Spoken Query

Today, the CDC recommended that all Americans voluntarily wear cloth masks in public.   The first place I looked was at the local Safeway but, as expected, I didn't find any masks there. The next place was Amazon, however the masks there were either only for sale to  hospitals/Government agencies or had delivery dates set for late June. So,  I decided to  make one at home. The final product! I went through many DIY masks tutorials on Youtube but these had complicated instructions and require materials that are not readily available at home. One such material (in fact, the most important one) is the "FILTER" that is used inside the mask.Here is a link describing the  different filter materials for making a DIY mask  and their effectiveness .    Most tutorials recommend using HEPA or MERV 13-14 filters since these eliminate 99.97% of any airborne particulate matter. These are used inside vacuum cleaners and air conditioners and are as effective as surgic

Canton Waterfront Promenade It's Saturday and we decided to go for a short walk to get some fresh air and exercise.  At first, we were thinking if it was safe to go outside? There is a lot of confusion around this. On one hand we are told to stay home as much as possible and on the other hand, we are also been told that it is important to keep exercising - and that a walk or run in the park is OK. For instance, Mitchell Silver, New York's  city parks commissioner, encouraged residents to use parks, pointing out that spending time outdoors can reduce stress and boost immunity. Brian Labus, a professor in public health at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas said,  "If you're outside walking by yourself, you're not exposed; if you're out walking the dog by yourself, there's no risk, it's when you have contact with other people that you need to be concerned. " However, last week  scientists established that  coronavirus  droplets  could  l

The Yoshino cherry blossoms are heading towards full bloom. In a normal year about 1.5 million visitors will congregate around the Tidal Basin area to witness this event. However, this year due to the coronavirus crisis, local agencies and health officials are discouraging crowds and recommending that any visitors maintain a safe distance.  This can be disheartening for a lot of people, especially if you have been planning this for a long time or traveling from afar.  So, this leads to the million dollar question: Is it safe to visit the Tidal Basin to see the  cherry blossoms ? Tidal Basin is open and accessible for strolling and walking. However, t he National Park Service has placed placards around the Tidal Basin warning visitors about the dangers of coronavirus during peak bloom this Saturday (03.21.2020) .  “Although the park is not closed, we encourage all visitors, particularly the most vulnerable, including the elderly and people with underlying conditi

As coronavirus continues to spread around the world, fake advice on how to avoid catching the disease is also spreading rapidly on social media.  To the producers of such lies, it is a humble request:  "JUST STOP IT,”  - avoid sharing information from untrustworthy or unverified sources. Your intention may be good, but know that misinformation during such a time could spread terror and can also result in people being left unprotected or more vulnerable to the virus. As social media influencers or bloggers, please remain as diligent about the accuracy of the information you share so that you can follow proper precautions to keep your loved ones safe. To the people who are getting influenced by such lies, it is important to understand that the claims of these viral messages have not been backed by trusted healthcare professionals. Therefore, please seek accurate information from verified sources such as CDC, UNICEF or WHO and not from your favorite content creators (not even m