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All, Coronavirus

How is COVID-19 Spread?

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How long does the coronavirus live on surfaces? Does bleach clean ...

Image from theglobeandmail.com

Prachi Shah

The respiratory illness caused by novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has swept through the world in a whirlwind and caused major disruptions in almost every aspect of society. It’s made particularly dangerous because of how rapidly it spreads and by the fact that individuals can transmit the virus even without displaying any outward symptoms. In order to mitigate these effects, communities and institutions across the world have taken to drastic changes in social norms in an effort to curb the spread of the virus.

But how exactly is COVID-19 spread? There are a few main ways that this virus actually spreads and a few misconceptions that have spread in the media.

1. Inhalation:

Although the virus is zoonotic (can be spread between animals and humans), the most common way that it spreads is through person-to-person contact when someone is in close proximity to an infected individual. When someone who has already contracted the virus coughs or sneezes, someone nearby could inhale micro-sized respiratory droplets that contain the virus.

2. Direct contact:

The virus could also be spread through direct contact with an individual who has already been infected. If contact with the infected individual is followed by touching one’s hand to their own eyes, nose, ears, or other mucous membranes, the virus might be transmitted. This risk can be mitigated by practicing “social distancing”– keeping 1-2 m between yourself and others whenever possible.

3. Contaminated surfaces:

If someone has already contracted the virus, and then they cough or sneeze onto a surface, the virus could persist on that surface and be picked up by another person who touches that surface and then their own face. This risk can be mitigated by avoiding using objects that are shared by large groups of people and by regularly cleaning surfaces with alcohol based-cleaners. For more information about cleaning, visit this website.

How is the virus NOT spread?

1. Through mosquitos:

Although there are a number of diseases can be spread by insects such as mosquitos, current evidence does not support that mosquitos are a primary factor in transmitting the virus.

2. Through goods manufactured in China or other heavily affected areas:

The virus can live on surfaces for a short period of time, but it is highly unlikely that the virus would remain on an object manufactured in an affected area and shipped to the United States.

3. Through your pet:

Although the virus is zoonotic, there is no current evidence that it can be spread from your pet to you.

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/transmission.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fcoronavirus%2F2019-ncov%2Fabout%2Ftransmission.html

https://www.healthline.com/health/coronavirus-transmission#symptoms

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/cleaning-
disinfection.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fcoronavirus%2F2019-ncov%2Fcommunity%2Fhome%2Fcleaning-disinfection.html

All, Coronavirus

Taking on COVID-19 with Hand Sanitizer

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Hand-washing or hand sanitizer: What's better against coronavirus?

Image from nypost.com

Emily Samson

Since the outbreak of the coronavirus, hand sanitizers have become a hot commodity. While buying a hand sanitizer that “kills 99.99% of most illness-causing germs” might be tempting, not all hand sanitizers protect against the coronavirus equally.   

According to the CDC, hand sanitizers should contain at least 60% alcohol to help people avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others. Alcohol kills disease-causing agents, such as bacteria, by breaking apart cells. A concentration of at least 60% is needed for alcohol to kill cells efficiently. Once the alcohol content drops below 60%, the effectiveness of a hand sanitizer drops dramatically. 

Many popular hand sanitizer brands, such as Purell and Germ-X, produce alcohol-free hand sanitizers that have been flying off the shelves due to the coronavirus outbreak. These sanitizers use “benzalkonium chloride” as a replacement for alcohol, and it is much less effective than alcohol-containing hand sanitizer. These products may reduce the growth of germs, but it will not kill them. Unknowingly using these less effective products, could put people at risk for illness. 

To find the alcohol concentration of a hand sanitizer, check the label. Alcohol may be listed as “ethanol”, “isopropyl alcohol”, or “ethyl alcohol”. As long as the hand sanitizer has the appropriate amount of alcohol, it should be effective regardless of other ingredients. 

It is important to remember that while the right hand sanitizer can be convenient and effective, washing your hands with soap and water is always more effective than hand sanitizer! 

https://www.livescience.com/hand-sanitizer.html 

https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/show-me-the-science-hand-sanitizer.html 

https://www.businessinsider.com/coronavirus-people-buying-alcohol-free-hand-sanitizer-doesnt-work-2020-3

All, Women's Health

The Feminine Cotton Controversy

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Image result for natural tampons

Image from self.com

Madison McGuire

While we often associate the word “organic” with our produce and dairy options at the supermarket, this label has become increasingly attached to an intimate product used by millions of Americans each month: tampons. Although they’ve been around since the ‘80s, organic tampons have recently risen in popularity, and several brands frequently advertised on social media can be delivered to your door. Some women claim that these tampons have reduced their menstrual cramps or irritation, but has science found actual health benefits to switching to these more expensive products marketed as more “natural”?

Regular tampons are made from cotton and rayon (a substance derived from wood pulp), but they may also contain plastic components in the string or applicator and chemicals used for fragrance. On the other hand, organic tampons are one-hundred percent cotton and free from dyes, plastics, bleach, fragrances, and pesticide-treated cotton. Even though larger tampon companies aren’t as transparent about their complete ingredient list, the FDA considers all tampons a Class II Medical Device, and the industry is highly regulated. 

Dioxin, an environmental pollutant that has been linked to cancer and hormone disruption, was once found in trace amounts in conventional tampons when the wood pulp used to make rayon was bleached using chlorine gas. This chemical is still a source of concern for many women, but the FDA has stated that tampons are no longer bleached using elemental chlorine, so dioxin levels are negligible in every type of tampon. In fact, 90% of human exposure to dioxins is actually through food. One study showed dioxin concentration in tampons was “13,000-240,000 times less than dietary exposures.”

Research also found that non-organic cotton in regular tampons may contain trace amounts of the pesticide glyphosate, an herbicide used to kill weeds and rumored to be carcinogenic. The EPA, however, says it’s “not likely” to be carcinogenic, and the main risk of glyphosate exposure is through food or drinking water. 

Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS) is a rare but potentially fatal condition caused by a toxin produced by an overgrowth of bacteria. Cases of TSS spiked in 1980, which led super high-absorbency tampons to be pulled from the market. Many still have the misconception that regular tampons put women at a higher risk of contracting TSS than organic tampons, but a study comparing toxin growth in 11 types of tampons actually found higher levels of the dangerous toxin in cotton-only tampons versus regular tampons that included rayon and/or viscose as ingredients. Researchers hypothesized this is because cotton-only tampons are less structured with more air between fibers, which can help the bacteria to grow. Whether you opt for organic tampons or not, TSS is extremely rare and mostly depends on the absorbability and the length of use of a single tampon. 

Overall, there is not much scientific evidence to suggest that non-organic tampons are harmful to women’s health or that organic tampons are less harmful. Organic tampon manufacturers have put out warnings claiming that the ingredients used in conventional tampons can cause health problems, including period cramps, birth defects, infertility, and even cancer, but many doctors say there is simply not enough scientific evidence at this time to substantiate those claims or connect any health condition to any one ingredient in tampons. Many people make the switch to organic tampons based on the environmental benefits, but there are actually alternative products, such as menstrual cups or reusable menstrual underwear, that are more eco-friendly. No matter which feminine hygiene product is the new fad, it all comes down to personal preference and having the agency to decide what’s right for your own body. 

https://hellogiggles.com/lifestyle/organic-tampons/

https://www.shape.com/lifestyle/mind-and-body/organic-tampons

https://www.self.com/story/organic-tampons-vaginal-health