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Neeltje van Doremalen, a virologist at the US National Institutes of Health (NIH), and her colleagues at the Rocky Mountain Laboratories in Hamilton, Montana, have done some of the first tests of how long SARS-CoV-2 can last for on different surfaces. Their study, which has been published in the New England Journal of Medicine, shows that the virus could survive in droplets for up to three hours after being coughed out into the air. Fine droplets between 1-5 micrometres in size – about 30 times small than the width of a human hair – can remain airborne for several hours in still air.

It means that the virus circulating in unfiltered air conditioning systems will only persist for a couple of hours at the most, especially as aerosol droplets tend to settle on surfaces faster in disturbed air.

But the NIH study found that the SARS-CoV-2 virus survives for longer on cardboard – up to 24 hours – and up to 2-3 days on plastic and stainless-steel surfaces. (Learn how to clean your mobile phone properly.)

The findings suggest the virus might last this long on door handles, plastic-coated or laminated worktops and other hard surfaces. The researchers did find, however, that copper surfaces tended to kill the virus in about four hours.

But there is a speedier option: research has shown that coronaviruses can be inactivated within a minute by disinfecting surfaces with 62-71% alcohol, or 0.5% hydrogen peroxide bleach or household bleach containing 0.1% sodium hypochlorite. Higher temperatures and humidity also tend to result in other coronaviruses dying quicker, although research has shown that a related coronavirus that causes Sars could be killed by temperatures above 56°C or 132°F (hotter than even a bath scalding enough to cause injury) at a rate of about 10,000 viral particles every 15 minutes.

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Metropolitan Opera Lays Off All Of Its Musicians & Chorus Because Of Coronavirus Crisis

The Metropolitan Opera, the largest performing arts organization in the U.S., has laid off all of its union members, including all of the opera’s musicians, chorus singers, and stagehands.

The Met’s general manager, Peter Gelb, has invoked the “force majeure” clause in the unions’ contracts, which has rarely if ever been invoked before, in the wake of the spread of coronavirus. Governor Andrew Cuomo previously banned all large gatherings of people throughout the state, which has led to the shutdown of most cultural institutions around NYC.

"It is indicative of a trend happening across the country at opera and choral performances—most of the venues are shutting down or cancelling performances," said Len Egert, executive director of the American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA), one of the two largest unions who work with The Met Opera.

Egert estimates that over 200 people represented by AGMA have been laid off by The Met Opera, and over 500 musicians and stagehands have been laid off by them altogether—and that doesn't take into account any administrative staff who have been let go.

The Opera also announced today that they have canceled the remainder of the 2019–20 season, which was to have ended on May 9th.

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Originally posted by Doug:
Our governor is ordering the brothels closed.


No comment....

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Will decided in 4 weeks.

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Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Monday ordered Britons to stay at home to try to halt the spread of coronavirus, imposing curbs on everyday life without precedent in peacetime.

All but essential shops will close and people should no longer meet family or friends or risk being fined, Johnson said on Monday in a televised address to the nation.

Johnson had resisted pressure to impose a full lockdown even as other European countries had done so, but was forced to change tack as projections showed the health system could become overwhelmed.

Deaths from the virus in Britain jumped to 335 on Monday as the government said the military would help ship millions of items of personal protective equipment (PPE) including masks to healthcare workers who have complained of shortages.

“From this evening I must give the British people a very simple instruction - you must stay at home,” Johnson said in a televised address, replacing his daily news conference.

They would only be allowed to leave their homes to shop for basic necessities, exercise, for a medical need, to provide care or traveling to and from work where absolutely necessary.

“That’s all - these are the only reasons you should leave your home,” he said, adding that people should not meet friends or family members who do not live in their home.

“If you don’t follow the rules, the police will have the powers to enforce them, including through fines and dispersing gatherings,” he warned.

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Originally posted by wtg:
IOC postpones Toyko Olympics.

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Wisconsin governor orders stop to in-person voting on eve of election

The state had local elections and the Democratic presidential primary scheduled for Tuesday. Gov. Tony Evers expects a court challenge.