mteb/FeedbackQARetrieval huggingface dataset:
Personal Protective Equipment: Questions and Answers
Gowns
Is it acceptable for emergency medical services to wear coveralls as an alternative to gowns when COVID-19 is suspected in a patient needing emergency transport?
Unlike patient care in the controlled environment of a healthcare facility,
care and transport by EMS present unique challenges because of the nature of
the setting. Coveralls are an acceptable alternative to gowns when caring for
and transporting suspect COVID-19 patients. While no clinical studies have
been done to compare gowns and coveralls, both have been used effectively by
healthcare workers in clinical settings during patient care. CDC’s
Considerations for Selecting Protective Clothing used in Healthcare for
Protection against Microorganisms in Blood and Body
Fluids guidance
provides a comparison between gowns and coveralls, including test methods and
performance requirements. Coveralls typically provide 360-degree protection
because they are designed to cover the whole body, including the back and
lower legs, and sometimes the head and feet as well. This added coverage may
be necessary for some work tasks involved in medical transport. However,
coveralls may lead to increased heat stress compared to gowns due to the total
area covered by the fabric. Training on how to properly remove (doff) a
coverall is important to prevent self-contamination. Comparatively, gowns are
easier to put on and, in particular, to take off.
Personal Protective Equipment: Questions and Answers
Gowns
What types of gowns are available for healthcare personnel to protect from COVID-19?

While the transmissibility of COVID-19 is not fully understood, gowns are available that protect against microorganisms. The choice of gown should be made based on the level of risk of contamination. Certain areas of surgical and isolation gowns are defined as “critical zones” where direct contact with blood, body fluids, and/or other potentially infectious materials is most likely to occur. (ANSI/AAMI PB70pdf iconexternal icon).
If there is a medium to high risk of contamination and need for a large critical zone, isolation gowns that claim moderate to high barrier protection (ANSI/AAMI PB70 Level 3 or 4pdf iconexternal icon) can be used.
For healthcare activities with low, medium, or high risk of contamination, surgical gowns (ANSI/AAMI PB70 Levels 1-4pdf iconexternal icon), can be used. These gowns are intended to be worn by healthcare personnel during surgical procedures.
If the risk of bodily fluid exposure is low or minimal, gowns that claim minimal or low levels of barrier protection (ANSI/AAMI PB70 Level 1 or 2pdf iconexternal icon) can be used. These gowns should not be worn during surgical or invasive procedures, or for medium to high risk contamination patient care activities.
Personal Protective Equipment: Questions and Answers
Respirators
My employees complain that Surgical N95 respirators are hot and uncomfortable - what can I do?
The requirements for surgical N95 respirators that make them resistant to high
velocity streams of body fluids and help protect the sterile field can result
in a design that has a higher breathing resistance (makes it more difficult to
breath) than a typical N95 respirator. Also, surgical N95 respirators are
designed without exhalation valves which are sometimes perceived as warmer
inside the mask than typical N95 respirators. If you are receiving complaints,
you may consider having employees who are not doing surgery, not working in a
sterile field, or not potentially exposed to high velocity streams of body
fluids wear a standard N95 with an exhalation valve.
Personal Protective Equipment: Questions and Answers
Gowns
What is the difference between gowns and coveralls?

CDC’s guidance for Considerations for Selecting Protective Clothing used in Healthcare for Protection against Microorganisms in Blood and Body Fluids provides additional comparisons between gowns and coveralls.
Gowns are easier to put on and, in particular, to take off. They are generally more familiar to healthcare workers and hence more likely to be used and removed correctly. These factors also facilitate training in their correct use.
Coveralls typically provide 360-degree protection because they are designed to cover the whole body, including the back and lower legs, and sometimes the head and feet as well. Surgical/isolation gowns do not provide continuous whole-body protection (e.g., they have possible openings in the back, and typically provide coverage to the mid-calf only).
The level of heat stress generated due to the added layer of clothing is also expected to be less for gowns when compared to coveralls due to several factors, such as the openings in the design of gowns and total area covered by the fabric.
Personal Protective Equipment: Questions and Answers
Respirators
What is a Surgical N95 respirator and who needs to wear it?

A surgical N95 (also referred as a medical respirator) is recommended only for use by healthcare personnel (HCP) who need protection from both airborne and fluid hazards (e.g., splashes, sprays). These respirators are not used or needed outside of healthcare settings. In times of shortage, only HCP who are working in a sterile field or who may be exposed to high velocity splashes, sprays, or splatters of blood or body fluids should wear these respirators, such as in operative or procedural settings. Most HCP caring for confirmed or suspected COVID-19 patients should not need to use surgical N95 respirators and can use standard N95 respirators.
If a surgical N95 is not available for use in operative or procedural settings, then an unvalved N95 respirator may be used with a faceshield to help block high velocity streams of blood and body fluids.
Retirement Communities and Independent Living Facilities
If there is a case in the facility
What should administrators do if there is a case of COVID-19 in our facility?
Work with local health authorities to communicate the possible exposure to
residents, staff, and visitors. Clean and disinfect all shared facilities and
high-touch surfaces. Limit visitors to essential staff and visitors. Staff
and, when possible, visitors should be screened for signs and symptoms of
COVID-19 before entering the facility. Residents will need to actively monitor
their health for COVID-19 symptoms. Cancel group activities. Residences that
become ill should be advised to call the medical facility in advance of their
visit. See CDC’s full interim guidance for more
details.
Retirement Communities and Independent Living Facilities
If there is a case in the facility
What should administrators do if a resident or staff shows symptoms of COVID-19?
Ask residents to actively monitor (at least daily) for COVID-19
symptoms,
including fever and respiratory symptoms (shortness of breath, new or change
in cough). Administrators should work with local health authorities to
establish procedures for those who become sick. Sick residents should avoid
contact with individuals who are healthy. If you think someone may have
COVID-19, ask them to self-isolate and you should contact local health
officials.
Retirement Communities and Independent Living Facilities
Planning and Preparedness
How can my retirement community or independent living facility prepare for COVID-19?
Administrators should take the following actions to prevent a COVID-19
outbreak in their community or
facility:

Promote social distancing 
Cancel public or group activities and events
Inform workers and volunteers to avoid close contact with residents
When possible, limit visitors and volunteers to essential persons
Advise residents to stay home and avoid public places
Alter schedules to reduce mixing (e.g., stagger meal, activity, arrival/departure times)


Support residents in preparing 
Establish the ‘buddy’ system to ensure residents stay connected.
Encourage residents to have extra medications and supplies.
Identify residents with unique needs and work with them to tailor these strategies.
Find ways to support residents in managing stress and anxiety.
Inform residents using print materials and high-visibility posters


Encourage everyone to take everyday preventive actions to prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses. 
Cover coughs and sneezes
Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces
Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
Ensure hand hygiene supplies (e.g., hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol) are readily available in all buildings.


Monitor for cases and take action when someone is sick. 
Screen workers and when possible volunteers
Ask residents to self-monitor for symptoms
Review the usual absenteeism patterns at your facility among staff, so you can identify if the rate of absenteeism increases.
Implement flexible sick-leave policies and actively encourage sick employees to stay home
Coordinate with local health facilities if you suspect a resident or staff member may have COVID-19
Retirement Communities and Independent Living Facilities
Planning and Preparedness
Does CDC have recommendations for cleaning and disinfecting surfaces?
Routinely clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces (e.g., doorknobs,
light switches, countertops) with cleaners that you typically use. Use all
cleaning products according to the directions on the label. Practice strict
infection control procedures if there is a case in your
facility.
Follow CDC’s Cleaning and Disinfection Recommendations for
Communities.
Travel: Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
International Travel
Should I cancel my international trip?
CDC recommends that travelers avoid all nonessential international travel
because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Some health care systems are overwhelmed and
there may be limited access to adequate medical care in affected areas. Many
countries are implementing travel restrictions and mandatory quarantines,
closing borders, and prohibiting non-citizens from entry with little advance
notice. Airlines have cancelled many international flights and in-country
travel may be unpredictable. If you choose to travel internationally, your
travel plans may be disrupted, and you may have to remain outside the United
States for an indefinite length of time.
CDC also recommends all travelers defer all cruise ship travel
worldwide.
Travel: Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
General
If I travel, what steps should I take to help reduce my chances of getting sick?

Avoid contact with sick people.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. 
It is especially important to clean hands after going to the bathroom, before eating, and after coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose.


Make sure you are up to date with your routine vaccinations, including measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine and the seasonal flu vaccine.
Travel: Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
Air or Cruise Travel
What is the risk of getting COVID-19 on an airplane?
Because of how air circulates and is filtered on airplanes, most viruses and
other germs do not spread easily. Although the risk of infection on an
airplane is low, try to avoid contact with sick passengers, avoid touching
your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands, and wash your hands often with
soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer that contains at
least 60% alcohol.
Learn more about Exposure Risk During
Travel
Travel: Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
General
Should travelers wear facemasks or coverings?
In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, CDC recommends that everyone wear a
cloth face covering over their nose and mouth when in the community setting, including
during travel if they must travel. This as an additional public health measure
people should take to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in addition to (not
instead of) social distancing, frequent hand cleaning and other everyday
preventive actions. A cloth face covering is not intended to protect the
wearer but may prevent the spread of virus from the wearer to others. This
would be especially important if someone is infected but does not have
symptoms. Medical masks and N-95 respirators are still reserved for healthcare
workers and other first responders, as recommended by current CDC guidance.
Travel: Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
Domestic Travel
Is it safe to travel to visit family or friends?
Travel increases your chances of getting and spreading COVID-19. Before you
travel, learn if coronavirus is spreading in your local area or in any of the
places you are going. Traveling to visit family may be especially dangerous if
you or your loved ones are more likely to get very ill from
COVID-19. People at higher risk for severe illness need to take extra
precautions.
Travel: Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
International Travel
What can I expect when arriving to the United States?
At this time, travel restrictions and entry screening apply only to travelers
arriving from some countries or regions with widespread ongoing transmission
of COVID-19. [Note: US policies are subject to change as the COVID-19 pandemic
evolves.]
You may be screened when you arrive in the United States. After you arrive
home, take the following steps to protect yourself and others:

Stay at home and avoid contact with others. Do not go to work or school.
Monitor your health. Take your temperature with a thermometer two times a day and monitor for fever. Also watch for cough or trouble breathing.
Keep your distance from others (about 6 feet or 2 meters) This is referred to as “social distancing.”

Check CDC’s Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Travel
webpage to find the current
travel health notice level for your international travel.
Travel: Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
Domestic Travel
Is it safe to travel to campgrounds or go camping?
Going camping at a time when much of the United States is experiencing
community spread of COVID-19 can pose a risk to you if you come in close
contact with others or share public facilities (like restrooms or picnic
areas) at campsites or along the trails. Exposure may be especially unsafe if
you are more likely to get very ill from
COVID-19 and are planning to be in remote areas, without easy access to
medical care. Also be aware that many local, state, and national public parks
have been temporarily closed due to COVID-19.
Travel: Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
Air or Cruise Travel
What happens if there is a sick passenger on an international or domestic flight?
Under current federal regulations, pilots must report all illnesses and deaths
to CDC before arriving to a US destination. According to CDC disease
protocols, if a sick traveler is considered to be a public health risk, CDC
works with local and state health departments and international public health
agencies to contact passengers and crew exposed to that sick traveler.
Be sure to give the airline your current contact information when booking your
ticket so you can be notified if you are exposed to a sick traveler on a
flight.
Learn more about Contact Investigation
What to Know About HIV and COVID-19
Are people with HIV at higher risk for COVID-19 than other people?
At the present time, we have no specific information about the risk of
COVID-19 in people with HIV.
Older adults and people of any age who have a serious underlying medical
condition might be at higher risk for severe illness, including people who are
immunocompromised. The risk for people with HIV getting very sick is greatest
in:

People with a low CD4 cell count, and
People not on HIV treatment (antiretroviral therapy or ART).

People with HIV can also be at increased risk of getting very sick with
COVID-19 based on their age and other medical conditions.
What to Know About HIV and COVID-19
Can HIV medicine (ART) be used to treat COVID-19?
Some types of HIV medicine (for example, lopinavir-ritonavir) to treat
COVID-19 are being evaluated. Results from a clinical trialexternal
icon in China showed that
lopinavir-ritonavir did not speed up recovery or reduce the amount of virus
produced in patients hospitalized with COVID-19 and pneumonia. More than 15
clinical trials of HIV medicines are registered on ClinicalTrials.govexternal
icon.
Until more is known about the effects of these medicines on COVID-19, people
with HIV should not switch their HIV medicine in an attempt to prevent or
treat COVID-19.
What to Know About HIV and COVID-19
Are shortages of HIV medicine (ART) or pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) expected?
Drug shortages or anticipated problems with HIV medicine have not been
identified.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is closely monitoring the drug
supply chain as the COVID-19 outbreak has the potential to disrupt the supply
of medical and pharmaceutical products in the United States.
The National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors (NASTAD) has
also remained in contact with the major manufacturers of HIV medicine as many
of these products rely on ingredients produced in China.
As of March 10, 2020, there were no reports of manufacturing concerns or
supply shortages.
Learn more about the FDA’s response to COVID-19external
icon.
What to Know About HIV and COVID-19
What can people with HIV do to protect themselves from COVID-19?
There is currently no vaccine to prevent COVID-19. The best way to prevent
getting sick is to avoid exposure to the virus.
People with HIV should take everyday preventive
actions to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
People with HIV should also continue to maintain a healthy lifestyle. This
includes:

Eating right,
Getting at least 8 hours of sleep, and
Reducing stress as much as possible.

Staying healthy helps your immune system fight off infection should it occur.
If you have HIV and are taking your HIV medicine, it is important to continue
your treatment and follow the advice of your health care provider. This is the
best way to keep your immune system healthy.
What to Know About HIV and COVID-19
What else can people with HIV who are at higher risk of getting very sick from COVID-19 do to protect themselves?
Nearly half of people in the United States with diagnosed HIV are aged 50
years and older. People with HIV also have higher rates of certain underlying
health conditions. Both increased age and these conditions can increase their
risk for more severe illness if people with
HIV get COVID-19, especially people with advanced HIV.
Steps that people with HIV can take to
prepare in addition
to what is recommended for everybody:

Make sure you have at least a 30-day supply of your HIV medicine and any other medications or medical supplies you need for managing HIV.
Talk to your health care provider and make sure all your vaccinations are up-to-date, including vaccinations against seasonal influenza and bacterial pneumonia because these vaccine preventable diseases disproportionally affect people with HIV.
Establish a plan for clinical care if you have to stay at home for a couple of weeks. Try to establish a telemedicine link through your HIV care provider’s online portal. If telemedicine is not available to you, make sure you can communicate with your provider by phone or text.
Make sure you can maintain a social network remotely, such as online, by phone, or by video chat. This can help you stay socially connected and mentally healthy, which is especially important for people with HIV.
People with HIV can sometimes be more likely than others to need extra help, from friends, family, neighbors, community health workers, and others. If you become sick make sure you stay in touch by phone or email with people who can help you.
What to Know About Liver Disease and COVID-19
What else can people with chronic liver disease do to protect themselves from COVID-19?
People with chronic liver disease should take steps that everyone can take to
prevent getting
COVID-19. They should also take the same preventive
actions
being taken by people with other serious underlying medical conditions to
avoid getting sick with or spreading COVID-19.
In addition, people with chronic liver disease can take the following
measures:

If you are currently taking treatment for hepatitis B or hepatitis C, or other chronic conditions, make sure you have enough of your medication at home to reduce unnecessary visits to health services or pharmacies. You may be eligible for up to a 90-day supply of medication.
Talk to your healthcare provider about vaccination. CDC recommends that people with chronic liver disease receive vaccinations against hepatitis A, hepatitis B, influenza (flu), and pneumococcal disease.
If you must stay at home for a couple of weeks, come up with a plan to continue your care. Try to establish a telemedicine link through your hepatitis provider’s online portal. If telemedicine is not available to you, make sure you can communicate with your provider by phone or text.
Make sure you can maintain a social network remotely, such as online, by phone, or by video chat. This can help you stay socially connected and mentally healthy.
Smoking or vaping tobacco or marijuanaexternal icon could increase your risk of severe respiratory illness. Quitting smoking or vaping may reduce your chances of developing serious complications from COVID-19.
If you become sick, make sure you stay in touch by phone or email with people who can help you.
What to Know About Liver Disease and COVID-19
What can people with substance use disorder and liver disease do to protect themselves from COVID-19?
The best way to avoid COVID-19 is to avoid exposure to the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
People with liver disease should take the same preventive
actions
being taken by people with other underlying conditions to avoid getting sick
with or spreading COVID-19. In addition, people with substance use disorder
should stay in contact with their primary care provider and continue
prescribed treatments. People who inject drugs should continue to use sterile
injection equipment.
What to Know About Liver Disease and COVID-19
Are people with cancer, like hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), at increased risk for severe COVID-19?
We do not know whether patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are at
higher risk for severe COVID-19 than those without HCC. However, one study
reported a link between cancer and worse COVID-19 disease or death. Cancer
patients with
weakened immune systems after chemotherapy are more likely to get infections
with other germs and it is possible that this is the case with SARS-CoV-2 as
well. However, SARS-CoV-2 spreads easily, even for people with healthy immune
systems. People of all ages with serious underlying medical conditions are at
higher risk for severe COVID-19, particularly if
the underlying medical conditions are not well controlled.
What to Know About Liver Disease and COVID-19
What can people with hepatitis B or hepatitis C do to protect themselves from COVID-19?
The best way to protect yourself from getting COVID-19 is to avoid exposure to
the SARS-CoV-2 virus. People with liver disease should take the same
preventive actions being taken by people with other underlying conditions to avoid
getting sick with or spreading COVID-19.
People with hepatitis B or hepatitis
C should also continue to maintain a healthy
lifestyle. If you have hepatitis B or hepatitis C and are being treated for
your infection, it is important to continue your treatment and follow the
advice of your healthcare provider. This is the best way to keep your immune
system healthy.