Emergorok, that was satire, perhaps you missed it. :-D BTW bleach is an oxidizer and if sodium hypochlorite is all that's there, it's not alkaline. Alcohol is not alkaline either. *However* these things as well as detergent would have a terrible effect on soil life, which was, of course, the joke. I would not worry about soil unless it was VERY dusty and dry outside and the dust was bothering me (tightness in the chest, sneezing etc.). OR if my immune system was compromised. Compost I try to turn when it's damp, not dry, to reduce dust and spores. Soil is the ecstatic skin of the Earth, it's an efficient and powerful recycler of wastes, filter system for water, and grower of wonderful things. It is not something to be feared.

Interesting that some people are having a cow over Hobby Lobby being open but I haven't heard a word of protest about Joann's. Copied from JoAnns' site: Valued JOANN Customers – In these uncertain times, I want to update you on the latest developments as we work to continue offering much-needed inspiration and respite, as safely as possible. I am incredibly proud to be part of a retailer that powers thousands of small businesses and sellers, inspires creativity and learning, and helps millions of people make to give to charity. Now more than ever, it is important that we continue to safely provide what these Americans need to support their livelihood, mental wellness and community giving. As shared previously, we have been taking action to ensure we are protecting our facilities, customers and teams across the nation. We continue to rely on the guidance of public health agencies, including the CDC and local, state and federal governments. As such, we are taking proactive measures to protect all who visit and work in our stores. • Store Hours: To operate safely and efficiently while serving our customers, national store hours will be temporarily changed to 9am-7pm. Some stores may be closed or have further limited hours, depending on local restrictions and recommendations. Please visit joann.com/stores for the most up-to-date closures and hours information. • Shopping Options: We are now offering Curbside Pick-Up at all open locations. Simply make a purchase via Buy Online, Pick-Up In-Store, and call the store when you arrive. We also offer convenient Ship to Home offers at joann.com and on the mobile app, so you don’t even have to leave home. • Store Events: Until further notice, all in-store events, classes and group gatherings are being postponed. All previously purchased classes can be rescheduled free of charge once they are reopened. • Free Inspiration: I am glad to share we are offering more inspiration at home with thousands of free projects, video classes and an offer of 2 months free of Creativebug, a creative learning service with inspiration for all. • Team Member Support: We are doing all we can to support our amazing Team Members, especially those who are cleaning our stores, stocking our shelves and bringing Handmade Happiness to customers. We are providing dedicated daily and real-time updates; offering benefits including a variety of leave options and Employee Assistance Programs; have added maintenance support; and are implementing remote working options for corporate Team Members. Our People are what set JOANN apart, and they are always our first priority. As we’ve reiterated from the beginning of this unfortunate situation, the well-being of all JOANN customers, Team Members and partners is our main focus, and we will do all we can to get through this together -- as a strong, tightknit and caring community of creators. Wade Miquelon President & CEO https://www.joann.com/joanns-letter-to-customers-from-ceo/

" Making your own face mask? Some fabrics work better than others, study finds " This study, non peer reviewed and non published that's touted all over NBC is, sorry, looking at the issue in the wrong way. They studied how various materials can filter out the virus, which is tiny teeny, 03 micron. Sounds like this means that they're trying to prevent incoming viruses from infecting the person who wears the mask. However, one primary mode of transmission is through face-to-face interaction. Fact is that in normal interaction, speaking, coughing, sneezing, the virus is ensconced in droplets --- these droplets are way, way bigger than what Segal tested. Therefore, 1. The point is to look at how to prevent EMITTING these virus carrying droplets, that is, the wearer prevents transmitting his/her infection to others. And this is where face covers are extremely efficient: They block the spit droplets from leaving the mouth of an infected person. 2. So, any meaningful tests of protective mouth covers needs to test such droplets. 3. Yes, there is evidence that such droplets that are emitted by talking, sneezing, coughing can become aerosolized, ie become tiny, the size of what Segal tested. However, again, this can be prevented by emitting droplets in the first place. Super frustrating to see some anesthesiologist's unpublished, non-peer reviewed "study" be all over the Internet.

The vaccines are very very good but they aren’t 100%. So for an individual person, the risk is still there (a small risk) of being hospitalized with covid even as population deaths and hospitalizations go down. The same as I was vaccinated for measles and still contracted a very serious case as a child. The biggest benefit of widespread vaccination is reducing the ability of the virus to spread so that any one person is unlikely to encounter the virus and if they get it, less likely to pass it on. It looks like vax rates of 50% and above combined with protective measures (masks, physical distancing) have been enough to reduce the spread in places that have achieved it (eg the UK) even with the b117 variant. Our provincial guidance is that they’d like to see 75% of the population vaccinated before a total reopen. We’re at about 50% first dose so we have a ways to go.