The KN95 Masks given out by MEMA

So, everyone cheered the Patriots owner and Governor Baker when it was disclosed the two made a deal to buy a plane load of PPE from China. Before the stuff was unloaded, questions about China's version of our N95 masks was already in the news. Turns out that China's version (KN95) were tested by scientists at MIT and the masks were "severely deficient, filtering just 28% of airborne particles - far below was is considered safe for front line workers". The US standard for N95 masks is 95%. Other masks that were tested from the plane load showed 53% to 90%.

According to the Globe's Matt Rocheleau, Dugan Arnett and Victoria McGaine, Nursing Homes, long term healthcare facilities, cops and firemen were given these KN95 masks. Massachusetts has spent 2 million dollars for the masks from China. 

 https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/04/29/nation/police-fire-departments-latest-voice-concern-with-state-provided-masks/

my rant:

They lie and denied knowing anything about the virus until it's killing us, they sell us inferior PPE products that may kill many more trying to help the sick and dying and now our own Mass Dep of Health warned that masks labeled as KN95 recommends that these products should be used as a face mask only. It's a freaking wonder we don't have more cops and fireman dropping dead from inferior PPE from China. Word is that the US is planning some sort of restitution from China... the problem with that right now is that China is were we get most of our PPE supplies, reagents, test kits, swaps, etc etc.

worth watching.. a docuseries about the drug lab scandal

 I have written much about Annie Dookhan and Sonja Farak drug lab scandal over the years. Now Netflix has made a compelling documentary "How to fix a drug scandal". While we are all looking for new content these days and I suggest readers who have Netflix have a looksee at this 4 part series that has explained in detail the major players involved, including the famous names like Martha Coakley, Maura Healy and others who tried to keep the story from exploding in the press. Each segment is an hour long and if you don't have Netflix, you can hear the audio only on the wbur web page.

https://www.wbur.org/artery/2020/04/09/netflix-how-to-fix-a-drug-scandal-review

Help from the City.. if you have lost your job

I hope any of our readers would pass this information on to anyone you know in Town that has lost their job. This temporary measure by the City could help the hundreds of laid-off workers who are most effected by the pandemic.

Framingham establishes temporary financial assistance for those impacted by COVID-19: In response to the pandemic, the City of Framingham will provide relief of rent, mortgage, and/or utility payments for two months to alleviate the burden for households that have lost their employment and primary income as of March 10, 2020. For application information, visit the Resources for Residents [https://www.framinghamma.gov/2895/Resources-for-Residents] page on the City’s COVID-19 website and select the “Temporary Financial Assistance” tab .