Category: Covid-19

The seven-day average of Covid-19 deaths in the U.S. reached 645 on Friday, almost doubling in two weeks to reach the highest point since May, as the delta variant pushes deeper into the country.

Daily infections are up about 66% over the same period and are back at levels last seen in early February -- the average topping 128,000 as of Friday, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University and Bloomberg.

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U.S. Daily Death Toll From Covid-19 Almost Doubles in Two Weeks - Bloomberg

Based on the most recent City data that shows hospitalizations are leveling off, as well as cases slowly coming down, the CEO of Zuckerberg SF General Hospital has said SF may have just seen the worst of this wave of COVID-19.

The Delta Variant has shifted our optimistic notion that the pandemic would be over soon; Hot Girl Vaxx Summer has now, more or less, morphed into The Season of COVID Anxiety. Mask wearing and vaccinations continue to be our best tools in fighting the disease (even if herd immunity continues to become more out of reach).

And given that both hospitalization rates and the recorded seven-day rolling average of cases continue to dip, the CEO of Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital has said that we might be putting the worst of this COVID-19 wave behind us.

At last here in San Francisco.

Based on what were seeing in the data, it looks like hospitalizations are leveling off and the peak of cases has started coming down, said Dr. Susan Ehrlich, who's the CEO of Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, to NBC Bay Area. You know, it appears that way based on the trends were seeing in the data right now."

Given the fast incubation rate of the Delta variant by far the most dominant strain currently circulating the country, as well as the Bay Area the current data set might not be as representative of what's to come. Though it's encouraging, nonetheless. And as Ehrlich says: If nothing else, the pandemic has taught not only here, but the entire population, a lesson in humility.

"But this pandemic has taught me a lot of humility," she continues. "So, its hard to make perfect estimates about whats going to happen. But in this surge, at this time, yes, I would say that."

Ehrlich notes that San Francisco General currently has 19 patients hospitalized with a coronavirus infection; fifteen of those patients are unvaccinatedwhile the other four are breakthrough cases. These figures just further show the efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines.

Solano County has also seen cases remain steady over the past seven days. However hospitalization rates in Alameda County are inching upward; Santa Clara County, as well, has seen a slight increase in COVID-19-related hospitalizations over the past week.

To echo a sentiment said by Dr. Bob Wachter Friday: Us humans don't choose when the pandemic is officially over... the pathogen does. When and if a fifth wave does come crashing down, well be even more prepared for it now.

For more information on Covid-19 vaccines, as well as how to receive one in the City and County of San Francisco, visit sf.gov/get-vaccinated-against-covid-19.

Photo: Getty Images/SerrNovik

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SF Hospital CEO Suggests This 4th Wave of COVID-19 Might've Peaked at Least in San Francisco - SFist

Based on the most recent City data that shows hospitalizations are leveling off, as well as cases slowly coming down, the CEO of Zuckerberg SF General Hospital has said SF may have just seen the worst of this wave of COVID-19.

The Delta Variant has shifted our optimistic notion that the pandemic would be over soon; Hot Girl Vaxx Summer has now, more or less, morphed into The Season of COVID Anxiety. Mask wearing and vaccinations continue to be our best tools in fighting the disease (even if herd immunity continues to become more out of reach).

And given that both hospitalization rates and the recorded seven-day rolling average of cases continue to dip, the CEO of Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital has said that we might be putting the worst of this COVID-19 wave behind us.

At last here in San Francisco.

Based on what were seeing in the data, it looks like hospitalizations are leveling off and the peak of cases has started coming down, said Dr. Susan Ehrlich, who's the CEO of Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, to NBC Bay Area. You know, it appears that way based on the trends were seeing in the data right now."

Given the fast incubation rate of the Delta variant by far the most dominant strain currently circulating the country, as well as the Bay Area the current data set might not be as representative of what's to come. Though it's encouraging, nonetheless. And as Ehrlich says: If nothing else, the pandemic has taught not only here, but the entire population, a lesson in humility.

"But this pandemic has taught me a lot of humility," she continues. "So, its hard to make perfect estimates about whats going to happen. But in this surge, at this time, yes, I would say that."

Ehrlich notes that San Francisco General currently has 19 patients hospitalized with a coronavirus infection; fifteen of those patients are unvaccinatedwhile the other four are breakthrough cases. These figures just further show the efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines.

Solano County has also seen cases remain steady over the past seven days. However hospitalization rates in Alameda County are inching upward; Santa Clara County, as well, has seen a slight increase in COVID-19-related hospitalizations over the past week.

To echo a sentiment said by Dr. Bob Wachter Friday: Us humans don't choose when the pandemic is officially over... the pathogen does. When and if a fifth wave does come crashing down, well be even more prepared for it now.

For more information on Covid-19 vaccines, as well as how to receive one in the City and County of San Francisco, visit sf.gov/get-vaccinated-against-covid-19.

Photo: Getty Images/SerrNovik

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SF Hospital CEO Suggests This 4th Wave of COVID-19 Might've Peaked at Least in San Francisco - SFist

Loretta is among 77 chimpanzees at a sanctuary in Georgia that may soon self-administer an experimental vaccine designed to protect them from COVID-19.

By Alex ViverosAug. 13, 2021 , 6:15 PM

As the COVID-19 vaccine rollout has continued in the United States, a parallel vaccination effort has taken place in some U.S. zoos to protect their animals, particularly great apes. Now, a chimpanzee sanctuary in Georgia is ready to do the same, saying it intends to soon give an experimental COVID-19 vaccine to its primates, who are likely also vulnerable to the pandemic coronavirus.

Having consulted with our vet and several other zoo individuals, were confident that its the right decision for us, says Ali Crumpacker, executive director of the Project Chimps sanctuary. Additional U.S. chimp sanctuaries tell Science they are discussing whether to vaccinate their animals and will watch others efforts closely. But some say they dont see a pressing need to do so, given other precautions they have taken.

Primatologists have worried about great apes, both captive and in the wild, since the start of the pandemic. Chimpanzees, gorillas, orangutans, and bonobos all share versions of the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2, the cell surface receptor to which SARS-CoV-2 binds to initiate infections. Moreover, human respiratory infections have devastated great ape populations in the past. Great apes are susceptible, to COVID-19, says Jon Epstein, vice president for science and research at EcoHealth Alliance, a nonprofit devoted to protecting wild animals, and people, from pathogens. There are real, legitimate conservation concerns with this infectious disease.

In response, zoos, sanctuaries, and national parks around the world tightened measures to protect their great apes against COVID-19, increasing their use of masks, gloves, and other personal protective equipment (PPE) and further restricting access to the animals. Still, concern grew in January 2021 wheneight gorillas at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park contracted the virus.They survived, with just a fit of coughs and congestion to show for it, but the experience led the facility to become the first zoo to vaccinate, giving jabs to nine orangutans and bonobos in February. The animals received an experimental nonhuman COVID-19 vaccine provided by Zoetis, a U.S. company that was originally the animal division of Pfizer. The shots, like one for people made by Novavax thatproved 90% effective against symptomatic infection in clinical trials,uses engineered spike proteins from SARS-CoV-2 to elicit an immune response against the virus.

COVID-19 is here to stay for a long time, and our animals are part of our community, says Nadine Lamberski, chief conservation and wildlife health officer for the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. To get herd immunity in our community, we need to vaccinate as many individuals as possible.

Behind the scenes, other zoos and sanctuaries were paying attention. San Diego reported earlier this year that its primates had developed no serious adverse effects to the vaccine, just a few mild reactions such as signs of a headache. Soon after, Zoetis announced that more than 70 zoos, sanctuaries, and other institutions across the United States had requested doses. More than a dozen zoos have started to vaccinate otters, great apes, bears, and other animals.

Now Project Chimps, founded in 2014 and one of six accredited U.S. chimp sanctuaries that house great apes from research labs, the pet trade, and the entertainment industry, is about to receive a shipment of the Zoetis vaccine for its 77 chimps. Although the sanctuary already has COVID-19 precautions and more than 95% of staff are vaccinated, they wanted the extra protection for their animals. We felt reassured by the fact that [zoos] went first and have seen no downsides, Crumpacker says.

The U.S. government declared in 2015 that it wouldstop funding invasive chimpanzee research, and in 2016 the largest private chimpanzee research facility in the worldpledged to send all 220 of its chimpanzeesto Project Chimps within 5 years. That process has been slower than expected and mired incontroversy; so far, 80 chimps have been relocated to Project Chimps.

About 70% of the chimpanzees at Project Chimps have been trained to receive voluntary injections, and the staff is working on preparing the rest. Crumpacker says they will not force the vaccine on chimpanzees that refuse shots and will instead try to vaccinate them later.

But leaders of Chimp Haven, the largest and only federally funded chimpanzee sanctuary in the United States, have decided not to order the vaccine for now. They believe the risk of their chimpanzees contracting COVID-19 is low, given the use of PPE and a high vaccination rate in caretakers. To date, there have been no recorded cases of chimpanzees testing positive for COVID-19 at zoo, sanctuaries or in the wild. At this time, Chimp Haven has chosen not to move forward with the vaccination, but were continuing to keep our options open, says Raven Jackson-Jewett, director of veterinary care and the attending veterinarian at Chimp Haven.

Chimp Haven and several other sanctuaries cited the experimental nature of the Zoetis vaccine and said they wanted to learn more about its efficacy. The vaccine, which was first developed for use in cats and dogs, has only been authorized for experimental use in animals. Zoos and sanctuaries must individually request approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and state veterinarians to receive a dose of each vaccine, which Zoetis then donates.

Zoetis is currently working toward getting a conditional USDA license to use its vaccine in mink, which in some countries are farmed in large numbers for their fur. (The company says a U.S. license would likely make it easier to sell the vaccine abroad). Mink are known to contract SARS-CoV-2 and have been shown to transmit it to people,leading to outbreaks and the culling of many of them on Dutch farms. The company is planning challenge trials in the animalsvaccinating them and deliberately exposing some to the coronavirusto test the vaccines protection and how well it works against variants of COVID-19.

Mahesh Kumar, the senior vice president of global biologics research and development at Zoetis, says the company is confident its vaccine is safe for animals. Still, Kumar acknowledges the vaccines efficacy in different species remains unclear.

Great ape sanctuaries outside of the United States are also pondering whether to vaccinate their animals, although Zoetis shot isnt yet available in other countries. Members of the Pan African Sanctuary Alliance (PASA), an organization that works with 23 primate sanctuaries across 13 African countries, have expressed interest in a COVID-19 vaccine for their animals, according to the groups director, Gregg Tully. Were open to learning more about vaccines, Tully says. Whether they decide to vaccinate their primates depends on a lot of factors.

One may be Africas need to prioritize vaccinating people. Fueled by the Delta variant, COVID-19 cases and deaths have soared in Africa over the past several months, and less than 1.5% of people on the continent are fully vaccinated, according to a recent World Health Organization update. The focus now is on trying to vaccinate the staff and people surrounding the animals as a way to minimize the risk, Tully says. In Africa, right now, the availability of vaccines is increasing but its still frighteningly low.

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U.S. chimp sanctuary is poised to give its primates a COVID-19 vaccinewill others follow its lead? - Science Magazine

Loretta is among 77 chimpanzees at a sanctuary in Georgia that may soon self-administer an experimental vaccine designed to protect them from COVID-19.

By Alex ViverosAug. 13, 2021 , 6:15 PM

As the COVID-19 vaccine rollout has continued in the United States, a parallel vaccination effort has taken place in some U.S. zoos to protect their animals, particularly great apes. Now, a chimpanzee sanctuary in Georgia is ready to do the same, saying it intends to soon give an experimental COVID-19 vaccine to its primates, who are likely also vulnerable to the pandemic coronavirus.

Having consulted with our vet and several other zoo individuals, were confident that its the right decision for us, says Ali Crumpacker, executive director of the Project Chimps sanctuary. Additional U.S. chimp sanctuaries tell Science they are discussing whether to vaccinate their animals and will watch others efforts closely. But some say they dont see a pressing need to do so, given other precautions they have taken.

Primatologists have worried about great apes, both captive and in the wild, since the start of the pandemic. Chimpanzees, gorillas, orangutans, and bonobos all share versions of the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2, the cell surface receptor to which SARS-CoV-2 binds to initiate infections. Moreover, human respiratory infections have devastated great ape populations in the past. Great apes are susceptible, to COVID-19, says Jon Epstein, vice president for science and research at EcoHealth Alliance, a nonprofit devoted to protecting wild animals, and people, from pathogens. There are real, legitimate conservation concerns with this infectious disease.

In response, zoos, sanctuaries, and national parks around the world tightened measures to protect their great apes against COVID-19, increasing their use of masks, gloves, and other personal protective equipment (PPE) and further restricting access to the animals. Still, concern grew in January 2021 wheneight gorillas at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park contracted the virus.They survived, with just a fit of coughs and congestion to show for it, but the experience led the facility to become the first zoo to vaccinate, giving jabs to nine orangutans and bonobos in February. The animals received an experimental nonhuman COVID-19 vaccine provided by Zoetis, a U.S. company that was originally the animal division of Pfizer. The shots, like one for people made by Novavax thatproved 90% effective against symptomatic infection in clinical trials,uses engineered spike proteins from SARS-CoV-2 to elicit an immune response against the virus.

COVID-19 is here to stay for a long time, and our animals are part of our community, says Nadine Lamberski, chief conservation and wildlife health officer for the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. To get herd immunity in our community, we need to vaccinate as many individuals as possible.

Behind the scenes, other zoos and sanctuaries were paying attention. San Diego reported earlier this year that its primates had developed no serious adverse effects to the vaccine, just a few mild reactions such as signs of a headache. Soon after, Zoetis announced that more than 70 zoos, sanctuaries, and other institutions across the United States had requested doses. More than a dozen zoos have started to vaccinate otters, great apes, bears, and other animals.

Now Project Chimps, founded in 2014 and one of six accredited U.S. chimp sanctuaries that house great apes from research labs, the pet trade, and the entertainment industry, is about to receive a shipment of the Zoetis vaccine for its 77 chimps. Although the sanctuary already has COVID-19 precautions and more than 95% of staff are vaccinated, they wanted the extra protection for their animals. We felt reassured by the fact that [zoos] went first and have seen no downsides, Crumpacker says.

The U.S. government declared in 2015 that it wouldstop funding invasive chimpanzee research, and in 2016 the largest private chimpanzee research facility in the worldpledged to send all 220 of its chimpanzeesto Project Chimps within 5 years. That process has been slower than expected and mired incontroversy; so far, 80 chimps have been relocated to Project Chimps.

About 70% of the chimpanzees at Project Chimps have been trained to receive voluntary injections, and the staff is working on preparing the rest. Crumpacker says they will not force the vaccine on chimpanzees that refuse shots and will instead try to vaccinate them later.

But leaders of Chimp Haven, the largest and only federally funded chimpanzee sanctuary in the United States, have decided not to order the vaccine for now. They believe the risk of their chimpanzees contracting COVID-19 is low, given the use of PPE and a high vaccination rate in caretakers. To date, there have been no recorded cases of chimpanzees testing positive for COVID-19 at zoo, sanctuaries or in the wild. At this time, Chimp Haven has chosen not to move forward with the vaccination, but were continuing to keep our options open, says Raven Jackson-Jewett, director of veterinary care and the attending veterinarian at Chimp Haven.

Chimp Haven and several other sanctuaries cited the experimental nature of the Zoetis vaccine and said they wanted to learn more about its efficacy. The vaccine, which was first developed for use in cats and dogs, has only been authorized for experimental use in animals. Zoos and sanctuaries must individually request approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and state veterinarians to receive a dose of each vaccine, which Zoetis then donates.

Zoetis is currently working toward getting a conditional USDA license to use its vaccine in mink, which in some countries are farmed in large numbers for their fur. (The company says a U.S. license would likely make it easier to sell the vaccine abroad). Mink are known to contract SARS-CoV-2 and have been shown to transmit it to people,leading to outbreaks and the culling of many of them on Dutch farms. The company is planning challenge trials in the animalsvaccinating them and deliberately exposing some to the coronavirusto test the vaccines protection and how well it works against variants of COVID-19.

Mahesh Kumar, the senior vice president of global biologics research and development at Zoetis, says the company is confident its vaccine is safe for animals. Still, Kumar acknowledges the vaccines efficacy in different species remains unclear.

Great ape sanctuaries outside of the United States are also pondering whether to vaccinate their animals, although Zoetis shot isnt yet available in other countries. Members of the Pan African Sanctuary Alliance (PASA), an organization that works with 23 primate sanctuaries across 13 African countries, have expressed interest in a COVID-19 vaccine for their animals, according to the groups director, Gregg Tully. Were open to learning more about vaccines, Tully says. Whether they decide to vaccinate their primates depends on a lot of factors.

One may be Africas need to prioritize vaccinating people. Fueled by the Delta variant, COVID-19 cases and deaths have soared in Africa over the past several months, and less than 1.5% of people on the continent are fully vaccinated, according to a recent World Health Organization update. The focus now is on trying to vaccinate the staff and people surrounding the animals as a way to minimize the risk, Tully says. In Africa, right now, the availability of vaccines is increasing but its still frighteningly low.

Link:

U.S. chimp sanctuary is poised to give its primates a COVID-19 vaccinewill others follow its lead? - Science Magazine

Law enforcement is concerned about "false narratives and conspiracy theories."

August 14, 2021, 6:22 PM

5 min read

The upcoming 20th anniversary of 9/11, religious holidays and more pandemic restrictions amid a COVID-19 surge caused by the delta variant, could give rise to terrorist attacks in the U.S, the Department of Homeland Security is warning.

DHS' National Terrorism Advisory System bulletin issued on Friday, warned that threats from domestic terrorists -- individuals engaged in grievance-based violence -- and foreign terrorists are exacerbated by the pandemic, "including grievances over public health safety measures and perceived government restrictions."

The sun rises behind the skyline of lower Manhattan and One World Trade Center in New York City as people walk through the Empty Sky 9/11 Memorial as seen from Jersey City, N.J., April 24, 2021.

The bulletin said that racially or ethnically motivated extremists will exploit the reintroduction of COVID-19 variants as a means to carry out attacks because of reimplemented pandemic restrictions.

This is the third NTAS bulletin the Department has issued since January.

The DHS also warned that because of the upcoming 9/11 anniversary foreign terrorists or people inspired by foreign terrorists might seek to carry out an attack around the anniversary.

Al-Qaeda released an issue of Inspire magazine for the first time in over four years, with the hopes of inspiring people to carry out attacks, according to the bulletin.

The bulletin also warned that domestic violent extremists have targeted houses of worship. "Historically, mass-casualty domestic violent extremist attacks linked to RMVEs have targeted houses of worship and crowded commercial facilities or gatherings," it read and that some RMVEs (racially motivated violent extremists) "advocate via online platforms for a race war and have stated that civil disorder provides opportunities to engage in violence in furtherance of ideological objectives."

People commemorate victims in the 9/11 attacks at the National September 11 Memorial and Museum in New York, Sept. 11, 2020.

Reopening of schools and other institutions, as well as religious holidays over the next few months could become "targets of opportunity for violence," the bulletin further warned.

DHS also cautioned about foreign and domestic groups as well as foreign intelligence services (but did not specify which ones) that "continue to introduce, amplify, and disseminate narratives online that promote violence, and have called for violence against elected officials, political representatives, government facilities, law enforcement, religious communities or commercial facilities, and perceived ideologically-opposed individuals."

ABC News previously reported on the Department's concern about the conspiracy theory that former President Donald Trump will be reinstated as U.S. president last Friday.

"Law enforcement have expressed concerns that the broader sharing of false narratives and conspiracy theories will gain traction in mainstream environments, resulting in individuals or small groups embracing violent tactics to achieve their desired objectives. With a diverse array of threats, DHS is concerned that increased outbreaks of violence in some locations, as well as targeted attacks against law enforcement, may strain local resources," the bulletin reads.

Some domestic violent extremists "continue to derive inspiration and obtain operational guidance through the consumption of information shared in certain online communities. This includes information regarding the use of improvised explosive devices and small arms."

The Department also warned of nation-state adversaries attempting to sow politcal discord, citing examples of Russia, China and Iran attempting to cast doubt on vaccine efficacy.

A person walks at the 9/11 Memorial & Museum in World Trade Center as the city continues Phase 4 of re-opening following restrictions imposed to slow the spread of coronavirus in New York, Sept. 30, 2020.

"DHS remains committed to sharing timely information with the public about the heightened threat environment in order to protectcommunities acrossourcountry,"said Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas in a statement on Friday."Today's NTAS Bulletin advisesthe public about theheightenedthreat landscape we faceand howDHSis working with our partners, at every level of government and in the community, tocombatdomestic terrorism and targeted violence in all its forms. We are committed to ensuring every initiative undertaken by DHSin response to the threatis consistent with privacy protections, civil rights and civil liberties, First Amendment-protected rights, and other applicablelaws."

Go here to read the rest:

9/11 anniversary, COVID-19 measures could spark terrorist attacks in the US: DHS - ABC News

The Delta variant has become the dominant strain of COVID, now accounting for more than 93% of all cases in the U.S., mostly among the unvaccinated population.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention changed its mask guidance last month. The agency now recommends people in areas with high or substantial COVID-19 transmission should again wear masks indoors. Nearly two-thirds of counties in the U.S. have high or substantial transmission, according to CDC data, including all 21 in New Jersey.

But, are N95 face masks with valves safe for COVID-19 protection?

Yes, the CDC says an N95 mask with a valve protects you and others from COVID-19.

A NIOSH-approved N95 filtering face piece respirator with an exhalation valve offers the same protection to the wearer as one that does not have a valve, according to the CDC. As source control, findings from NIOSH research suggest that, even without covering the valve, N95 respirators with exhalation valves provide the same or better source control than surgical masks, procedure masks, cloth masks or fabric coverings.

An N95 mask is a respiratory protective device designed to achieve a very close facial fit and very efficient filtration of airborne particles, according to the FDA. Fit testing also is recommended to ensure a secure fit.

N95 masks were once difficult to find since they were in high-demand at the start of the pandemic, leading customers to shop for KN95 masks. But now plenty of N95 masks are now currently available.

KN95 masks are a cheaper alternative to N95 masks, as long as they meet requirements similar to those set by CDCs National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) for respirators, according to the CDC.

Several reputable merchants specialize in NIOSH-certified N95 and KN95 mask sales with reasonably fast shipping, notably companies like N95 Medical Supplies, N95MaskCo and Well Before.

Below is a roundup of where you can buy CDC-certified N95 and KN95 face masks if you decide you want to upgrade, along with disposable mask options.

Where to buy N95 face masks with valves online:

Where to buy N95 face masks in bulk online:

Where to buy single N95 face masks online:

Where to buy KN95 face masks in bulk online

Disposable face masks you can buy in bulk online:

Please subscribe now and support the local journalism YOU rely on and trust.

Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips

Read the original here:

Are N95 masks with valves safe for COVID-19 protection? - nj.com

The Delta variant has become the dominant strain of COVID, now accounting for more than 93% of all cases in the U.S., mostly among the unvaccinated population.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention changed its mask guidance last month. The agency now recommends people in areas with high or substantial COVID-19 transmission should again wear masks indoors. Nearly two-thirds of counties in the U.S. have high or substantial transmission, according to CDC data, including all 21 in New Jersey.

But, are N95 face masks with valves safe for COVID-19 protection?

Yes, the CDC says an N95 mask with a valve protects you and others from COVID-19.

A NIOSH-approved N95 filtering face piece respirator with an exhalation valve offers the same protection to the wearer as one that does not have a valve, according to the CDC. As source control, findings from NIOSH research suggest that, even without covering the valve, N95 respirators with exhalation valves provide the same or better source control than surgical masks, procedure masks, cloth masks or fabric coverings.

An N95 mask is a respiratory protective device designed to achieve a very close facial fit and very efficient filtration of airborne particles, according to the FDA. Fit testing also is recommended to ensure a secure fit.

N95 masks were once difficult to find since they were in high-demand at the start of the pandemic, leading customers to shop for KN95 masks. But now plenty of N95 masks are now currently available.

KN95 masks are a cheaper alternative to N95 masks, as long as they meet requirements similar to those set by CDCs National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) for respirators, according to the CDC.

Several reputable merchants specialize in NIOSH-certified N95 and KN95 mask sales with reasonably fast shipping, notably companies like N95 Medical Supplies, N95MaskCo and Well Before.

Below is a roundup of where you can buy CDC-certified N95 and KN95 face masks if you decide you want to upgrade, along with disposable mask options.

Where to buy N95 face masks with valves online:

Where to buy N95 face masks in bulk online:

Where to buy single N95 face masks online:

Where to buy KN95 face masks in bulk online

Disposable face masks you can buy in bulk online:

Please subscribe now and support the local journalism YOU rely on and trust.

Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips

View original post here:

Are N95 masks with valves safe for COVID-19 protection? - nj.com

Mask-wearing is now required in Dallas public schools and businesses after Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins on Wednesday became the latest local official to defy Gov. Greg Abbotts ban on local mask orders.

We are all team public health and the enemy is the virus, Jenkins said. Right now, the enemy is winning.

The move comes a day after a state district judge in Dallas temporarily blocked Abbotts ability to enforce his executive order prohibiting cities, counties and school districts from requiring residents to wear masks.

Officials in San Antonio and Bexar County won a similar legal battle Tuesday and quickly ordered school districts to require mask-wearing in schools.

Jenkins went further than other local Texas leaders have in recent weeks. As of 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, all Dallas County public schools, child care centers and businesses must require mask-wearing. However, only businesses will be fined up to $1,000 for violating the order, Jenkins said.

The move comes as the highly contagious delta variant fills Texas hospitals with a crushing wave of COVID-19 patients, the overwhelming majority of them unvaccinated, and as hospitals struggle to find the nurses they need to treat the sick.

Jenkins said mandating masks is an attempt to give some relief to hospitals, but the best way to do that is for more people to get vaccinated.

Were trying to buy our hospitals some time by doing everything that we all can do to get through this, Jenkins said.

Joshua Fechter

Here is the original post:

Texas' local mask mandates have different court outcomes - The Texas Tribune

Law enforcement is concerned about "false narratives and conspiracy theories."

August 14, 2021, 6:22 PM

5 min read

The upcoming 20th anniversary of 9/11, religious holidays and more pandemic restrictions amid a COVID-19 surge caused by the delta variant, could give rise to terrorist attacks in the U.S, the Department of Homeland Security is warning.

DHS' National Terrorism Advisory System bulletin issued on Friday, warned that threats from domestic terrorists -- individuals engaged in grievance-based violence -- and foreign terrorists are exacerbated by the pandemic, "including grievances over public health safety measures and perceived government restrictions."

The sun rises behind the skyline of lower Manhattan and One World Trade Center in New York City as people walk through the Empty Sky 9/11 Memorial as seen from Jersey City, N.J., April 24, 2021.

The bulletin said that racially or ethnically motivated extremists will exploit the reintroduction of COVID-19 variants as a means to carry out attacks because of reimplemented pandemic restrictions.

This is the third NTAS bulletin the Department has issued since January.

The DHS also warned that because of the upcoming 9/11 anniversary foreign terrorists or people inspired by foreign terrorists might seek to carry out an attack around the anniversary.

Al-Qaeda released an issue of Inspire magazine for the first time in over four years, with the hopes of inspiring people to carry out attacks, according to the bulletin.

The bulletin also warned that domestic violent extremists have targeted houses of worship. "Historically, mass-casualty domestic violent extremist attacks linked to RMVEs have targeted houses of worship and crowded commercial facilities or gatherings," it read and that some RMVEs (racially motivated violent extremists) "advocate via online platforms for a race war and have stated that civil disorder provides opportunities to engage in violence in furtherance of ideological objectives."

People commemorate victims in the 9/11 attacks at the National September 11 Memorial and Museum in New York, Sept. 11, 2020.

Reopening of schools and other institutions, as well as religious holidays over the next few months could become "targets of opportunity for violence," the bulletin further warned.

DHS also cautioned about foreign and domestic groups as well as foreign intelligence services (but did not specify which ones) that "continue to introduce, amplify, and disseminate narratives online that promote violence, and have called for violence against elected officials, political representatives, government facilities, law enforcement, religious communities or commercial facilities, and perceived ideologically-opposed individuals."

ABC News previously reported on the Department's concern about the conspiracy theory that former President Donald Trump will be reinstated as U.S. president last Friday.

"Law enforcement have expressed concerns that the broader sharing of false narratives and conspiracy theories will gain traction in mainstream environments, resulting in individuals or small groups embracing violent tactics to achieve their desired objectives. With a diverse array of threats, DHS is concerned that increased outbreaks of violence in some locations, as well as targeted attacks against law enforcement, may strain local resources," the bulletin reads.

Some domestic violent extremists "continue to derive inspiration and obtain operational guidance through the consumption of information shared in certain online communities. This includes information regarding the use of improvised explosive devices and small arms."

The Department also warned of nation-state adversaries attempting to sow politcal discord, citing examples of Russia, China and Iran attempting to cast doubt on vaccine efficacy.

A person walks at the 9/11 Memorial & Museum in World Trade Center as the city continues Phase 4 of re-opening following restrictions imposed to slow the spread of coronavirus in New York, Sept. 30, 2020.

"DHS remains committed to sharing timely information with the public about the heightened threat environment in order to protectcommunities acrossourcountry,"said Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas in a statement on Friday."Today's NTAS Bulletin advisesthe public about theheightenedthreat landscape we faceand howDHSis working with our partners, at every level of government and in the community, tocombatdomestic terrorism and targeted violence in all its forms. We are committed to ensuring every initiative undertaken by DHSin response to the threatis consistent with privacy protections, civil rights and civil liberties, First Amendment-protected rights, and other applicablelaws."

Originally posted here:

9/11 anniversary, COVID-19 measures could spark terrorist attacks in the US: DHS - ABC News