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Tips To Help You Fall Asleep Faster

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Going to sleep effortlessly is ideal, but sometimes that’s easier said than done.

Going to bed is awesome for anyone over the age of 15. Once the lure of staying awake is muted by how delicious it is to lose consciousness for long stretches of time, a nap and a full night of rest are things that are kind of priceless. Sadly, the older you get, the more likely it is for you to have trouble sleeping, whether that’s because of a full schedule or a restless mind. It is tough, but here are some tips to help you fall asleep faster.

No matter if you have trouble sleeping or if you have a regular schedule, we could all use tips on how to sleep faster and with more ease. Sleep is a cycle and so is trouble sleeping; the more you lay awake in bed, the more likely it is for this to happen on consecutive nights. Sleep is also something that can be influenced by everything from your state of mind, to your physical health and the state of the world.

Even if we know how good and helpful sleep is, it’s easy to undermine it. Sleep helps our bodies clear the toxins that build up in our systems, helps consolidate memories, and plays a key role in preventing depression, high blood pressure, diabetes, and more.

It’s all about sleep hygiene

Sleep hygiene can be described as the ritual you have before going to bed. While some people can have a coffee at 9 p.m. and sleep like a rock, most people need to be careful. Try to set a bedtime routine, much like your waking routine. Go through the same steps every night, like showering, putting on your PJs, brushing your teeth, etc..

Limit your naps

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Naps are awesome, providing you with a midday boost that can help you complete your day successfully. But, if you’re experiencing trouble sleeping at night, it’s important to prioritize and realize that night sleeping is more important than day sleeping, providing you with more physical and mental health benefits. If you can’t run without your naps, limit them to 30 minutes at time.

Control the use of your electronics

A lot of people like to go to bed after checking their phone or maybe with the TV playing in the background, which lulls them to sleep. While this is effective and can even become a part of a bed time routine, these cues of light can signal your body to stay awake. Limit your consumption of electronics about an hour before your bedtime.

Limit caffeine and alcohol 

Should You Mix CBD With Your Morning Coffee?
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The pandemic has thrown our routines out of whack, forcing many of us work from home and eliminating our regular schedules that clearly delineated weekdays and weekends. It’s easy to have coffee and alcohol at strange times of the day, which only confuses our bodies even. more. While alcohol can make us feel sleepy, it makes it tough to stay asleep or to sleep deeply. Minimize your coffee consumption throughout the day and try to set some parameters when it comes to alcohol.

Stretch before bed

Physical movement is a double-edged sword when it comes to sleep. While vigorous movement before bed can make you feel awake, light stretches can encourage deep breathing, relaxation and a deep connection to your body.

Pelosi Says Cannabis A Therapy Proven Successful

A provision that would protect banks working with cannabis businesses has caused serious tension between Democrats and Republicans.

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi defended the decision to include cannabis banking protections in the Democrats’ latest coronavirus stimulus bill, following strong criticisms by Republicans. Her reason? Pelosi says cannabis a therapy proven successful during the pandemic.  As part of the $3 trillion stimulus bill, the provision would allow legal marijuana businesses to access banking services.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell attacked the provision earlier this week, saying it wasn’t “directly related” to the coronavirus response. Pelosi responded to those charges Friday and what she called “misrepresentation” in the Republicans’ proposed relief package.

“I don’t agree with you that cannabis is not related to this,” Pelosi said at a Friday press conference. “This is a therapy that has proven successful.”

RELATED: Congress Approves CBD Use For Military Members

Pelosi didn’t cite any specific studies, but a recent Israeli clinical trial found cannabis terpenes and CBD outperformed the leading COVID-19 treatment in reducing disease-related inflammation. Another preliminary study reported that cannabis might also prevent the spread and severity of COVID-19, though the research hasn’t been peer-reviewed.  

McConnell mercilessly attacked Pelosi on the Senate floor this week for attaching the cannabis banking provision. He noted the word “cannabis” appeared 68 times in the Democrats’ stimulus package.  That’s “more times than the word ‘job’ and four times as many as the word ‘hire,’” he said.

He also labeled language in the bill that required research into minority-owned and women-owned businesses in the cannabis space as “the cherry on top.”

Medical Marijuana Is Booming Amid The Coronavirus Pandemic
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“Here it is: new annual studies on diversity and inclusion within the cannabis industry. Not one study but two of them,” he said. “Let me say that again, Democrats’ proposed coronavirus bill includes taxpayer-funded studies to measure diversity and inclusion among the people who profit off of marijuana.”

“I’m opposed to non-germane amendments,” McConnell added, though he didn’t commit to removing a provision from the Republican bill added by the White House that allots $1.75 billion to rebuild FBI headquarters in downtown Washington.

RELATED: Enormous Tax Revenue Is Exactly Why The Feds Won’t Legalize Cannabis

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy tweeted Friday that Pelosi’s defense of the cannabis provision was “incredibly irresponsible.”

“Pelosi just doubled down on her $3 trillion dollar cannabis legislation, falsely claiming that it’s a proven therapy for coronavirus. Hey Nancy, let’s focus on the pandemic. Not pot,” McCarthy wrote.

The Secure and Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Banking Act, which is already House approved, would allow financial institutions to work with state-compliant cannabis businesses. Lawmakers have also argued the SAFE Banking Act would lower potential spread of the coronavirus, as it would reduce the number of cash transactions that currently occur inside marijuana dispensaries.

“Our industry employs hundreds of thousands of Americans and has been deemed ‘essential’ in most states,” Aaron Smith, executive director of the National Cannabis Industry Association (NCIA), said in a statement. “It’s critically important that essential cannabis workers are not exposed to unnecessary health risks due to outdated federal banking regulations.”

5 Tips To Help You Start And Stick To A Workout Routine

Working out consistently requires you to make your workouts a priority. Here are 5 ways to help make that happen.

Working out occasionally can be fun, especially if you’re trying something new or going to a class that makes those 45 minutes fly by. The challenge is to work out consistently, when whatever sport or activity you do starts to feel repetitive. Like all habits, developing a workout schedule and finding the motivation to get up and move takes some time and commitment.

Still, no matter your age, experience or fitness level, working out is a good way of de-stressing, sweating, and feeling better about most aspects of your life. There’s a reason why it’s a recommended activity for all types of people, especially during a pandemic.

Here are 5 tips that can help you start working out in a way that’s consistent and effective.

Start slow

While it’s normal to get excited when trying out something new, when it comes to working out, it’s pretty common to burn out quickly. Start off slow, being realistic about your long term goals and plans. Don’t beat yourself up if you don’t manage to workout as much as you wanted to.

Think about your day to day life, and about how many workouts you’ll be able to fit in. A helpful tip is to avoid spending more than three days without doing any kind of physical activity. Once you instill this habit, your body will naturally ask for some movement and you’ll start to feel like you’re failing your goals if you don’t fit in some sort of activity.

Look through your options

How Marijuana Can Improve Your Home Workouts
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Another way to increase your odds of being consistent is to take your time in finding what you want to do. Try out different classes, apps or YouTube videos and find something you enjoy. Don’t force yourself to run three times a week just because you want to get in shape and doing this is the easiest workout you can think of.

Buy appropriate gear

Once you’ve figured out that thing you enjoy, buy some gear. While workout clothes and shoes are always super expensive, they can help you get excited and stay motivated. They also show that you made an investment, making it harder for you to quit if you’re feeling lazy.

Don’t try to work out every day

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It’s very common for people to go overboard during their first week working out and then to drop it since they didn’t experience any results and their bodies are in pain. Take it slow and only increase your workouts once you feel like you want to do more and notice that you’re gaining skills.

Make a schedule

Use your phone or a physical calendar and write down the days where you want to work out. Try to stick to this routine, which will help you look forward to your workout days and also your days off days. It doesn’t matter if you workout in the morning or at night, what matters is that you get it done and develop a habit.

House Votes To Protect State Cannabis Laws

The amendment passed in a voice vote on Thursday and was then followed by the House of Representatives roll call vote of 254-163.

The House voted to approve Part B Amendment #87 Thursday evening, which is a provision to prevent the federal government from using any funds to interfere with state medical or adult-use programs or target individuals and businesses that are in compliance with state cannabis laws.

The bipartisan amendment to the Commerce, Justice, and Science appropriations bill was introduced by Reps. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), Barbara Lee (D-CA), Tom McClintock (R-CA), and Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC).

“The existing policy of prohibition is an abject failure,” said Rep. Blumenhauer, adding that criminalization disproportionately impacts communities of color and has driven mass protests against police violence. “This selective enforcement of nonsensical policy has posed huge problems for black Americans.”

RELATED: Democrats Reject Marijuana Legalization For Official Party Platform

The amendment passed in a voice vote on Thursday and was then followed by the House of Representatives roll call vote of 254-163. Six Democrats declined to vote in favor while 31 Republicans did vote in favor. The same amendment was passed by the House last year but it did not end up in the final budget bill. Since 2014, Congress has continually approved such language. However, another representative began offering other amendments that would have taken federal money from states that legalized cannabis.

“Today’s House vote aligns with the overwhelming majority of Americans who oppose federal interference with the successful cannabis programs operating throughout the country,” said Aaron Smith, executive director of the National Cannabis Industry Association. “Now, it’s time for the Senate to do the right thing and ensure this sensible provision makes it into the final budget legislation so that states can continue to forge their own path on marijuana policy without federal intrusion.”

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The legislation though needs to be approved by the Senate. Last year, similar language was stripped out, which the President signed. So far the Senate has not begun reviewing appropriation bills for the 2021 fiscal year.

“Passage of this amendment would give state-legal and essential cannabis businesses some temporary peace of mind while Congress works to permanently end federal prohibition and repair the damage it has done to marginalized communities,” continued Smith. “It is clear that there is strong bipartisan support for cannabis policy reform and we will continue working with lawmakers to promote further legislation in this session.”

This article has been reposted with permission from Green Market Report.

5 Tips To Help Get The Best High

Marijuana highs can be influenced by a wide variety of factors. Here are some tips that can help you get a reliably great high.

Getting high is super easy, but it can also be intimidating, particularly for newbies or people who’ve had negative experiences with marijuana. One of the most curious aspects about marijuana is how different it can affect people. Here are 5 tips to help get the best high.

Unlike alcohol, which kind of has a life of its own, marijuana highs are fickle and can be easily influenced by outside factors. Your location, the way in which you’re consuming the drug, your tolerance level and more are all factors that can and will influence your high, which can understandably make some people nervous. 

Here are 5 tips that can help you get the best marijuana high you can get:

Prepare in advance

If you’re someone who likes to prepare, go for it. Buy your favorite snacks and most refreshing drinks and have them nearby for when you’re getting ready for your smoke session. If you’re smoking alone, make sure to do it in a place that’s comfortable and to cue up something light and comforting, maybe your favorite show or a movie you’ve been meaning to catch up with. Have a book ready or prepare a music playlist. Some foresight can really upgrade a regular high to a really amazing one.

Make sure your weed is properly stored

why adults with medical conditions use more marijuana
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Marijuana flower should be stored in a cool and dark place, somewhere that’s away from moisture and direct sunlight. It’s best to store your weed in a glass or metal container, taking it out of the plastic baggie in order to preserve the potency of your product. Weed that’s properly stored will always be more effective, better smelling and with way better flavor.

Use foods to enhance your high

If you want to try something new, use foods to enhance your high, whether that’s by consuming mangoes (here’s why you should experiment with marijuana and mangoes in quarantine) or by snacking on something delicious when the munchies hit you. If there’s one thing that cannabis does right is increasing the flavors of all foods; don’t let the munchies go to waste and enjoy yourself.  

Try something new

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Pairing weed with new activities adds a new dimension to things you’ve already done. Try getting high and working out, meditating, committing to a 15 minute yoga session or cleaning your house. It’s important to manage your high and to keep things low pressure; if the activity doesn’t click, don’t force yourself.

Keep in mind your tolerance level

The most important thing you can do in order to prevent a bad high is to keep your tolerance level in check, whether it’s too high or low. If your tolerance level is too high, you’ll most likely burn through an entire joint without enjoying much of it. Try taking a two week break and coming back to it, letting your body breathe for a second and reboot itself. If your tolerance is too low then you should be careful in order to avoid bad highs; smoke slowly and take breaks. See: 7 Easy Ways To Lower Your Marijuana Tolerance

Millennials And Boomers Differ On Marijuana Use

Both millennials and boomers have been smoking and spending more on cannabis since the outbreak of the coronavirus.

Baby boomers and millennials can’t agree on anything: the economy, social values, and smoking cannabis. Not whether or not they should consume the plant — boomers now smoke more cannabis than high schoolers — but how, when and where and everything in between.

These differences in opinions were seen in a recent survey by Verilife dispensaries, which is part of the Pharmacann network. The company surveyed 1,000 milliennials and 1,000 boomers to understand where the generations coincided and contradicted each other in their attitudes about cannabis.

Boomers were twice as likely to use cannabis solely for medical purposes compared to millennials, about half of which reported using marijuana for recreational reasons. Both generations said relaxation was their top reason for recreational consumption.

RELATED: Millennials Are Fueling The Cannabis Economy

About a quarter of millennials turned to medical cannabis to relieve chronic pain. The second-biggest reason? Migraines. Boomers, meanwhile, had diverse medical purposes for consuming cannabis, but the top three were arthritis, cancer, and chronic pain.

7 reasons why weed is awesome for baby boomers
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But the two generations weren’t all different. Just over half of millennials and boomers believe a cultural stigma remains around marijuana, despite over two-thirds of Americans supporting cannabis legalization. They also were likely to spend around the same amount per month on weed products — $76.

Since the coronavirus pandemic hit the United States, both groups have consumed more and spent more on weed too — around 44% of boomers and 36% of millennials. Each group reported spending about $27 more per month on cannabis.

RELATED: Baby Boomers Now Smoke As Much Weed As High Schoolers

Most interestingly was when and how boomers used cannabis. Boomers were twice as likely to use marijuana in the morning compared to millennials and 23% preferred consuming cannabis via capsules. This should reinforce that boomers gravitate to weed for its medicinal qualities. Still, the majority of both generations would prefer cannabis over opioid prescriptions to treat pain symptoms and believe a lack of information exists in obtaining a medical card.

Maybe consuming cannabis is the one thing millennials and boomers can agree on.

You Can Still Get Busted By Police For Smoking Hemp

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Smoking hemp is one of the fastest growing trends on the cannabis scene. And law enforcement can’t tell the difference between this stuff and marijuana. 

One of the main arguments in favor of legalizing industrial hemp was that a person couldn’t get high on it even if they smoked a field of the stuff. The media has even suggested that if the general population decided to start raiding hemp crops across America in pursuit of a buzz, all they would get is a headache.

When Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell took it upon himself in 2018 to legalize hemp in the United States, the idea was that the plant would only be used as processed fiber and wouldn’t be something the consumer would gravitate toward in plant form. They certainly wouldn’t smoke it, right?  

Well, it turns out that not only are people smoking hemp, it is becoming one of the fastest growing trends on the cannabis scene. 

Consumers are buying up hemp flower with rabid enthusiasm in states where it is legal and are using it for a few reasons. Firs, the herb, which contains only 0.3% THC and does not get the user high, is being purchased as a way to cut high-THC strains to make them less potent, one report shows

RELATED: Colorado Marijuana Users Think Stoned Driving Policies Are Out Of Touch

Some of these people, however, perhaps looking for fast-acting relief from conditions like anxiety and insomnia, are also buying up hemp buds rather than edibles, tinctures, oils and vapes. There are even those hemp-CBD customers who are merely smoking this non-intoxicating flower for the enjoyment of hitting a joint when marijuana isn’t an option.

Photo by vjkombajn via Pixabay 

It’s just one of the reasons that cannabis industry experts predict that smokable hemp could swell into a mighty beast.

“Smokable hemp is a very small part of the hemp and CBD marketplace, but it seems to be the one that’s growing most rapidly,” Jonathan Miller, general counsel for U.S. Hemp Roundtable, told New England Public Radio.

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Although CBD gained notoriety for being an oil that could help children with epilepsy have fewer seizures, the cannabinoid, which is derived from both hemp and marijuana, has since become a household name in America for its purported therapeutic benefits. The trendy cannabinoid received a boost in 2018 year when President Trump signed an extensive Farm Bill that legalized industrial hemp production at the federal level for the first time since 1937. Now, there are tens of thousands of acres of hemp plants growing across the country and more CBD products are showing up than ever before.

Photo by Yarygin/Getty Images

The only problem is the hemp plant looks a heck of a lot like marijuana (they are both a cannabis sativa classification). The similarities between the two have caused confusion among law enforcement. They simply cannot tell the difference — not with their eyes and not through technology. 

This is causing trouble for hemp smokers, especially in those states where marijuana is not legal. 

Since CBD flower looks like marijuana, it smells like it, and even tests positive for THC, anyone living in states where weed remains illegal runs the risk of police harassment if they are caught with it. Never mind that the leafy substance is only hemp and has virtually no THC content whatsoever, possession of this flower is still getting unsuspecting consumers arrested and charged with a crime. 

“There is a product being sold…that could very well jam up an unknowing citizen if they were using their product and possibly cause them to be arrested,” Jeff Rasche, police chief for the Greenfield Police Department, told the Indianapolis Star.

RELATED: Police Field Tests Can’t Distinguish Between Hemp And Marijuana

Even in states where marijuana is legal, hemp smokers could find themselves in trouble with the law if they choose to smoke it in public. Although the cops cannot technically stop anyone from smoking hemp flower outdoors, because it looks, smells and shows up as marijuana during a drug test, people could find themselves in a position of getting a ticket for public consumption. 

“Generally, if an officer has probable cause to believe someone is publicly consuming marijuana, he or she could ticket that individual on those grounds,” the Denver City Attorney’s Office told Westword. “At this point, there isn’t a field test that could be deployed to determine, on the fly, whether or not the substance is hemp or marijuana. Officers and prosecutors have to enforce public consumption of marijuana laws nonetheless — they can’t pick and choose.” 

Interestingly, according to a recent article from Forbes, the confusion between hemp and marijuana is just one unforeseen development that could force the U.S. government to legalize marijuana nationwide.

What You Should Know About Air Conditioning And Coronavirus

Indoor spaces with poor ventilation make it easier for the spread of COVID-19. What does this mean for AC units?

Ventilation and coronavirus are two topics that are closely linked. While at the start of the pandemic most people were spending the majority of their time indoors, now that summer is here, people are trying to spend time outside while hopefully still keeping their social distance.

As we learn more about the virus, government officials and scientists have expressed their fears about indoor spaces and poor ventilation, since these can facilitate the spread of the virus. What does that mean for air conditioning?

Scientists know that small closed spaces with poor ventilation make it more likely for the spread of the virus, especially if we’re talking about an elevator or a crowded subway. Outdoor spaces like public parks are the safest places for people to be, mostly because there’s natural air flow and lots of space that makes social distancing possible.

When it comes to air conditioning, it appears that it can help spread the virus, especially if the unit is located in a small space. This is the main reason why it’s so hard to avoid the virus when a member of your household has caught it.

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“If someone in the house who is infected with the virus is coughing and sneezing and not being careful, then tiny virus particles in respiratory droplets could be circulated in the air. Anything that moves air currents around the room can spread these droplets, whether it is an air conditioning system, a window-mounted AC unit, a forced heating system, or even a fan,” explains Mount Sinai Hospital.

What You Should Know About Air Conditioning And Coronavirus
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AC units and ventilators can also aerosolize the virus, preventing it from falling into surfaces. Once the virus is aerosolized, it continues to float in the air, where it’s easier to breathe in.

RELATED: 5 Coronavirus Myths That Have Been Debunked

There’s a lot of stuff that remains confusing about COVID-19, which is why it’s important to stay careful and vigilant, even when you think you might be overreacting. Try to avoid cluttered spaces with poor ventilation and always maintain 6-feet of distance between yourself and others.

When it comes to your house or bedroom, keep the windows open and try to get some natural air flow going. Clean your air filters often or buy ones that automatically clean themselves and prevent the spread of respiratory droplets.

5 Hacks To Prolong A Marijuana High

The more you use marijuana, the more likely it is for the herb to become less effective. Here’s what you can do to make your highs last longer.

Seasoned marijuana users know that the more they smoke, the more their tolerance builds and the harder it is to stay high. While this problem is inevitable and occurs naturally once your body acclimates to the plant’s effects, there are a few tricks out there that can help you make your cannabis highs more intense. Here are 5 hacks to prolong a marijuana high.

Foods

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A lot of users claim that having some mango or mango juice an hour before consuming marijuana is a magic trick for a really intense high. This delicious fruit contains myrcene terpenes, which are also present in cannabis. These compounds bind to each other and magic happens. They also make for a pretty healthy treat, which is good for the munchies.

RELATED: Why You Should Experiment With Marijuana And Mangoes In Quarantine

Nuts have also been associated with powerful highs because they contain fatty acids, which bind with cannabinoids and make your high hit you faster. Sweet potatoes supposedly put you in a good mood, which works well if marijuana turns you into a paranoid Debbie Downer.

Workout

Don't Trust CBD Workout Gear
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Channeling all of your marijuana super-powered focus into a physical activity can be really effective, especially if you’ve never done it before. This experience can prove to be really intense and a boost for your metabolism and system.

Smoke in a closed space

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Also known as “hot boxing,” smoking up in a confined space amid the fumes can get you high pretty quick. While it might not be super healthy for your lungs, if you’re looking to get high and stay high, hot boxing sounds like a pretty effective method.

Mix things up

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If smoking just isn’t what it used to be, try out different methods of consumption. If you’re a smoker, try vaping or edibles. If you prefer joints, try using a bong. A switch could trick your body and provide a much needed fresh start, making your highs stronger and longer-lasting.

Take a tolerance break

Marijuana Tolerance
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If nothing else works, you might just need to take a break. Marijuana’s lessening effect is due to the fact that your body becomes desensitized to the plant’s psychoactive effects. Most seasoned users swear by this trick. Just like with any other substance, this practice gives your body a cleanse of sorts, providing a fresh start.

FDA Issues Guidance For Transport Of Specimens During COVID-19

The guidance encompasses the transport of Polymerase Chain Reaction and SARS-CoV-2 assays for the duration of the COVID-19 public health emergency.

Deep into the first year of the spread of COVID-19, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) seeks to keep the U.S. healthcare professionals and public regularly informed about the latest protocols and guidelines for all of the different elements and levels of the pandemic response.

The latest FDA guidance is directed specifically at commercial manufacturers, clinical laboratories and FDA staff. Similar to other guidance updates, this information will be updated regularly, especially as the FDA receives information updates from the field.

The primary goal with the FDA action is to issue guidelines for the transport of clinical samples, or viral transport media (VTM). These actions are being taken against a backdrop of various medical organizations reporting shortages of medical and testing equipment, with reports coming in from many local areas and states during the past several weeks.

RELATED: What Health Professionals Should Know About Recent FDA Actions On Vaccines

The guidance encompasses the transport of Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) assays or antigen-detection diagnostic SARS-CoV-2 assays (we will collectively refer to them as SARS-CoV-2 assays) for the duration of the COVID-19 public health emergency.

This policy applies to viral transport media (VTM), sterile phosphate buffered saline (PBS) (including molecular grade PBS and other similar formulations such as Dulbecco’s PBS), and sterile normal saline. Manufacturers are urged to make sure these materials can safely and effective be transported to medical and clinical facilities. 

FDA Authorizes First Next Generation Sequencing Test For Diagnosing COVID-19
Photo by Lucas Ninno/Getty Images

The devices covered under the latest FDA guidance included, as outlined in the document include: culture media (non-selective and non-differential); culture media (non- propagating transport); culture media anaerobic transport, culture media propagating transport; specimen collection devices; aerobic transport system; and anaerobic transport system. 

RELATED: FDA Issues New Guidance For Testing Asymptomatic COVID-19 Patients

This is part of a significant FDA effort to make sure there is enough testing and analysis equipment available in the field. VTM devices, however, are intended to sustain the viability of viruses/other organisms. VTM devices do not contain substances that inactivate viruses, which might be used directly as a treatment.

The FDA asks manufacturers to continue to use, and to exchange, regular and shareable information about their manufacturing capacity of their sterile PBS/saline devices in their notification. The collection of this information will allow the FDA to monitor the landscape, and to foster the sharing of information among key stakeholders.

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