Masks: Japanese Method of Making a Face Mask Works

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April 4, 2020

To wear or not to wear? After months of going back and forth over whether people should be wearing face masks to help prevent the spread of Coronavirus, the powers that be have settled on the recommendation that people wear face masks to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. If you have tried to find face masks online, many companies have them on back order or are simply out of stock.

A blog post about the Japanese method of making a face mask is making its rounds around the internet so I thought I’d share it with you. I am no expert on Japanese mask making so I have no idea if it is a legitimate practice; but it looks like the method could fall squarely under the category of making something out of nothing and this method may work in a pinch.

Check out the article and method below:

Materials:
– Handkerchief (A regular cotton handkerchief of 18″ x 18″ is used in this tutorial.)
– 2 hair ties

Watch the video below to learn how to make the mask.

I tried the process and the method works, so choose your material and go!

This post was curated by Nsenga K. Burton, Ph.D. Follow her on Twitter @Ntellectual.

Follow The Burton Wire on Twitter @TheBurtonWire.

#QuarantineAndChill: Things to Do During the COVID-19 Crisis

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TheBurtonWire

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March 26, 2020

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Screen Shot 2020-03-26 at 7.57.08 AM — Photo: NNPA/BlackPressUSA

Writing for Black Press USA, The Burton Wire founder & editor-in-chief Nsenga K. Burton, Ph.D., offers readers some insight on what to do while at home during the coronavirus pandemic. Read an excerpt below:

Covid-19, Coronavirus or “Rona” as some are calling it has changed the way society typically functions. Some cities have imposed mandatory quarantines while others are encouraging self-control and self-quarantining. Many are complying with official requests for social distancing and eliminating contact with those outside of the household.

Folks are trying to manage how to teach their children at home and fulfill employment obligations while not losing their minds during this new normal marked by disappointments like canceled proms and graduations, rogue relatives refusing to follow the rules and constant news coverage of those who are sick and have passed away.

Despite these challenges there is a silver lining. Just when you were lamenting over failing to follow through on giving up social media for Lent, lots of people are coming together on social media to offer wonderful activities for those at home. Check out a few below:

Free Celebrity Performances on Instagram:

Celebrities are offering outstanding free programming. John Legend was joined by model and partner Chrissy Teigen for a CONVID-19 benefit concert from his living room that played on Instagram. If you didn’t catch John Legend, musical acts as diverse as Luke Bryan, JoJo, Miley Cyrus, D-Nice and Common are offering online concerts via Instagram. All you need is an Instagram account to watch and you’re good to go.

If those folks don’t do it for you, then check out NPR’s Tiny Desk Concerts series, intimate video performances, recorded live at the desk of “All Songs Considered,” host Bob Boilen. Rising rap star Chika’s performance just dropped and shows her skills and playful side. Other popular performances include The Roots featuring trombonist Jeff Bradshaw and Bilal, Rev. Sekou and The Seal Breakers, Lizzo, Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah and Omara Portuondo.

Speaking of Instagram, can you say Debbie Allen? The iconic dancer, choreographer and director offered up a free dance class this past Wednesday to lift the spirits of those feeling isolated during the crisis. Thousands checked in and had a blast based on the comments…

Read the entire article at Black Press USA.

Follow Nsenga on Twitter @Ntellectual or @TheBurtonWire.

African Jazz Great Manu Dibango Dies of Coronavirus

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TheBurtonWire

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March 26, 2020

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Screen Shot 2020-03-26 at 7.43.25 AM — Afro-Funk saxophonist Manu Dijambo has died from complications related to coronavirus. (Photo: Album Cover)

Afro-Funk saxophonist Manu Dijambo has died from complications related to coronavirus. (Photo: Album Cover)

The Associated Press is reporting African jazz-funk great Manu Dibango has died of complications related to COVID-19. Dibango blended African rhythms with funk to become one of the most influential musicians in world dance music. Dibango was hospitalized with an illness “linked to COVID-19,” his official Facebook page said last week. “Soul Makossa” was one of the earliest hits in the nascent world music scene, including a catchy hook copied by some of the world’s biggest pop stars.

The Afro-Funk saxophonist was born December 12, 1933, in the port city of Douala, Cameroon. His parents’ marriage was unusual for the time because his mother came from the Douala ethnic group and his father, who was a civil servant, from the Yabassi. NPR‘s Anastasia Tsioulcas writes about Dibango’s rise to fame:

“In the years after the success of “Soul Makossa,” he collaborated with many famed international artists, including Art Blakey, Herbie Hancock, Don Cherry, Sly and Robbie, Paul Simon, Peter Gabriel, King Sunny Adé, Youssou N’Dour, Hugh Masekela and Fela Kuti.

“Soul Makossa” was originally the B-side for a Dibango 45 RPM single; its refrain was something of a branding exercise for “makossa,” the funky, jazz-tinged dance genre that Dibango pioneered. (Kossa means “dance” in Douala, his mother’s native language.)”

Michael Jackson famously sampled “Soul Makossa” on his 1982 hit song “Wanna Be Startin Something,” on his legendary Thriller LP. The popular phrase “mama-se, mama-sa, ma-makossa” originated from Dibango’s song. Pop superstar Rihanna also sampled the song on her hit song “Don’t Stop the Music,” on her 2008 hit LP Good Girl Gone Bad.

Both were sued by the world music legend with Dibango settling with Jackson in the 2007 lawsuit. The 2009 suit against Fenty was dismissed due to the earlier settlement reached with Jackson.

A private funeral service will be held for the world music legend. Due to the coronavirus epidemic, France is not allowing more than 20 people to congregate for these occasions to limit exposure to the virus. Dibango is survived by four children. He was 86.

Hundreds of Billions of Locusts Swarm East Africa & S. Asia

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TheBurtonWire

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March 21, 2020

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BBC Africa Is reporting hundreds of billions of locusts are swarming through parts of East Africa and South Asia In what Is reportedly the worst Infestation for a quarter of a century, threatening crops and livelihoods.

The insects, which eat their own body weight in food every day, are breeding so fast numbers could grow four hundredfold by June making it a crisis.

The locust crisis that has now reached 10 countries could carry on to endanger millions more people, forecasters have said. Swarms of locusts are forming in the Horn of Africa, Kenya, Ethiopia and Somalia, Pakistan, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and India. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)has requested $138 million to help control the swarms and protect farmers whose livelihoods are being impacted.

Accuweather reports weather initiated the crisis. In 2018, cyclones from the Indian Ocean hit the Arabian Peninsula near the borders of Saudi Arabia, Yemen and Oman. Warm weather at the end of 2019, combined with unusually heavy rains, created the ideal conditions for the locusts.

The locusts spread rapidly and national emergencies have been declared in Pakistan, Jordan and Somalia. More than 140,000 acres of crops have been damaged in Pakistan alone since last April.

This story is developing.

Idris Elba: Actor Tests Positive for Coronavirus; Asymptomatic

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TheBurtonWire

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March 16, 2020

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The blogosphere is in a tizzy over the news actor Idris Elba has tested positive for Coronavirus. The Golden Globe award-winning television and film star is asymptomatic and currently quarantined at home with his family.

The Golden-Globe winning star of BBC’s “Luther” is among a growing list of actors who have tested positive for the virus including Tom Hanks, Rita Wilson and former Bond girl Olga Kurylenko.

Elba said he was tested last Friday after someone he had been exposed to tested positive. On Twitter he wrote,

“This morning I tested positive for Covid 19. I feel ok, I have no symptoms so far but have been isolated since I found out about my possible exposure to the virus. Stay home people and be pragmatic. I will keep you updated on how I’m doing No panic.”

The actor went on to add:

“Look, this is serious,” Now is the time to really think about social distancing, washing your hands.”

This post was written by Nsenga K. Burton, founder & editor-in-chief of The Burton Wire. Follow her on Twitter @Ntellectual.

Follow The Burton Wire on Twitter @TheBurtonWire.

Coronavirus: Nineteen African Nations Confirm Cases

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TheBurtonWire

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March 16, 2020

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Reuters Africa is reporting 19 African nations have confirmed cases of Coronavirus. Kenya, Ethiopia, Sudan, Guinea and Mauritania all confirmed their first cases of the new coronavirus on Friday, giving the disease a foothold in 19 countries on the African continent.

The article states:

“Africa had until now largely been spared the rapid spread of COVID-19, which has infected at least 135,000 people and killed around 5,000 worldwide.

Most of Africa’s reported cases were foreigners or people who had traveled abroad. Rapid testing and quarantines have been put in place to limit transmission.

But concerns are growing about the continent’s ability to handle the disease.

Cases have been reported in Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Algeria, Senegal, Togo, Cameroon, Burkina Faso, Democratic Republic of Congo, South Africa, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Sudan, Kenya and Ethiopia.”

This story is developing. Read the full story at Reuters.

Follow The Burton Wire on Twitter @TheBurtonWire.

Cannes: No Insurance if Film Festival Axed Due to Coronavirus

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TheBurtonWire

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March 11, 2020

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Cannes-poster-2019 — Promotional poster.

Variety is reporting that one of the world’s most glamorous and famous film festivals will not be covered by insurance if it is cancelled due to the coronavirus. Shockingly, the film festival rejected an opportunity to purchase a buy-back option from its insurers (Circle Group) to cover cancellations due to a pandemic or epidemic, just ten days ago. France’s government has already passed a law forbidding the gathering of more than 1,000 people since the coronavirus outbreak. One of the most expensive film festivals in the world, the Cannes Film Festival typically draws a crowd of 40,000 people.

The film festival costs approximately $33 million and is paid for by French taxpayers and corporate sponsors. Although the public relations department of the Cannes Film Festival has refused comment about the matter, Pierre Lescure, president of the Cannes Film Festival, confirmed to French outlet Le Figaro that the festival is not insured for coronavirus. He added that the offer made by Circle Group ten days ago was “totally disproportionate,” which is why they declined the buy-back option.

Kenya: Rare White Giraffe and Calf Killed by Poachers

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TheBurtonWire

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March 11, 2020

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BBC is reporting two extremely rare white giraffes have been killed by poachers in north-eastern Kenya leaving only one white giraffe alive. The third white giraffe is believed to be the only remaining white giraffe in the world.

Rangers found the carcasses of the female and her calf in a village in north-eastern Kenya’s Garissa County.

Their appearance is due to a rare condition called leucism, which causes skin cells to have no pigmentation. Watch the video below:

The poachers have not been identified and a motive is not clear at the time.

This story is developing.

For more information about this story, visit BBC.com.

Follow The Burton Wire on Twitter or Instagram @TheBurtonWire.

SCAD aTVfest 2020 Kicks-Off in Atlanta

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TheBurtonWire

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February 27, 2020

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SCAD aTVfest, Atlanta’s only festival dedicated to television kicks-off today and is now in its eighth year. It is Savannah College of Art & Design’s annual signature event celebrating the television industry which is held annually at SCADshow. This year’s festival runs February 27-29, 2020. Entertainment Weekly (EW) returns for the second year as Official Media Partner of SCAD aTVfest.

“This promises to be a fantastic aTVFest 2020 in Atlanta,” said Christina Routhier, Executive Director, SCAD aTVfest. “We are excited to have Entertainment Weekly return as our official media partner. We appreciate the amazing support from networks and studios that bring top shows, talent, and below the line artists to our festival. aTVFest is dedicated to showcasing the best industry artists working in television today, from showrunners, directors and writers to costume designers, production designers and casting agents. Once again, we are thrilled to continue to highlight female talent in front of and behind the camera.”

In addition to screenings, programming, events and panels, SCAD aTVfest presents awards to legends and newcomers in the television industry.

Producer/actress Kim Cattrall (FOX’s Filthy Rich) will receive the Icon Award; Eric McCormack (NBC’s Will & Grace) will receive the Impact Award; Tom Payne (FOX’s Prodigal Son) will receive the Discovery Award, Actor; Hunter Schafer (HBO’s Euphoria) will receive the Discovery Award, Actress; and the cast of NBC’s Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist will receive the Rising Star Cast Award. Honorees are scheduled to attend screenings and participate in conversations regarding their work.

The festival’s In Conversation Series includes talks with Eric McCormack, Malcolm Jamal-Warner, Hunter Schafer, Miss J Alexander and Grown-ish costume designer Michelle Cole and actress Yara Shahidi.

Click here for more information about SCAD aTVfest.

This post was written by Nsenga K. Burton, Ph.D., founder & editor-in-chief of The Burton Wire. Follow her on Twitter @Ntellectual or @TheBurtonWire.

WATCH: Hair Love Wins Best Animated Short Oscar

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TheBurtonWire

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February 11, 2020

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Screen grab of the short film Hair Love (YouTube/SONY)

Matthew Cherry’s animated short Hair Love won the 2020 Academy Award for Best Animated short, following in the footsteps of the late basketball star Kobe Bryant whose animated short film Dear Basketball won last year. Watch Matthew A. Cherry and Karen Rupert Toliver, executive vice president of creative for Sony Pictures Animation, accept the Oscar for Short Film (Animated) for HAIR LOVE at Oscars 2020:

“Hair Love was done because we wanted to see more representation in animation,” Cherry said during his acceptance speech. “We wanted to normalize black hair. There’s a very important issue that’s out there, the CROWN ACT and if we can’t help to get this passed in all 50 states it will help stories like DeAndre Arnold’s who’s our special guest tonight.” The CROWN Act ensures protection against discrimination based on hairstyles by extending statutory protection to hair texture and protective styles in the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) and state Education Codes.

DeAndre Arnold is a Texas teen who was banned from attending his prom and graduation because of wearing his hair in dreadlocks, a natural black hairstyle.

Actresses Yara Shahidi and Keri Shahidi, Academy Award winner Jordan Peele and Harrison Barnes served as co-executive producers on the project with Hollywood actors Gabourey Sidibe, Gabrielle Union and Dwayne Wade signing on as associate producers in addition to Stephanie Frederic, Claude Kelly and N’Dambi Gillespie. Frank Abney and Andrew Hawkins served as executive producers of the film, which started as a Kickstarter project. Hollywood it-woman Issa Rae is the voice of the mother in the short film.

Watch the full version of the animated short film Hair Love below:

This post was written by Nsenga K. Burton, Ph.D., founder & editor-in-chief of The Burton Wire. Follow her on Twitter @Ntellectual.

Follow The Burton Wire on Twitter @TheBurtonWire.

The Burton Wire

Masks: Japanese Method of Making a Face Mask Works

#QuarantineAndChill: Things to Do During the COVID-19 Crisis

African Jazz Great Manu Dibango Dies of Coronavirus

Hundreds of Billions of Locusts Swarm East Africa & S. Asia

Idris Elba: Actor Tests Positive for Coronavirus; Asymptomatic

Coronavirus: Nineteen African Nations Confirm Cases

Cannes: No Insurance if Film Festival Axed Due to Coronavirus

Kenya: Rare White Giraffe and Calf Killed by Poachers

SCAD aTVfest 2020 Kicks-Off in Atlanta

WATCH: Hair Love Wins Best Animated Short Oscar

Follow us on Instagram @theburtonwire

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