We're Here to Help

Merit Family,

 

At large Merit production sites, we have started using non-contact infrared thermometers to monitor the temperature of anyone entering these facilities, employees and visitors included. 

 

First and foremost, I'd like to thank the volunteers who have made temperature screening possible at all these facilities worldwide. As fever is a common symptom of COVID-19, this is one of the many precautions we're taking, and your countless hours of dedication to this project has made a difference in helping to control the spread of the pandemic in many ways.

 

I know employees have questions about this new type of technology, and I want to use this newsletter to explain what non-contact infrared thermometers are, how they work, and the safety behind them.

WHAT IS INFRARED RADIATION?

The word "radiation" causes many people to panic. However, did you know that we're surrounded by natural forms of radiation every day?

Natural radiation is everywhere

Notice the bottom right corner in the above image. Yes, that's right! We as humans emit radiation! This type of radiation is called infrared radiation, a type of energy that's invisible to the human eye but that we can feel as heat. All objects in the universe give off some level of infrared radiation, including you! 

HOW DO NON-CONTACT INFRARED THERMOMETERS WORK?

Non-contact infrared thermometers work by receiving the energy you're emitting and funneling it into a detector. The detector turns it into heat which is then converted to electricity. The electricity is measured and displayed on the screen of the thermometer as your temperature. 

ARE NON-CONTACT INFRARED THERMOMETERS SAFE?

I've received many questions about the safety of non-contact infrared thermometers and whether they are harmful to the eyes or cause cancer. None of these rumors are true. Remember, infrared thermometers don't produce radiation but instead measure the heat your body is emitting. 

WHAT ARE SOME BENEFITS OF USING NON-CONTACT INFRARED THERMOMETERS?

According to the FDA, some benefits of using this type of thermometer include:

  • Non-contact approach may reduce the risk of spreading disease between people being evaluated
  • Easy to use
  • Easy to clean and disinfect
  • Measures temperature and displays a reading rapidly
  • Provides ability to retake a temperature quickly

HEALTHY RECIPE OF THE WEEK

To help you get through the season in a COVID-19-friendly way, in each newsletter I'll provide a new healthy recipe to try. This week?

 

The Ultimate Healthy Pumpkin Spice Latte

 

Too early for pumpkin spice lattes? Never! Make your own cuppa at home for a fraction of the cost and with better-for-you ingredients. Real pumpkin, flavorful spices, and no sugar. Can't get much better than that. 

 

Find the recipe here. 

The Ultimate Healthy Pumpkin Spice Latte​​​​​​​

SILVER LINING STORY

It seems like every day (COVID-19 or no) we're bombarded with frightening and worrisome news. But the truth of the matter is, good things are happening all around us—we just have to look.

Burmese roofed turtle

This week's Silver Lining Story comes from Myanmar, where the Burmese roofed turtle lives. This species was on the brink of extinction, but thanks to the hard work of dedicated scientists, these smiling little guys are being restored to nearly 1,000 individuals and counting. 

 

"We came so close to losing them," said Steven G. Platt, a herpetologist at the Wildlife Conservation Society. "If we didn't intervene when we did, this turtle would have just been gone."

 

Read the entire article here. 

UPDATE ON COVID-19 AT MERIT

We've now identified 114 cases of COVID-19 among the Merit family of approximately 5,900 (88 in the United States, 15 in Mexico, four in Sales-EMEA, two in Ireland, two in Sales-LAM, one in The Netherlands, one is Sales-APAC, and one in South Africa). Employees are recovering at home or at the hospital. Many employees who have recovered have returned to work.

COVID-19 Metrics

All facilities have implemented stringent COVID-19 protection measures to prevent any spread of the virus among Merit employees.

 

Please visit the Merit Metro (for employees who have Merit email addresses) or www.merit.com/covid-19-response-resource-page/ for the most updated information on Merit and COVID-19.

 

Please stay safe. Please stay positive (and keep smiling from 6 feet). I look forward to sharing more information with you soon.

 

Regards,

Dr. Nicole Priest, MD

Merit Medical Chief Wellness Officer

 

              

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