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tective equipment (PPE) using a programmable multi-cooker. www.AmericanSecurityToday.com July 2019 - Edition 46 “S&T is thinking creatively during this nationwide crisis,” explains William N. Bryan, DHS Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Under Secretary for Science & Technology. “We understand that PPE is not always readily available and are working tirelessly to provide Americans with simple methods to extend the life of this important equipment.” With high demand resulting in limited supply, S&T focused efforts on finding affordable and easy methods that allow masks to safely be reused. Evaluating common household devices, researchers identified programmable multi-cookers as a readily accessible and effective means to decontaminate masks, using moist heat, one of three methods recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and PPE, specifically respiratory protection such as N95 masks, are an effective way to reduce exposure to airborne SARS- CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19. William N. Bryan 5