Updates on COVID-19 – Part 6

By Engr. Edgar Mana-ay

 

The continued spread of the COVID-19 pandemic worldwide mandated the use of face mask as a preventive measure against contracting coronavirus.

In Israel, face masks go science fiction with the application of nanotechnology in its manufacture. By the way, nanotechnology is the science of very minute things, smaller than 1/1 billionth of a part. I have seen research that applied nanotechnology to strengthen carbon fibers for space use where my grandson, a high school senior was seconded by the US government to participate at Rice University in Houston and it’s really a high-tech thing.

An Israeli company called Sonovia Tech has developed an innovative face mask patented as SONOMASK. It is an out-of-the-box response to the spread of coronavirus that uses technology straight from a science fiction film. Based in Bar Ilan University in Ramat Gan, a team of researchers and tech experts of Sonovia Tech brainstormed on this challenge. How to make a face mask that not only protect the wearer from breathing in dust particles that might be infused with SARS-CoV 2, the virus that causes COVID-19, but also eliminate the virus itself.

Using revolutionary sound wave technology, the team put together the SonoMask. Constructed with reusable fabric that maintains its efficiency after over 50 washes, the SonoMask has been tested and revealed to prevent coronavirus at an efficiency level of 98%. Unlike N95 face masks, which only filter dust particles as small as 5 microns and defending its wearer against minuscule virus microbes. The masks are made with a metal oxide material that is very effective in shutting off the virus and at the same time killing it. The Sonovia technology uses ultrasonic energy to coat their fabrics with anti-viral, anti-fungal, anti-odor, and anti-microbial features.

They use this ultrasonic energy to apply a sustainable and safe zinc oxide formula to the textiles that create a chemical reaction. The result of this chemical reaction changes the very structure of viruses and bacteria, destroying the virus at the chemical level and protecting the mask wearer from absorbing the disease. The bacteria-busting material provides protection from viruses and bacteria, including SARS-CoV 2 and antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Because it is reusable, it also provides environmental benefits beyond the health results, preventing the damaging effects on the environment of single-use, disposable surgical masks.

This tailored method of sound wave infusion is called cavitation. During the process, technicians generate sound waves of precise frequencies to act upon the target material. This creates high-pressure cavitation bubbles and extreme temperature shifts, which lead to the formation of precisely measured nano-particles into the surface. At a certain point, these bubbles implode, forming a powerful jet-stream that pushes carefully calibrated nano-particles into the surface of the textiles at high speed and heavy densities, ensuring that the fabrics are deeply infused with the nano-particle formulas. Tests have confirmed that SonoMask technology can prevent the SARS-CoV-2 virus with up to 99% efficacy. Sonovia Tech has donated huge quantities of the masks to hospitals in Israel and Germany. This can be availed at the company site (SonovisTech.com) or at mega-retailer Amazon at $69 apiece.

Related to COVID-19, studies by researchers at Yale University shows that coronavirus enters brain cells directly and replicate itself causing the previously unexplained neurological symptoms some patients have experienced. This was confirmed recently by my nurse daughter in law and granddaughter who both work at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for COVID-19 patients at the Houston Methodist Hospital in Houston, Texas. Yale researchers discovered this unique ability of the virus by analyzing coronavirus infections in mouse models, brain cells in lab dishes and brain tissues in deceased COVID-19 positive patients. Dr. Akiko Iwasaki, lead author of the study said; “If the brain becomes infected, it could have lethal consequences”.

While most data says that COVID-19 primarily attacks the lungs, half of the patients reported neurological symptoms such as headaches, confusion, and delirium. While the current study has not been peer-reviewed, experts call it “careful and elegant, showing in multiple ways that the virus can infect brain cells”. There are also preliminary clinical data that SARS-CoV-2 infection is associated with neurological and neuropsychiatric illness.  The good news is that unlike other pathogens like the Zika virus, the coronavirus does not destroy brain cells but takes advantage of their make up to replicate itself. Dr. Iwasaki said the virus enters the brain cells much like it invades the cells of the lungs and other parts of the body. It infects the cells through a protein on their surface called ACE₂ inhibitors.

What would you think will be the medication for the most powerful man on the planet, the President of the United States, confined for 3 days at Walter Reed National Military Center for a mild symptom of COVID-19 following his infection? These symptoms after tested positive for COVID-19 are low-grade fever, slight cough and nasal congestion. Trump is 74 years old and clinically obese, putting him at a higher risk of serious complications from the virus. White House press release on his treatment plan called it a “cocktail of medication”. Mentioned in the press release are: A 5-day course on Remdisiver as an anti-viral medication that curbs the ability of the virus to multiply, an experimental injection of monoclonal antibodies from Regeneron to help the immune system get rid of the virus.

Aspirin mainly to avoid heart attack and a fever reducer, Vitamin D and Mineral Zinc which boost the immune system. Also mentioned are: Melatonin as a sleep aid, convalescent plasma derived from the blood of people who have survived the disease and carries anti-bodies that can help a patient fight COVID-19. Generic steroid dexamethasone which improves survival for patients with critical COVID-19 who need extra oxygen and lastly the favorite of Trump himself, HCQ, Hydrochloroquine, an anti-malaria drug which the President claims he has been taking to prevent COVID-19 infection. Last June the World Health Organization (WHO) withdrew its emergency authorization for HCQ therapy for COVID-19 for reason that it is not effective!