Monthly Archives: March 2020

President warns next two weeks will be rough

POTUS: “Absolutely critical to follow the guidelines for the next 30 days. It’s a matter of life and death.” “This is going to be a rough two-week period.”

 

Supplemental Info:

 

The White House guidelines for slowing the spread of COVID-19:

  • Listen to and follow the directions of your state and local authorities.
  • If you feel sick, stay home. Do not go to work. Contact your medical provider.
  • If your children are sick, keep them at home. Do not send them to school. Contact your medical provider.
  • If someone in your household has tested positive for the coronavirus, keep the entire household at home. Do not go to work. Do not go to school. Contact your medical provider.
  • If you are an older person, stay home and away from other people.**

     

  • If you are a person with a serious underlying health condition that can put you at increased risk (for example, a condition that impairs your lung or heart function or weakens your immune system), stay home and away from other people.
  • Even if you are young, or otherwise healthy, you are at risk and your activities can increase the risk for others. It is critical that you do your part to stop the spread of the coronavirus:
  • Work or engage in schooling from home whenever possible.
  • If you work in a critical infrastructure industry, as defined by the Department of Homeland Security, such as healthcare services and pharmaceutical and food supply, you have a special responsibility to maintain your normal work schedule. You and your employers should follow CDC guidance to protect your health at work.
  • Avoid social gatherings in groups of more than 10 people.
  • Avoid eating or drinking in bars, restaurants, and food courts – use drive-thru, pickup, or delivery options.
  • Avoid discretionary travel, shopping trips, and social visits.
  • Do not visit nursing homes or retirement or long-term care facilities unless to provide critical assistance.
    Practice good hygiene:
  • Wash your hands, especially after touching any frequently used item or surface.
  • Avoid touching your face.
  • Sneeze or cough into a tissue, or the inside of your elbow.
  • Disinfect frequently used items and surfaces as much as possible.
  •  

DOWNLOAD THE GUIDELINES PDF

https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/03.16.20_coronavirus-guidance_8.5x11_315PM.pdf

 

Official Coronavirus Information Pages

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Food and Drug Administration

Public Health Agency of Canada

Infection Prevention and Control Canada

World Health Organization

 

Official Pandemic Preparedness Guidance:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Department of Homeland Security / Ready.Gov

World Health Organization

 

Assorted Additional Resources

 

(While some of the resources below were prepared for pandemic influenza, the broader guidance contain therein is directly applicable to the current coronavirus crisis).


Community Mitigation Guidelines to Prevent Pandemic Influenza
Fundamentals of Emergency Planning for Schools
Healthcare Systems Preparedness for COVID-19
Pub Health Guidance for Community-Level Preparedness & Response
Business Pandemic Influenza Planning Checklist
Faith-based & Community Org. Pandemic Influenza Checklist
WHO Checklist for Influenza Pandemic Preparedness Planning
Get Your Workplace Ready for Pandemic Flu
Dept of Defense Coronavirus Response Page
DHS Supplemental Instructions For Inbound Flights

 

Start now to make sure you are staying prepared.

 

 

 

Via: threatjournal

Checkpoints at state borders and mandatory quarantine for arrivals from LA, NY, NJ & CT.

TX Gov orders mandatory 14-day quarantine for arrivals, by air or land, from LA, NY, NJ & CT. Trip details & contact info collected, to be enforced by TX DPS.


Supplemental Info:

The order was announced at a briefing a short time ago:

“My prior executive order about travel from New Orleans covered air travel from New Orleans into the state of Texas. Now, I am updating that executive order to also include travel by road. Travel by road from any location in the state of Louisiana. Importantly, this executive order does not apply to travel related to commercial activity, military service, emergency response, health response, or critical infrastructure functions. This order will be enforced like the order that I issued previously about travel from New Orleans. It will be enforced by the Department of Public Safety at and near entry points from Louisiana.”


The order does not include military, commercial or infrastructure travel, DPS checkpoints have been establish to enforce the new policy.


Those who do not follow the guidelines of the order will be subject to a $1,000 fine or 180 days in jail, the order states.

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FL Gov. orders checkpoints at state borders to stop drivers coming from COVID-19 hot spots. Trip details & contact info collected, quarantine orders given.


Supplemental Info:

Motorists entering FL from areas with significant community spread ( LA, NY, NJ, CT, etc..) will be stopped. Those travelers will be required to isolate for a period of 14 days upon entry to Florida or for the duration of their visit, whichever is shorter, and should be prepared for additional monitoring by DOH to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19.


Military, emergency, health or infrastructure response, or persons involved in any commercial activity, including individuals that live in Georgia and commute to work in Florida are not part of the order.


Others will be required to fill out a traveler form at the border, asking for each traveler’s contact information and trip details. Failure to complete the form and failure to follow any isolation or quarantine order from the FL DOH are considered a violation of Florida law.


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The CDC urges residents of NY, NJ, and CT to refrain from non-essential domestic travel for 14 days effective immediately.


Supplemental Info:

CDC Issues Domestic Travel Advisory for
New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut

The CDC urges residents of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut to refrain from non-essential domestic travel for 14 days effective immediately. This Domestic Travel Advisory does not apply to employees of critical infrastructure industries, including but not limited to trucking, public health professionals, financial services, and food supply. These employees of critical infrastructure, as defined by the Department of Homeland Security (https://www.cisa.gov/publication/guidance-essential-critical-infrastructure-workforce) have a special responsibility to maintain normal work schedule. The Governors of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut will have full discretion to implement this Domestic Travel Advisory.

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/travel-in-the-us.html


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Official Coronavirus Information Pages

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Food and Drug Administration

Public Health Agency of Canada

Infection Prevention and Control Canada

World Health Organization


Official Pandemic Preparedness Guidance:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Department of Homeland Security / Ready.Gov

World Health Organization


Assorted Additional Resources

(While some of the resources below were prepared for pandemic influenza, the broader guidance contain therein is directly applicable to the current coronavirus crisis).

Community Mitigation Guidelines to Prevent Pandemic Influenza
Fundamentals of Emergency Planning for Schools
Healthcare Systems Preparedness for COVID-19
Pub Health Guidance for Community-Level Preparedness & Response
Business Pandemic Influenza Planning Checklist
Faith-based & Community Org. Pandemic Influenza Checklist
WHO Checklist for Influenza Pandemic Preparedness Planning
Get Your Workplace Ready for Pandemic Flu
Dept of Defense Coronavirus Response Page
DHS Supplemental Instructions For Inbound Flights



Start now to make sure you are staying prepared.




Via: threatjournal



National Situation Update- 3/29/2020

WEEKLY THREAT AND ALERT ROUNDUP

 

 

Governors across all 50 states, Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Washington D.C. have each mobilized components of their Army and Air National Guard. - ALLOW IMAGES

 

Military Response Widens as Pandemic Rages

 

March 28, 2020

 

 

3/21 – NY Center (ZNY) has gone ATC Zero. Ground stop for all departures at NYC area airports -JFK, LGA, EWR, TEB & ISP after employee tests positive for COVID-19.

3/22 – Governors of Ohio and Louisiana issue ‘Stay at Home’ orders due to spread of COVID-19. Action includes closure of all non-essential businesses.

3/22 – POTUS: Multiple federal medical stations w/ thousands of beds being deployed to NY, CA & WA. Army Corps of Engineers to construct alt care sites in NY.

3/22 – Title 32 Nat’l Guard activation approved by POTUS for NY, CA & WA. See your email for more information.

3/22 – POTUS declares major disaster exists in CA, orders federal assistance to supplement state, tribal and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by COVID-19.

3/23 – FL Gov. DeSantis to sign executive order requiring mandatory 14-day self-isolation for anyone traveling to FL from airports in NY and NJ. AlertsUSA Monitoring..

3/24 – India’s prime minister decrees lockdown of entire nation of 1.3 billion for 21 days to stop the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus.

3/24 – US Army: 531st Hospital (Fort Campbell, KY), 627th Hospital (Fort Carson, CO) & 9th Hospital (Fort Hood, TX) to deploy to NY & WA state to battle COVID-19.

3/25 – POTUS approves federal disaster declarations for Florida and Texas due to impact of COVID-19 coronavirus, opening door for expanded assistance by FEMA.

3/25 – SecDef issues STOP MOVEMENT order halting all travel & movement abroad for up to 60 days for all US troops, civilian pers & family members due to COVID-19.

3/25 – CO Gov Polis issues emergency Stay at Home order starting 3/26 @ 6:00AM thru 4/11 to minimize spread of COVID-19. Critical businesses exempt.

3/26 – RI Gov: 14-day self quarantine for anyone who has traveled to NY in last 14 days forward. Natl Guard & State Police to inform visitors & collect contact info.

3/27 – POTUS orders select reserve and individual ready reserve units of the armed forces to active duty. More info via email

 

What You Need To Know

 

On 15 occasions this week AlertsUSA subscribers were notified via SMS messages to their mobile devices regarding safety and security matters. 13 these alerts dealt with the worsening domestic and international public health crisis caused by the COVID-19 coronavirus.

 

STAY AY HOME ORDERS

 

Beginning last Sunday, AlertsUSA subscribers were notified of new orders issued by the governors of Ohio and Louisiana for their residents to ‘Stay at Home’ in order to minimize human to human transmission of the COVID-19 coronavirus. With the addition of Colorado and North Carolina later in the week, this brings to 26 the number of states officially urging all but essential workers to stay at home and practice social distancing.

Also this week, President Trump signed major disaster declarations for CA, FL, TX, NJ, MD, SC, PR and others, formally opening the door for increased federal assistance to supplement state, local, and tribal recovery efforts in the areas affected by the coronavirus.

 

DON’T COME HERE

 

On Tuesday,  Florida Governor DeSantis’ intent to sign an executive order requiring mandatory 14-day self-isolation for anyone traveling to Florida whose point of departure originated in an area with substantial community spread of the coronavirus, to include the New York Tri-State Area. This executive order specifically spells out that Florida is experiencing an increase in individuals fleeing from states where “shelter-in-place” orders are being implemented.

Later in the week, Governor DeSantis ordered the establishment of checkpoints along Florida’s major roadways in order to identify and inform individuals driving in from the New York Tri-State Area, as well Louisiana, of the mandatory requirement to self-quarantine for two weeks. Similar action was taken by the governor of Rhode Island, who called on the National Guard and State police to issue these notices at all major travel hubs as well as the State’s roadways.

 

MILITARY RESPONSE

 

Also on Tuesday, Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy issued deployment orders to three Army hospital centers. The orders affect the 531st Hospital from Fort Campbell, Kentucky; the 627th Hospital from Fort Carson, Colorado; and the 9th Hospital from Fort Hood, Texas, which will deploy to New York and Washington state. All of these hospital units are active duty,

On Wednesday the Department of Defense had enacted a 60-day stop movement order for all uniformed and civilian personnel and their sponsored family members overseas. Here again, the measure is taken to aid in further prevention of the spread of COVID-19 coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), to protect U.S. personnel and preserve operational readiness.

Quoting from the DoD media release on the order:

“Building upon previously enacted movement restrictions governing foreign travel, permanent change of station moves, temporary duty and personal leave, this stop movement order will also impact exercises, deployments, redeployments and other global force management activities. Approximately 90,000 Service Members slated to deploy or redeploy over the next 60 days will likely be impacted by this most recent order.”

On Friday, subscribers were also notified President Trump had ordered select reserve and individual ready reserve units of the armed forces to active duty. The Executive Order gives the Secretary of Defense, and the Secretary of Homeland Security with respect to the Coast Guard when it is not operating as a service in the Navy, authorization to order to active duty not to exceed 24 consecutive months, such units, and individual members of the Ready Reserve as they consider necessary.

As of Friday morning, there are more than 12,300 Air and Army National Guard professionals are supporting the COVID-19 crisis response at the direction of their governors.

In addition, 11 states and two territories have approved use of Dual-Status Commanders, giving them the authority to command active and reserve component troops under control of a state’s governor.

Governors across all 50 states, Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Washington D.C. have each mobilized components of their Army and Air National Guard to assist in their state’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The U.S. military has activated its “defense support of civil authorities” apparatus, establishing liaisons in all 50 states, activating units and command posts, and moving forces to provide medical, transportation, logistics, and communications support in New York and Washington states.

 

GM HIT WITH DPA HAMMER

 

And on Friday, President Trump issued a Presidential Memorandum directing the Secretary of Health and Human Services to use any and all authority available under the Defense Production Act to require General Motors to accept, perform, and prioritize federal contracts for respiratory ventilators.

Quoting from the President’s statement on the memorandum:

“Our negotiations with GM regarding its ability to supply ventilators have been productive, but our fight against the virus is too urgent to allow the give-and-take of the contracting process to continue to run its normal course. GM was wasting time. Today’s action will help ensure the quick production of ventilators that will save American lives.”

Earlier Friday, President Trump expressed on Twitter that he was losing his patience with GM.

“General Motors MUST immediately open their stupidly abandoned Lordstown plant in Ohio, or some other plant, and START MAKING VENTILATORS, NOW!!!!!! FORD, GET GOING ON VENTILATORS, FAST!!!!!! “

 


 

 

OFFICIAL CASE NUMBERS

World Health Organization
Centers for Disease Control (U.S.)
Johns Hopkins CSSE (Interactive map updated multiple times daily)

 

Johns Hopkins CSSE COVID-19 Case Count (Interactive map updated multiple times daily) - ALLOW IMAGES

Johns Hopkins CSSE COVID-19 U.S. Case Count Graph - ALLOW IMAGES

WHO RISK OF SPREAD & IMPACT ASSESSMENT

 

China Very High
Regional Level Very High
Global Level Very High

 

PANDEMIC PREPAREDNESS RESOURCES

 

Official Coronavirus Information Pages:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Food and Drug Administration
Public Health Agency of Canada
Infection Prevention and Control Canada
World Health Organization

 

Official Pandemic Preparedness Guidance:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Department of Homeland Security / Ready.Gov
World Health Organization

 

Assorted Resources

(While some of the resources below were prepared for pandemic influenza, the broader guidance contain therein is directly applicable to the current coronavirus crisis).

 

Home Care for Patients w/ Suspected Coronavirus Infection
Community Mitigation Guidelines to Prevent Pandemic Influenza
Fundamentals of Emergency Planning for Schools
Healthcare Systems Preparedness for COVID-19
Pub Health Guidance for Community-Level Preparedness & Response (SARS)
Business Pandemic Influenza Planning Checklist
Faith-based & Community Org. Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Checklist
WHO Checklist for Influenza Pandemic Preparedness Planning
Get Your Workplace Ready for Pandemic Flu
Dept of Defense Coronavirus Response Page
DHS Supplemental Instructions For Inbound Flights

 

 


 

 

View Last Week’s Issue

 

 


 

AlertsUSA continues to monitor the domestic and international threat environment around the clock and will immediately notify service subscribers, via SMS messages to their mobile devices, of new alerts, warnings and advisories or any developments which signal a change the overall threat picture for American citizens as events warrant.

 


 

AlertsUSA.com

 

OTHER SMS ALERTS FROM THIS WEEK
NOT DETAILED IN THIS NEWSLETTER ISSUE

3/24 – M7.8 earthquake east of the Kuril Islands, Russia. Based on preliminary parameters, hazardous tsunami waves possible for coasts within 1000 km of epicenter.

3/24 – Tsunami watch issued for Hawaii flwg M7.5 EQ (updated) east of the Kuril Islands. More info via email.

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March 28, 2020

 

China Wants to Rule the Waves – Here’s How the U.S. Can Stop It

What are the key decisions coming in terms of the size of the U.S. fleet, its mixes of capability and readiness? How will those decisions be influenced by the rise of a true peer competitor over the coming decades?

~ READ MORE HERE ~

 

In War Against Coronavirus: Is China Foe—or Friend?

Can the US and China be ruthless rivals and intense partners at the same time? Holding two seemingly contradictory ideas in our head simultaneously will be difficult. But success in defeating this demon will require nothing less.

~ READ MORE HERE ~

 

Muslim Extremists Exploit Coronavirus to Promote Terrorism,
Hate; and Other Muslims that Need the World’s Help

As scientists and other “infidels” around the world, including Israel, are working around the clock to find a vaccine for the virus, the Muslim Brotherhood organization and some of its allies are issuing fatwas (Islamic religious opinions) that expose dangerous goals, a dangerous ideology, and a disregard for human life.

~ READ MORE HERE ~

 

Pandemics and the Future of Military Training

In an attempt to curb the coronavirus’ spread, the Pentagon has shuttered recruitment centers, restricted travel, and canceled or significantly scaled back training events, from drills to large-scale exercises, like Exercise Defender- Europe 2020. This has led some to question what may be the long-term implications of the crisis on future military readiness. Indeed, as training and military professionalism are increasingly highlighted as key factors in overall battlefield effectiveness, how can the military maintain its training regime in the midst of a global pandemic?

~ READ MORE HERE ~

 

 


 

Fleet and Marine Tracker Map as of March 23, 2020  - ALLOW IMAGE8

USNI Fleet and Marine Tracker

 

March 28, 2020

 

These are the approximate positions of the U.S. Navy’s deployed carrier strike groups and amphibious ready groups throughout the world as of March 23, 2020 based on Navy and public data provided by the U.S. Naval Institute. In cases where a CSG or ARG is conducting disaggregated operations, the chart reflects the location of the capital ship.

 


 

Army 1st Lt. Alex Heeschen operates an AT4 anti-tank rocket during training in Bemowo Piskie, Poland, March 19, 2020. - ALLOW IMAGES

 

World News Roundup

 

 

Other Developments We Are Following

 

AMERICAS

American Woman Rescued in Secretive Military Op
Johns Hopkins: US was more prepared for pandemic than any other country
As coronavirus spreads, U.S. military to withhold some infection data
Pompeo: G7 agrees China spreads ‘disinformation’ about coronavirus
Pompeo, G-7 foreign ministers spar over ‘Wuhan virus’
Military Facing Operational Impacts of Coronavirus
Boeing suspends Washington production, GE Aviation lays off thousands
Navy docks USS Theodore Roosevelt to test crew for COVID-19
Navy postpones Large Scale Exercise 2020 in response to COVID-19
US emerges as virus hotspot as infections, unemployment soar
Trump to receive new coronavirus recommendations this weekend
Coronavirus: Mexicans demand crackdown on Americans crossing the border
Trump looking to put troops near Canadian border amid coronavirus fears
Canada slams US proposal to station troops on border
Venezuela’s Maduro charged with drug trafficking by U.S. court
Venezuela’s flagship communications satellite out of service and tumbling

 

EUROPE

EU leaders order up recovery plan for after coronavirus
EU leaders at loggerheads over unified coronavirus response
Eurozone given two weeks to find virus response
Russian Patrol Planes Are Probing NATO’s Radar Gaps
Coronavirus capital by capital: How are Europeans coping with shutdown?
Germany, Switzerland help France deal with COVID-19 patients
Kosovo PM becomes 1st world leader ousted over coronavirus response
Coronavirus has put a stop to Europe’s Schengen open border policy
Coronavirus delays Russian vote on Putin staying in power
Greece celebrates independence day amid rising tensions with Turkey
Germany: IS sympathizer jailed 10 years over poisoning plan
Norway extradites jihadist preacher Mullah Krekar to Italy
Russia Halts War Games on NATO Borders to Fight Coronavirus
US set to upgrade controversial nukes stationed in Germany
UK navy shadows Russian warships after ‘high levels of activity’

 

MIDDLE EAST / AFRICA

Turkish forces ‘neutralize’ Kurdish fighters in Syria after 2 troops killed
US forces return Qayyara air base to Iraqi control, withdraw From Mosul area
Iraqi military says 2 rockets hit Baghdad’s Green Zone
US puts NEW sanctions on Iran, despite calls for relief amid virus outbreak
Former FBI agent Robert Levinson dies in Iranian jail, according to family
UN urges immediate truce in five-year conflict in Yemen
U.S. cuts humanitarian aid to Yemen
Israel election: Netanyahu rival Gantz ‘agrees emergency unity government’
Jamal Khashoggi: Turkey charges 20 Saudis over journalist’s murder
Number of coronavirus cases rising quickly across Africa
Egypt expels Guardian reporter for challenging coronavirus count
Cameroon rebels declare coronavirus ceasefire
Chad’s ‘invincible’ army reels from jihadist blow
Libya battles escalate as coronavirus arrives in country
EU launches new Libya arms embargo mission in Mediterranean
Boko Haram kills almost 100 soldiers in a seven-hour attack in Chad
Does Turkey have the will to take on jihadis in Idlib

 

 

ASIA

Tokyo Games delayed to 2021, easing athletes’ angst
China to temporarily bar entry of foreigners to stop spread of coronavirus
Xi Jinping urges ‘stronger int’l cooperation’ and quick action to fight coronavirus
China in coronavirus propaganda push as US ties worsen
US warship sails through Taiwan Strait amid tensions with China
Gunmen attack Sikh temple in Afghanistan, killing 25 worshippers
Chinese warplanes to get new coatings to make them harder to detect
U.N. mission in Afghanistan urges halt to attacks on civilians
US-Taliban deal raises hopes for Afghan prisoners
Afghanistan to release up to 10,000 prisoners to slow coronavirus spread
Christchurch mosque shooting suspect changes plea to guilty

 


 

 

 

 

 

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Travel Security

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The U.S. Dept. of State Travel Website is the authoritative federal source for information on the security situation at travel destinations worldwide. With tensions rapidly increasing in most regions, readers planning international travel, even to such common destinations as Canada, Mexico or the Caribbean Islands, are strongly encouraged to do a little research on the security situation at your destination well prior to departure.

 

Active USGOV Travel Notices

Worldwide Caution

 


 

 

Active USGOV Travel Advisories

Alphabetical Country List

Dynamic Map

 


 

 

Other USGOV Travel Resources

Traveler’s Checklist

Smart Traveler Enrollment Prog (STEP)

Travelers with Special Considerations

Travel to High-Risk Areas

Faith-Based Travel Information

Information for Women Travelers

Cruise Ship Passengers

Students Abroad

Your Health Abroad

Driving and Road Safety Abroad

 


 

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The Department of State’s Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC) provides a variety of resources to enhance the safety and security of the U.S. private sector businesses and organizations operating abroad.

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The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website is the authoritative federal source for information on current health issues related to specific destinations worldwide. These issues may arise from disease outbreaks, special events or gatherings, natural disasters, or other conditions that may affect travelers’ health.

 

Foreign Sources of Travel Guidance

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Global Affairs Canada

 


 

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Australia Dept. of Foreign Affairs

 


 

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UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office

 


 

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Start now to make sure you are staying prepared.

 

 

 

 

Via: threatjournal

National Situation Update- 3/22/2020

WEEKLY THREAT AND ALERT ROUNDUP

 

The Peace Arch (French: Arche de la Paix) is a monument situated near the westernmost point of the Canada–United States border in the contiguous United States, between the communities of Blaine, Washington and Surrey, British Columbia. - ALLOW IMAGES

 

U.S. Closes Borders to Nonessential Travel

 

March 21, 2020

 

3/15 – CA Gov Newsom calls for closure of all bars, nightclubs, brewpubs and wineries. Restaurants will remain open at reduced capacity. Those 65+ told to self-isolate.

3/15 – New guidance from the CDC recommends canceling or postponing in-person events of 50 or more ppl nationwide for the next 8 weeks. See your email for more info.

3/15 – NYC Mayor: Effective Tuesday 9AM, nightclubs, movie theaters, small theater houses, & concert venues must close. Restaurants limited to takeout & delivery.

3/15 – LA Mayor halts evictions; orders closing of all entertainment sites, incl bars, nightclubs, theaters, gyms, and arcades. Urges places of worship to close.

3/16 – NY / CT / NJ Joint Action: At 8PM TONIGHT, gatherings of 50 ppl max, rest/bars move to takeout/delivery only, gyms, theaters, casinos closed.

3/16 – Canadian PM Trudeau: Canada banning entry to most non-residents except US citizens. Calls for citizens abroad to return to Canada. AlertsUSA monitoring..

3/16 – Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf orders statewide shutdown of most non-essential businesses to help curb the spread of coronavirus.

3/16 – White House Coronavirus Task Force releases new guidelines to slow spread of COVID-19, incl avoiding gatherings of more than 10 ppl. More info via email.

3/16 – San Francisco Mayor orders residents of 6 counties (San Fran, Santa Clara, San Mateo, Marin, Contra Costa, Alameda) to shelter in place beginning at midnight.

3/17 – State of NY seeking reserve staff of recently retired health professionals to help respond to the coronavirus public health crisis. More info via email.

3/17 – NV Gov Sisolak suspends gaming statewide at midnight tonight local time. All nonessential business to close by 12 PM Wednesday March 17 for 30 days.

3/18 – POTUS: US and Canada, by mutual consent, closing common border to non-essential traffic. Trade will not be affected. Additional details forthcoming.

3/19 – Dept of State suspends routine immigrant and nonimmigrant visa services in all countries with a Level 2, 3, or 4 Travel Advisory due to COVID-19 threat.

3/19 – TX Gov bans gatherings of 10 or more ppl, rest, bars, gyms closed statewide (takeout & delivery only). All schools closed. Effective Friday 3/20 at midnight CT.

3/19 – State Dept. issues Global Level 4 (Do Not Travel) Health Advisory urging US citizens to avoid all int’l travel. Those abroad should return to the US. See email.

3/19 – L.A. Mayor Garcetti issues emergency order requiring all residents of Los Angeles to stay inside their homes and immediately limit nonessential movement.

3/19 – CA Gov. Gavin Newsom announces statewide order mandating that Californians stay at home except for essential work and errands. Developing..

3/20 – US and Mexico, by mutual consent, closing common border to non-essential traffic. Trade will not be affected. Additional details forthcoming.

3/20 – IL Gov. Pritzker issues ‘Stay at Home’ order for all state residents from 5 PM Sat 3/21 thru 4/8.

 

Most important for this report:

 

CANADA BANS NON-CITIZENS (EXCEPT AMERICANS)

On Monday, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that his government was stepping up its response to the spread of COVID-19 by shutting its border to nearly all non-residents. Speaking to reporters Monday outside his residence where he himself is self quarantined since his wife tested positive for the coronavirus, Trudeau said people who are not Canadian citizens or permanent residents will be denied entry into Canada. He noted there are exceptions for airline crews, diplomats, immediate family members of Canadians and, for now, U.S. citizens.

Trudeau also put out the call for Canadian citizens abroad to return to Canada.

 

US-CANADA BORDER CLOSED

On Wednesday, President Trump announced that the US and Canada, by mutual consent, would be closing the common border to non-essential traffic. The closing will affect tourism, but not trade, or those involved in essential work covering support of critical infrastructure and the international response to the crisis.

 

GLOBAL LEVEL-4 TRAVEL ADVISORY

On Thursday, the US State Department suspended routine immigrant and nonimmigrant visa services in all countries with a Level 2, 3, or 4 Travel Advisory due to COVID-19 threat.

Also on Thursday, the State Dept. issued a Global Level 4 (Do Not Travel) Health Advisory urging US citizens to avoid all international travel. Quoting from the advisory:

The Department of State advises U.S. citizens to avoid all international travel due to the global impact of COVID-19. In countries where commercial departure options remain available, U.S. citizens who live in the United States should arrange for immediate return to the U.S., unless they are prepared to remain abroad for an indefinite period. U.S. citizens who live abroad should avoid all international travel. Many countries are experiencing COVID-19 outbreaks and implementing travel restrictions and mandatory quarantines, closing borders, and prohibiting non-citizens from entry with little advance notice. Airlines have canceled many international flights and several cruise operators have suspended operations or canceled trips. If you choose to travel internationally, your travel plans may be severely disrupted, and you may be forced to remain outside of the United States for an indefinite timeframe.

On Friday, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced that the US and Mexico, by mutual consent, would be closing the common border to non-essential traffic. Here again, trade and essential workers would not be affected.

 

‘STAY AT HOME ‘ ORDERS

Also this week, numerous states, including California, New York and Illinois issued unprecedented ‘Stay at Home’ orders for all of their residents with the exception of essential workers. Each has also limited the size of gatherings, in most instances, to less than 10 people in order to slow the spread of the virus.

 

NOW IS THE TIME TO FINALIZE PREPAREDNESS

Once again, we strongly encourages listeners to pay attention and use the totality of U.S. and foreign government actions in response to this global public health crisis as your cue to prepare yourself, your family, and any business interests, for the possibility that the virus will have a significant impact here in North America. The Department of Health and Human Services, the Centers for Disease Control and the National Institutes of Health all warn that we are only witnessing the tip of the iceberg and that more cases of the coronavirus will be appearing across the United States, especially now that we have increasingly widespread testing capabilities across the country. IT is going to get worse before it gets better.

 

PARENTS OF SPRING BREAK REVELERS BEWARE

We also cautions the parents and families of college and university students who, despite this global public health threat, still chose to travel for Spring Break. Many of those students are now heading home, and as most colleges and universities have closed, those students will likely be returning to your homes. Given that one can be can be a carrier, and spreader, of the virus and be completely asymptomatic, strong consideration should be given to where the returning Spring break revelers will stay until it is determined they are not carriers of the virus.

 

OFFICIAL CASE NUMBERS

World Health Organization
Centers for Disease Control (U.S.)
Johns Hopkins CSSE (Interactive map updated multiple times daily)

Johns Hopkins CSSE COVID-19 Case Count (Interactive map updated multiple times daily) - ALLOW IMAGES

WHO RISK OF SPREAD & IMPACT ASSESSMENT

China Very High
Regional Level Very High
Global Level Very High

 

PANDEMIC PREPAREDNESS RESOURCES

 

Official Coronavirus Information Pages:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Food and Drug Administration
Public Health Agency of Canada
Infection Prevention and Control Canada
World Health Organization

 

Official Pandemic Preparedness Guidance:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Department of Homeland Security / Ready.Gov
World Health Organization

 

Assorted Resources

(While some of the resources below were prepared for pandemic influenza, the broader guidance contain therein is directly applicable to the current coronavirus crisis).

Home Care for Patients w/ Suspected Coronavirus Infection
Community Mitigation Guidelines to Prevent Pandemic Influenza
Fundamentals of Emergency Planning for Schools
Healthcare Systems Preparedness for COVID-19
Pub Health Guidance for Community-Level Preparedness & Response (SARS)
Business Pandemic Influenza Planning Checklist
Faith-based & Community Org. Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Checklist
WHO Checklist for Influenza Pandemic Preparedness Planning
Get Your Workplace Ready for Pandemic Flu
Dept of Defense Coronavirus Response Page
DHS Supplemental Instructions For Inbound Flights

 


 

View Last Week’s Issue

 


 

AlertsUSA continues to monitor the domestic and international threat environment around the clock and will immediately notify service subscribers, via SMS messages to their mobile devices, of new alerts, warnings and advisories or any developments which signal a change the overall threat picture for American citizens as events warrant.

 


 

AlertsUSA.com

OTHER SMS ALERTS FROM THIS WEEK
NOT DETAILED IN THIS NEWSLETTER ISSUE

3/18 – Widespread power outage in the Salt Lake Valley Area impacting approximately 32,000 customers due to a 5.7 magnitude earthquake. AlertsUSA monitoring..

 

 


 

Storm clouds are gathering over New York and other cities in the U.S. - ALLOW IMAGES

 

March 21, 2020

 

We Are About to Find Out How Robust Civilization Is

There are no good outcomes from here. Many people will die prematurely. Many will lose their jobs. Many businesses will go under. Many people will suffer bereavement, loneliness and despair, even if they dodge the virus. The only question is how many in each case. We are about to find out how robust civilization is. The hardships ahead are like nothing we’ve known.

~ READ MORE HERE ~

 

What exactly is the Defense Production Act?

President Donald Trump on Wednesday invoked a Korean War-era law as part of his response to the coronavirus pandemic, aiming to boost private industry production of supplies needed for the health crisis. What is it and what does it do?

~ READ MORE HERE ~

 

Are China’s Coronavirus Numbers Totally Bogus?

Accusations are that the communists organized a mass cover-up to save face, which includes suppressing the seriousness of the disease to the outside world, brutally cracking down on all dissent, and hiding the countless bodies of people who died from the virus, all for the purpose of not embarrassing the ruling regime.

~ READ MORE HERE ~

 

The Best-Case Outcome for the Coronavirus, and the Worst

Putting it all together, Dr. Tara C. Smith, an epidemiologist at Kent State University, said: “I’m not pessimistic. I think this can work.” She thinks it will take eight weeks of social distancing to have a chance to slow the virus, and success will depend on people changing behaviors and on hospitals not being overrun. “If warm weather helps, if we can get these drugs, if we can get companies to produce more ventilators, we have a window to tamp this down,” Smith said.

So that’s the best case, and it’s plausible.

~ READ MORE HERE ~

 

How Korea Trounced the U.S. in a Race to Test People for Coronavirus

The administration of President Donald Trump was tripped up by government rules and conventions. Instead of drafting the private sector early on to develop tests, as South Korea did, U.S. health officials relied, as is customary, on test kits prepared by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, some of which proved faulty. Then, sticking to its time-consuming vetting procedures, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration didn’t approve tests other than the CDC’s until Feb. 29, more than five weeks after discussions with outside labs had begun.

~ READ MORE HERE ~

 

 


 

Fleet and Marine Tracker Map as of March16, 2020  - ALLOW IMAGE8

USNI Fleet and Marine Tracker

 

March 21, 2020

These are the approximate positions of the U.S. Navy’s deployed carrier strike groups and amphibious ready groups throughout the world as of March 16, 2020 based on Navy and public data provided by the U.S. Naval Institute. In cases where a CSG or ARG is conducting disaggregated operations, the chart reflects the location of the capital ship.

 


 

Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Keith Avinger signals the pilot of an MH-60R Seahawk on the flight deck of the USS Russell in Philippine Sea, March 17, 2020. - ALLOW IMAGES

World News Roundup

 

March 21, 2020

 

Other Developments We Are Following

 

AMERICAS

Cardi B demands someone at the Pentagon ‘let a b*tch know’ what is going on
Coronavirus travel chaos as Latin America barricades itself
Mexico under international criticism for coronavirus response
Cruise ship with COVID-19 patients docks in Cuba
Peru deploys military to slow coronavirus spread; Chile closes borders
Breaking coronavirus quarantine in Argentina could mean jail time
Brazil records two new deaths from coronavirus
Rio’s Christ statue closes and state of emergency decreed
Coronavirus batters Brazilian retail, travel and factories
Coronavirus is hammering Latin American economies
Coronavirus rocks already strained ties between US and China
How long will Americans be fighting the coronavirus?
COVID-19 Affects National Security in Novel Ways
Guard activations to rapidly increase, could be used for law enforcement
This is Fort Bragg’s FOB-style quarantine
DoD to send ship to Seattle and deploy Army hospital units amid pandemic
‘Confusion and anxiety’ at Pentagon over telework guidance
Trump says US military to help Americans stuck in Peru get home
Pentagon’s major hypersonic glide body flight test deemed success
State Department blacklists new Islamic State leader
Legendary specops aviator reveals bin Laden mission details
Trump considering ‘full pardon’ for Michael Flynn after FBI ‘lost’ records
DOJ drops plans for trial over Russian interference in 2016 election
5 Unique Weapons Of Cuba’s Garage-Built Navy

 

EUROPE

Coronavirus sends British forces home from Iraq
Buckwheat and Coronavirus: How Russians Cope With the End of the World
Hello from Italy. Your future is grimmer than you think
I’m a Doctor in Britain. We’re Heading Into the Abyss
WHO officials warn health systems are ‘collapsing’ under coronavirus
‘We underestimated coronavirus,’ EU admits
Coronavirus: EU entry ban hits travelers as lockdown widens
EU closes external borders to slow spread of coronavirus
EU closes borders to most foreign travelers to curb coronavirus pandemic
Italy coronavirus deaths rise by record 475 in a day
Italy rushes new doctors into service as coronavirus deaths rise above 2,500
Italy threatens to ban outdoor exercise as coronavirus deaths surge
Germany coronavirus threat raised to ‘high’ alert
Spanish PM addresses near-empty parliament
European Union seals borders to most outsiders
Soldiers in Europe for Defender 2020 to return home amid pandemic

 

MIDDLE EAST / AFRICA

US-led coalition forces in Iraq reposition amid pandemic and Iran threat
No soap, no water: billions lack basic protection against virus
The Coronavirus Is Expediting Middle East Outcomes
Ravaged by war, Middle Eastern countries face a new scourge
Dozens of Malian soldiers killed in suspected jihadist attack
Syria opposition blocks Turkey-Russia patrols on M4 highway
Pompeo says Russia responsible for Turkish soldiers’ deaths
US hands over base to Iraqi forces in hotbed for Iran-backed militia
US deployment in Iraq: Troops to leave smaller bases after attack
US slaps new sanctions on Iran amid renewed rocket attacks in Iraq
Rouhani vows Iran will take further action to avenge US Soleimani
Adnan al-Zurfi named new prime minister of Iraq
Ehud Olmert tells FRANCE 24: ‘Benjamin Netanyahu has to go home’
All sides to blame for at least 120 attacks on Yemen hospitals, report says
Troops in Mali ‘failed to prevent massacre’
Malawi leader sacks country’s military chief
Militia ‘sect’ wreaks havoc in remote DR Congo region

 

 

ASIA

Asian nations face second wave of imported cases
China’s chief medical advisor DENIES the coronavirus originates in Wuhan
Pakistan PM: ‘Cannot afford’ to shut down cities over coronavirus
What Australia could learn from China’s response to coronavirus COVID-19
As world cowers, China glimpses coronavirus aftermath
Coronavirus has reached India, but I feel safer here than Australia
Intense cross border fire underway between troops of India and Pakistan
Taliban promises safe passage for coronavirus health workers
US calls Afghan prisoner swap ‘urgent’ amid coronavirus
Deputy head of Japan’s Olympic Committee tests positive for COVID-19
Dissent grows as IOC battles to keep Tokyo Olympics on track
Beijing says expulsion of American reporters may just be the start
North Korean leader calls upgrading public health sector a ‘crucial task’

 


 

 

 

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Travel Security

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The U.S. Dept. of State Travel Website is the authoritative federal source for information on the security situation at travel destinations worldwide. With tensions rapidly increasing in most regions, readers planning international travel, even to such common destinations as Canada, Mexico or the Caribbean Islands, are strongly encouraged to do a little research on the security situation at your destination well prior to departure.

 

Active USGOV Travel Notices

Worldwide Caution

 


 

Active USGOV Travel Advisories

Alphabetical Country List

Dynamic Map

 


 

Other USGOV Travel Resources

Traveler’s Checklist

Smart Traveler Enrollment Prog (STEP)

Travelers with Special Considerations

Travel to High-Risk Areas

Faith-Based Travel Information

Information for Women Travelers

Cruise Ship Passengers

Students Abroad

Your Health Abroad

Driving and Road Safety Abroad

 


 

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The Department of State’s Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC) provides a variety of resources to enhance the safety and security of the U.S. private sector businesses and organizations operating abroad.

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The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website is the authoritative federal source for information on current health issues related to specific destinations worldwide. These issues may arise from disease outbreaks, special events or gatherings, natural disasters, or other conditions that may affect travelers’ health.

Foreign Sources of Travel Guidance

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Global Affairs Canada

 


 

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Australia Dept. of Foreign Affairs

 


 

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UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office

 


 

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Start now to make sure you are staying prepared.

 

 

 

Via: threatjournal

How To Make Yeast For Long-Term Storage

Bread, beer, and wine are all foods that have been part of history for eons, but they all require yeast to make.

 

What if SHTF? Packaged yeasts are great, but they have a shelf-life and in order to make your own bread daily, you’d have to stockpile way too much to get you through. Isn’t it better to know how to make your own?

 

Read on, and you’ll have the yeast to make bread, alcoholic beverages and other goodies no matter what happens!

 

What is Yeast?

First, you need to know what yeast is. Essentially, it’s a leavening agent that made with “good” fungus during a separation and fermentation process. Yeast spores live on most plants so vegetables, fruits and grains can be used to obtain yeast for a variety of uses. Different yeasts are used for bread and alcoholic beverages – baker’s yeast and brewer’s yeast – and they’re not interchangeable.

Brewer’s yeast is and inactive (dead) yeast used to encourage the fermentation of fruits or vegetables into alcoholic beverages. Baker’s yeast is an active (live) yeast used for leavening. It’s what makes bread rise and gives it that fluffy lightness.

Salt and sugar are both necessary to make yeast but too much of either is a bad thing. The salt acts as a preservative. The sugar is actually the food that feeds the yeast. Once it’s consumed, the byproducts are carbon dioxide and alcohol in different proportions depending upon the strain of the yeast.

Baker’s yeast is made from yeast strains that make more carbon dioxide so that the bread rises. Brewer’s yeast is made from strains that make more alcohol.

 

Making Baker’s Yeast

There are a few different ways that you can make baker’s yeast. If you have a pack of dry yeast, you can use it to make a starter that you can keep going. To me, that seems to defeat the purpose of learning to making yeast from scratch, so we’ll concentrate on other methods.

I’ll include a recipe for using yeast, just so you have it if you want it, but let’s concentrate on doing it without the crutch! Finally, you may want to check out this article about making bread once you’ve got your yeast made.

 

How to Make Yeast from Potato Water

This is probably the easiest kind of yeast to make, because potatoes are always around. The yeast is great for making a nice loaf of bread, hot rolls, or even cinnamon rolls. Plus, it’s easy to keep as a starter so you don’t have to start from scratch every time you want to make bread. There are a couple of ways to do this.

 

Potato Yeast Method 1

All you need is potato water, flour, and sugar.

Cook your potatoes as you usually would, except save 3 cups of the water. Divide the water in half. Stir a tablespoon of sugar and about a cup of flour into a cup and a half of the water, or until the mixture is sort of stiff. Cover and leave overnight in a warm place and it should be bubbly and yeasty-smelling the next morning. If not, you’ll need to start over. This is why you should save some of the water back.

 

Potato Sourdough Yeast – cheater method
  • 1 pkg. (1 tbsp.) dried yeast

  • 1 cup warm (110-115 degrees F)

  • 1/2 cup sugar

  • 3 tbsp. instant potato flakes

Mix ingredients in a jar and cover loosely, then let it out at room temp for 24 hours. If you close it too tightly, you’re making a yeast bomb. OK, maybe not that bad, but the jar can crack or blow the lid off because of all the carbon dioxide that’s going to be released.

Refrigerate for 3 or 4 days. On the fourth day, stir in 1/2 cup sugar and 3 tbsp. instant potato flakes and a cup of water. Leave it at room temp for another 24 hours and take out a cup of it to make your bread. Feed it with another 1/2 cup sugar, 3 tbsp. potato flakes and a cup of water. You need to remove a cup of starter and feed it once a day if you leave it out or every 4 days if you refrigerate it. It just comes down to how often you want to bake.

 

Potato Starter 3

This is another take on the first starter but it uses the whole potato instead of flour.

  • One medium potato, peel on

  • 4 cups water

  • 1 tsp sugar

  • 1 tsp salt

Boil the potato in the water until it’s soft. Mash it well then add the sugar and salt.

Cool til it’s just barely warm, then add to the water.

Cover and put it in a warm place so that it can ferment. If it doesn’t ferment, you can cheat and add a packet of dried yeast. If you don’t want to do that, give it a day or two and if you still don’t get fermentation, you’ll have to start over. This makes enough starter to make a few loaves of bread.

 

Grain Starter

Yeast is present in all grains and this starter was used for centuries by people who couldn’t run to the grocery store and buy a packet of yeast. Fresh ground grain is, of course, the best to use but regular unbleached all-purpose flour will work, too.

  • 1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour (white or wheat)

  • 1 cup warm (not hot) water

Mix the flour and water then pour it into the jar. Cover and let stand in a warm place until it starts to bubble and rise. Depending on the temperature and humidity, this may take anywhere from 1-7 days. Take out a cup of starter for each loaf of bread, then add back in equal amounts of water and flour. You can toss dough scraps back in, too.

 

Grape Starter

Grapes are a great fruit to use to make yeast but you can use just about any fruit or peels to do it as long as it’s unwashed and organic. You can also use organic unpasteurized juice.

  • 3-4 cups grapes

  • 2 cup unbleached wheat flour

  • 1 cup water

Crush the grapes well and put the juice, pulp, and peels in a jar and cover with cheesecloth or a coffee filter. Put it in a warm place and leave it alone for 3 days. It’s kind of fun to check it every day because you’ll see the bubbles start to form. That means that the yeast is growing.

On the 4th or 5th day, strain the mixture and discard the peels and pulp. Don’t put them on your compost pile. Stir 1 cup of whole wheat flour into the juice. Let the starter set for 24 hours. Take out one cup and add another cup of flour and a cup of water. Leave it in a warm place for a couple of days. By this time, you should have a bubbly starter.

Remove up to 2 cups (enough to make 2 loaves of bread) and leave at least 1 cup as a starter. Feed it with another cup of water and cup of flour. Let is sit for at least 24 hours before removing more, and as long as you always leave a cup behind and add the feed, you’ll always have bread starter!

Just a side note: according to my sources, you can use fruit juice to make yeast starters for making alcoholic beverages, too. Yum…wine! Read this article to learn how to make wine.

9 Tips to Successful Yeast Making and Drying

  1. Don’t use too much salt or sugar when working with baker’s yeast. Both are necessary but too much of either, especially salt, will dry out the yeast.

  2. Make sure that all of your equipment is clean to the point of sterility. Any stray bacteria will ruin your yeast.

  3. To dry your yeast, simply spread your starter in a thin layer on baking sheet and dry either in the sun, in a warm (NOT HOT!) oven – about 100 degrees will do, or use your dehydrator. Don’t let it get too hot or you will kill the yeast.

  4. Store the dried yeast in an airtight container.

  5. To substitute your yeast for store-bought yeast, use 1 cup of wet starter for 1 pack of yeast, or twice the amount of homemade dried yeast as what’s recommended in the recipe.

  6. Do not put yeast or starter in your compost pile because the bacteria can grow out of control and upset the delicate balance of your pile.

  7. When you feed your starter, which we will explain in a bit, you need to throw away one cup of the original starter to keep the ratios even. That is, unless you feel like making a delicious loaf of bread or some cinnamon rolls instead of wasting it!

  8. Don’t wash your fruits or vegetables because you’ll wash off the yeast spores. Just take off any stems or leaves.

  9. Use homegrown or wild fruits or veggies because the store-bought ones will likely have chemicals. At the very least, they’ll have gone through a washing process which will have washed off the yeast. The exception here is a potato. Still, use organic to avoid the chemicals.

So you have one more recipe to add to your survival TO DO list, next to pemmican, lard, and other basic survival foods that our ancestors used to cook.

 

Start now to make sure you are staying prepared.

via:  survivopedia

Lockdown imminent as COVID-19 Pandemic spreads throughout all 50 states

One of my friends just got this message from an overseas team member of theirs in France, and I wanted to pass it along. 

Coronavirus is now in all 50 US states and many major cities have already issued mandatory lockdowns.  A national lockdown is very likely to come soon.  Stay safe and be prepared.


“Hey Team!
I’m writing from the future… well, your future since we’re 15-20 days ahead of you in the pandemic.


In France we’re entering lockdown tomorrow, but make no mistake you’ll enter lockdown too, next week (if you’re lucky, the earlier the better) or the week after. (France’s coronavirus lockdown) (France triples fines for breaking coronavirus lockdown)


By now, you must have all stocked on food and supplies, hand sanitizers, liquid soaps and chlorine-based wipes and disinfectants (very important!). 


– Don’t make the mistake of thinking that it’s just like the flu. It’s not. We have one of the best healthcare system in the world, miles ahead of Italy, and it’s already being overwhelmed in some areas. It’s not the flu, it’s a disaster, an invisible hurricane or earthquake that will sweep across the country in a matter of weeks.


– Don’t believe that it only hits old people. Half of people hospitalized in France are less than 60 years old, and we’re talking 20+ days of hospitalization with severe pneumonia and lung damages.


– Don’t go to the groceries stores when the lockdown is imminent, that’s the best way to catch COVID-19


– If you have old family members and they don’t live with you, prepare them for not getting visits for a while. Teach them how to skype.


– Prepare yourself and your family mentally and physically to stay at home for at least a month (probably much more). Make sure your computers work, prepare about fun ways to spend the time!


– You might have trouble focusing on anything else when the lockdown is looming (that’s me, right now). Don’t binge the news, they’re addictive (again, that’s me). Don’t expect much work from me for the next couple of days, sorry.  After a few of days of lockdown, things should get back to normal (I hope!).”

 


Clearly, this is no ordinary flu, and is much more aggressive.
If your immune system can’t fight off the infection, it quickly turns to pneumonia and is often fatal.
Even worse, if things really take off like they are predicting, you won’t even be able to get proper treatment because the hospitals will be flooded.


Simply put, the very BEST way to protect yourself is to make sure your immune system is in top shape.  This can both prevent contracting it in the first place, and even if you do, preventing it from turning into pneumonia and becoming fatal.


So, what’s the best route to fortify our immune systems right now?

 

Top Ten Natural Anti-Viral Agents

15 Impressive Herbs with Antiviral Activity

 

 

Start now to make sure you are staying prepared.

 

 

 

 

 

White House Coronavirus Task Force releases new guidelines to slow spread of COVID-19

White House Coronavirus Task Force releases new guidelines to slow spread of COVID-19, incl avoiding gatherings of more than 10 ppl.

 

Supplemental Info:

 

15 Days to Slow the Spread

  1. Listen and follow the directions of your state and local authorities.
  2. If you feel sick, stay home. Do not go to work. Contact your medical provider.
  3. If your children are sick, keep them at home. Do not send them to school. Contact your medical provider.
  4. If someone in your household has tested positive for the coronavirus, keep the entire household at home. Do not go to work. Do not go to school. Contact your medical provider.
  5. If you are an older person, stay home and away from other people.
  6. If you are a person with a serious underlying health condition that can put you at increased risk (for example, a condition that impairs your lung or heart function or weakens your immune system), stay home and away from other people.
  7. Even if you are young, or otherwise healthy, you are at risk and your activities can increase the risk for others. It is critical that you do your part to stop the spread of the coronavirus.
  8. Work or engage in schooling from home whenever possible.
  9. If you work in a critical infrastructure industry, as defined by the Department of Homeland Security, such as healthcare services and pharmaceutical and food supply, you have a special responsibility to maintain your normal work schedule. You and your employers should follow CDC guidance to protect your health at work.
  10. Avoid social gatherings in groups of more than 10 people.
  11. Avoid eating or drinking at bars, restaurants, and food courts – use drive-thru, pickup, or delivery options.
  12. Avoid discretionary travel, shopping trips, and social visits.
  13. Do not visit nursing homes or retirement or long-term care facilities unless to provide critical assistance.
  14. Practice good hygiene:
  15. Wash your hands, especially after touching any frequently used item or surface.
  16. Avoid touching your face.
  17. Sneeze or cough into a tissue, or the inside of your elbow.
  18. Disinfect frequently used items and surfaces as much as possible.

These guidelines were introduced during an ongoing press conference and have not yet been published online.

 

Official Coronavirus Information Pages

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Food and Drug Administration

Public Health Agency of Canada

Infection Prevention and Control Canada

World Health Organization

 

Official Pandemic Preparedness Guidance:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Department of Homeland Security / Ready.Gov

World Health Organization

 

Assorted Additional Resources

(While some of the resources below were prepared for pandemic influenza, the broader guidance contain therein is directly applicable to the current coronavirus crisis).
Community Mitigation Guidelines to Prevent Pandemic Influenza
Fundamentals of Emergency Planning for Schools
Healthcare Systems Preparedness for COVID-19
Pub Health Guidance for Community-Level Preparedness & Response
Business Pandemic Influenza Planning Checklist
Faith-based & Community Org. Pandemic Influenza Checklist
WHO Checklist for Influenza Pandemic Preparedness Planning
Get Your Workplace Ready for Pandemic Flu
Dept of Defense Coronavirus Response Page
DHS Supplemental Instructions For Inbound Flights

 

Start now to make sure you are staying prepared.

 

 

Via: threatjournal

National Situation Update- 3/16/2020

image image

Maryland Governor Larry Hogan announced a series of dramatic executive orders today to prevent the spread of coronavirus. These actions are to be enforced by police and the National Guard.

According to WBAL-TV he ordered the following social distancing measures.

  • shut down all bars, restaurants, gyms and movie theaters, effectively starting at 5 p.m. Monday. Drive through and carry out services will be allowed to continue.
  • Following CDC guidelines, settings of 50 of more individuals will be prohibited across the state, including social and recreational events and religious and sports gatherings. (source)

These measures will be strongly enforced. Anne Arundel First Alert reports:

Hogan says State Troopers and National Guard will enforce orders saying “We’re not playing around anymore.” “Emergency orders will carry the full force of the law,” Hogan re-iterated.

“We have never faced anything like this before, said Hogan. He continued, citing “Drastic actions” being taken right now. He warned Marylanders the orders may seem scary and may sound extreme, it is absolutely necessary. (source)

Hogan has ordered the activation of 250 State Troopers for emergency service, 400 Army and Air National Guard, and 1000 more MD National Guard. As well, 1200 Maryland guardsmen are on enhanced readiness status if they are needed.

They will also increase medical resources and provide financial relief.

As well, any hospitals that have been closed will be re-opened to increase the capacity in the state by 6000 beds. They will also allow doctors and nurses with out-of-state licenses to practice in Maryland.

For those who may be financially struggling, the following orders were put in place:

  • Essential services such as grocery stores, banks and gas stations will be allowed to remain open.
  • The executive order prohibits utilities, such as electric, gas, water, sewage, cable, internet and phone lines, to be cut off nor incur late fees.
  • Evictions have been prohibited.
  • Maryland State Superintendent of Schools Karen Salmon has applied for a Federal waiver to provide three meals a day plus a snack to those who need it. Statewide, 138 centers already up and operating. Visit MDSummerMeals.org to find all participating locations. (source)

To some degree, this answers our questions about whether or not utilities will remain working. It appears that governments will try to keep things like power, water, and internet running as normally as possible for as long as possible.

How long with these extreme measures last?

According to Gov. Hogan, “It is impossible to know how long this threat will continue.”

This shows you how fast things can change.

These announcements were made at 11 o’clock Monday morning and take effect this afternoon at 5 pm. Our situation is extremely fluid and you can expect things to change rapidly. 

——

Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf orders statewide shutdown of most non-essential businesses to help curb the spread of coronavirus.

——–

Canadian PM Trudeau: Canada banning entry to most non-residents except US citizens. Calls for citizens abroad to return to Canada. AlertsUSA monitoring..

 

Supplemental Info:

Measures announced in ongoing press conference.

https://www.pscp.tv/w/1PlKQmzWVbaKE

 

——

NY / CT / NJ Joint Action: At 8PM TONIGHT, gatherings of 50 ppl max, rest/bars move to takeout/delivery only, gyms, theaters, casinos closed.

——

 

LA Mayor halts evictions; orders closing of all entertainment sites, incl bars, nightclubs, theaters, gyms, and arcades. Urges places of worship to close.

 

 

NYC Mayor: Effective Tuesday 9AM, nightclubs, movie theaters, small theater houses, & concert venues must close. Restaurants limited to takeout & delivery.

 

Supplemental Info:

Statement From Mayor de Blasio on Bars,
Restaurants, and Entertainment Venues


March 15, 2020


“Our lives are all changing in ways that were unimaginable just a week ago. We are taking a series of actions that we never would have taken otherwise in an effort to save the lives of loved ones and our neighbors. Now it is time to take yet another drastic step. The virus can spread rapidly through the close interactions New Yorkers have in restaurants, bars and places where we sit close together. We have to break that cycle.


“Tomorrow, I will sign an Executive Order limiting restaurants, bars and cafes to food take-out and delivery. Nightclubs, movie theaters, small theater houses, and concert venues must all close. The order will go into effect Tuesday, March 17 at 9:00 AM.


“This is not a decision I make lightly. These places are part of the heart and soul of our city. They are part of what it means to be a New Yorker. But our city is facing an unprecedented threat, and we must respond with a wartime mentality.


“We will come through this, but until we do, we must make whatever sacrifices necessary to help our fellow New Yorkers.”
[email protected]
(212) 788-2958

https://www1.nyc.gov/office-of-the-mayor/news/152-20/statement-mayor-de-blasio-bars-restaurants-entertainment-venues

 

 

New guidance from the CDC recommends canceling or postponing in-person events of 50 or more ppl nationwide for the next 8 weeks. See your email for more info.

 

Supplemental Info:

Get Your Mass Gatherings or Large Community Events Ready

Interim Guidance for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/large-events/mass-gatherings-ready-for-covid-19.html

 

CA Gov Newsom calls for closure of all bars, nightclubs, brewpubs and wineries. Restaurants will remain open at reduced capacity. Those 65+ told to self-isolate.

 

Supplemental Info:

Directives announced during ongoing news conference.

 

 

Start now to make sure you are staying prepared.

 

 

Via: threatjournal

Weekly National Situation Update 3-15-2020

President Declares National Emergency
Over Coronavirus


March 14, 2020



Between March 8 – March 13, the following related Flash SMS
messages were sent to
AlertsUSA subscriber mobile devices:

3/8 – Dir, Nat’l Inst of Allergy and Infectious Diseases urges elderly and those w/underlying heath conditions to avoid travel and crowds due to COVID-19. See email.

3/8 – US Army halts all 8th Army soldiers and families moving to/from S. Korea, incl soldiers slated to attend prof mil education in the US, due to COVID-19 concerns.

3/8 – State Dept warns US citizens, especially those w underlying conditions, should not travel by cruise ship due to increased COVID-19 risk. More info via email.

3/9 – CDC: U.S. universities should consider postponing or canceling student int’l travel programs amid COVID-19 outbreaks in numerous countries.

3/9 – CDC: COVID-19 capable of spreading easily and sustainably from person to person. With current trajectory, many in US will be exposed this year or next.

3/9 – Florida Dept of Health advising anyone who has traveled internationally to self-isolate for 14 days following their date of return to the US. More via email.

3/9 – Italian PM Conte to sign decree mandating lockdown and movement restrictions of entire nation. All should stay at home except for emergencies or work.

3/10 – NY Gov Cuomo deploying Nat’l Guard to New Rochelle to est 1 mile containment area around COVID-19 case cluster. Schools closing. Community events canceled.

3/11 – WHO declares COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak a global pandemic based on alarming levels of spread and severity. More via email.

3/11 – WA Gov Inslee bans ALL gatherings of more than 250 ppl in Snohomish, King and Pierce Cos through March due to COVID-19. Could be expanded in time & scope as req.

3/11 – President Trump suspends all travel from Europe to the United States for 30 days due to COVID-19, effective Friday at midnight. UK excluded from this action.

3/11 – DHS statement on Presidential Proclamation To Protect the Homeland from Travel-Related Coronavirus Spread sent via email.

3/11 – DoD issues new travel restrictions for uniformed pers, civilian pers and family members traveling to, from, or thru CDC Level 3 COVID-19 locations. See email.

3/11 – CDC issues Level 3 (Avoid Nonessential Travel) Notice for 29 European nations due to widespread sustained transmission of the COVID-19 coronavirus. See email.

3/12 – State Dept. issues Global Health Advisory advising U.S. citizens to reconsider all travel abroad due to the global impact of COVID-19. More via email.

3/12 – Ohio Gov Mike DeWine announces that beginning March 16, all K-12 schools statewide, incl public, private and charter, will close until April 3 due to COVID-19.

3/12 – CA Gov orders ban on non-essential gatherings of more than 250 ppl. OH Gov bans mass gatherings of 100+ ppl. Similar actions forthcoming in multiple states.

3/13 – President Trump to hold press briefing at 3:00PM EASTERN. Multiple media outlets reporting POTUS will declare national emergency. More via email.

3/13 – National Guard activated in FL, IA, LA, NY, RI and WA to support operations in response to the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus. More states to follow.

3/13 – POTUS declares nat’l emergency due to spread of COVID-19. States to set up emergency ops centers. All hospitals to activate emergency ops plans. Monitoring..

3/13 – DoD halts all domestic travel for mil & civilian employees & families unless perm is granted to preserve force readiness and limit spread of COVID-19 virus.

What You Need To Know

On 22 occasions this week AlertsUSA subscribers were notified via SMS messages to their mobile devices regarding safety and security matters. All of these alerts dealt with the increasingly dangerous situation with the COVID-19 coronavirus.


Most important for this report:

ELDERLY SHOULD AVOID TRAVEL

Starting last Sunday, Dr. Anthony Fauci, Director of the Nat’l Inst of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, began issuing warnings for older Americans and those with “underlying conditions” that they should avoid travel and large crowds due to the threat posed by the COVID-19 coronavirus.

“If you’re a person with an underlying condition — and you are particularly an elderly person with an underlying condition — you need to think twice about getting on a plane or on a long trip.”

“And not only think twice, just don’t get on a cruise ship.”


AVOID CRUISE SHIPS

This warning was backed up later in the day by a formal travel alert issued by the U.S. State Department warning American citizens, and in particular, those with underlying health conditions, to not undertake travel by cruise ship, both from a health perspective, but also because many countries have implemented strict screening procedures that have denied port entry rights to ships, as well as prevented passengers from disembarking.


ARMY SUSPENDS TRAVEL TO / FROM S. KOREA

Also on Sunday, the U.S. Army suspended travel for all soldiers and their families to and from South Korea, including those scheduled to attend professional military education in the United States, due to concerns about the fast-spreading coronavirus.


NATIONAL GUARD TO NEW ROCHELLE

On Tuesday, AlertsUSA subscribers were notified of NY Governor Cuomo’s order to deploy National Guard units to New Rochelle, a suburb located just NE of the Bronx, in order to set up a one mile containment zone around a cluster of more than 120 cases of the coronavirus. Many of these cases have a direct connection to the Temple Young Israel synagogue, where a 50-year-old lawyer, who was later hospitalized because of the virus, had attended events. The National Guard troops were expected to help clean public spaces and deliver food to those who are in quarantine. Schools are closed, and sporting events and worship services are not allowed in the containment zone.


GLOBAL PANDEMIC DECLARATION

On Wednesday, the World Health Organization declared the coronavirus outbreak a global pandemic based on alarming levels of spread, as well as the severity of the impact.

WHO defines a “pandemic” as an epidemic of infectious disease occurring on a scale crossing international boundaries and affecting a large number of people. According to WHO’s Director General Terdos Ghebreyesus, “We expect to see the number of cases, the number of deaths, and the number of affected countries climb even higher.”


TRAVEL BAN FROM EUROPE

Also on Wednesday, President Trump suspended all travel from Europe to the United States for 30 days due to the growing coronavirus outbreak. Within the actual proclamation language, it is pointed out that as of March 9th, the Schengen Area had exported 201 coronavirus cases to 53 countries. Moreover, the free flow of people between the Schengen Area countries makes the task of managing the spread of the virus difficult.

Specifically, this presidential action suspends the entry into the United States, as immigrants or non-immigrants, of all aliens who were physically present within the Schengen Area during the 14-day period preceding their entry or attempted entry into the United States. For clarity, the travel ban does not apply to any lawful permanent resident of the United States, any alien who is the spouse of a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident, or those falling into several additional related categories.


CDC LEVEL 3 TRAVEL NOTICE FOR EU

Also on Wednesday, the Centers for Disease Control issued Level 3 (Avoid Nonessential Travel) Notices for 29 European nations due to the widespread sustained transmission of the coronavirus.

Concurrent to the release of this CDC travel notice, the Dept. of Defense issued a new set of travel restrictions (PDF) banning all DoD uniformed personnel, civilian personnel and family members traveling to, from, or through any locations having a CDC Level-3 (Avoid Nonessential Travel) designation for the next 60 days. This includes all forms of official travel, including Permanent Change of Station, Temporary Duty, and government-funded leave.


GLOBAL HEALTH ADVISORY

On Thursday, the U.S. State Department issued a Global Health Advisory advising U.S. citizens to reconsider all travel abroad due to the global impact of COVID-19. Many areas throughout the world are now experiencing COVID-19 outbreaks and taking action that may limit traveler mobility, including quarantines and border restrictions. Even countries, jurisdictions, or areas where cases have not been reported may restrict travel without notice.


PRESIDENT DECLARES NATIONAL EMERGENCY

On Friday, President Trump formally notified Congress that the outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the United States constitutes a national emergency. This Presidential Proclamation triggers the release of tens of billions of dollars in additional funding to combat the outbreak, as well as provides emergency authority to the President and Secretary of Health and Human services to temporarily waive or modify certain requirements of different federal programs during the duration of the public health emergency.

In addition to all of these different government actions, entire school districts, as well as college and university networks, have suspended classes or transitioned to online course delivery in order to prevent the spread of the virus. Major corporations across the US and EU are encouraging their work forces to telecommute or are staggering work hours. Many states have banned large gatherings of more than 200 people, and many houses of worship have canceled regular services. Major sporting events in the US and EU have also been canceled, including suspension of NHL and NBA regular season play, as well as the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament. In general, the overall effort is a non-pharmaceutical intervention known as social distancing. If people are not gathering in groups, the spread of the virus is slowed significantly.


OFFICIAL CASE NUMBERS

World Health Organization
Centers for Disease Control (U.S.)
Johns Hopkins CSSE (Interactive map updated multiple times daily)

Johns Hopkins CSSE COVID-19 Case Count (Interactive map updated multiple times daily) - ALLOW IMAGES

WHO RISK OF SPREAD & IMPACT ASSESSMENT

China Very High
Regional Level Very High
Global Level Very High


PANDEMIC PREPAREDNESS RESOURCES


Official Coronavirus Information Pages:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Food and Drug Administration
Public Health Agency of Canada
Infection Prevention and Control Canada
World Health Organization

Official Pandemic Preparedness Guidance:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Department of Homeland Security / Ready.Gov
World Health Organization

Assorted Resources

(While some of the resources below were prepared for pandemic influenza, the broader guidance contain therein is directly applicable to the current coronavirus crisis).


Home Care for Patients w/ Suspected Coronavirus Infection
Community Mitigation Guidelines to Prevent Pandemic Influenza
Fundamentals of Emergency Planning for Schools
Healthcare Systems Preparedness for COVID-19
Pub Health Guidance for Community-Level Preparedness & Response (SARS)
Business Pandemic Influenza Planning Checklist
Faith-based & Community Org. Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Checklist
WHO Checklist for Influenza Pandemic Preparedness Planning
Get Your Workplace Ready for Pandemic Flu
Dept of Defense Coronavirus Response Page
DHS Supplemental Instructions For Inbound Flights


View Last Week’s Issue


Additional Coronavirus News Items

Venezuela confirms two coronavirus cases, suspends school
How the coronavirus is deadliest for the over-80s
Worst-case coronavirus models show massive US toll
Woman who survived coronavirus shares her early symptoms
Coronavirus patients who recover can be left with damaged lungs
China And S. Korea Models Seem Like Only Way To Contain COVID-19s
Leaked gov records reveal ‘the first coronavirus case emerged in NOVEMBER
Italy & ROK’s coronavirus outbreaks show disparity between deaths and tactics
Lessons for the world: How South Korea is tackling coronavirus
Coronavirus in S. Korea: How ‘trace, test and treat’ may be saving lives
Coronavirus: with a pandemic confirmed, the race is now for a vaccine
Sepsis — a common cause of death from coronavirus
Coronavirus: Europe now epicenter of the pandemic, says WHO
WHO warns Europe is coronavirus ‘epicenter’ as cases, deaths rise
Coronavirus: Italy hits single-day record with 250 deaths
Italy’s coronavirus death toll surges as Lombardy seeks tougher curbs
Italian doctor says overwhelmed hospitals are at ‘complete saturation’
Italy on pace to run out of beds for critically ill coronavirus patients
Dramatic satellite footage shows ‘notable drop’ in air pollution over Italy
Spain declares state of emergency, military brought in to contain coronavirus
Spain to declare state of emergency as Covid-19 cases soar to 4,209
Switzerland, Luxembourg and Germany become the latest to close their schools
Coronavirus begins shutting down public life across Germany
Coronavirus is France’s ‘greatest health crisis in a century’, says Macron
Czechs close borders from March 16 over coronavirus spread
Russia rushes to copy China and build a new hospital to deal with coronavirus
Coronavirus: Europe ramps up support for ailing firms
Escape from Europe: Americans scramble to board the last flights out
How many will die of coronavirus in the UK? A closer look at the numbers
Coronavirus: Queen postpones trips to Cheshire and Camden

AlertsUSA continues to monitor the domestic and international threat environment around the clock and will immediately notify service subscribers, via SMS messages to their mobile devices, of new alerts, warnings and advisories or any developments which signal a change the overall threat picture for American citizens as events warrant.


AlertsUSA.com

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* We Give The Clear Truth, Unlike the MSM.
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China threatens to impose pharmaceutical export controls which would plunge America into "the mighty sea of coronavirus."


March 14, 2020


China Threatens to Throw America
‘Into the Mighty Sea of the Coronavirus

China is threatening to wreak havoc on America’s drug supply amid the Wuhan coronavirus outbreak. Thanks to our globalist elite and especially missteps during the Obama-Biden administration, Beijing has the power to do just that.

~ READ MORE HERE ~


Coronavirus: European Leaders Finally
Acknowledge Scale of Crisis

The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has now reached more than 45 countries in Europe, where (as of March 12) more than 30,000 people have tested positive for the disease, according to a Gatestone Institute tally based on calculations from European health ministries.

~ READ MORE HERE ~


Why This Oil Crash Is Different

When Saudi Arabia, Russia, and other oil-producing countries met in Vienna last week, they debated who should slash oil output to offset the collapse in demand due to the coronavirus outbreak. When the meeting was over, the answer was clear: America.

~ READ MORE HERE ~


Fleet and Marine Tracker Map as of March 9, 2020  - ALLOW IMAGE8

USNI Fleet and Marine Tracker


March 14, 2020


These are the approximate positions of the U.S. Navy’s deployed carrier strike groups and amphibious ready groups throughout the world as of March 9, 2020 based on Navy and public data provided by the U.S. Naval Institute. In cases where a CSG or ARG is conducting disaggregated operations, the chart reflects the location of the capital ship.


Army Spc. Eric Hayden fires an M777A2 howitzer while Staff Sgt. Robert Hartner braces to handle the shock of firing at the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, Calif., March 5th, 2020. - ALLOW IMAGES


World News Roundup


March 14, 2020


Other Developments We Are Following

AMERICAS

House pulls bill that would rescind prior Trump travel ban
US ‘will not tolerate’ direct attacks on US or coalition forces
U.S. Supreme Court allows Trump’s ‘Remain in Mexico’ asylum policy
US lawmakers seek Xinjiang import ban over forced labor
More than 100,000 have fled violence in Nicaragua, U.N. report says
Venezuela protest: Opposition clashes with police
Woman in Russian ‘sex spy’ scandal fights deportation from Canada.

EUROPE

Govt Of Norway Orders Complete ‘Shut Down’ Of The Country
Lack of Resources Made Russia’s Military Even More Cunning
Lithuania’s independence still rattles Vladimir Putin
Top Sierra Leone ex-rebel arrested in Finland
Exclusive: Russia to OPEC – deeper oil cuts won’t work
Facing recession, Europe grasps for ways to limit damage
Greece condemned over ill-treatment of refugees held on ship
Greek civilian militias patrol border amid migrant and refugee crisis
Putin rates Russia-US relations as more bad than good
Russia’s Duma passes reforms allowing Putin to seek re-election

MIDDLE EAST / AFRICA

U.S. aircraft carriers in the Middle East as a warning to Iran
Iran agrees to send black boxes of downed airliner to Ukraine
Efforts to combat violent extremist groups in Sahel region are ‘not effective
U.S. wages retaliatory strikes against Iran-backed militia in Iraq
Pentagon: US strikes Iran-backed group that hit Iraq base
Iraq condemns U.S. air strikes, warns of consequence
Turkey will not shy from military action in Syria’s Idlib if words not kept.
Vowing to keep border open, Turkey’s Erdogan compares Greeks to Nazi
Netanyahu rival set for official protection after threats
The losers, and even bigger losers, of an oil price war w/ Saudis and Russia
Oil price war: Saudi Arabia, US, Nigeria among big losers
Saudi Arabia steps up oil price war with big production increase
Guinea-Bissau’s Political Crisis Raises Fears of Another Coup
Will Ethiopia and Egypt’s Nile dam dispute lead to war?
Disbelief Over Zelensky’s Moves in Ukraine

ASIA

N. Korea could be readying to test more advanced ICBM
Chinese official accuses US Army of starting coronavirus outbreak,
American commandos to hold down Afghanistan as US troops withdraw
Germany plans to send a warship to the Indian Ocean
Japan unveils its hypersonic weapons plans
Afghanistan peace talks stall over planned prisoner exchange
North Korea ramps up missile testing
China slams US for warship sail-by in disputed waters


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Travel Security

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The U.S. Dept. of State Travel Website is the authoritative federal source for information on the security situation at travel destinations worldwide. With tensions rapidly increasing in most regions, readers planning international travel, even to such common destinations as Canada, Mexico or the Caribbean Islands, are strongly encouraged to do a little research on the security situation at your destination well prior to departure.

Active USGOV Travel Notices

Worldwide Caution


Active USGOV Travel Advisories

Alphabetical Country List

Dynamic Map


Other USGOV Travel Resources

Traveler’s Checklist

Smart Traveler Enrollment Prog (STEP)

Travelers with Special Considerations

Travel to High-Risk Areas

Faith-Based Travel Information

Information for Women Travelers

Cruise Ship Passengers

Students Abroad

Your Health Abroad

Driving and Road Safety Abroad


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The Department of State’s Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC) provides a variety of resources to enhance the safety and security of the U.S. private sector businesses and organizations operating abroad.

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The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website is the authoritative federal source for information on current health issues related to specific destinations worldwide. These issues may arise from disease outbreaks, special events or gatherings, natural disasters, or other conditions that may affect travelers’ health.

Foreign Sources of Travel Guidance

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Global Affairs Canada


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Australia Dept. of Foreign Affairs


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UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office


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Start now to make sure you are staying prepared.



Via: threatjournal

How to Make Your Own Mask for a Pandemic

How to Make Your Own Mask for a Pandemic

It didn’t take long after the coronavirus hit the world before medical masks sold out in the United States. I’m not sure if they sold out before the first case arrived in an American hospital, but it wasn’t long after that they did.

People bought up masks as fast as they could, in an effort to protect themselves from the deadly virus.

This wasn’t the first time I saw this happen. It happened during the Ebola outbreak of 2014 as well. Pandemics are scary and so people panic easily. They don’t know what to do, so they do what they can. Part of what they can is to buy surgical masks, thinking that they will protect them from catching the disease.

But what do you do when there are no more masks to buy? The first thing that happens is that people run around buying any other kind of mask they can find, hoping it will be good enough.

So, all the dust masks in all the hardware stores and lumberyards sell out just as fast as the medical masks did.

Then what?

Then there’s nothing else to buy.

If you want a mask, the only thing left is to make one yourself.

Developing the Parameters

The idea behind wearing a medical mask is to catch airborne germs; both bacteria and viruses. But that’s somewhat of a misnomer, as there are very few diseases which are actually airborne.

Rather, those diseases are spread abroad by what is known as “aerosol;” droplets of spittle from coughing and sneezing. These droplets travel a maximum of either six or 12 feet, depending on which medical studies you believe.

In either case, they carry disease-causing germs within themselves, some of which can be breathed in by others, spreading the disease.

The standard medical mask is made of three layers of material, with the outer layer being plastic, so that water could not pass through it. The other two layers are absorbent.

The idea is that the absorbent layers will catch and absorb the spittle from any coughs or sneezes by the medical personnel wearing them, not that they will protect the doctors and nurses from any coughs and sneezes by their patients.

Nevertheless, since the outer layer of these masks is made of waterproof material, they will stop spittle from their patients, even though they won’t absorb it.

So, the masks are an aid in preventing medical personnel from contracting the disease.

The other common mask is the N95 mask that you’ve probably heard of. These masks are a hard cup-shaped mask, with a soft aluminum strip that forms over the nose.

Unlike the standard medical mask, these are intended to protect the wearer, as they filter incoming air. Molding the mask to the nose, with the aluminum strip, helps to ensure that no disease-laden droplets get around the mask and into the nose or mouth of the wearer.

The N95 rating actually means that the mask is expected to stop 95% of particulate matter; in other words, dust. However, because the outer layer of this mask is absorbent paper, it will also catch droplets of spittle.

So, whatever we come up with must be able to both filter our particulates and absorb spittle. The mask must also seal around the nose and mouth, preventing any stray droplets from getting around the edges and contaminating us.

Here’s what I came up with.

The Homemade Pandemic Mask

I wanted to limit myself to materials that would be readily available, even in the midst of a pandemic. I’m assuming that people can get to the grocery store and the hardware store, even though doing so is a risk.

But the materials must be readily available so that people don’t really have to hunt for them.

How to Make Your Own Mask for a Pandemic1

The basic materials consist of:

  • 3-liter soda bottle
  • 1-liter soda or water bottle
  • HEPA filters – such as are used in vacuum cleaners and home air purifiers
  • Carbon filter
  • Duct tape
  • Elastic (not shown)
  • Epoxy (not shown)

Building the Mask

I decided that the mask itself had to cover all openings in the face, including the eyes, nose, and mouth. In severely contagious situations, medical personnel wears full-face shields or goggles, so as to protect them from those germ-rich droplets of spittle. If we’re trying to protect ourselves from a pandemic, it only makes sense that we would need to do the same. Hence the 3-liter soda bottle.

How to Make Your Own Mask for a Pandemic2

I started by emptying the bottles, rinsing them out, removing their labels and drawing the lines where I was going to cut them. The 3-liter bottle is going to be the face mask and the 1-liter bottle the filter.

I’ll connect the two together with a coupling made from the two caps.

There are no exact measurements for the bottles. I found that the width of the opening in the larger bottle, and especially the line of the curve near the top, needs to match the curvature under the chin of the wearer.

What works for me, doesn’t fit right for my wife. For the smaller bottle, I chose the cut line where I did because the bottle narrowed a bit below that point, which would make it harder to install my filter.

Cutting these bottles is easy; it can be done with a hobby or utility knife. However, I found that it was easier to cut them, once I made an initial slit, with a small pair of scissors, something like those used for cutting hair.

The ones I used were serrated slightly, but I don’t think that made any difference.

Later, I decided to use the bottom of the 1-liter soda bottle as well, like a baffle for the filter. So, although there is no line shown in the picture above, I cut the bottom off that bottle and saved it.

How to Make Your Own Mask for a Pandemic3

Once I cut the outline I wanted in the 3-liter bottle, I taped the edges with duct tape, so as to make it less scratchy. I then punched holes in it with a hole punch and put elastic through the holes to hold the mask to my head.

Building the Coupling

The design concept I have uses two bottles; a large one for the mask and a smaller one for the filter. These two obviously have to be coupled together, in order for the mask to work. Fortunately, the bottle caps made it very easy to create a coupling.

How to Make Your Own Mask for a Pandemic4

To start with, I needed holes in the caps. Since I had left my drill at my workshop, I grabbed my pocket knife and used that as a drill, to make approximately ½ inch holes in both caps.

Be careful to not use too much pressure on the knife, as you could poke through and cut your hand. The cap material is soft and cuts easily, even when trying to drill through it in this manner.

How to Make Your Own Mask for a Pandemic5

The two caps need to be glued together for the coupling. For this, I went to my go-to glue, fast-drying epoxy. Epoxy is strong and can be used for just about anything. In this case, the bottle caps are probably polyethylene, which doesn’t glue well.

So I roughed up the surface with some 100-grit sandpaper, giving the epoxy something to grip onto.

How to Make Your Own Mask for a Pandemic6

To help ensure the strength of the coupling, I then wrapped it in a piece of duct tape, getting a couple of revolutions around the whole coupling. Then I cut the tape flush with the ends of the coupling. If necessary, the duct tape will be strong enough to hold the coupling together, providing an air-tight seal, even if the epoxy is unable to remain bonded to the plastic caps.

Making a Filter

This left me with the need to make a filter. I decided to use a two-stage filter design, for extra security. The first layer, which will be in the smaller bottle, making it replaceable, is a HEPA filter.

The HEPA (high-efficiency particulate absorbing) standard is one that has been developed for air filtration equipment. It must be able to remove 99.97 percent of all particles that are 0.3 microns in size.

Interestingly enough, this specification makes the HEPA filter roughly the equivalent of the N95 mask filter. Actually, I think it’s a bit better; although I won’t guarantee it, as the specifications are written in such a way that it’s a little like comparing apples and oranges.

The language just isn’t the same in the two specifications.

Nevertheless, a HEPA filter is supposed to be able to remove most bacteria and viruses, in addition to particulate matter, so it’s ideal for our purposes.

How to Make Your Own Mask for a Pandemic7

The HEPA filters I bought are actually designed for use in a home air cleaning system. I could have just as easily used one for a vacuum cleaner, but these were readily available and reasonably priced. By buying them online, I saved myself a trip to the store.

As you can see from the photo above, the filter itself is accordion folded and placed in a plastic housing that holds it that way. As the housing doesn’t match the shape that I need, I just removed the filter medium itself and cut off a section the right size to fit in my bottle. Let me stress – you can do this with any HEPA filter you can find; you don’t need the same filter that I used.

How to Make Your Own Mask for a Pandemic8

To make my filter unit, all I did was to hot melt glue that accordion-folded filter into the 1-liter bottle. That was actually a bit tricky, as it was hard to get the glue gun down into the bottle to work.

But it is essential that the filter is glued all the way around and that there not be any gaps where air can flow through, without flowing through the filter. You’re better off using too much glue, than not enough.

Finally, I took the bottom of the bottle and glued it to the bottom of my filter unit, inverted. It’s hard to see in the picture above, but the arrow is pointing at a gap in the plastic, where the base of the bottle was indented.

There are five of these gaps between the base and the upper part of the bottle, as installed, giving plenty of room for air to get in.

The idea behind installing the base like this is to act as a baffle, keeping droplets of aerosol from coming into the filter unit and hitting the filter medium itself. While it is still possible for droplets to get in, I felt that it was best to make it as difficult as possible, so that my filter would not become clogged from damp spittle.

How to Make Your Own Mask for a Pandemic9

I added a second layer of filtration, taping a double layer of activated carbon filter into the bottom of the mask, with duct tape. This is a backup to the other filter, should anything get through it.

Activated carbon has been used in a large number of different types of filters designed to capture microscopic pathogens of the type we are trying to protect ourselves from.

Using the Mask

In order to use the mask, the two bottles are screwed together by the coupling. Then your chin is the curve of the cutout in the mask and lifts the mask up to your face, pressing the top of it against your forehead.

Slip the elastic band around your head to hold it in place.

How to Make Your Own Mask for a Pandemic10

One of the good things about this design is that it allows you to change your filter element as needed. You can make one mask and several filters, changing them as needed.

This should be every eight hours at the most. If the filter seems to be becoming clogged, change it more frequently.


Start now to make sure you are staying prepared.



via:  askaprepper