• It’s practically impossible to find medical-grade face masks like N95 masks anywhere right now for protection against the novel coronavirus.
• Even if you can find N95 masks or surgical masks in stock somewhere, it’s grossly irresponsible to buy them because there’s still a cripple shortage at hospitals and other healthcare facilities.
• You can and should still protect yourself when you have to go out, and Amazon now has key supplies back in stock for one of the quickest and simplest DIY coronavirus face mask plans out there.
• Visit BGR’s homepage for more stories.

You know the basic DIY face mask plans you’ve seen all over the internet that teach you how to make simple DIY cotton face masks? Those are okay, and in some regions around the world doctors and nurses have been told to cover their faces with any available items like t-shirts and scarves because anything is better than nothing. Still, those masks aren’t going to help you if you come in contact with any meaningful amount of the virus. You’ll need much better masks that actually have the ability to filter out microscopic particles floating in the air.

In the medical community, doctors and nurses use surgical masks or NIOSH-certified N95 masks to protect themselves against bacteria and viruses like the novel coronavirus. Unfortunately, there’s still a major shortage of medical-grade masks right now so you almost certainly won’t be able to find any to purchase. Even if you do find some, it would be grossly irresponsible to buy them yourself because the healthcare industry has a much greater need for PPE like N95 masks. So what are you supposed to do to protect yourself?

We recently came across a fantastic video that will show you how to make a DIY face mask that is much more effective than those basic masks you’ve seen plans for online. What’s more, you don’t need to sew at all and you also don’t need any hard-to-get supplies. Most of what you’ll use to make these masks is already lying around your house, and the two supplies you don’t already have are readily available now that they’re back in stock at Amazon.

First, you’ll need a MERV 13 Pleated Air Filter. If the one linked there is sold out, try this search — any well-reviewed air filer with a MERV 13 rating (nothing lower) will suffice. You’ll also need to get some Carbon Pad Charcoal Sheets for Air Filters.

Aerostar Home Max 12x12x1 MERV 13 Pleated Air Filter Made in the USA Captures Virus Particles,…: $32.52

Breathe Naturally Universal 16×48 Cut-to-Fit Activated Carbon Filter (4 Pack) Charcoal Air Filt…: $29.99

Here’s the full list of supplies and materials you’ll need:

• Old T-shirt or leggings
• MERV 13 Filter (to filter small particles)
• Activated Carbon Sheet (to filter small particles and reduce odor)
• Maxi Pad or Sterile Gauze Pad (to wick moisture away from your mouth)
• Vinegar (to help kill bacteria and viruses)
• Glue Gun and Glue Sticks

It’s actually a very smart DIY and while it’s likely not quite as effective as a true N95 face mask, it should be more than enough to protect you from becoming infected with COVID-19 or from infecting others as long as you continue to practice social distancing. Here’s the full video with the tutorial that shows you how to make the masks:

Aerostar Home Max 12x12x1 MERV 13 Pleated Air Filter Made in the USA Captures Virus Particles,…: $32.52

Breathe Naturally Universal 16×48 Cut-to-Fit Activated Carbon Filter (4 Pack) Charcoal Air Filt…: $29.99

More of today’s best deals

Get 3 Months of Amazon Music Unlimited For Free: FREE

Fire TV Stick 4K streaming device with Alexa built in, Ultra HD, Dolby Vision, includes the Ale…: $24.99 (use code 4KFIRETV)

Fire TV Stick 4K streaming device with Alexa built in, Ultra HD, Dolby Vision, includes the Ale…: Buy two, get a $20 Amazon credit

Apple AirPods Pro: $249.00

Apple AirPods with Charging Case: $129.98

Apple AirPods with Wireless Charging Case: $169.00

Anker Wireless Charger, PowerWave Pad 10W Max Qi-Certified Fast Charging for iPhone 11, 11 Pro,…: $8.99

Instant Pot Smart WiFi 8-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker, Slow Cooker, Rice Cooker, Steamer, Saut…: $104.99

Ring Video Doorbell Pro with Echo Show 5 (Charcoal): $259.00

Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless Noise Canceling Over Ear Headphones with Voice Assistant, Black (WH-10…: $298.00

Högtalare – The Most Dynamic Wireless HiFi Speaker, Great Hi-Fi Sound, IKEA Compatible (Blue B…: $349.00

SYLVANIA General Lighting 74765 A19 Efficient 8.5W Soft White 2700K 60W Equivalent A29 LED Ligh…: $23.46 ($0.98 each)

BISSELL ICONpet Cordless with Tangle Free Brushroll, SmartSeal Filtration, Lightweight Stick Ha…: $199.00

Today’s Top Deals

1. DIY coronavirus face masks: Key supplies back in stock at Amazon
2. Today’s best deals: Fire TV Stick 4K at all-time low, $8 smart bulbs, $9 wireless charger, $42 AirPods killers, more
3. Today’s top deals: Massive Anker sale, $25 Fire TV Stick 4K, $14 headphones, $5 Alexa smart plugs, $20 home cam, more

Trending Right Now:

1. Coronavirus could hit your state harder for a reason you wouldn’t expect
2. AI tool finds 3 coronavirus signs that often lead to a severe case
3. Researchers finally explained the weirdest coronavirus symptom

DIY coronavirus face masks: Key supplies back in stock at Amazon originally appeared on BGR.com on Thu, 2 Apr 2020 at 08:09:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read more here:: Boy Genius Report

• A new study shows that carriers of novel coronavirus can spread the infections before the usual COVID-19 symptoms appear.
• The study echoes earlier findings from late January when some officials said the virus might spread before the onset of symptoms. Those findings were disputed at the time.
• Medical professionals should take into account the possibility of presymptomatic transmission when conducting contact tracing.
• Visit BGR’s homepage for more stories.

Reports in late January said that the novel coronavirus was spreading before the onset of symptoms. That was a shocking development at the time. Back then, there were less than 3,000 confirmed cases, and most of them located in China. Less than a week later, nearly 25,000 cases were registered, but public officials were saying that virus transmission wasn’t possible before symptoms appear. Fast-forward to present-day, we have nearly one million cases in the world, and the death toll is pushing 50,000. And the CDC just published a study that says presymptomatic COVID-19 patients can spread the disease.

Continue reading…

Today’s Top Deals

1. Today’s best deals: Fire TV Stick 4K at all-time low, $8 smart bulbs, $9 wireless charger, $42 AirPods killers, more
2. Today’s top deals: Massive Anker sale, $25 Fire TV Stick 4K, $14 headphones, $5 Alexa smart plugs, $20 home cam, more
3. Hurry and you can get Sony’s $230 AirPods Pro killers for $119

Trending Right Now:

1. Researchers finally explained the weirdest coronavirus symptom
2. Coronavirus could hit your state harder for a reason you wouldn’t expect
3. AI tool finds 3 coronavirus signs that often lead to a severe case

CDC says coronavirus transmission can occur before the onset of symptoms originally appeared on BGR.com on Thu, 2 Apr 2020 at 07:44:23 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read more here:: Boy Genius Report

Over the years, there have been plenty of fad diets that pop up and you’ll hear from a friend or two that you “have to try it.” Sure, some diets work for some people, but there’s a lot more that goes into losing weight than just eating a particular type of food or slashing your food intake in general. Many people struggle with this and there’s no shame in that. There are even more people who don’t want to give up the foods they love altogether. With Noom, they aren’t here to tell you you’re never allowed to eat your favorite sweets. They are focused on the bigger picture.

Noom is a program created for long-term results by teaching you better eating habits and changing your behaviors, not to tell you you can’t have a piece of cake. I’ve been using Noom for seven weeks now and have really been impressed by the experience. From the get-go, the process is very simple as you answer some initial questions about your eating habits, physical abilities, gender, and age. You even get to choose between a slow and fast dieting plan, in case you want to shed some weight quickly for a special occasion. You get to pick how long you want your plan to be and what you want your ultimate goals to be, whether you want to get fit or lose weight.

The day-to-day is very positive and reinforcing, as they use food science and psychology to better map out a weight loss plan for you. Noom’s eating program is focused on caloric density, which boils down to which foods have higher nutrients to fill you up. The plan is broken down into three categories: green, yellow, or red foods. Green foods have the most nutrients and the least amount of calories to fill you up (like vegetables, fruits, whole grains), while yellow has more calories and fewer nutrients (like lean meats, legumes, and low-fat dairy). Red is the highest calorie foods with lower nutrients. The first thing that surprised me was foods that I didn’t expect to be red were red, like cereal, but it makes sense because they aren’t overly filling.

Something that I’ve found myself really doing more of is paying attention to serving size. I know that’s a basic part of any weight loss plan, but it’s never something I did a lot of. Measuring out cups and tablespoons of ingredients helped me keep an eye on my caloric intake. Noom has you weigh yourself every morning and there are some wild swings day to day when it comes to weight, something I also never realized. Any time you eat anything, you’re supposed to track it, which can feel like a chore, but it does help with mapping out your day’s eating. If you have some spare calories, you know you can fit dessert in later.

Each day has about 10 minutes or so of reading that helps explain healthy habits and how to change your overall behavior when it comes to eating. It comes in a checklist fashion, so once you’ve finished one, it moves you onto the next topic. But you can always revisit and even bookmark your favorite lessons. There are plenty of quizzes throughout the week as well, to make sure that you’re doing the reading. While that may sound like homework, they are all informative and useful in your daily life.

There is support available to you throughout your time using Noom, as you are assigned a Goal Specialist right away who can talk through how the program is working for you. Your Goal Specialist will check in with you and answer questions you may have about the program, as well as continue to work with you through your plan. One thing that should be noted is that Goal Specialist aren’t really available to you 24/7, only during business hours, and they aren’t always the quickest at getting back to you. But after a few weeks of the program, you are placed into a support group with other Noom users and you can share what’s been working for you and where you are struggling. There is a Group Coach who oversees the discussions and begins them each day. It can be a great place to see how other people are using the program and picking up helpful tips and tricks. It’s there for positive reinforcement.

I found that tracking your food can be easy as well as difficult at times. You can scan the barcode of your food for it to come up in the food tracker but there have been numerous occasions where I’ve scanned a barcode and Noom didn’t have the food in their library. You can add the food to help Noom, but if you eat that food more than once in a few days, you’ll have to add it multiple times. But any recognized foods that you type in or scan will show up if it’s a green, yellow, or red food. You’ll also be able to log your food in different measurements like tablespoons, cups, or ounces, or even handfuls for things like nuts or popcorn. If you are getting food from a restaurant, Noom does a good job of just having a general estimate of how much something like chicken marsala would register on the tracker, rather than breaking down each ingredient. You can also create custom dishes and save them, if they are going to be something you eat frequently, like a smoothie.

As the program progresses, Noom will also start offering exercises and activities you can do to help you stay fit. You can choose what kind of workout you want (cardio, weight training, etc.) and Noom will cater your workouts to your preference. Every day your steps will be tracked, made easier if you have the Noom app for your smartphone, as it will follow your literal footsteps. Being given different exercises is a nice perk, as many people don’t want to have to pay for both a gym membership and a dieting program. Noom is offering a 14-day trial, which you can cancel at any time. If you want to keep using it after that, it is $59 a month or there are auto-recurring payments that you can opt-in for like an annual fee of $199.

While using Noom, I’ve lost 17 pounds and am on my way to getting to my goals. I’ve found that it has been helpful for me, especially when it comes to planning out my calories each day. It will not work for everyone, especially those who don’t want to commit to keeping track of every meal of their life. But I’ve seen improvements through my overall health and over 50 million users have as well. If you’re looking for a new way to look at weight loss, Noom can be that fresh respective.

Today’s Top Deals

1. Today’s best deals: Fire TV Stick 4K at all-time low, $8 smart bulbs, $9 wireless charger, $42 AirPods killers, more
2. Today’s top deals: Massive Anker sale, $25 Fire TV Stick 4K, $14 headphones, $5 Alexa smart plugs, $20 home cam, more
3. Hurry and you can get Sony’s $230 AirPods Pro killers for $119

Trending Right Now:

1. Researchers finally explained the weirdest coronavirus symptom
2. Coronavirus could hit your state harder for a reason you wouldn’t expect
3. AI tool finds 3 coronavirus signs that often lead to a severe case

Noom shows there’s science and plenty of help to aid in weight loss originally appeared on BGR.com on Thu, 2 Apr 2020 at 07:19:39 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read more here:: Boy Genius Report

• Intel unveiled a brand new version of its 10th-gen processors, the Comet Lake H-series CPUs made for gaming laptops that clock up to 5.3GHz.
• Nvidia unveiled the brand new GeForce 2080 Super and 2070 SUPER for laptops, which will power several new gaming machines this spring.
• Several gaming laptops, including Asus, Gigabyte, Lenovo, MSI, and Razer, announced new hardware that features the latest CPU and GPU upgrades.
• Visit BGR’s homepage for more stories.

If you were shopping for a powerful laptop that could meet both your work and gaming needs, especially now that you’re working for home, then you’re in luck. Intel and Nvidia announced new components that helped laptop makers create the most powerful gaming laptops ever. We’re looking at Intel’s 10th-gen Comet Lake H chips that bring 5GHz chips to notebooks, and Nvidia’s new GeForce RTX 2080 Super and 2070 Super for laptops. On top of that, several device makers, including Asus, Gigabyte, Lenovo, MSI, and Razer, announced new gaming laptops of their own.

Continue reading…

Today’s Top Deals

1. Today’s best deals: Fire TV Stick 4K at all-time low, $8 smart bulbs, $9 wireless charger, $42 AirPods killers, more
2. Today’s top deals: Massive Anker sale, $25 Fire TV Stick 4K, $14 headphones, $5 Alexa smart plugs, $20 home cam, more
3. Hurry and you can get Sony’s $230 AirPods Pro killers for $119

Trending Right Now:

1. Researchers finally explained the weirdest coronavirus symptom
2. Coronavirus could hit your state harder for a reason you wouldn’t expect
3. AI tool finds 3 coronavirus signs that often lead to a severe case

New 5GHz Intel chips and Nvidia RTX Super GPUs power massive upgrade cycle for gaming laptops originally appeared on BGR.com on Thu, 2 Apr 2020 at 06:50:33 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read more here:: Boy Genius Report

• Scientists say astronaut pee could be a vital ingredient in building structures on the Moon.
• Urea, found in urine, can be used to help bind loose lunar material into more rigid shapes, potentially opening the door to semi-permanent lunar “homes” for NASA’s space travelers.
• Visit BGR’s homepage for more stories.

NASA could turn astronaut pee into construction material that could be used for any number of things, including makeshift homes, according to a new study. Building structures on the Moon is going to be important if we hope to establish a long-term presence there, but sending building materials from Earth is terribly inefficient and would be an incredible investment that NASA simply can’t make.

The space agency is determined to send humans back to the lunar surface and it wants to do it sooner rather than later. The current plan is to have astronauts on the Moon by 2024, and while the current global health crisis is threatening to delay much of NASA’s ongoing work, that date still stands.

Continue reading…

Today’s Top Deals

1. Today’s best deals: Fire TV Stick 4K at all-time low, $8 smart bulbs, $9 wireless charger, $42 AirPods killers, more
2. Today’s top deals: Massive Anker sale, $25 Fire TV Stick 4K, $14 headphones, $5 Alexa smart plugs, $20 home cam, more
3. Hurry and you can get Sony’s $230 AirPods Pro killers for $119

Trending Right Now:

1. Coronavirus could hit your state harder for a reason you wouldn’t expect
2. An erectile dysfunction drug might improve critical coronavirus cases
3. AI tool finds 3 coronavirus signs that often lead to a severe case

NASA could turn astronaut pee into Moon bases originally appeared on BGR.com on Wed, 1 Apr 2020 at 23:03:46 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read more here:: Boy Genius Report

• ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’ star Larry David recorded a Facebook video this week urging people to follow social distancing guidelines.
• The coronavirus still has much of the country on lockdown, but not everyone is keen on staying in the house.
• The coronavirus death tally is almost at 45,000 people worldwide and the race for a vaccine remains ongoing.
• Visit BGR’s homepage for more stories.

For reasons that seem to defy explanation, not everyone in the US is keen on adhering to social distancing guidelines. From spring breakers who flooded Florida beaches this month to a Florida pastor who recently held services for hundreds of congregants, a lot of people seem to be underestimating the severity of the coronavirus pandemic.

And while it may seem that this is nothing more than an issue in Florida, the reality is that many states have been dealing with folks who have an open disregard for social distancing. Just last week, for example, Chicago officially closed down its city parks and beaches because people were out there en masse enjoying some unusually nice weather.

Continue reading…

Today’s Top Deals

1. Today’s best deals: Fire TV Stick 4K at all-time low, $8 smart bulbs, $9 wireless charger, $42 AirPods killers, more
2. Hurry and you can get Sony’s $230 AirPods Pro killers for $119
3. Today’s top deals: Massive Anker sale, $25 Fire TV Stick 4K, $14 headphones, $5 Alexa smart plugs, $20 home cam, more

Trending Right Now:

1. Coronavirus could hit your state harder for a reason you wouldn’t expect
2. AI tool finds 3 coronavirus signs that often lead to a severe case
3. AT&T adds another freebie to help customers stay connected during the coronavirus crisis

Larry David blasts ‘idiots’ who aren’t social distancing in coronavirus PSA originally appeared on BGR.com on Wed, 1 Apr 2020 at 22:04:13 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read more here:: Boy Genius Report

• Sony and Microsoft have announced the free PS4 and Xbox One games been given away in April.
• PlayStation Plus subscribers can get their hands on Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End and Dirt Rally 2.0.
• Xbox Live Gold subscribers are being gifted Project Cars 2 and the Knights of Pen and Paper bundle on Xbox One, as well as Fable Anniversary and Toybox Turbos on Xbox 360.
• Visit BGR’s homepage for more stories.

The selections of free games for PlayStation Plus and Xbox Live Gold subscribers vary in quality from month to month, but now that we’re all stuck inside due to the coronavirus pandemic, any free content is welcome. Thankfully, there are some great free games on offer this month, most of which would be worth adding to your library even if you were allowed to go outside. Read on to see all of the free PS4 and Xbox One games available in April.

Continue reading…

Today’s Top Deals

1. Today’s best deals: Fire TV Stick 4K at all-time low, $8 smart bulbs, $9 wireless charger, $42 AirPods killers, more
2. Today’s top deals: Massive Anker sale, $25 Fire TV Stick 4K, $14 headphones, $5 Alexa smart plugs, $20 home cam, more
3. Hurry and you can get Sony’s $230 AirPods Pro killers for $119

Trending Right Now:

1. Coronavirus could hit your state harder for a reason you wouldn’t expect
2. AT&T adds another freebie to help customers stay connected during the coronavirus crisis
3. AI tool finds 3 coronavirus signs that often lead to a severe case

All the free PS4 and Xbox One games you can get in April originally appeared on BGR.com on Wed, 1 Apr 2020 at 21:05:42 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read more here:: Boy Genius Report

• NASA hid a coded message on its Mars Perseverance rover, and internet sleuths quickly picked up on it.
• On the aluminum plate attached to the rover, an etching of the Sun includes “rays” that are actually morse code.
• The message reads “Explore As One.”
• Visit BGR’s homepage for more stories.

NASA’s Mars 2020 mission will include a secret coded message that no extraterrestrial life form — or most humans, for that matter — can read. The quaint message is etched into an aluminum plate that is affixed to the side of the rover itself, and it sits alongside the trio of tiny chips that hold the names of almost 11 million science fans here on Earth.

NASA first released images of the plate in celebration of the names being added to the rover, but sharp-eyed science fans quickly realized that there was something special hiding in the intricate design of the aluminum plate. Now, NASA is formally acknowledging the addition of the slogan “Explore As One,” which is written in Morse code on the plate.

Continue reading…

Today’s Top Deals

1. Today’s best deals: Fire TV Stick 4K at all-time low, $8 smart bulbs, $9 wireless charger, $42 AirPods killers, more
2. Hurry and you can get Sony’s $230 AirPods Pro killers for $119
3. Today’s top deals: Massive Anker sale, $25 Fire TV Stick 4K, $14 headphones, $5 Alexa smart plugs, $20 home cam, more

Trending Right Now:

1. Coronavirus could hit your state harder for a reason you wouldn’t expect
2. AT&T adds another freebie to help customers stay connected during the coronavirus crisis
3. AI tool finds 3 coronavirus signs that often lead to a severe case

NASA’s Perseverance rover will carry a secret message to Mars originally appeared on BGR.com on Wed, 1 Apr 2020 at 20:06:08 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read more here:: Boy Genius Report

• Churchgoers in Louisiana keep attending a pastor’s service defying local orders that prevent social gatherings bigger than 10 people.
• The pastor says they’ll continue to meet despite coronavirus regulations set in place to limit the spread of the deadly virus.
• This is just the latest example in a series of religion-related events that can increase the spread of the virus.
• Visit BGR’s homepage for more stories.

We have the means of fighting off the novel coronavirus, and the virus can be killed. You don’t have to be a doctor to prevent a COVID-19 infection – all you have to do is keep washing your hands and avoid touching your face. Social distancing is just as important. Stay at home for as long as possible and forget about going to church for service. Not only are such gatherings banned in many places, but they might get you killed. Yet churchgoers in Louisiana are a lot like the defiant spring breakers from Florida who kept partying despite warnings.

Continue reading…

Today’s Top Deals

1. Today’s best deals: Fire TV Stick 4K at all-time low, $8 smart bulbs, $9 wireless charger, $42 AirPods killers, more
2. Today’s best deals: $9 wireless charger, Fire TV Stick deals, UV phone sanitizers, $20 home camera, Fitbit sale, more
3. Hurry and you can get Sony’s $230 AirPods Pro killers for $119

Trending Right Now:

1. Coronavirus could hit your state harder for a reason you wouldn’t expect
2. Coronavirus update: Here’s an estimate of when the worst will hit your state
3. AT&T adds another freebie to help customers stay connected during the coronavirus crisis

Churchgoers in Louisiana continue to gather and risk coronavirus infection originally appeared on BGR.com on Wed, 1 Apr 2020 at 19:07:06 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read more here:: Boy Genius Report

• The timing is coincidental, but the two main actors from the NBC comedy Scrubs about a group of fictional doctors have just launched a rewatch podcast, right at the moment when the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic is responsible for millions of people being quarantined at home and needing to find ways to stay entertained.
• The conceit of Fake Doctors, Real Friends is similar to that of the recently launched Office Ladies podcast. Hosts Zach Braff and Donald Faison will go episode-by-episode, sharing stories, memories, and behind-the-scenes antics.
• Visit BGR’s homepage for more stories.

Just in time for a global pandemic that’s got most of us quarantined at home and struggling to entertain ourselves, the two real-life best friends who played a doctor and a surgeon on the hit NBC sitcom Scrubs have launched a rewatch podcast called Fake Doctors, Real Friends.

Zach Braff and Donald Faison played J.D. and Chris Turk, respectively, on the show, and they’ll be hosting a podcast that amounts to what Braff has described as the equivalent of DVD commentary. The first episode of the podcast is available now on the major podcast platforms, and its focus is the pilot of the series about all the goings-on inside the fictional Sacred Heart Hospital that aired its final episode a decade ago.

Continue reading…

Today’s Top Deals

1. Today’s best deals: Fire TV Stick 4K at all-time low, $8 smart bulbs, $9 wireless charger, $42 AirPods killers, more
2. Hurry and you can get Sony’s $230 AirPods Pro killers for $119
3. Today’s best deals: $9 wireless charger, Fire TV Stick deals, UV phone sanitizers, $20 home camera, Fitbit sale, more

Trending Right Now:

1. Coronavirus could hit your state harder for a reason you wouldn’t expect
2. Coronavirus update: Here’s an estimate of when the worst will hit your state
3. AT&T adds another freebie to help customers stay connected during the coronavirus crisis

Put this new ‘Scrubs’ podcast from Zach Braff and Donald Faison on your quarantine playlist originally appeared on BGR.com on Wed, 1 Apr 2020 at 18:38:05 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read more here:: Boy Genius Report