I'm not a germaphobe, but I am the guy that arrives at spin class or the yoga studio just a few minutes earlier to wash down anything that someone could have touched. I don't know; there is just something about items that are frequently handled or shared by others that send off red flags for me.
Years ago, I had a job that took around the world to host technology exchanges with governments, telephone service providers, and high tech companies. I'd host day-long events with industry experts talking about how technology was going to change our lives and the world for the better. One of the gentlemen that sometimes participated in these events always had a refreshingly different perspective. I was always amazed by his ability to discuss the past to help our audience better see the future.
It's no surprise that high-end air purification systems are the best defense for fighting aerosol-based biological pathogens like the coronavirus. Air purifiers typically include a pre-filter to remove large particles like pet hair, dust, and other particulates large enough to see with the human eye, and a second filtration system like HEPA, electrostatic or ionic to remove smaller, ultra-fine particles.
I know a good number of our customers are up to speed on the technology behind germicidal ultra-violet light, and the benefits of sterilizing indoor air to minimize the chances of airborne viruses being spread not just through the air but on surfaces.
I've been curious about what changed after the last pandemic, the Spanish Flu of 1918. I remember in high school, not being a fan of history, and looked forward to college where I could elect to avoid the curriculum. This likely accounts for why the older I get, the more interested I am in all history. Learning about the Spanish Flu has been fascinating, and it's our topic this week.
The debate continues over the effectiveness of UV light on Covid-19, so I’d like to start this blog with my frequent disclaimer in the forward to ensure readers don’t miss this point. There are growing test results beginning to surface around UV sterilization of coronaviruses and similar viral pathogens, but none published (that I have access to) offer specific test results for SARS-CoV-2. The reason for this is certification requires the testing be performed at a Level 3 test facility. Biosphere test labs are designed to control and protect the spread of airborne, often lethal microbes. As you can imagine these labs are extremely busy focusing on a solution for this pandemic, and not entertaining every manufacturer hawking a new approach to eradicating the virus. You'll read references that Covid-19 is similar to SARS, or previous coronaviruses based on its cellular structure (similar to the corona shape found around the Sun) and airborne distribution, but this does not make the results identical. No products on our site, or that we’ve seen in the market, assures 100% effectiveness of UV light against the current coronavirus Covid-19.
While it’s possible to contract the coronavirus through contact and items we touch containing droplets of the virus, research is showing that the virus is most often spread through the air or airborne transmissions (the virus is suspended in the air as an aerosol in fine particles). Whether through coughing, sneezing, singing, or loud conversations the ability for an infected person to spread the virus through the air is central to the CDC's, doctors, and many of our politicians encouraging or mandating the use of masks to aid in controlling the spread of Covid-19. Informative and entertainment, Dr. Mike Hansen does an excellent job of explaining so many aspects of this pandemic on his YouTube channel, I encourage you to check him out and even subscribe for expert advise on how exactly the virus spreads. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJ4Epf8i1uk&feature=emb_rel_end
I've had the honor of being a teacher several times since college at the high school and university levels. And while I'll never forget my 10th-grade biology students from Newfound Regional High School in New Hampshire, I don't think any students impacted me more than a group of preschoolers I taught (or perhaps better stated as taught me) one Summer between semesters. There was something about the interaction. It was hands-on, physical, interactive and full of wonderment. I think about that experience often. Through this closeness, I felt connected. I had been entrusted to have a positive impact on someone's child. I'm sure this feeling is shared by millions of teachers every day throughout the world.
A good friend asked me the other day, "where do you get so many ideas from to write your newsletter and blogs as busy as you are?" and I replied, "my customers." While this is true, I left out, "what else am I supposed to do under stay at home directives from our governor." Until this year, my professional life could have been measured in frequent flyer miles, traveling all over this amazing planet. Inhaling the breath and germs, and undoubtedly catching colds and cases of flu, from countless travelers.
There has been a lot of debate, politicization, and division around global warming and extreme weather changes. The melting of our polar caps, the Green New Deal, and Greta Thunberg, for that matter, highlight the need to address global warming for our collective wellbeing if not survival of the species. There are many sides to these debates. However, the two that leadership likes to divide the nation around are the economic opportunity lost by restricting land usage, eliminating fossil fuel-based products and services, and short term jobs, revenues, and personal income versus save the planet, create a safer environment for our children, invest in (the unknown) expensive technologies that will make us less reliant on fossil fuels.
If you research poor air quality countries of the world, you’ll discover that 5 countries host the majority of the 50 top cities for air pollution, they include India, Bangladesh, China, Pakistan, and Mongolia. When examining air quality in the USA LA, Sacramento, Las Vegas, and Denver are often named. Act Earth Wise is headquartered in the Pacific Northwest, just outside of Seattle. And if you live in the area, or saw on the national news, Portland, Seattle, and Vancouver B.C. all topped the list for the worst air quality in the world, each exceeding the EPA’s “very unhealthy” warning with an AQI (Air Quality Index) over 200. It is referred to as short-term particle pollution when a city atypically experiences sudden air quality health concerns. This is a critically important listing as particle pollution can be harmful if inhaled for just a few hours and these events may last for days or weeks.
The Tour le France is not only the largest sporting event in the world but, in my opinion, the most grueling and challenging. This year is the 107 edition since the first race in 1903. The Tour has been held every year except for (4) years during World War 1 and (7) years of World War 2. An event where 12 million spectators line the streets to watch the cyclist, I was concerned if the race would be canceled this year. Fortunately, with a 2-month delay, the racers are back on the streets of France. If you tune into the event, you'll notice several changes. You won't see the wine-infused fan draped in their nation's flag running alongside a rider for a brief moment, or the hordes of people cheering on the sprinters at the end of a stage. Still, you will see cyclist not wearing a mask (thankfully) and every fan, support crew, and camera operator on the back of a motorcycle, wearing a mask and practicing some level of social distancing. France recently reported 9000 new cases in a day, yet with these steps, they believe the event can be successful and the spread of the virus controlled.
As a young boy, I spent most of my time in the outdoors, catching, identifying and releasing just about any organism I could find, so it should come as no surprise that my undergrad degree was in Biology.
This week's newsletter is part information and part collaboration. I ask that you not view the letter as a sales pitch but instead a request for advice from our tech readers, and those interested in the science behind devices that promise cleaner air where we work, live and frequent.
It’s been good to see some curves starting to flatten this week, with the positive impact of social distances. I’ve also noticed more people wearing a mask and facial coverings to help in the effort. You may have seen the image of the Hunan bus in China where a Covid-19 passenger was linked to the spread of the virus to other passengers. What they were able to surmise was that no passengers wearing masks contracted the virus.
As a business traveling professional you’ve got plenty to think about. The average business traveler makes about 7 trips per year. That’s at least 7 different hotels, 14 different flights and countless lounges and lobbies along the way. Each stop offering the opportunity to touch surfaces or handle devices that may contain germs and other pathogens that can cause everything from colds, to upset stomachs, to the flu.
The Internet, Social Media and the Government are now talking about the usage of ultraviolet light as an effective tool to combat viral pathogens. I’ve watched several advertising videos on Social Media of late that suggest the use of the same UV light used on crime shows to detect fingerprints or hemoglobin glowing under the light as a reference to UVC and its ability to kill or inactivate microorganisms. This is far from accurate. Let’s be clear, UV-C often referred to a “germicidal UV” is
Since our face masks arrived, I’ve been frequenting businesses and organizations in our community delivering masks for employees and their families, unexpected, unannounced. I’m always greeted with an identical smile and heartfelt thank you. This afternoon, I stopped by our police station and drop off boxes of masks and was greeted the same way, knowing that we lost one of our officers, a few weeks ago to the virus. I left there feeling it wasn’t enough. I pulled over and sent a message a to friend of mine, Helix Wolfson.
I came across an article that discussed how to determine if you’ve purchased a UV-C (germicidal wavelength) sterilizing device or did you just buy an ultraviolet light that’s not effective at all. This led to some research on tools and technology that can be used to measure the effectiveness of these devices.
Friday. It's the day of the week I plan my trip to the local market, between 4:30 and 5:00, the north entrance, because I know the carts are sanitized. There I'll find a kind employee, smiling through their eyes, as I'm welcomed and directed to the sanitizing towels. Like you, I follow my typical path, guided by directional arrows on the floor and how many items I can hold in my arms as I make my way back to my parked cart.
As a policy in our company, we don’t talk about Covid-19, we don’t sell products that stop the spread of Covid-19. We do offer a line of products that can be used to kill germs. Like other pathogens.
I’m not a believer in excuses, something I learned from my Mom. She just turned 80 and is safely locked down, like most of us, in my small hometown in New England. There aren’t a lot of good things that can be said about this pandemic, but there are many things to be thankful for. Like being able to, and looking forward to, speaking to her every day.
Recently in a Mike Tyson interview, he said, "I don't look at life as being an age; I look at life as being energy. You don't introduce yourself with how old you are; instead, you talk about what you do, your passions, and interest". You see, Mike, at 54, was preparing for his next fight. He's able to do this because he believes fitness is a way of life.
Live Free Or Die is what my license plate said when I was a young man. It's the motto for the state of New Hampshire, where I grew up. It's also often listed as the most popular state motto in the country.
As the holiday season rapidly approaches and the number of daily reported cases of Covid-19 rise to unprecedented numbers, it isn't easy to envision hosting Thanksgiving in just a few weeks.
As a child, I could never hold my breath very long. I grew up in Baltimore with three brothers and a sister, and to say we were competitive would be an understatement. During the hot summer months, my brothers and I would go to the city pool, and because we hadn't learned how to swim, we would compete at holding our breath in the shallow end of the pool.
Life, as we know it, around the world, changed forever in 2020. It's not unfair to say that life for us in the US has been changing steadily over the past four years. Depending on where you sit, you may see it as better or worst. We try to avoid politics at Act Earth Wise but with an election just eight days away, and I believe it essential to remind our readers that voting is how your voice is heard. I reached out to my dear friend Nadine Blochberger to add clarity to the power you have with your voice. She is the CEO of Imagimo, a consultant, life coach, visionary generalist, and draws on over 18 years of corporate leadership, marketing and communication expertise.
I am fortunate enough to be able to sleep on demand. This may be the result of spending half my adult life traveling around the globe for business. I forced myself to learn to sleep on a plane so I could land in the next country ready to work. I imagine for most, the challenges with getting sleep with the stress and disruptions of this pandemic must be difficult. This week I contacted my very good friend, Julie Wright, a specialist on the topic, for insight and advice for our readers.
On April 18th, 1906 at 5:12 AM, just 2 miles off the coast of San Francisco an earthquake at a magnitude of 7.9 shook the San Andreas Fault for 25 seconds, resulting in the worst natural disaster in California history then and now. Fires raged for days and in the end, over 3000 people had perished and 80% of the city lay wasted. If you spend any time living in California, as my wife and I have, it’s a bit of history that always sits in the back of your mind.
At Earthwise UV, we often say “Better Clean, Better Health“ to highlight the role technology can play to enable you and your family to practice additional safety measures when sanitizing items and areas.
If we've had the chance to speak, you know me to be a believer in the science behind the technology in the products we design and resell. You'd also know I'm the first person to doubt the authenticity of some reports, charts, and diagrams from suppliers and manufacturers. We do our best always to be honest, transparent, responsive to customer concerns, and worthy of their trust.
