home, come home, pick up your mail, and it can have viruses on it which you pick up on your hands and infect yourself with. Heating mail to 140-150 for a few hours, ironing mail, or leaving mail to sit for 9 days or more, as well as exercising general caution with it and washing hands rigorously after handling it are various ways to minimize this risk. Items bought at stores such as cans of food or clothes can also pose such a risk, so if it becomes serious only buying canned food and sterilizing the cans would be prudent during the troubled period.