Recent FDA enforcement policy supports the use of Tenney environmental chambers for bioburden reduction on N95 respirators during the coronavirus (COVID-19) public health emergency. The use of dry heat processing to reduce the risk of transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, and limited reuse of NIOSH-approved filtering face-piece respirators, were cited in the FDA guidance.

A year ago, countries around the world realized that COVID-19 would not be going away quickly. In March 2020, as the world watched video from Italy and other early hot spots, the World Health Organization declared it a pandemic.

As we ended 2019, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 was already among us — though most were unaware. It was not yet holding the world in a pandemic’s grip.

Change. It is something that all of us are faced with these days. From COVID-19 to civil unrest, we are facing new business and personal challenges that can also provide opportunities, depending on how you look at them.

A medical technology manufacturer ordered Despatch conveyor ovens to help produce COVID-19 diagnostic testing systems.

As I write this commentary, the world is facing the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. At times, it seems the news will never improve. While I cannot predict when the headwinds will turn in our favor, I can share what has been helping me.

According to research conducted by Clear Seas Research (a BNP Media Company) April 16-20, 56 percent of active business and 50 percent of planned business throughout the manufacturing industry is still on schedule during the coronavirus pandemic. These numbers show a decline from the last survey April 2-6, which showed 63 percent of active business and 57 percent of planned business was on schedule. 

Stony Brook University released an article detailing its preliminary research and findings on the efficacy of dry heat sterilization on personal protective equipment (PPE). The research team used a Gruenberg dry heat sterilizer to determine if there was degradation of the N95 masks after several rounds of dry heat treatment. Results from the testing were positive.

The nation's small businesses are facing an unprecedented economic disruption due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. On Friday, March 27, 2020, the president signed into law the CARES Act, which contains $376 billion in relief for American workers and small businesses.