Category: From Sparkhealthmd.com – General

The Indian government has made a decision to re-open the schools, colleges, cinemas, and other public places after months-long closure. The Home Ministry of India has shared that the country is all set to re-open while the health experts believe it’s a mistake as coronavirus cases in India are among the highest in the world.

India has a population of nearly 1.3 billion people. The coronavirus cases reported in the country are nearly 6.2 million which are second to the US only. It has also reported nearly 97,000 people at least and this figure only accounts for official deaths. There are high chances that the virus is much more than the official reports as many rural areas have no healthcare facilities or official stats on the pandemic cases.

The government has somehow decided to lift the lockdown and re-open all the local businesses as the country’s economy seems to be badly hit by the pandemic. Millions of people in India have lost their earnings, while millions of others are on the verge of losing it.

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Regarding this school opening in India, some states opened their schools for 14 years old to 17 years old but this new announcement applies to all schools of the country. The statement from the ministry says that the re-opening of the schools, as well as coaching centers, will be decided after October 15^th. meanwhile, online classes and distance learning courses are highly encouraged and no institute can force its students to physically attend the classes.

On the other side, higher education institutions and universities will remain close. But some science and technology institutes have already opened to resume their research work in the laboratories as it is almost impossible for them to continue their work from home.

Shutting the cinemas in this film-loving country was probably the most difficult decision. Bollywood industry is one of the largest film producing industries of the world and shutting it all added more stress to this coronavirus-hit country. However, now the government has decided to open the cinemas in India with only 50% capacity, hoping to control the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.

Most of the international commercial airlines have suspended their business or are operational with limited services to offer. India despite being one of the biggest markets has shut most of its business but with the worst economic regression, it is now slowly opening them all. Some of the airline companies are only offering services to carry the citizens back to their home countries and not offering travel to other people.

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India has already opened the local trains, domestic flights, local markets, eateries, and metro. Some of them are fully functional while others are operated under restrictions.

The coronavirus in India has mainly hit the metropolitan cities such as Mumbai which is the financial hub of the country and the capital city, New Delhi which is home to millions of people and one of the highest traveling destinations.

Now India is second on the list in the worst-hit countries by coronavirus as it has now spread to rural areas that lack basic healthcare facilities. The government is trying to control new cases and right now, it is too early to comment if this re-opening of local business is the right decision or not.

 

The post India is Reopening Schools and All Public Places Despite Daily Increase in Coronavirus Cases appeared first on Spark Health MD.

Recently a woman has claimed that she has stopped drinking water for over a year and this “dry fasting” has helped her to get amazing health benefits.

Sophie Partik frim Bali, Indonesia is 35, years old woman who says that living without water has healed many health problems of her including joint pains, food allergy, skin problems, puffy eyes, and even digestive problems.

She is a nutrition specialist and a yoga teacher by profession and she continues these dry fast for 13-14 hours per day. After that, she only takes liquids that are naturally present inside food sources such as fruit juice which she calls “living water”.

Sophie says that she can get all the vital nutrients that her body requires from natural sources such as fruit juices, vegetable juices, and coconut water and she doesn’t really need to consume water separately.

Earlier, she reported having extreme swelling her joints and puffiness which made her face look so swollen. She says’

“I had extreme swelling in my face and joints, as well as puffiness – I was so swollen, I looked sick. The doctors were telling me there is nothing wrong with me and if I’d like to get rid off the puffy eyes I could undergo surgery.”

Sophie says that a friend of her recommended dry fasting to her and that’s how this all started. The first thing that she noticed was a reduction in puffiness. Due to which she decided to prolong this dry fasting.

Sophie says;

“I have been looking for answers all my life and I thought that the universe’s way of sending them to me. Drinking bottled water and water from the faucet actually makes your kidneys overwork and flushes all the nutrients out of your body. You don’t need water to stay hydrated, it really just makes you feel bloated. When you start dry fasting, you soon realize your body doesn’t need water.”

Dry fasting, also called “absolute fasting” is a regime where a person stops eating food and liquid even in the form of water, tea or broth. This is very different from various fasts popular around the world which only restrict food but allow consuming water and other liquids.

People who endorse dry fasting say that it has helped them in many ways. Some of their “proclaimed” benefits include the following.

• Rapid weight loss
• Immunity boost
• Cellular regeneration
• Reduction in inflammation
• Skin healing
• Spiritual reasons (purity)

There is no research on dry fasting to analyze these benefits. A short term dry fasting may help but a prolonged dry fast is dangerous for health and it might result in an extreme complication.

The problems start with “de-hydration” which is a situation where the body is low on water. This dehydration can cause electrolyte imbalance, leading to lowering blood pressure that can take a person’s life.

Further complications include kidney disease, nutritional deficiency, eating disorders, metabolic diseases, and fainting.

But Sophie shares her experience as;

“I feel better than ever, very energized and it’s so good for your kidneys- once they take a break for a few hours, they work much better after. At first, it’s tricky because your mouth gets dry and then your brain is telling you that you need a drink. It’s in our mind that we need water, I know I am not dehydrated but it takes patience to overcome our desires.”

Upon asking if she recommends other people to follow the same, she says;

“It’s not for everyone, it has to come from within.”

While sharing her personal story, Sophie tells that her family didn’t understand this and thought that she was in a cult. She says it is confusing for many people because that’s not what we have been told traditionally. However, she is getting a lot of support through her social media fans from all parts of the world.

Sophie dreams to prolong her fast to ten days continuously but so far she has only made it to 52 hours.

 

 

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FDA has informed customers about the possible quality concerns associated with specific surgical gowns. Last week, Cardinal Health, a company that manufactures medical devices, released a statement notifying the public regarding the quality concerns related to its Level 3 surgical gowns and the packs used to keep these gowns.

Cardinal Health provides no guarantee regarding the sterility of these surgical gowns and PreSource surgical packs used for them. The company and the Food and Drug Authority have suggested that customers should stop the use of these affected products instantly.

Cardinal Health has collaborated with the FDA for analyzing the origin and effects of these quality concerns. In any health care facility, surgical gowns are found to be beneficial in providing barrier protection and preventing moderate to high risk of contamination.

On the basis of the functioning of their liquid barrier, surgical gowns have been divided into four categories, providing barrier protection of different intensities. Among these, Level 3 surgical gowns are being used in knee replacement or open-heart surgeries, offering moderate risk protection.

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Wearing surgical gowns prevents transmission of particulate matter, body fluids, and microbes, providing protection to not only patients but also health care professionals. FDA and Cardinal Health are working together to deal with quality health concerns related to these products.

They will make an effort to understand the possible impact of these surgical gowns and packs on the users and patients. The team will also identify the particular lots that are affected and their affect on the supply chain.

Right now, FDA is majorly concerned about the potential contamination of Cardinal Health’s medical products and has suggested customers avoid their use. FDA’s spokesperson said that the company would also inform the public about the specific products affected and issue a recall.

The disruption in the supply chain of these products can also affect patient care. In health care facilities like hospitals, this matter may even lead to the cancellation of non-elective surgical treatments. FDA is dedicated to alleviating any harmful effects in the patients as a result of this concern. But currently, there isn’t any evidence regarding the harm caused by this concern.

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Many FDA-approved alternatives for these level 3 surgical gowns are also available in the market that provides protection at the same level. The Food and Drug Administration will proceed with its collaboration with Cardinal Health and warn customers about the impact of these concerns on the supply chain of these medical products and the possible shortages.

FDA motivates healthcare facilities to provide them with data regarding possible or actual supply concerns. The authority’s device shortages mailbox ([email protected]) permits patient, user, organization, or manufacturer to notify FDA of any delay in the product distribution or anticipated shortage.

FDA added that it will keep on monitoring the situation and will keep the public informed of the evolving situation.

About Cardinal Health

Cardinal Health, Inc. is a company that provides healthcare products and services at a global level. It supplies its clinically-proven medical devices and solutions to physician offices, pharmacies, hospitals, clinical laboratories, health systems, and ambulatory surgery centers.

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Type 2 diabetes or adult-onset diabetes is a form of diabetes that causes a high level of glucose in the blood and less sensitivity to insulin (the hormone that draws glucose from the blood to get energy). Weight loss increased thirst, and frequent urination is some common symptoms of Type 2 diabetes.

Current research regarding health reveals that people above the age of sixty-five facing health issues should exercise at least for a minute per. This short span of exercise is sufficient to give health benefits.

In Dundee, researchers from Abertay University observed many people who participated in workout sessions. People of sixty-five to seventy-five years old participated in groups for eight weeks. Each individual of all the groups had been enjoying an idle and settled life without any physical activity.

None of them had been doing workout consistently. Every individual was given a stationary bike and was guided to wheel the bike for about 60 seconds by putting full energy and without taking any break.

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If any of them failed to cycle the bike for a minute would perform the process of SIT (Sprint Interval Training) again.

Researchers found that a weekly workout session was sufficient to control the glucose level in the blood and improve the mobility of the participants. Insulin resistance increases in individuals as they get older and fail to draw glucose out of the blood.

This failure causes many complications like liver and heart problems and may direct to Type 2 diabetes. Physical activity is the best thing to treat type 2 diabetes. Along with exercise, a healthy meal is required to maintain blood glucose levels. Diabetes may lead to kidney problems and nerve pain so physical fitness and activity are required to reduce the chances of diabetes.

Dr. John Babraj found that SIT plays an important role in improving health. SIT enhances the capacity to draw glucose out of blood if completed once or twice a week. Muscles get the required glucose produced from exercise and in turn, a lower glucose level of blood. It not only lowers blood sugar level but also cope with heart complications, lowers blood pressure, reduces cholesterol level, and increases the sensitivity to insulin.

The study revealed that individuals performing SIT twice a week showed a better performance than those who didn’t. Progress was also observed in individuals participating in SIT once a week.

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Many improvements in the general activity to do daily work were observed in the individual participating in STI and differences were assessed in a common occupation like the effectiveness to walk up and downstairs, to open the door, and to do the daily chores.

For people with old age have huge complications because of the loss in the physical functioning of the body, social isolation and it affects the standard of life. Social isolation intentionally declines life standards.

The current researches find that older adults need to participate in the workout. Older people should go for an exercise of moderate intensity every week but it is very hard for older people to complete this task. Dr. Babraj wills to introduce SIT (sprint interval training) in the Government’s physical activity guidelines.

Better acclimatization was observed from both groups participating in STI once and twice a week than the minor changes expected by the researches.

 

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The internet is full of the benefits and dangers of CBD that are often presented side by side. But in between all this, no one should forget the medicinal effects of CBD, especially on women’s health. There is a whole new debate on the safety levels of CBD products for menopausal women. The experts are still working on it but there are so many CBD infused products such as bath salts, lubricants, and vagina suppositories for dryness that people are buying.

Menopause is a difficult stage of every women’s life where her body shows many uncomfortable symptoms and eventually it changes their mood. There are so many products available to ease the symptoms of menopause. Some women take supplements, some go for hormone replacement therapy while a large number of the population relies on conventional remedies, and using CBD for menopause is one of them.

But it is hard to determine if these CBD infused products are safe or not; whether they would ease the menopausal symptoms or not.

Dr. JoAnn V. Pinkerton teaches at the University of Virginia, he says that using CBD for menopause is still an unproven remedy because despite these products being available so easily, there are no clinical trials and safety tests conducted for them. So everyone who is buying these products must know that these CBD infused products are not the first line of treatment for menopause symptoms.

Many medical experts acknowledge the medicinal benefits of CBD but still, it is hard to say that it is completely safe to use. Cannabis or marijuana is a common plant that has certain phytochemicals inside that are well-known for their psychoactive effects. These phytochemicals include tetrahydrocannabinol THC and Cannabidiol (CBD).

THC gives the cannabis plant its traditional “high” effects while CBD is not as psychoactive and doesn’t cause intoxication. This is why CBD-infused products do not make their users high or intoxicated.

There is so much research on CBD oil to show benefits on a number of medical conditions such as epilepsy, pain relief, and addiction treatment. But the information on the benefits of CBD in menopause symptoms is limited.

But there is research-based evidence that suggests the effects of CBD on inflammation and pain. while many women have used these CBD infused products to relieve menopausal symptoms and they are quite happy with their results.

The researchers from the University at Albany collected data on menopausal and postmenopausal women that have used these CBD products to relieve their symptoms within the previous year. The results indicated that a majority of women were satisfied with their experience but these CBD products didn’t relieve “all” symptoms of menopause.

Women shared their most uncomfortable symptoms as muscle pain, irritability, sleeping irregularities, stress, vaginal dryness, bladder problems, etc. using CBD products has relieved many of these problems so CBD does have physiological and psychological benefits on the women.

THC and CBD both are natural anti-inflammatory agents. They ease muscular pain and relieve stress-related disorders. This way they improve the mood and prevents agitation and behavioral changes. Due to its calming effect, the user feels more relaxed and it even regulates the sleeping cycle.

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But even after all these proven benefits, there is not much to predict if CBD infused products are 100% safe for women. Despite the benefits of CBD for menopause, there remain some risks associated with them.

For example, a study on investigating the effects of CBD on epilepsy revealed that many patients experienced worse side effects of it in the form of reduced appetite, abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, and insomnia. Some of them also showed liver problems.

Also, there is a high chance of CBD interacting with other medicines that a user might be taking; for example anti-depressants and sleeping pills. This gap in the regularity of the CBD-infused products would always remain a big safety concern and could only be solved with safety tests of these products.

The post What are the Effects of CBD on Menopause Symptoms? appeared first on Spark Health MD.

The physical and mental health of older people is much better than their age-fellows from the 1990s. This change was observed and explained by a recent study under the Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences at the University of Jyväskylä (Finland).  It revealed that being physically and mentally fit has helped to increase the life expectancy of older adults.

This study analyzed the physical and mental health of people from 45-80 years old range and compared the outcomes to the same age people from 1990s.

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Taina Rantanen, the lead researcher of this study says that they used different performance-based measures to see how these older people do their routine tasks. Then they evaluated the effects of these measurements on their cognitive health.

Among all participants, different factors such as speech, speed, verbal communication, memory, and everything is much better than thirty years ago. These people are more physically and mentally fit than people who are older than 80 years old. But some factors such as the lungs test were studied without identifying the differences in these cohorts.

An overall increase in the body size of these people and increased physical stamina ensures good walking speed as compared to people who were born before these people. among the highly significant underlying factors in these differences was the longer education.

A bigger body size increased age expectancy and improve physical and mental health all are much better than other older people who were born before these people. It shows that these people have grown up with a little different environment as compared to older adults 30 years ago.

There are many things that have changed, for example, better dietary habits, improved healthcare system, better education, accessibility to health and education, and much more productive life.

The increased life expectancy not only means more years to life but also shows better health. This observation is accompanied by the least chances of getting sick, better treatment facilities, and overall improved life.

Also read- Man Filing a Lawsuit Against Starbucks For Potentially Burning His Genitals with Steaming Hot Tea

This study produces unique results because there is not much evidence on how the older generation is different from their counterparts of a few years ago. It may also give a feeling that understanding a person’s old age is somewhat old-fashioned which is considered to be lazy, sick, and vulnerable.

From the researchers’ point of view, the old age doesn’t always mean weak, sick, and bed-ridden. The situation is pretty much changed after the improved lifestyle, better food availability, healthcare system, and changed parameters. Right now, two entirely opposite things are happening together; one is that life expectancy is increasing. And second, the number of old people is also increasing.

 

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Tommy Piluyev, a 24 years old man is filing a lawsuit against Starbucks, the international coffee giant as a defect in their cups reportedly burnt this man’s genitals. The guy ordered hot tea at Starbucks which had a temperature of almost 100C but this tea was spilled due to the defect in the cap while he was sitting in his car. This incident took place in Roseville, California, making him suffer second-grade burns.

Tommy picked a take away order and while he was receiving his ordered tea, a sufficient amount of the tea leaked on his body while he was still seated in the car. His lawsuit explains the tremendous intensity of pain that he suffered that he eventually chooses to park his car nearby, take off his trousers, and see how the tea has burnt his genitals.

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He calls this experience excruciating as getting naked and sex is extremely awkward and somehow painful for him after this incidence. The skin discoloration caused by the tea spill has affected his genitals as well as thighs, affecting his confidence.

The father of one is a resident of California who was immediately rushed to a hospital for the burns. The lawyers report that he had to spend 11 days in the hospital for getting his burns treated, learning to function normally.

This incident took place two years ago back in October 2018. Piluyev and his wife Liudmila Maftey are together in this lawsuit against Starbucks as well as the cup making company named “Pactiv Packaging” for the negligence charges along with the product liability charges.

Piluyev ordered two grande of the honey citrus mint teas from the Starbucks drive-thru located in the Roseville near Sacramento.

The lawsuit says that Piluyev experienced severe burnt injuries after the lid almost missed its seal and dislodged from the cup.  The tea was directly spilled on the hand of the Piluyev and burnt his hands, belly, and pelvis.

While his car was still in the drive-thru it wasn’t possible for him to rush out of the car so he rushed the car and stopped by the nearest parking lot.  The hospital where he went for getting the emergency care for blisters that showed up on his stomach, penis, thighs, scrotum, and peritoneum.

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There are photos of him admitted to the hospital while receiving the treatment for the burnt wounds.

The lawsuit explains Piluyev to be suffering from the intravenous pain along with huge blisters that require intensive care. His condition made him dependent upon other people even for the smallest things including the personal grooming and cleaning as he was even unable to move his fingers.

After he was discharged from the hospital, his wife was taking care of him for five months, after which he was finally able to walk and take care of himself. Piluyev reports that his condition has made sex extremely painful for him and he doesn’t even feel confident about himself. He is also not able to do other things that he once enjoyed especially playing the piano after getting these second-degree burns.

 

 

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The scientists are infecting the laboratory monkeys with a lethal strain of coronavirus for the purpose of testing an experimental antiviral drug. The research team at the United States National Institutes of Health has tested this experimental drug against viral infections on 18 rhesus macaques. 

For the first time, this experimental antiviral drug was developed against Ebola. The team of researchers infected all the laboratory monkeys with MERS-CoV (Middle East respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus). 

The outbreak of this deadly strain of coronavirus has affected nearly 80,000 individuals and led to a death toll of almost 2,600. The research team has analyzed the outcomes in laboratory monkeys after they received the experimental antiviral drug – redeliver.

The results indicated that signs of MERS disease (infection caused by MERS-CoV) were present in all the monkeys that didn’t receive redeliver. The experts in this field observed that signs of this infection were present in six control monkeys. These signs involved an increased rate of respiration, ruffled fur, and decreased appetite.

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Besides this, another finding of this study suggests that any sort of symptoms regarding respiratory disease were absent in the six monkeys who received redeliver 24 hours before getting infected with this deadly MERS-CoV. 

On the contrary, the signs of disease were present in the lab monkeys that were given this experimental antiviral drug almost 12 hours after scientists infected them with this lethal virus. But still, the signs of disease, in this case, were much less than that of the control group. The viral content in the lungs decreases with a decrease in disease severity. 

The scientists expect that this drug would also be effective in tackling SARS-CoV-2, because of its structural resemblance with MERS-CoV. The cases of this deadly virus have extended from China to 30 other countries. This deadly virus (COVID-19) has infected above 20,000 patients, whereas, the death toll has reached 2,600.

In 2020, MERS-CoV was reported in Saudi Arabia for the first time. Its symptoms involve diarrhea, cough, and fever. But the cases weren’t limited to countries like UK, USA, and UAE. According to a statement given by the researchers at the National Institute of health, MERS-CoV has resemblance with 2019-nCoV.

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In the past, this new experimental antiviral drug – Remdesivir was being used for providing protection to the laboratory animals against different viruses used in lab experiments. In this recent experimental trial, this new drug has been found to be effective in the treatment of Ebola and Nipah viruses. 

Originally, this plant-related drug was freely available for its testing. And at least two trials of the drug,  that was developed for Ebola treatment, are known to be enough. These motivating results of the study have been presented in a prestigious medical journal, that is also known as The New England Journal of Medicine.

In laboratories, the monkeys were being used as lab animals for the treatment of test vaccines and drugs, and are preferred because of their resemblance with the chimpanzee. The study also suggests that Remdesivir performs its antiviral function and block proteins.

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The novel coronavirus is spreading like anything while there is still no conclusive research on it. The transmission of this virus has been a question from the beginning of the pandemic. As it seems like the only way to prevent coronavirus is to “avoid” it. The new study assumes mobile phones and smartwatches can predict coronavirus in a person using his basic data.

Duke University is trying to investigate this virus which is now global. The identification of its spread program “CovIdentify” has more than 4000 international members, all working to predict the virus’s progression.

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This study highlights the role of common electronic devices like mobile phones and smartwatches to identify coronavirus in a user. By saying that these electronic devices are helpful min identifying means to know if the user of these devices has coronavirus.

Dr. Jessilyn Dunn, a researcher, and teacher from Duke University says that these devices can predict accurate data. Whenever a person gets into a healthcare facility, he knows some basic symptoms and information which is also achievable form his devices.

Instead of relying on self-reported cases, it is high time to find a more advanced system to predict coronavirus in a person. Testing everyone independently takes so much time, effort, and resources. Sometimes it reduces the chances of diagnosis for a person who is actually in need of a diagnosis. In the worst case, these vulnerable people can lose their lives while other people receive a negative coronavirus report.

Testing the entire population is only a preference when there is control over this virus. But testing people randomly which may or may not have coronavirus and leaving other, highly susceptible people without testing is not a wise thing. In this regard, a little help from technology seems like a new hope.

This study has initially used online participants only. These participants answered questions that were a part of the CovIdentify study. But now, the research team has developed the CovIdentify phone app which all enrolled people can download and use.

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This study aims to find whether or not the phone and smartphone data can predict coronavirus or not. Even if it does, how much severe can it go for the individual user? All that it takes is to answer two questions every day for at least 12 months.

The researchers request everyone to open up and play a role in learning how to improve coronavirus testing and diagnosis. This is the only way to save people from extreme stages of coronavirus.

Anyone can sign up and be a part of this project. All that takes is to download the app on any electronic device i.e. phone, laptop, etc. The app asks two questions every day which needs accurate answers. Based on responses, the research team will soon come up with interesting results that could help to predict coronavirus in people.

 

 

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Having a tough time recognizing people behind a face mask? Facial recognition algorithms are finding it difficult too. As politicians and doctors are struggling to convince people to take the smallest of precautions against the virus by wearing a face mask, the department of homeland security is concerned that face masks are breaking facial recognition algorithms of the police. A study published by an agency showed that even the best facial recognition systems have an error rate of 5% to 50% when identifying masked faces.

The continuous threat of the coronavirus and its rapid spread around the globe has created a barrier in facial recognition’s global expansion as everyone is covering their faces. Even before the pandemic in so-called ideal conditions facial recognition technologies struggled with their accuracy and have a miserable record when identifying faces that are other than male or white. It can be said that the pandemic has given the police a brand-new crisis.

This mask problem is the reason that Apple has made it easier by enabling its users to unlock their iPhones without using Face ID. The algorithms that facial companies use rely significantly on facial markers around the nose, mouth, and eyes. However, while wearing face masks the mouth, nose, and majority of the chin and cheek are covered which makes it difficult to identify any person. The companies are now trying to upgrade their algorithms so that they can solely focus on identifiable markers around the eyes.

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The study conducted by the US National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) examined the algorithms which were created before the coronavirus pandemic and now the researchers are assessing ways in which the effectiveness of the algorithms in detecting masked individuals can be improved.

NIST conducted a test of various software by drawing masks on the photos of people from a trove of border crossing photos. These were uploaded into facial recognition technologies together with unmasked photos from the same source. The agency scanned nearly 6 million images of 1 million people by making use of around 89 algorithms supplied by academic labs and tech firms.

NIST’s study shows that if the conditions are ideal the rate of failure is around 0.3 percent for the best recognition systems. However, this figure varies on the basis of a person’s race, age, and gender, and with a mask the failure rate increases to 5%.

Even before this pandemic governments of some countries were pursuing the technology that is capable of recognizing people trying to conceal their faces behind a mask. Face masks become a trademark for the protestors in Hong Kong because of fears of being arrested if they were identified and also to protect themselves against tear gas. Due to this the government of Hong Kong imposed a ban last year on face masks at all the public gatherings and if the protestors refused to remove the mask on police’s orders, they would have faced a potential jail term of 6 months.

Privacy Activists are looking for creative ways to conceal their faces. In London, artists who were not in favor of high surveillance, in an attempt to fail face detection systems, painted their faces with geometric shapes. Then as the covid19 outbreak came the health experts around the globe started encouraging people to wear masks covering nose and mouse.

NIST’s study shows that the way in which people wear masks and what masks they wear has a big impact on facial recognition systems. The results are unsurprising as the more facial features covered the harder it is for the system to recognize.

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