the explanation we’re seeing a spike in variants or extra or progress by way of how these variants are predominating amongst new infections is we’ve been vaccinating largely older people Within the brief time period. What we have to do is to cease transmission as quickly as doable as rapidly as doable. And as we’re increasing protection with vaccines so you’ll be able to think about that we have to work in two completely different dimensions are two other ways. One is quickly scaling up vaccination, clearly as rapidly as doable, and the opposite is stopping transmission from one individual to the following as a result of it is solely by means of the transmission of the virus from one individual to the following. That’s what permits these variants and to be additional transmitted, but additionally permits for brand spanking new variants to be created as effectively. So we won’t take our eye off the significance of the standard public well being preventive measures. Whereas we’re increasing vaccination, I anticipate absolutely that as we get extra folks vaccinated over time and hopefully quickly vaccinated, that we’ll see ultimately lower within the numbers of recent circumstances
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Customs officers have seized over 20 million counterfeit masks because the starting of the yr
Up to date: 9:28 AM CDT Apr 8, 2023
Hundreds of thousands of counterfeit masks have been seized by U.S. Customs and Border Safety officers because the begin of the pandemic. However the previous couple of months have seen an “exponential improve” in counterfeit masks seizures, a CBP official informed CNN.For the reason that begin of the pandemic, CBP has seized greater than 34 million counterfeit masks, most of them modeled to resemble N95 or KN95 masks. Round 20 million of these masks had been caught in 2023, mentioned John Leonard, performing govt assistant commissioner of the company’s Workplace of Commerce.”The masks is basically probably the most seen image of this pandemic,” Leonard informed CNN. ” look into benefiting from this example.”The counterfeit masks resemble N95 respirators, thought-about the best masks in stopping coronavirus transmission, however do not provide the identical stage of safety, Leonard mentioned. They is likely to be lacking a few of the parts that make N95 masks so efficient, reminiscent of headbands to keep up a sealed match.CNN reported in February that the company had seized 14 million counterfeit masks from the start of the pandemic to the tip of 2023. That month, the quantity of masks officers had been seizing “blew up once more,” Leonard mentioned.Officers made two notable seizures lately: In February, greater than 108,000 pretend N95 masks — marketed utilizing 3M’s branding — had been seized in Cincinnati. The subsequent month, CBP discovered 65,000 pretend respirators at Chicago O’Hare Worldwide Airport, additionally bearing 3M’s brand.Counterfeit masks make up many of the seizures, however CBP officers have additionally seized round 180,000 unauthorized COVID-19 exams. Almost 39,000 chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine tablets had been seized, a measure the company takes when medication are imported into the U.S. with out FDA approval. CBP offered no particulars on these tablets.If customers do not know the merchandise are ineffective, they may give customers a “false sense of safety,” which may additional coronavirus transmission, CBP mentioned in a report.Leonard attributes the uptick in counterfeit seizures to the continued demand for masks because the pandemic endures. It is doable, as extra of the U.S. inhabitants is vaccinated, that the quantity of counterfeit masks making an attempt to enter the U.S. will fall, Leonard mentioned, primarily based on client demand.Masks will nonetheless be part of American life, whilst hundreds of thousands extra persons are vaccinated.The Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention encourages individuals who’ve been vaccinated to proceed to put on masks and keep social distancing after they’re in public. The company is ready to be taught extra about whether or not absolutely vaccinated folks can nonetheless transmit coronavirus to others who aren’t vaccinated. separate actual masks from the imitatorsThere are methods to delineate the true factor from imitators.Faux masks could have the next, in accordance with the CDC and Nationwide Institute for Occupational Security and Well being (NIOSH):No NIOSH approval. NIOSH solely certifies facepiece respirators like N95 masks in the event that they filter a minimum of 95% of particles. With out NIOSH approval, you’ll be able to’t make sure your masks is equally protecting.Ear loops. A real N95 masks has headbands as an alternative of ear loops, which assist the masks type a seal towards your face.Sequins or different appliques. Per NIOSH, altering an N95 masks in any means may make it much less efficient, and NIOSH would not approve a masks that is been modified or adorned.Different tells: Search for typos in product descriptions or on packaging. Unbelievably low costs could also be too good to be true. And if the vendor says the masks is accepted for youngsters, it isn’t — NIOSH would not approve N95 masks for teenagers.The total listing of NIOSH-approved N95 masks is out there by means of the CDC.
Hundreds of thousands of counterfeit masks have been seized by U.S. Customs and Border Safety officers because the begin of the pandemic. However the previous couple of months have seen an “exponential improve” in counterfeit masks seizures, a CBP official informed CNN.
For the reason that begin of the pandemic, CBP has seized greater than 34 million counterfeit masks, most of them modeled to resemble N95 or KN95 masks. Round 20 million of these masks had been caught in 2023, mentioned John Leonard, performing govt assistant commissioner of the company’s Workplace of Commerce.
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“The masks is basically probably the most seen image of this pandemic,” Leonard informed CNN. “[Counterfeiters] look into benefiting from this example.”
The counterfeit masks resemble N95 respirators, thought-about the best masks in stopping coronavirus transmission, however do not provide the identical stage of safety, Leonard mentioned. They is likely to be lacking a few of the parts that make N95 masks so efficient, reminiscent of headbands to keep up a sealed match.
CNN reported in February that the company had seized 14 million counterfeit masks from the start of the pandemic to the tip of 2023. That month, the quantity of masks officers had been seizing “blew up once more,” Leonard mentioned.
Officers made two notable seizures lately: In February, greater than 108,000 pretend N95 masks — marketed utilizing 3M’s branding — had been seized in Cincinnati. The subsequent month, CBP discovered 65,000 pretend respirators at Chicago O’Hare Worldwide Airport, additionally bearing 3M’s brand.
Counterfeit masks make up many of the seizures, however CBP officers have additionally seized round 180,000 unauthorized COVID-19 exams. Almost 39,000 chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine tablets had been seized, a measure the company takes when medication are imported into the U.S. with out FDA approval. CBP offered no particulars on these tablets.
If customers do not know the merchandise are ineffective, they may give customers a “false sense of safety,” which may additional coronavirus transmission, CBP mentioned in a report.
Leonard attributes the uptick in counterfeit seizures to the continued demand for masks because the pandemic endures. It is doable, as extra of the U.S. inhabitants is vaccinated, that the quantity of counterfeit masks making an attempt to enter the U.S. will fall, Leonard mentioned, primarily based on client demand.
Masks will nonetheless be part of American life, whilst hundreds of thousands extra persons are vaccinated.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention encourages individuals who’ve been vaccinated to proceed to put on masks and keep social distancing after they’re in public. The company is ready to be taught extra about whether or not absolutely vaccinated folks can nonetheless transmit coronavirus to others who aren’t vaccinated.
separate actual masks from the imitators
There are methods to delineate the true factor from imitators.
Faux masks could have the next, in accordance with the CDC and National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH):
- No NIOSH approval. NIOSH solely certifies facepiece respirators like N95 masks in the event that they filter a minimum of 95% of particles. With out NIOSH approval, you’ll be able to’t make sure your masks is equally protecting.
- Ear loops. A real N95 masks has headbands as an alternative of ear loops, which assist the masks type a seal towards your face.
- Sequins or different appliques. Per NIOSH, altering an N95 masks in any means may make it much less efficient, and NIOSH would not approve a masks that is been modified or adorned.
- Different tells: Search for typos in product descriptions or on packaging. Unbelievably low costs could also be too good to be true. And if the vendor says the masks is accepted for youngsters, it isn’t — NIOSH would not approve N95 masks for teenagers.
The full list of NIOSH-approved N95 masks is out there by means of the CDC.
