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COVID-19: New Study Shows Effectiveness Of Different Types Of Masks COVID-19: New Study Shows Effectiveness Of Different Types Of Masks
Covid-19: New Study Shows Effectiveness Of Different Types Of Masks Wearing masks makes a big difference when it comes to preventing COVID-19 infection, and which type of mask you wear also matters, according to a brand-new study. "Consistent use of a face mask or respirator in indoor public settings was associated with lower odds of a positive SARS-CoV-2 test result (adjusted odds ratio = 0.44)," the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said. "Use of respirators with higher filtration capacity was associated with the most protection, compared with no mask use." The CDC has just announced these findings: Those who wear N95 and KN95 masks are 8…

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by Joe Lombardi
Business
COVID-19: These Retailers Are Allowing Maskless Shopping For Fully Vaccinated COVID-19: These Retailers Are Allowing Maskless Shopping For Fully Vaccinated
Covid-19: These Retailers Are Allowing Maskless Shopping For Fully Vaccinated With the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and most states loosening up mask-wearing restrictions, many retailers are following suit and are enacting new policies for customers and employees. The CDC said last week that fully vaccinated people do not need to wear a mask or stay 6 feet apart from others in most cases, whether indoors or outdoors. People are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after they receive the second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines or the single dose of Johnson & Johnson. The following mandates are in place at thes…

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: This Is When We Can All Stop Wearing Masks, Fauci Says COVID-19: This Is When We Can All Stop Wearing Masks, Fauci Says
Covid-19: This Is When We Can All Stop Wearing Masks, Fauci Says As COVID-19 vaccines and full inoculations become more common, Dr. Anthony Fauci outlined under which conditions people can stop wearing face masks. Face masks have been an integral part of stopping the spread of COVID-19. Wearing the personal protection equipment is required in many public spaces. On Monday, March 1, Fauci, the director of the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and chief medical advisor to President Biden, said that there is a point - and for some people, it is already here - when they can stop wearing face masks. If a person has been fully vaccin…

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by Kristin Palpini
Lifestyle
COVID-19: Here's Why Those Who Wear Glasses Are Much Less Likely To Get Virus, Researchers Say COVID-19: Here's Why Those Who Wear Glasses Are Much Less Likely To Get Virus, Researchers Say
Covid-19: Here's Why Those Who Wear Glasses Are Much Less Likely To Get Virus, Researchers Say New research suggests that a common accessory that is already worn by millions of people can make the wearer three times less likely to catch COVID-19. While face masks have been found to reduce the risk of catching or spreading COVID-19 through the mouth and nose, not much research has been done on how to keep the virus from entering via people’s eyes. However, a recent study found that people who wear glasses at least 8 hours a day are two to three times less likely to catch COVID-19 than people who are not wearing them. The same level of protection applies to people who wear sunglasses …

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by Kristin Palpini
Police & Fire
COVID-19: Face-Mask-Fog Solution Developed In Western Mass COVID-19: Face-Mask-Fog Solution Developed In Western Mass
Covid-19: Face-Mask-Fog Solution Developed In Western Mass Since the start of the pandemic, people with glasses have had a legitimate problem with face masks - wearing them fogs up eyewear. But a Western Massachusetts company thinks it has come up with a solution - literally and figuratively. Kyttarinic Technologies is working to get an updated version of its premier product FogKicker out to the glasses-wearing public. With a new office in Springfield, the formerly Amherst-based company has been selling vials of the spray and has tested a new product, wipes, that clean and prevent fog on glasses and dive masks. FogKicker is not the first anti-f…

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by Kristin Palpini
News
COVID-19: Did You Already Have Virus, And Not Know It? Here Are The Signs COVID-19: Did You Already Have Virus, And Not Know It? Here Are The Signs
Covid-19: Did You Already Have Virus, And Not Know It? Here Are The Signs Not everyone who has caught COVID-19 knows it. But there are ways to tell if you got the novel virus sometime since the pandemic touched down in the U.S. during winter 2020. In many people, signs of “Long COVID-19" persist, according to a new study, “Long COVID: a cross-sectional study of persisting symptoms” led by Dr. Swapna Mandal, a respiratory physician, and a growing host of research. There’s only one true way to know if you had COVID-19 - get an antibody blood test to check for signs of COVID-19. However, there are a number of more informal ways to tell if you previously caught t…

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by Kristin Palpini
News
First Case Of COVID-19 Variant Discovered In Massachusetts First Case Of COVID-19 Variant Discovered In Massachusetts
First Case Of Covid-19 Variant Discovered In Massachusetts The first case of the COVID-19 variant has been detected in Massachusetts, according to the Department of Public Health. The first Massachusetts person to get B.1.1.7 is a Boston woman in her 20s. The variant has also been discovered in New York and Connecticut. She first became ill in early January and received a positive COVID-19 test. A genetic sample was sent to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for further analysis and that’s when the variant was discovered, according to the state Department of Public Health. The woman, who is not being identified, had recently trave…

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by Kristin Palpini
News
COVID-19 Shopping: Website Locates Hard To Find Items Near You COVID-19 Shopping: Website Locates Hard To Find Items Near You
Covid-19 Shopping: Website Locates Hard To Find Items Near You As stores sell out of staple items - such as toilet paper and hand soap - ahead of what could be another isolating COVID-19 winter, there’s a website that helps people locate difficult to find items in their areas. It’s called InStok. The website and accompanying app were recently developed by two University of Texas students who saw their parents struggle to find hand sanitizer and other popular items in March. InStok tracks the availability of in-demand items at Target, Walmart, Sam’s Club, eBay, CVS, and Walgreens. The results are local and include price estimates. The app is available …

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by Kristin Palpini
News
COVID-19: Uptick In Northeast Cases 'Concerning,' Says Dr. Birx Of Coronavirus Task Force COVID-19: Uptick In Northeast Cases 'Concerning,' Says Dr. Birx Of Coronavirus Task Force
Covid-19: Uptick In Northeast Cases 'Concerning,' Says Dr. Birx Of Coronavirus Task Force One of the leaders of the White House’s Coronavirus Task Force is cautioning that the rise of recent COVID-19 cases in the Northeast is “concerning.” Dr. Deborah Birx said in Boston on Friday, Oct. 9 that she’s seen signs of a “silent spread” of COVID-19 in the Northeast, calling it concerning and commenting that people in the region take precautions to help curtail the spread of the virus. “We do see some of those early signs that we saw across the south after Memorial Day, a sense that there’s early, asymptomatic silent spread occurring in communities,” Brix said. Birx said that the spr…

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by Zak Failla
Business
COVID-19: CT Moving To 'Phase 3' In Reopening Economy; Larger Crowds Allowed COVID-19: CT Moving To 'Phase 3' In Reopening Economy; Larger Crowds Allowed
Covid-19: CT Moving To 'Phase 3' In Reopening Economy; Larger Crowds Allowed Connecticut will soon enter “Phase 3” of the state’s COVID-19 reopening plan. This means bigger crowds at events and restaurants both inside and out. Face masks and social distancing requirements must still be observed.  Gov. Ned Lamont said Thursday, Sept. 24, that the state would go to Phase 3 on Oct. 8. “The changes will increase capacities for certain businesses, including restaurants, personal services, libraries, and performing arts venues,” Lamont said, “while ensuring safety protocols are still in effect.” Specifically, that means that: - Restaurants, personal services, and …

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by Kristin Palpini
News
CDC: Face Masks 'More Guaranteed' Than Vaccine To Prevent COVID-19 CDC: Face Masks 'More Guaranteed' Than Vaccine To Prevent COVID-19
CDC: Face Masks 'More Guaranteed' Than Vaccine To Prevent Covid-19 The director for the Centers for Disease Control trusts face masks to protect more people from COVID-19 than a vaccine. Emphasizing the importance of the medical equipment, on Wednesday, Sept. 16, at a Senate hearing, CDC Director Robert Redfield said that wearing a face mask is more guaranteed to protect someone from COVID-19 than taking an eventual vaccine. Vaccines don’t work in 100 percent of people, he noted, but a face mask offers at least some protection for everyone. “We have clear scientific evidence they work,” Redfield said about face masks. “I might even go so far as to say tha…

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by Kristin Palpini
News
Worcester To Re-Open Some City Buildings/Services Closed For COVID-19 Worcester To Re-Open Some City Buildings/Services Closed For COVID-19
Worcester To Re-Open Some City Buildings/Services Closed For Covid-19 Worcester is reopening several city buildings to residents by appointment for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. On Monday, Sept. 14, Worcester is reopening City Hall, the Municipal Service Center, DPW&P, Worcester Police Department, and Inspectional Services/Worcester Fire Department. All the departments will be open with restricted hours and “stringent” safety protocols, the city said in a message to the community issued Thursday, Sept. 10. City Hall will be open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with the 9-10 a.m. hour reserved for senior citizens and people …

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by Kristin Palpini
News
COVID-19: New Study Reveals Which Face Masks Are Best, Worst At Blocking Droplets COVID-19: New Study Reveals Which Face Masks Are Best, Worst At Blocking Droplets
Covid-19: New Study Reveals Which Face Masks Are Best, Worst At Blocking Droplets Not all face masks and coverings are as effective at blocking respiratory droplets when we talk, cough and sneeze, according to a brand-new study. Research from Duke University scientists tested the efficiency of 14 types of face coverings being used during the COVID-19 pandemic. The N95, used by medical staff, is the most effective, the study found. (Mask No. 14 in image above.) Three-layer surgical masks also rated high, along with cotton-polypropylene masks. (Mask No. 1 in image above.) Fleece masks and bandannas offer little protection and may be no different than using no mask a…

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by Joe Lombardi