If you own a small business you know the day-to-day concerns, problems, issues, joys, concerns—basically everything! You know the costs of the day, you know the profits. You ARE your small business and love it or hate it or somewhere in between, this "baby" is yours and you take care of it for better or worse and all the in-betweens. You also know how important it is to keep your staff and yourself healthy and able to work. A lot of "big" businesses breathed a collective sigh of relief when the Supreme Court effectively put a halt to the OSHA mandate that would have required businesses with 100 or more employees to either show proof of vaccination for COVID-19 or to test regularly for the condition. Those businesses may have felt a huge relief because it was one less thing to have on their "plate." It was one less governmental mandate to worry about. It was one less drop in staff productivity. Some businesses didn't see the testing mandate as a burden as much as they saw it as an opportunity to make sure their employees were healthy. Some of those businesses are still instituting a testing plan just to keep their employees in the know as far as their COVID-19 status goes. It isn't being required, they just want to make certain their employees are healthy and aren't going to get each other sick or make their patrons sick. Some cities like Minneapolis and St. Paul in Minnesota took a somewhat "different" approach to the whole thing. The OSHA mandate is currently not active, yet they are requiring their dining patrons to show proof of vaccination or a recent negative COVID test in order to be served. (1) The mayors of these Twin Cities have emphasized that these are temporary, but "will go into effect on Jan. 19. Organizers of ticketed events will have until Jan. 26 to implement the new requirements. There is not a built-in expiration date for these measures in Minneapolis, but the St. Paul policy would end in 40 days without additional action." This could become an interesting tightrope for businesses in many areas. LastGerm is still offering free testing kits to businesses of any size. Check it out here. Keeping everyone healthier Once everyone has tested negative, wouldn't it be essential to keep those employees healthy? Of course, it would. Again, LastGerm can help you. We offer some very vital products that will not only keep your home "healthier" but also your office or other workplaces. Two of our workhorse products that are easy and safe to use are Vital Oxide and BioProtect Hydrating Hand Sanitizer. About Vital Oxide Whether you travel by plane, train or automobile, ship, horse-drawn carriage, sleigh, or other conveyance, do yourself another favor and stay safe by bringing along your travel-size Vital Oxide. Vital Oxide is a perfect choice for spraying down surfaces without annoying most people with unhealthy chemicals or noxious odors. In fact, they may even thank you. If you travel and stay in a hotel, using Vital Oxide to sanitize and clean your room is, well, VITAL! Vital Oxide and its components are safe to use on virtually any surface while remaining environmentally friendly since it breaks down into water, oxygen, and simple salt. We know that Vital Oxide is an all-in-one Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) registered hospital-grade disinfectant, cleaner, sanitizer, mold and mildew remover, and odor eliminator! We also know that Vital Oxide is very effective against Sars-CoV-2 and other virus and bacterial infections such as MRSA, Staph, and the Flu! That's because Vital Oxide includes a "hero" ingredient called Chlorine Dioxide. This is the power of Vital Oxide that creates a fast-acting, environmentally-friendly, effective broad-spectrum antimicrobial agent. It kills germs and microbes in their path and keeps you safer! You can read more about Vital Oxide here. About BioProtect Hydrating Hand Sanitizer Why use that stinky, skin-irritating, sometimes sticky, alcohol-based hand sanitizer that most places offer when you can use your own hydrating, aloe vera-infused hand sanitizer. This stuff does the job. It lasts for up to six hours of hand protection and kills 99.9% of germs and bacteria on your hands. I use it regularly and so does my 8 year old granddaughter. It is safe to use on those sticky hands that kids always seem to have. You can feel at ease because it is safe for regular use. You can learn more about BioProtect hand sanitizer here. Big business or small, keeping your employees as well as your customers safer from all the gunk in the air and crud going around just might make the most sense (cents and dollars, too)! Questions If you have questions or want to learn more about free COVID testing, Vital Oxide, or BioProtect Hydrating Hand Sanitizer, or any of our other products, contact an agent near you who will be happy to assist you. Resources https://www.newsbreak.com/news/2483961271501/proof-of-vaccination-or-negative-test-to-be-required-in-minneapolis-st-paul-restaurants?noAds=1&_f=app_share&s=i3

Almost all of us get sick. I get sick. You get sick. The kids get sick. Almost every single person on the planet Earth becomes sick once in a while. Sometimes we can be the most careful of people and still get sick. If you have read past weeks' blog posts you know how to do your best to keep from getting sick, but what if you do? This week's article will—with hope—answer that question and more for you. Take care of yourself If you get sick, take care of yourself. I know sometimes that can be very hard to do especially when you have children or other people that you have to care for. However, if you don't take care of yourself when you come down with any kind of virus or infection you won't be very good for others, either. Taking care of yourself can take many forms. It might look like added rest when possible. It might mean taking time off of work. I understand that sometimes it just isn't possible to take the time off or the kids need to go to practice or a thousand other things that describe life in the 2020s. As difficult as it is, if we don't take care of ourselves when we are ill, it is going to be detrimental to not only our health but even to those around us. I am not even talking about COVID-19 and the many variants. I am talking about plain, old, garden-variety flu. Remember before COVID when most of us went to work no matter how sick we were? Well, COVID has changed that for a good number of us. Our employers—for the most part—do not want us to come in if we are sick. The little "break" you get while out sick can be so beneficial to you, though. Keep Hydrated! Another part of taking care of yourself is to stay hydrated! I don't think we can emphasize this enough. A good number of us are dehydrated much of the time anyway, but it is even worse when we are sick. When your throat hurts, you don't feel like drinking anything. While there are many things we can drink, the best for keeping dehydration at bay is just plain old H2O (water). The Mayo Clinic lists several possible culprits behind dehydration (1): Causes Sometimes dehydration occurs for simple reasons: You don't drink enough because you're sick or busy, or because you lack access to safe drinking water when you're traveling, hiking, or camping. Other dehydration causes include: Diarrhea, vomiting. Severe, acute diarrhea — that is, diarrhea that comes on suddenly and violently — can cause a tremendous loss of water and electrolytes in a short amount of time. If you have vomiting along with diarrhea, you lose even more fluids and minerals. Fever. In general, the higher your fever, the more dehydrated you may become. The problem worsens if you have a fever in addition to diarrhea and vomiting. Excessive sweating. You lose water when you sweat. If you do vigorous activity and don't replace fluids as you go along, you can become dehydrated. Hot, humid weather increases the amount you sweat and the amount of fluid you lose. Increased urination. This may be due to undiagnosed or uncontrolled diabetes. Certain medications, such as diuretics and some blood pressure medications, also can lead to dehydration, generally because they cause you to urinate more. The same article also lists some things to look for when a person is dehydrated: Symptoms Thirst isn't always a reliable early indicator of the body's need for water. Many people, particularly older adults, don't feel thirsty until they're already dehydrated. That's why it's important to increase water intake during hot weather or when you're ill. The signs and symptoms of dehydration also may differ by age. Infant or young child Dry mouth and tongue No tears when crying No wet diapers for three hours Sunken eyes, cheeks Sunken soft spot on top of the skull Listlessness or irritability Adult Extreme thirst Less frequent urination Dark-colored urine Fatigue Dizziness Confusion When to see a doctor Call your family doctor if you or a loved one: Has had diarrhea for 24 hours or more Is irritable or disoriented and much sleepier or less active than usual Can't keep down fluids Has bloody or black stool The bottom line is to keep yourself hydrated. It will make you healthier all around! Don't forget to keep your home clean and sanitized! When we are sick, one of the last things we want to think about is cleaning! But keeping our spaces clean and sanitized is a vital part of keeping ourselves and our families, friends, co-workers, classmates, and everyone else safer from getting sick, too. Cleaning/sanitizing with Vital Oxide is one way that you can help keep yourself from getting sick in the first place and to help keep you from getting sick again! Use this product regularly to keep your spaces free from bacteria, microbes, and other nasty things that would love to make their home in your body! And... Our EPA Registered, NSF Approved, Hospital Grade, Deep Disinfection Service Kills 99.999% of Viruses, Bacteria and Pathogens has been approved by the EPA for use against SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that caused the Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19). We meet the EPA's emerging pathogen requirements for viruses showing efficacy against the enveloped and non-enveloped virus, both large and small. Viruses, bacteria, mold, and mildew have no chance of survival! Remembering to keep doing our due diligence to keep ourselves and our family, friends, and others safer and healthier is all part of living and working together! Resources (1) https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dehydration/symptoms-causes/syc-20354086 You may also be interested in: What makes Vital Oxide so special? Find out not only some tips on how this product works, but also what makes it work so well. READ MORE Living your best life fully protected Learn more about BioProtect and how it works to keep you healthier. READ MORE Don't let a virus take you down Bacteria . . . Viruses . . . MRSA . . . Impetigo . . . Over the course of the last two years or so we have been absolutely bombarded with news about the COVID-19 virus and its many variants as well as other scary infections. It has gotten to the point that many of us are "sick" of hearing about it! READ MORE

Bacteria . . . Viruses . . . MRSA . . . Impetigo . . . Over the course of the last two years or so we have been absolutely bombarded with news about the COVID-19 virus and its many variants as well as other scary infections. It has gotten to the point that many of us are "sick" of hearing about it! The news seems to change on a daily basis and no one really seems to know what's going on—not even the ones "in charge." Any type of virus or flu bug can take down you and your team. In this rapidly changing environment in which we live, that is just a given. But the LastGerm team is taking steps to help keep more coaches and their teams safer. This coming week the LastGerm team will be talking/presenting to the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) on January 9-11 in San Antonio, Texas. We are very excited about this because it will give us the opportunity to show this invitation-only group just what our products can do! Like, help stop COVID-19 in its tracks! For one hundred years, AFCA has been dedicated to improving football coaches through ongoing education, interaction, and networking. Their primary goal is to provide resources for personal and professional development amongst the football coaching profession. Because so many coaches from all over the United States will be there, this is a perfect opportunity for us to talk to them and show them firsthand how our products like Vital Oxide and BioProtect Hydrating Hand Sanitizer work not only in keeping you safe and protected but your entire team! Remember that cases of ringworm, impetigo, and MRSA can also have effects on your players' health. Vital Oxide can protect against those things, too! Protecting our athletes—whether they are professional, college, high school, or just the kids from the block gathering to play a quick game before being called to supper—is vital for not only our future but our present, too! Remember, we have you covered and protected, too! If you have questions or would like to learn more about our products and how they can help keep your team safer, contact an agent near you who will be happy to assist you. You may also be interested in: What makes Vital Oxide so special? Find out not only some tips on how this product works, but also what makes it work so well. READ MORE Living your best life fully protected Learn more about BioProtect and how it works to keep you healthier. READ MORE Catch a championship, not an infection! There is more lurking in the locker room than just a cold or flu bug. READ MORE

Remember when we could party and not have to worry—as much anyway—about catching something like COVID or a host of other diseases? Well, you can go into 2022 with a healthy attitude and a healthy body if you follow some tried and true techniques. We all know that we should wash our hands often and for at least 20 seconds, but what about those times when there is no water around? That's when you can whip out your handy pocket or purse-sized bottle of BioProtect Hydrating Hand Sanitizer. Not only does it kill 99.99% of germs and bacteria on your hands, but you will also soften them with the aloe vera-infused and hydrating mixture. It is made with water instead of alcohol so it isn't sticky or stinky, either. It can keep you healthier as COVID and other diseases continue to run their course throughout the world. But I tested negative for COVID-19. Why do I have to take all these precautions? As a type 2 diabetic, I have to follow certain protocols and take certain actions to ensure that I remain healthy. I have to test my blood sugar several times a day. I have to watch the foods that I eat. I have to take certain medications to keep my blood sugar in check. I have to do these things daily or I risk getting ill and/or having complications with my health. The same is true for taking care of yourself, your home, your workplace, your church, or wherever you may gather with others. You have to take certain precautions to keep yourself and others safe and healthy. So you tested negative for COVID? Great! Now keep your spaces clean to keep yourself negative! Using LastGerm products to help keep your space clean and sanitized Each week we have shared different scenarios and stories with you in our blog to help keep you and your family safe during these trying times. Earlier in this post, I shared with you about the BioProtect Hydrating Hand Sanitizer. It can keep you safer in day-to-day situations at work, at play, or wherever you are. We have previously talked about Vital Oxide. This beautiful product can help you not only clean and sanitize your home, business, etc., but it will also remove mold, mildew, and a host of other dangerous microbes and bacteria. Our article What Makes Vital Oxide So Special can answer a lot of your questions about how to use the product and what it does. In short, however, this little wonder in a bottle is an all-in-one Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) registered hospital-grade disinfectant, cleaner, sanitizer, mold and mildew remover, and odor eliminator! We also know that Vital Oxide is very effective against Sars-CoV-2 and other virus and bacterial infections such as MRSA, Staph, and the Flu! We have also told you about the 2-step process for cleaning/sanitizing. This is important when you want to clean an entire area and keep it sanitized for up to three (3) months! How will I know I am still COVID negative? Another great thing about LastGerm is the partnership we have to provide FREE COVID test kits to businesses, schools, churches, and more. We can provide you with test kits for testing twice a week, all of them 100% free to you and your organization. Our partner handles the paperwork (after the initial forms you will need to fill out). Insurance is not required and you can have peace of mind knowing that: You are meeting the testing mandate for employees who opt to not get vaccinated You are providing a service to all of your employees You are saving time by not having to send employees off-site to get tested. There are many more reasons that this is a powerful, cost-effective, and efficient way to meet mandates and keep you and your employees, co-workers, family safer. Because this is done through the mouth, you may also find less resistance from those who have had to have the far more invasive nasal test done. As always, if you have questions or want to learn more about free COVID testing, Vital Oxide, or BioProtect Hydrating Hand Sanitizer, contact an agent near you who will be happy to assist you. You may also be interested in: Getting Ready for a Safer Holiday If you will be entertaining for New Year's Eve (or any other time of the year), check out some tips for a safer and healthier gathering. READ MORE What the testing mandate means for you and how LastGerm can help Learn more about the upcoming testing mandate and see how LastGerm's FREE COVID testing kits can help you. READ MORE What makes Vital Oxide so special? Find out not only some tips on how this product works, but also what makes it work so well. READ MORE

By now, if you are a resident on planet earth, you are well aware of the many new COVID-19 variants that continue to plague our world. The arguments about vaccinations aside, there is an obvious dilemma being faced that is causing serious strains on finances and staffing within businesses, schools, churches, government centers, and literally every organization. If you own a business, you should also be aware that the mandate from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, OSHA, for COVID testing of employees was reinstated on December 17, 2021. Because of that, many companies are scrambling to get all of the testing supplies ordered, figure out all the paperwork, determine staffing for the testing times, and just have one more thing to deal with during already tumultuous times. “COVID-19 is spreading in workplaces, and workers are being hospitalized and dying,” the Justice Department argued in a court filing on Friday. “As COVID-19 case numbers continue to rise and a new variant has emerged, the threat to workers is ongoing and overwhelming.” The Labor Department on Friday said OSHA will not issue citations for noncompliance with any of the requirements until January 10, 2022, and it will not issue citations for the testing requirements until February 9 so long as businesses are making “good faith” efforts to implement the rules." According to a report on December 21 from The New York Times, President Joe Biden was quoted as saying that the plan to distribute 500 million rapid Covid-19 tests are "not enough,” Biden said, speaking of the nation’s testing efforts. “We have to do more. We have to do better. And we will.” During this speech, Biden also talked about his plan to fight the fourth wave of the disease which has caused the death of hundreds of thousands of Americans and over one million worldwide. “This is not March of 2020,” Biden said. “Two hundred million people are vaccinated. We’re prepared; we know more.” The Times report also said, "Many experts have called on Biden to be more aggressive about testing. Some European countries have robust, subsidized at-home testing programs. Throughout the pandemic, some of my friends in London have made a free nose swab part of their morning routine before commuting to work." But what are the mandate rules? According to cnet.com, "the directives, which require workers at companies with more than 100 employees to either get fully vaccinated or provide negative COVID-19 test results weekly, had been temporarily blocked by a federal appeals panel in Louisiana early in November." The mandate has been reinstated to take effect on January 4, 2022 with regulations that will cover approximately 84 million workers according to a report from a White House briefing. The following is an expert from the White House briefing. First, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, OSHA, is issuing a rule to require employers with 100 or more employees to ensure each of their workers is fully vaccinated or tests negative for COVID at least once a week. This rule covers 84 million employees. Second, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, CMS, is issuing a rule to require that healthcare workers at facilities participating in Medicare and Medicaid are fully vaccinated. This rule covers more than 17 million workers at approximately 76,000 healthcare facilities around the country. And third, to make it easy for businesses and workers to comply, we will be aligning the deadline for the previously announced requirement for employees of federal contractors to be fully vaccinated with these new OSHA and CMS rules. This single, consistent deadline across all three requirements is January 4th, 2022. How LastGerm can help WE can help you every step of the way! Our lab partners are currently providing educational institutions, organizations, and businesses with our Free Covid-19 Testing Partnerships. Our solution also comes with personalized software for your leadership team to allow for monitoring your staff and testing results 24 hours after each test. Your leadership POC receives the data at the same time all participating staff gets their results. Currently - many companies are doing the following to comply with testing: Find the money in the budget to buy all the necessary testing supplies Have access to a Doctor that will sign off for the testing (NPI approval #) Provide trained staff to administer the tests Provide trained staff to document and file the proper paperwork Pay for overnight shipping of all the tests to the lab Organize and provide results to all test takers Wait 60-90 days for reimbursements from medical insurance or the CARES Act Included In Our Free Program: · PCR Test Nasal Swab or Cheek Swab Options – 1 or 2x’s weekly · HIPAA Compliant Labs (Absolutely No Data Shared Outside your Designee) · National NPI # validated for staff Doctors · Paid Overnight Shipping to Our Lab · All Testing Supplies and Packaging · Multiple Locations? No problem. We send each one exactly what they need · Self-administered tests available (Proctor required to observe) · Software For Monitoring Results · Fully operational in 5-7 days · CLIA Certified Lab with Results in 24 hours from being received at the Lab · Staffing / Mobile Testing available in some areas · Antigen (rapid response) also available · No Insurance Required With our relationships through leading providers and laboratories, we can do this all 100% FREE. No out-of-pocket cost to anyone in your facility -EVER. This is FREE to your business, church, school, and more. We would enjoy the opportunity to answer your questions and get you prepared to facilitate this FREE program in your school, office, church, or other high-traffic venues. You can find out more about the COVID testing on our site. How else can LastGerm help? LastGerm prides itself on helping businesses and individuals in any way we can. We provide a full line of cleaning/sanitizing products that kill 99.99% of germs, bacteria, and microbes. Two of our signature products are Vital Oxide Two-Step Process using Vital Oxide and BioProtect BioProtect Hydrating Hand Sanitizer Our process stops germs, viruses, mold and more dead in its tracks! If you have questions or want to learn more about free COVID testing, Vital Oxide, or BioProtect Hydrating Hand Sanitizer, contact an agent near you who will be happy to assist you.

Many of us are anticipating this holiday season with great joy and excitement. Let's face it, COVID-19 has not been kind to us. It has kept some of us from being with our families and friends for far too long! But we can all make our holidays—and every day—safer by following some precautions. Let's look at a few things we can do to make our holidays safer. COVID Testing I don't know anyone who enjoys getting a test to see if they have COVID-19. I am sure there are some people out there, but... I digress. Getting a COVID test before your travel somewhere is a good idea. You don't want to give anyone an unplanned "gift" this holiday season! Whatever your beliefs about this illness are, taking this extra step to keep yourself and others protected is a good idea. A very good idea! Give your family and friends the "gift of good health" by making sure you are in good health! Last Germ has partnered with My COVID Tests to provide free COVID tests to businesses and for community events. If you are interested in any events for a free test (without making an appointment or having to pay for it) check out our information page. The nice thing about our tests is that they are mouth swabs, not the brain-tickling ones! No matter where or how you get the test done, do your loved ones a favor and just do it! Use Vital Oxide Whether you travel by plane, train or automobile, ship, horse-drawn carriage, sleigh, or other conveyance, do yourself another favor and keep yourself safer by bringing along your travel-size Vital Oxide. Vital Oxide is a perfect choice for spraying down surfaces without annoying most people with unhealthy chemicals or noxious odors. In fact, they may even thank you. If you are planning to stay in a hotel, using Vital Oxide to sanitize and clean your room is, well, VITAL! Vital Oxide and its components are safe to use on virtually any surface while remaining environmentally friendly since it breaks down into water, oxygen, and simple salt. We know that Vital Oxide is an all-in-one Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) registered hospital-grade disinfectant, cleaner, sanitizer, mold and mildew remover, and odor eliminator! We also know that Vital Oxide is very effective against Sars-CoV-2 and other virus and bacterial infections such as MRSA, Staph, and the Flu! That's because Vital Oxide includes a "hero" ingredient called Chlorine Dioxide. This is the power of Vital Oxide that creates a fast-acting, environmentally-friendly, effective broad-spectrum antimicrobial agent. It kills germs and microbes in their path and keeps you safer! You can read more about Vital Oxide here. Use BioProtect Hydrating Hand Sanitzier Why use that stinky, skin-irritating, sometimes sticky, alcohol-based hand sanitizer that most places use when you can use your own hydrating, aloe vera-infused hand sanitizer. This stuff does the job. It lasts for up to six hours of hand protection and kills 99.9% of germs and bacteria on your hands. I use it regularly and so does my granddaughter who is 8 years old. It is safe to use on those sticky hands that kids always seem to have. You can feel at ease because it is safe for regular use. You can learn more about BioProtect hand sanitizer here. Questions? If you have questions or want to learn more about free COVID testing, Vital Oxide, or BioProtect Hydrating Hand Sanitizer, contact an agent near you who will be happy to assist you.

I went to my hometown pharmacy the other day to pick up a prescription. On the counter, they had do-it-yourself-at-home COVID tests for sale—$49 per test. I thought, "Hey, that's pretty reasonable." But then I thought about it some more. If a person has to test a couple of times a week at $49 a pop, that's $98. Plus tax. Per week. It goes without saying—but I'll say it anyway—That's A LOT of MONEY! Whether you are paying for it out of your own pocket or your employer is paying it, it is still costing YOU! If you are currently paying anything (even if you are getting reimbursed) for your testing program, STOP! With LastGerm, not only do we provide products for self-sanitizing surfaces - now we offer FREE Covid Testing for everyone! So why is this important and why now? Well, let me explain... Let's look at several challenges we are dealing with. First, the constantly changing variants of Covid-19. The mutations seem to be more powerful each time and they are getting here faster. The ability test FREE every 72 hours could greatly reduce the transmission rate of this virus. Every day you are pro-active could save many others from becoming ill. Second, it's the holidays. And, we have been waiting literally for two years to get out and "party like it's 1999!" Everywhere I look there are multiple choices for activities. Concerts, Santa parties, movies, family dinners, and of course the abundance of travel and New Years Eve parties. Would you enjoy these memorable times even more if you knew everyone at the party tested negative for the fastest growing virus? And, upon return to work, college, or your hometown - it is also a relief getting tested and knowing YOU are healthy! Thirdly, on November 4, President Biden and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) released the mandatory vaccine/testing requirements for businesses with more than 100 personnel. This mandate is on a temporary legal hold, but millions of businesses could soon be facing difficult decisions. Non-compliance violations could mean up to a $14,000 fine, not to mention the cost of the testing kits and breaks in productivity to send people out to get tested. Even if the mandate does not pass, there are a lot of really great reasons to do COVID-19 tests frequently, especially in settings like schools, churches, and places of work. If there is a number of people in close proximity, then regular testing is important. Ensuring that everyone is COVID free builds confidence in everyone that enters your facility. It also can decrease the days that staff or students are out due to illness and onsite testing can take a few minutes instead of hours to travel to an outside facility. Last Germ is able to assist your business or organization with this for whatever reasons you decide to do testing. Our partnership with My Covid Tests will help your organization, no matter what size, with 100% FREE test kits. Wait! What? Yes, 100% free. Read on! Many organizations have considered weekly testing as an incredible way to build confidence in their staff and clients and have implemented programs even without any mandates in place. Currently - many companies will be/are doing the following to comply with testing: • Find the money in the budget to buy all the necessary testing supplies • Have access to a Doctor that will sign off for the testing (NPI approval #) • Provide trained staff to administer the tests • Provide trained staff to document and file the proper paperwork • Pay for overnight shipping of all the tests to the lab • Organize and provide results to all test takers • Wait 60-90 days for reimbursements from medical insurance or the CARES Act Here is how we can help you: • We (Last Germ and My Covid Tests) have reserved 250k tests per week thru June 2022 • We have an NPI # validated through our staff Doctors allowing purchase of test supplies • We have self-administering tests (cheek or nasal swab) so a "proctor" (someone to oversee the self-tests) is the only person needed during testing times • After the initial registration process, each tester provides an ID card with the swab. No other paperwork is needed from the employer • Results show in 24 hours through a digital portal. The employer will receive all positive results. Every employee will have an app that will provide them with their results, either negative or positive. This app will be very helpful if they are in a location that will require validation of negative results in order to enter a facility, event, etc • We file all the necessary processing documents (HIPAA compliant) • We also have antigen testing available with 15-minute results for large events such as concerts, cruise ships, sports events, etc. With our relationships with leading providers and laboratories, we can do this all 100% FREE. No out-of-pocket cost to anyone in your facility -EVER. Join us for this informational call that will inform you about a FREE Partnership thru LastGerm.com. We are able to take care of all the challenges concerning Covid Testing including all supplies, staffing, paperwork, shipping, and results - leaving you to do what's most important to YOU and those you serve. Please join us for a LIVE webinar to get all your questions answered. (Click the following link to get signed up for the next webinar.) Wednesday, December 8 at 1 PM CST􀂻􀀮􀂮􀂻􀁒􀁳􀁆􀊅􀂣􀂦􀁿􀁆􀂦􀀁 We Are Here to Help You Reopen and Stay Open For more information, you may also visit our page on Covid Testing. And remember, keeping your surfaces sanitized is just as helpful as testing. For more information on our 2 Step Process, visit us at LastGerm or connect with an agent HERE .

Well, one of the major holidays (Thanksgiving Day) of the year has passed into memory and the next major one (Christmas) is mere weeks away. With all the holiday events and happenings, it might be easy to forget some basics in the area of keeping healthy. In our quest for better health, we sometimes neglect the simple things, like keeping our skin safe and protected, too. The winter months can be especially hard on our hands. When you add in the use of hand sanitizers, our hands can become rough and no amount of hand lotion seems to help. But there are ways that we can be healthier and have softer hands, too! Why use a hydrating hand sanitizer? Simple. It keeps your hands from becoming those crusty, leather-like mitts that regular hand sanitizers seem to always create. While there are hand sanitizers out there that make claims of being gentler on your hands, it isn't always the case. Also, few of those products can claim to kill 99.99% of germs and bacteria on your hands. But BioProtect from Last Germ can proudly make that claim with their Hydrating Hand Sanitizer. I was skeptical because my hands feel like a dried-up old apple core in the winter especially after the past couple of winters while using hand sanitizers and constantly washing my hands. BioProtect Hydrating Hand Sanitizer provides up to 6 hours of extended protection for your hands. It's effective against 99.99% of germs and bacteria on hands and reduces the risk of skin-to-skin and skin to surface transfer of bacteria. When I first used it, I was amazed at the lack of that typical alcohol-based odor. That's because it is a water-based, alcohol-free, paraben-free and sulfate-free formula that moisturizes skin with aloe vera instead of drying out hands like traditional alcohol-based sanitizers. Efficacy is increased and extended with repeated use. Another great thing about this product is that it is safe for kids to use. Talk about bacteria and germ magnets! Kids' hands seem to find every surface in the house and beyond! Because they love to explore and touch everything, BioProtect Hydrating Hand Sanitizer can keep them safer. The other great thing about it is that you don't have to use very much product and it dries quickly and without any sticky residue. I am not saying that other hand sanitizers don't work. What I am saying is that this one works great and without all those additives that can dry out my hands. Product Benefits • Proudly Made in the USA • Effective against 99.99% of germs and bacteria • Water-based, Alcohol-free, Paraben-free, Sulfate-free formula • Efficacy increases with extended and repeated use • Natural Aloe Vera in the formula • Long-lasting 6-hour protection • Kid-safe You can read more about what BioProtect is and how it works here. As you are preparing for your next holiday celebration or just anytime that you would normally use a hand sanitizer, use the conveniently packaged 1.7 Fl. oz size that fits easily in a pocket, purse or backpack (or whatever you happen to want to carry it in). If you are taking a flight, bring it along and keep your hands sanitized for up to six hours! Your hands don't have to suffer because you want to be protected! If you want to learn more about BioProtect Hydrating Hand Sanitizer, contact an agent near you who will be happy to assist you.

Bacteria. Food-Borne Illnesses. Salmonella.Botulism. E. Coli. Listeria... Scary words to think about especially when many of us are making plans for Thanksgiving dinner with family and friends. You don't want to be serving up a big helping of food-borne illness (unless, of course, you don't like your family and friends). As careful as we can be with cooking from making sure the food is cooked at the proper temperatures and that you have kept your work surfaces clean, there is always a chance that someone could get sick. Food-borne illness or food poisoning? When I took a food safety class several years ago, one thing we were taught is that the proper term for getting sick from food is a food-borne illness. The instructor made it clear that "food poisoning" is what happens if the food is actually poisoned. Well, whatever you choose to call it, getting sick from food is no fun. Here are symptoms that are often the result of "food poisoning." (1) Diarrhea Vomiting Abdominal Pain and Cramping Fever Headaches Chills Muscle Aches Difficulty Swallowing or Dry Mouth Some food-borne illnesses only last a few hours, while some can last several days. Some have one or two symptoms, while others might cause multiple symptoms. Diarrhea is the most prevalent. But wouldn't it be great if we could lessen the chances of anyone getting sick in the first place? But how? While no system is ever 100% foolproof, there are some steps that can be taken to ensure the probability of an illness-free event. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has four steps that can help you have a better and safer holiday or meal any time of the year. 1. Clean: Wash your hands and surfaces often. Germs that cause food poisoning can survive in many places and spread around your kitchen. Wash hands for 20 seconds with soap and water before, during, and after preparing food and before eating. Wash your utensils, cutting boards, and countertops with hot, soapy water. Rinse fresh fruits and vegetables under running water. 2. Separate: Don’t cross-contaminate. Raw meat, poultry, seafood, and eggs can spread germs to ready-to-eat foods—unless you keep them separate. Use separate cutting boards and plates for raw meat, poultry, and seafood. When grocery shopping, keep raw meat, poultry, seafood, and their juices away from other foods. Keep raw meat, poultry, seafood, and eggs separate from all other foods in the refrigerator. 3. Cook to the right temperature. Food is safely cooked when the internal temperature gets high enough to kill germs that can make you sick. The only way to tell if food is safely cooked is to use a food thermometer. You can’t tell if food is safely cooked by checking its color and texture. Use a food thermometer to ensure foods are cooked to a safe internal temperature. Check out this chart from FoodSafety.gov (3) for a detailed list of temperatures and foods, including shellfish and precooked ham. (For your convenience, it is also just below this section.) Whole cuts of beef, veal, lamb, and pork, including fresh ham (raw): 145°F (then allow the meat to rest for 3 minutes before carving or eating) Fish with fins: 145°F or cook until flesh is opaque Ground meats, such as beef and pork: 160°F All poultry, including ground chicken and turkey: 165°F Leftovers and casseroles: 165°F 4. Chill: Refrigerate promptly. Bacteria can multiply rapidly if left at room temperature or in the “Danger Zone” between 40°F and 140°F. Never leave perishable food out for more than 2 hours (or 1 hour if exposed to temperatures above 90°F). Keep your refrigerator at 40°F or below and know when to throw food out. (If in doubt, throw it out!) Refrigerate perishable food within 2 hours. If the food is exposed to temperatures above 90°F (like a hot car or picnic), refrigerate it within 1 hour. Thaw frozen food safely in the refrigerator, in cold water, or in the microwave. Never thaw foods on the counter because bacteria multiply quickly in the parts of the food that reach room temperature. (2) Don't forget to use Vital Oxide to keep your kitchen and home safe One of the best things you can do to get your home and kitchen ready for your guests is to make the use of Vital Oxide a routine in your home. Vital Oxide is an all-purpose cleaner that is also an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered disinfectant. It can be used on most surfaces to clean, sanitize and disinfect. Because it kills 99.9% of bacteria and viruses, including influenza and SARS-CoV-2 (the COVID-19 virus), without harsh chemicals, noxious odors, harmful residues, or alarming safety warnings, you can feel safe using it in your home and other meeting places. It is also safe to use around pets and for disinfecting food preparation areas. You can read more about how to use Vital Oxide to keep your kitchen sanitized this holiday and every day in our blog post-Tis the season to be . . . safe! Tips on keeping your holidays healthier!! Have a happy holiday season from Last Germ. If you want to learn more about how Vital Oxide and/or how the 2-step process can help you or if you have any questions about how it all works, you can contact an agent near you. They will be happy to assist you. References: 1. 9 Expected Food Poisoning Symptoms 2. Four Steps to Food Safety: Clean, Separate, Cook, Chill 3. Safe Minimum Cooking Temperatures Chart

The air we breathe is one of the most important aspects of health that you can imagine. Without breath, there is no life. But what about toxic air from the chemicals we use to "clean?" Certainly, those cannot be any good for the air we breathe. In fact, Discover Magazine online states the fumes from these "cleaning agents" stick around. The article—aptly titled, "Cleaning fumes linger a long time in your home—and cracking a window doesn't help," goes over some of the common chemicals in a typical household from benign to toxic. These chemicals can linger on your household surfaces and cause serious issues. Scary. Scientists Confirm the Worst According to the article, "scientists recently tried the same air-freshening tactic [cracking open a window] for 19 common chemicals found in homes — and found that it didn’t actually do anything." 1 The article went on to say that even after opening all of the windows in the test house seven different times for half an hour each, the "chemicals reappeared at pre-air-out levels within minutes." The scientist's conclusion? That all of the surfaces in a home from the curtains to the counters and more were acting as "big chemical reservoirs." How can it be that we are still using certain "cleaning chemicals?" Are they causing us to have health problems? Scientists believe that they may cause problems if we interact with them too much. How much is too much, however? Chen Wang, a chemist at the University of Toronto, and her colleagues focused on the household chemicals that might cause health problems like ammonia which is found in some cleaning products. What they found through their "cracking open a window" experiment was that when the windows were open, the chemical concentrations went down. But when they closed the windows again, "it took a maximum of about 55 minutes for the chemicals to reappear at basically the same levels. In some cases, it took little more than eight minutes. 'It was a little bit surprising,' Wang says. 'We thought it wouldn’t be so fast.'” "Though some of these chemicals might come with health risks if someone is exposed to them for a long time, this study doesn’t investigate whether the concentrations they recorded are harmful. However, the finding does mean that chemists need to better understand how these byproducts of our daily lives attach to and interact with our surroundings," according to the article. Another thing to keep in mind if you do decide to open your windows is that some chemicals might also make their way into your house. The article specifically pointed to "ozone, which reacts with all kinds of things. “The open window might decrease some chemicals, but might increase others,” Wang says. More worrisome news... The American Lung Association points out that, "Cleaning is essential to protecting our health in our homes, schools, and workplaces. However, household and cleaning products—including soaps, polishes, and grooming supplies—often include harmful chemicals. Even products advertised as "green" or "natural" may contain ingredients that can cause health problems. Some cleaning supplies can even be flammable or corrosive. Fortunately, you can limit your exposure to those risks. Read all labels and follow instructions when using cleaning products. It could save your life." 2 Cleaning is a reality and a necessary one. But could toxic cleaning—coupled with improper ventilation—be part of our indoor air quality problems? Indoor air problems can be subtle and do not always produce easily recognized impacts on health, well-being, or the physical plant. Symptoms include headaches, fatigue, shortness of breath, sinus congestion, coughing, sneezing, dizziness, nausea, and irritation of the eye, nose, throat, and skin. 3 Women’s Voices for the Earth, whose tagline is: “Our Health, Our Future, Toxic Free” recently released an article on the hidden toxins in the everyday cleaners we buy: “Cleaning product companies tell you that to keep your home clean and smelling fresh, you need to rely on an army of cleaning and air care products. Sprays, wipes, powders, liquids, and more are sold with the promise of improving your home and your health by removing dirt and germs. More often than not, these products are also infused with fragrance to add a pleasant sensory experience to your everyday chores and to give your home that “clean” and “fresh “smell of lemon or pine forests. What companies are not telling you is that cleaning products can contain toxic chemicals that may harm your health. Manufacturers often recommend frequent and repeated use of their products, but this also translates to frequent and repeated exposures to potentially harmful chemicals. You may inhale these chemicals by breathing indoor air and some of them can be absorbed through the skin. Long-term exposures to certain chemicals found in household cleaners have been linked to serious health problems like pregnancy complications, breast cancer, birth defects, asthma, and allergic reactions.” 4 This article also points to the fact that superbugs can be created through the use of household cleaning products. In fact, according to the World Health Organization #3 & #4 cause of death worldwide is respiratory and pulmonary infections! A study by the National University of Ireland discovered that introducing disinfectants to laboratory cultures of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, caused the bacteria to adapt to survive not only the disinfectant but also to common antibiotics without having ever been exposed to them. The bacteria cell had adapted to rid itself of disinfectants and antibiotics and created a mutation in its DNA to resist certain strains of antibiotics altogether. Superbugs can easily get out of control. Certain resistant bacteria are known for causing pneumonia, urinary tract infections, skin infections, and more which can all become very dangerous if they can’t be treated and the patient’s health is compromised. 5 But there is hope. Read on! So what can we do to protect ourselves and clean our homes, schools, churches, workplaces, and more? If you want your spaces to be truly clean and much safer, you can check out the line of microbe-killing/destroying products from Last Germ. With Vital Oxide and the 2-step process employed by Last Germ, germs are killed physically, no harsh or toxic chemicals are required. In Step 2 of our Last Germ system, this Antimicrobial Protectant is effective at killing 99.99% of the dangers we cannot see and goes on protecting against new microbes that come in contact with a protected surface for up to 90 days. And, just recently, we have new testing that shows elimination of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, for up to 46 days! Our 2-step process begins with completely killing any existing bacteria, viruses, and germs that are on a surface. Vital Oxide is a hospital-grade disinfectant that is EPA Registered and can be found on the N list as a product that successfully eliminates SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19). This product is applied with an electrostatic sprayer, allowing every surface point to be sanitized. After 5 minutes, 99.999% of microbes are eliminated. 6 Finally... If you want to learn more about how Vital Oxide and/or how the 2-step process can help you or if you have any questions about how it all works, you can contact an agent near you. They will be happy to assist you. References Discover Magazine: https://www.discovermagazine.com/environment/cleaning-fumes-linger-a-long-time-in-your-home-and-cracking-a-window-doesnt American Lung Association: https://www.lung.org/clean-air/at-home/indoor-air-pollutants/cleaning-supplies-household-chem Last Germ: https://www.lastgerm.com/the-air-you-breathe Last Germ: https://www.lastgerm.com/post/cleaning-is-a-problem-when-using-toxic-cleaners Last Germ: https://www.lastgerm.com/post/cleaning-is-a-problem-when-using-toxic-cleaners Last Germ: https://www.lastgerm.com/how-it-works

Most of us love the holidays. We love the time spent with family and friends. The last thing we want to think about is getting sick. We are going to look briefly at two topics in this week's blog: How to keep healthier this holiday season How to keep your food prep areas safer How to keep healthier this holiday season (and the rest of the year, too!) These days our health is one of our greatest assets. Even when we have nothing else, if we have our health, we can count ourselves fortunate. In addition to concerns this season about the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and the many variations of it, we also have to keep in mind that the "regular" flu is out there, too. If there was only one thing that COVID-19 taught us, it is that good hygiene, mask-wearing, and staying home when sick keep us much healthier. Another step that kept us healthier was frequent disinfection of high-contact surfaces. According to the Vital Oxide site, COVID-19 brought with it a steep decline in influenza. In fact, 2020's influenza "season" had the lowest number of cases ever recorded! While in a normal year, we might see one in ten people sick with the flu, that was not the case last year. 1 According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), public health and clinical laboratories reported 2,038 flu cases during the season from September 27, 2020, to April 24, 2021. The CDC estimates about 38 million people were sick with the flu during the 2019-2020 season. 2 That is HUGE! Seven tips to keep healthier this season While there are many tips out there to keep you healthier, here are seven that are fairly common, no-nonsense ways to avoid influenza or other viral infections this holiday. Wash your hands thoroughly and frequently with soap and warm water throughout the day. Avoid touching your eyes, mouth, and nose without first washing your hands. Use hand sanitizer (if soap and water aren’t available). Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze. Stay home if you believe you’re sick. Avoid contact with those who are sick. Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces at home, work, or school, especially when someone is ill. Speaking of disinfecting, let's talk about Vital Oxide and how it can help you keep your home, office, church and other gathering places much safer. How Vital Oxide by Last Germ can give you a "cleaner" home Vital Oxide is an all-purpose cleaner that is also an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered disinfectant. It can be used on most surfaces to clean, sanitize and disinfect. Because it kills 99.9% of bacteria and viruses, including influenza and SARS-CoV-2 (the COVID-19 virus), without harsh chemicals, noxious odors, harmful residues, or alarming safety warnings, you can feel safe using it in your home and other meeting places. It is also safe to use around pets and for disinfecting food preparation areas. Speaking of food preparation areas, that brings us to our second topic. How to keep your food prep areas healthier You may not know this, but there is a difference between cleaning and sanitizing. Just because something is "cleaned" or looks clean, does not mean it is sanitized or disinfected. While the kitchen counter in the photograph above looks clean, it may still be covered in germs and bacteria. According to the Vital Oxide site, there are three processes that are used, the most common would be cleaning, followed by sanitizing and then disinfecting. Cleaning is basically the process of removing debris and germs. It does not kill pathogens. It is the first step in preventing foodborne illness, though. Sanitizing is the process of reducing germs. Some areas that should be sanitized include: Cutting boards Countertops, prep-tables, work surfaces Food-contact equipment (can openers, slicers, grinders, mixers, etc.) Dishes and utensils Refrigeration units Beverage and ice equipment Vital Oxide is ideal for sanitizing these items and areas as it is food-safe. It is considered a "no-rinse required" food contact surface sanitizer. It works fast and is effective! Disinfecting is the process of killing germs. Killing germs, bacteria, viruses and fungi is one of Vital Oxide's calling cards. It safely eliminates and kills harmful microbes and can make your holidays memorable for the fun, not the flu! Here is a simple five steps to effectively clean, sanitize and disinfect from Vital Oxide. 3 FIVE STEPS TO EFFECTIVELY CLEAN & SANITIZE OR DISINFECT Your home kitchen deserves the same treatment as a food prep area in a restaurant. Here are the steps to follow to keep your kitchen clean and free of pathogens. 1. PREPARE THE SURFACE Before you break out your cleaning supplies, brush off any loose debris or food particles from the surface (like a countertop) or item (like a plate), and dispose of them. You can use a paper towel or wet microfiber cloth to remove the debris and soak up any spills or wet messes. 2. CLEAN THE SURFACE Use a surface-safe cleaning solution to help dissolve any persistent food and residue, and dirt. Vital Oxide can be used in this pre-cleaning step. Unlike harsh conventional cleaners like bleach, Vital Oxide can be used on virtually every surface type, including wood, natural stone, stainless steel, concrete, glass, laminate, tile, and more. 3. RINSE THE SURFACE (IF NEEDED) Rinse the surface with water to remove the residual cleaning solution. Rinsing is necessary because cleaning chemicals are not compatible with sanitizers and disinfectants. If they combine, the sanitizer won’t be able to do its job, or, worse, mixing chemicals can have disastrous effects. However, if you used Vital Oxide to clean, there is no need to rinse before the next step. 4. SANITIZE OR DISINFECT THE SURFACE WITH VITAL OXIDE After thoroughly cleaning, spray or wipe (using a microfiber cloth, not a paper towel) the surface with Vital Oxide to sanitize or disinfect. For sanitizing food-contact surfaces, Vital Oxide can be diluted, 9 parts water to 1 part Vital Oxide. For disinfecting, Vital Oxide must always be applied full-strength. 5. ALLOW THE SURFACE TO DRY Air-drying might seem trivial and time-consuming. However, this is an essential step of sanitizing and disinfecting. Typically, sanitizers require an average of 60 seconds of contact to kill germs on the surface, and disinfectants can take up to 10 minutes. Always read the product’s label before use to determine the appropriate drying time. Finally... Have a happy holiday season. Create a new tradition this year and give everyone the gift of Vital Oxide. If you want to learn more about how Vital Oxide and/or how the 2-step process can help you or if you have any questions about how it all works, you can contact an agent near you. They will be happy to assist you. References: 1: https://vitaloxide.com/blogs/blog/the-2021-2022-influenza-season-is-upon-us-here-s-what-you-need-to-know 2: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/index.htm 3, https://vitaloxide.com/blogs/blog/help-prevent-foodborne-illnesses-by-cleaning-sanitizing-your-food-prep-area-correctly

Germs and other microbial organisms are all around us. They are in the surfaces we touch, in the air we breathe, even in the food we eat. While we can never be fully free of the "bad" germs—or "cooties" like we used to call boy's and girl's germs when I was a kid growing up—we can do things to make our homes, offices, schools, churches, cars, boats, cabins and all the other places that life takes place safer. BioProtect is the "godfather of antimicrobials" One of the most familiar lines from the movie "The Godfather" is when Michael Corleone says, "My father made him an offer he couldn’t refuse." From that line, we understand that the Godfather is a tough, smart, strong, and ruthless negotiator that gets what he wants. Similarly, BioProtect is tougher than nails, a no-nonsense protectant that will leave no doubt in your mind about its strength. BioProtect is part of the 2-step process that makes the Vital Oxide treatment so long-lasting and an ultimate protector. What is BioProtect? BioProtect is an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) registered antimicrobial formula that not only provides long-lasting protection against harmful microbes including bacteria, fungi, algae, and yeast, but also is versatile enough to be used anywhere you are. It is a one-of-a-kind, water-based, surface protectant that forms a long-lasting, persistent, continuous bond that inhibits microbial growth on all applied surfaces. The product can be used in a multitude of industries including, but not limited to, the following: agriculture, animal care, education facilities, entertainment and leisure, food service, government services, healthcare, hospitality and travel, aviation, marine, oil, and gas, plastics and metal coatings, poultry, textiles, etc. BioProtect is safe for both humans and the environment. No poison, toxic chemicals, or heavy metals are used. This is another reason it works so well with Vital Oxide! It is more affordable than comparable technologies such as triclosan and silver ion technologies. The unique non-leaching and non-volatile formula has proven to remain effective at killing microbes and reducing odors for 90+ days on various surfaces. 1 Check out our patented 2 step process for the ultimate protection that shields you from dangerous germs and microbes that can keep you from living your best life! The unique part of our process is our second product. BioProtect is an anti-microbial surface protectant. EPA Registered and FDA Approved, this product can be used in any facility, including areas where children and pets play and on food prep areas. Once again, we use our sprayer to lay down a protectant on all porous and non-porous surfaces and this barrier provides a continual elimination of any microbe that lands on this surface! ​ Just spray, mist or fog onto a surface directly from the bottle or electrostatic or ULV sprayer, it’s as easy as that! No rinse is required, even for food surface contact, and remains effective for up to 90 days. In a nutshell, our LastGerm process works like this: BioProtect is formulated to be safe, easy to use, and will provide continuous elimination of 99.99% of bacteria for up to 90 days with just ONE application. The illustration below gives an idea of how BioProtect works on a surface. If you want to learn more about the 2 step process or The Science Behind LastGerm, contact an agent near you who will be happy to assist you. We have included some videos below to enhance your knowledge about BioProtect. Just remember, we can also answer your questions or concerns, so reach out to us if you have questions via e-mail or telephone: management@lastgerm.com 218-838-2379 Need more information but don't know what to ask? Check out this video: Here is some techy/sciency stuff for those of you who want the chemical composition and how that all works! The last video is a little bit longer (about 5 minutes). It goes a bit deeper into the superbugs we are seeing today and how BioProtect can help fight them. References: https://skyhawkglobal.net/what-is-bioprotect/