One of the biggest obstacles to treating patients with COVID-19 is the worldwide ventilator shortage. New York state is the hardest-hit region in the U.S. and the situation is so dire, Governor Andrew Cuomo recently put out a call for 30,000 additional ventilator units.

A study from Imperial College in London found that an estimated 30% of all people hospitalized due to the virus will need a ventilator.

---

COVID-19 creates inflammation and fluid build-up in the lungs, which makes it very difficult for people to breathe — especially those with chronic respiratory problems. For these patients, a functioning ventilator can mean the difference between life or death.

One of the major obstacles to ventilator production is the cost. A ventilator can cost hospitals up to $30,000.

A team at MIT has been working day and night to create an emergency ventilator that costs only $100 to produce. The ventilator uses a bag-valve resuscitator, a common hospital item.

A bag-valve resuscitator or Ambu bag, is a self-inflating, hand-operated resuscitator used by first-responders to temporarily help people having difficulty breathing before they are able to hook them up to a ventilator.

They’re affordable, costing about $20.

via Wikimedia Commons

The MIT engineers created a mechanism that squeezes and releases the bag without needing a human operator. The big issue is that the ventilator has to be extremely reliable because any mechanical failure would surely result in death.

“The primary consideration is patient safety,” one team member told SciTechDaily. “So we had to establish what we’re calling minimum clinical functional requirements.” The team members wish to remain anonymous to prevent any unnecessary attention that would delay their work.

The ventilator must also be adjustable to pump the correct amount of air given the patient’s lung capacity.

The ventilator project didn’t start from scratch. It was informed by a project done a decade ago by MIT students in a Medical Device Design class. The students published a paper outlining their design and testing, but the work stopped there.

The new team used their research as a jumping off point to make their ventilator.

via MIT

In just over a week, the team has gone from empty benches to a working prototype. Its prime motivator has been reports of doctors being forced to ration ventilators.

“We all work together, and ultimately the goal is to help people, because people’s lives understandably hang in the balance,” one team member says.

The engineers are currently looking to have the ventilator approved by the FDA.

“The Department of Health and Human Services released a notice stating that all medical interventions related to Covid-19 are no longer subject to liability, but that does not change our burden of care.” he said. “At present, we are awaiting FDA feedback” about the project. “Ultimately, our intent is to seek FDA approval. That process takes time, however.”

Ultimately, the team hopes to publish the plans for the device online so that other engineers can improve on their designs and to make the device available to hospitals across the globe.

---

View Entire Post ›

If nothing below suits your sensibilities, check out our guide to What You Should Watch On Streaming Right Now.

The Iliza Shlesinger Sketch Show (Netflix series) — This new six-part series arrives following Iliza Shlesinger’s successful stand-up specials. This time around, satire is the name of the game, and increasingly bizarre original characters will make fun of the consumer-happy world in which we live. Exercise plans, DIY shows, and “reality” TV will all be roasted.

Devs (FX on Hulu) — Forest tries to befriend Jamie while Lily deals with the ever-stoic Katie’s revelations, all while the meaning of “Devs” begins to come to light.

Young Sheldon (CBS, 8:00 p.m.) — Sheldon looks for the perfect neighbors when the house next door goes on sale, and Missy’s got boyfriend problems.

Superstore (NBC, 8:00 p.m.) — Dina’s new boyfriend is disrupting her flow, Garrett’s employees are working on a new game, and Amy’s weirded out by Jonah’s family dynamic.

Man With A Plan (CBS, 8:30 p.m.) — Andi’s doctor tells her to stop taking the pill, which leads to a birth control war between herself and Adam. Naturally!

Brooklyn Nine-Nine (NBC, 8:30 p.m.) — Jake and his dad must sort out unfinished business while Terry seeks to join the NYPD band.

How to Get Away with Murder (ABC, 10:00 p.m.) — Asher’s murder produces charges, Bonnie’s spilling a secret, Gabriel is a murder suspect, and Annalise’s disappearance comes to light.

Better Things (FX, 10:00 p.m.) — Pamela Adlon still rocks, and Sam goes to a wedding.

Jimmy Kimmel Live!: Jennifer Aniston, GroupLove..

Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Hot Country Knights, Best of Fallon moments

Desus And Mero: John Legend

Conan: Sean Hayes

A Little Later With Lilly Singh: Aisha Tyler, Rob Huebel

It’s really happening: WrestleMania airs this weekend! Although it was already taped, we somehow haven’t heard any spoilers expect about who was replaced on the card at the last minute. For a long time after the Covid-19 pandemic started to escalate, it seemed like there might not be a WrestleMania at all. Now it’s a two-night pre-recorded Mania with no fans present, but that’s not nothing. Whether getting so much talent together in one place in the middle of a serious pandemic is a good idea is certainly a subject for debate, but WWE seems to at least be trying to do what they can to protect people without calling off the show.

In a new interview with Sports Illustrated, WWE Chief Brand Officer Stephanie McMahon explained all the safety precautions WWE is taking against coronavirus, at WrestleMania as well as all their current TV shows:

In terms of safety measures and protocols, first and foremost, every performance is voluntary for our performers and crew. That is a really important note to highlight. Also, the Performance Center itself is a closed set. We’re shooting in waves. No one person, regardless of who they are, is allowed to enter if they have a temperature of over 100.4, or if they have been out of the country or been in touch with someone who has been out of the country.

We also do pandemic-level cleaning, which includes fogging and ultraviolet light, in the facility every single night. That could be overkill, quite frankly, but we really are trying to put in the best safety practices that we possibly can given the circumstances. Those are some of the measures we are taking, and it is as comprehensive as it can possibly be. We also changed some of the format for WrestleMania. We’re not holding the men’s or women’s battle royal — that’s just too many people in the ring at one time.

As for Roman Reigns deciding to skip the show, she makes clear that not only is that his choice to make, it’s up to every WWE Superstar to decide for themselves:

With all of our superstars, it really is a voluntary basis. It’s not my place to give his personal situation, but we support our superstars. We support their personal opinions and concerns, and again, this is all voluntary. Especially when you have a talent or a performer with pre-existing conditions, or whatever the reason might be. If someone is uncomfortable, we will absolutely honor that. We want our talent to perform at WrestleMania, but only if they’re comfortable. Regardless of their reasons, they have to be comfortable. It has to be something they want to do. We absolutely support all of our superstars and their decision of whether or not to perform, especially at this time.

Stephanie also discussed the decision of whether or not to have WrestleMania at all, but her answers there came off a lot more corporate than these, in my opinion. Still, you can read the whole interview if you’re interested.

Meek Mill is pleading with fans take social distancing practices seriously after learning that his own family has been affected by the COVID-19 coronavirus. The Philadelphia rapper revealed on Twitter that his uncle had contracted the virus and admonished his followers to “go in the house.”

“COVID hitting family members and friends now,” he wrote. “Go in the house!” A few minutes later, he elaborated on the previous tweet, explaining, “My uncle called me from the hospital sounding like he critical condition from COVID-19. He just was healthy weeks ago!”

Meek used his uncle’s diagnosis as an object lesson for his followers, warning them, “Don’t go outside and walk a deadly virus in the house with your family! Fall back, please.”

Meek knows as well as anyone how easily the virus can spread. He has spent the during of the outbreak pushing states’ governors to adopt his S.A.F.E.R. Plan for correctional facilities to reduce the impact the COVID-19 coronavirus would have on prison populations, which are more vulnerable due to the inability for inmates to practice social distancing. It’s another extension of his prison reform efforts, but one that is even more critical during this outbreak.

That’s why those of us self-quarantining who may feel like we’re on lockdown need to stick it out — for those who don’t have much of a choice. A small sacrifice on your part can help to slow the spread of the virus, keeping other people safer.

Meek Mill is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

---

View Entire Post ›

It’s a bad time for, y’know, existence, but a good time to be a John Mulaney fan.

On Thursday (tonight!) at 7 p.m. EST, he’s getting the Sack Lunch Bunch back together. “Me & the Sack Lunch Bunch invite you to our LIVE REWATCH PARTY,” he tweeted. “Comedy, noodles, Jake Gyllenhaal, a song about my Nana’s bf that got me in trouble with my family. And a calm discussion of anxiety.” Even if Mr. Music doesn’t drop by, because he’s too busy doing handstands for Tom Holland, at least we’ll get to listen to “I Saw a White Lady Standing on the Street Just Sobbing (And I Think About It Once a Week)” again. (You’re welcome to sob, white lady, but please, do it in your apartment.)

Mulaney also revealed that he and Nick Kroll have recorded a podcast as Gil Faizon and George St. Geegland, the Steely Dan of Upper West Side Jews, and it’s coming out on April 3 (tomorrow!). As someone who has watched the Oh, Hello special on Netflix in its entirety three times, and thinks about how Gil Faizon’s “real name” is Gil Cosby weekly, this is exciting news. “She was the People’s Princess and they were two men who hung out at Duane Reade. But now worlds have collided. From the stars of Oh Hello on Broadway and the video taped version of Oh, Hello on Broadway comes a podcast on the life and death of Princess Diana,” the podcast description reads. There’s also an audio trailer, with a “Sarah Koenig–style audio producer [reading] a ‘Xerox copy of a fax’ sent to her by Gil and George,” according to Vulture. Here’s what it says:

Oh, hello.

It’s George and Gil, your favorite guys in the world and also New York, which is an awesome city, but not as good as it used to be, because of Mayor de Blasio and the Knicks, who stink. We are in mandatory self-quarantine right now, but we think what the world needs is a podcast from us, George and Gil: the bad boys of broadcast. It’s time we finish and air this podcast. The very fact that we have content banked means we are miles ahead of the competition. Even a half-finished podcast that almost ruined our friendship is more than you dunces have out there in nobodyville. We’re gonna win the quarantine. And one last thing: you’re welcome.

Feel free to eat a plain plate of noodles while watching John Mulaney & the Sack Lunch Bunch, as long as you save room for a tuna sandwich during the Oh, Hello podcast.

Following Netflix’s docu-series Tiger King instant rise to viral fame, Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister saw an opportunity to close the 20-year-old cold case surrounding the mysterious disappearance of Carole Baskin‘s husband Jack “Don” Lewis. The couple were prominently featured on the show, which gave Chronister hope that the renewed attention on Baskin and Lewis might jar some memories, so he tweeted out a request for new leads that could finally put the case to bed.

While Chronister’s request worked and his department has received a steady barrage of tips, not all of them have been helpful. In a surprisingly lengthy interview with Vulture, the Florida sheriff shoots down theories, sheds light on the “complicated” lives of the show’s subjects, and most importantly, he drills down on a key point that makes Lewis’ disappearance seem very suspicious:

And then there’s the will. I know that was a big point of contention: that the will was forged. Certainly, like you and everyone else, I am suspect of the will. I’ve never heard, in my 52 years of life or in my 28 years in law enforcement, of anyone creating a will that stated “if I’m missing, or kidnapped, please leave the bulk of my wealth to this individual.” So a lot of that was suspect. And then we had someone who worked for Carole who said, “Yes, I witnessed all the signatures.”

And then, later on, she recanted her statement.

As Chronister further explains, there are two things about the will that are huge red flags: Lewis’ kids were written out of it, and it specifically predicts going missing or being kidnapped. “I’ve heard of wealthy people wanting to get away or disappear,” Chronister said. “But I’ve never heard of one disappearing and not taking their money with them. Who can forecast that they might disappear?”

When it comes to the new leads that have become coming in, Chronister notes that, so far, none of the tips have been viable. In fact, most of them are just people who watched Tiger King and formed their own theories from the documentary, but Chronister is still encouraging his detectives to hear them out:

I’ve told my detectives not to get upset, because someone may call and cause us to look at this case from a different lens, and maybe that will help us solve the case. I certainly don’t discount it. But you saw the documentary, where everyone believed that he was buried under the septic tank. Well, that septic tank wasn’t put in until years after his disappearance. That was a dead end. There something about the meat grinders, and people asked, “Why didn’t you get DNA from the meat grinders?” Well, the meat grinders where removed. They stopped using them weeks before his disappearance. But people watching the documentary don’t know a lot of the information we’ve already investigated.

According to Chronister, detectives investigated Lewis’ disappearance so thoroughly that they even flew down to Costa Rica to investigate if he really did flee the country, but due to Lewis’ shady connections, they were met with obstacles at every turn and returned with nothing but conflicting stories. As for whether all of this makes Baskin a main subject, Chronister says she always has been cooperative and makes no such accusation. He does note, however, that some of her details have never been corroborated including Lewis’ allegedly deteriorating mental health or the night that he supposedly told her he was leaving for Costa Rica before vanishing.

(Via Vulture)

With COVID-19 aka the coronavirus impacting the entire world, thousands of people have been forced to work from home or in many cases stop working altogether. Every industry has been impacted by this and that includes the world of video games. Many games have managed to release despite the current state of the world, but it has not come without its difficulties. Games such as Ring Fit are currently sold out everywhere and no one is sure when you’ll be able to get it again.

With making video games becoming more difficult and time-consuming for developers, there’s a growing sense that delays for titles are on the way. After all, it’s hard to finish making a game when the entire company is forced to a work from home status and others are being forced to let go of employees due to the current economic situation. One highly anticipated game has already been delayed. The Last of Us 2, already delayed once, was officially delayed again on Tuesday when Sony announced that the current “global crisis” is preventing them from giving fans the launch they deserve.

Game developer Naughty Dog shortly followed up with a statement of their own. They stated that while the game is pretty close to completion there are some logistical issues that would make selling the game right now difficult. Most likely on the physical disc side.

It was only a matter of time before games started being delayed due to the effects of coronavirus. It’s disappointing that The Last of Us 2 can’t come out on time, but hopefully, this means that when everything has finally calmed down it can release to a world more ready for a massive release.

There’s no disputing that sheltering in place and quarantining yourself from the rest of the world (while safe and effective and absolutely the right move right now) can be downright boring. That’s why it’s important to make time for activities that keep you entertained and add a little normalcy to a very hectic, strange period in your life.

In our opinion, one of the best ways to at least feel like everything is normal is to have taco night. That’s right, taco night. Hard or soft shells, beef or Beyond Meat, cheese, lettuce, guacamole, and whatever else you typically add to your taco. Be a maximalist. Go wild. Double the cheese you brilliant, beautiful bastard.

If we’re really trying for the illusion of a regular night, we have to pair our tacos with tequila or mezcal. But picking the right bottle to enjoy at home requires a little expert advice — especially if you want to hit the sweet spot between buget, flavor, and mixability. That’s why we decided to ask the pros to tell us the one tequila they’d bring into quarantine.

Tapatio 110

Bryant Orozco, bar manager at Madre Restaurants + Mezcaleria in Los Angeles

I like to spread the gospel of drinking agave spirits straight, but if I really needed to, and if no one knew, and if no one was around to judge, I would totally drink Tapatio 110. It’s a kick to the teeth and really showcases what a strong tequila can be.

Plus, two margaritas later I’d be set.

Espolon Blanco

Zee Zammit, bartender at Georgia Boy in Atlanta

Espolon Blanco. It’s never let me down. I find that a lot of people try to hide the tequila in their margaritas. The subtle vegetal notes really keep the tequila the star of the show — as it should be.

Fuentaseca Reserva

Sam Gay, bartender at Ojai Valley Inn in Ojai, California

Fuentaseca tequila is doing some very daring and risky things with aging tequila. Where most tequilas are un-aged or rested, their oldest tequila is aged for 21 years. They had to practically reinvent the whole approach to aging tequila and it results in something truly unique and special.

Casa Dragones Blanco

Osvaldo Vasquez, mixologist at Chileno Bay Resort, Auberge Resorts Collection in Los Cabos, Mexico

Casa Dragones Blanco. I really like things produced in small batches. The reason why I like it is that they are very meticulous with their processes and every bottle has a well-defined flavor of Agave. I also like that every bottle is numbered and signed by hand, which makes it special and personal.

La Gritona Reposado

Matt Hoffa, lead bartender at The Mayfair Hotel in Los Angeles

If I only had to pick one, it would be La Gritona Reposado. I love this brand because it’s a small batch, pure and clean tequila at a great price point.

VIVA XXXII Reposado

Nikki McCutcheon, beverage director at Magic Hour Rooftop Bar & Lounge in New York City

I wish more people knew about VIVA XXXII Tequila. They produce a wonderful product and do a lot of philanthropic work as well — donating 10% of all net proceeds to animal abuse prevention charities. Beyond that, their entry-level Joven tequila is blended with extra Anejo tequila and then filtered for its clear color making their value in the “Blanco”/”Joven” category untouchable.

Don Julio 70

Kyle Walter, Bartender at Grayton Beer Brewpub in Santa Rosa, Florida

We all know Don Julio blanco, reposado, and anejo, but the Don Julio 70 clear anejo is the bomb diggity. In a signature square bottle and celebrating 70 years of Don Julio Gonzalez and their heritage, its notes of white chocolate and hazelnut will take your breath away. Pour it neat, let it sit for two minutes, and enjoy.

Maestro Dobel Diamante

Hector Acevedo, part owner of Spanglish Craft Cocktail Bar & Kitchen in Miami

Maestro Dobel Diamante. The versatility Dobel have is incredible. From a classic Margarita all the way to an Old Fashioned. It’s an aged tequila that has been filtered to come out clear. It’s a blend of anejo, reposado, and extra anejo.

Los Vecinos Mezcal

Alex Carlin, beverage director of Infuse Hospitality & Fairgrounds in Chicago

I think it would be a great idea to spend the day showing our love by supporting a community in need. Los Vecinos Mezcal is a small production Mezcal made from Espadin by ten families of mezcaleros in a co-op in Oaxaca. The distillery is run by Carmen Villareal who has committed to invest in the local community to provide jobs and opportunities through the production of her Mezcal.

Profits from the Mezcal go toward building women’s shelters for victims of domestic violence.

Jose Cuervo Gold

Abraham Millett, head bartender at Plunge Beach Resort in Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Okay, so the reason Margarita’s exist is because the quality of tequila back when they were invented was awful, it just doesn’t matter what you use so long as you mix it right. That being said, you can’t lose with Cuervo.

Del Maguey Vida Mezcal

Jill Bulmash, mixologist at Monk’s Flask in Asheville, North Carolina

Can I say mezcal? Because I’d go with mezcal. Del Maguey Vida is savory, smoky, and is so perfect in a margarita that you may never go back to tequila again.