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New Delhi, Apr 3 () The Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY) on Friday started a 'hackathon' to find working solutions for overcoming the Covid-19 pandemic. "Aim of this hackathon is to strengthen fight against COVID19.The winning ideas from few top participating teams, as implementable solutions on corona crisis is expected to help India and global citizens," MeitY said in a statement. Minister of State for Electronics &amp; IT, Communications and Human Resource Development Sanjay Dhotre while inaugurating the program said coronavirus has thrown unprecedented challenges for the world and industries alike. "While we continue to fight these challenges as a nation, amidst business disruptions and remote working scenarios, it is important for all including governments, industry and individuals to contribute with all its might to overcome the present and emerge stronger as humanity," Dhotre said. The minister said he has strong conviction that in an era where social distancing has become the new normal, digital solutions and products will reconnect the human race and thereby contribute to the economic recovery. Over 2,000 teams and over 15,000 participants are participating in the 48-hour hackathon with expert mentoring from India, Estonia and Finland. Top teams from India will participate in 'Hack the Crisis - World' global hackathon in the coming weeks. PRS PRS ABMABM

IT Ministry starts hackathon to find solutions for coronavirus

<ul><li>Over a million <keyword id="6356155" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="cbse">CBSE</keyword> students will not have to appear for examinations this year due to Covid-19 lockdown. </li><li>The ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) directed the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) to promote all the students in Classes 1-9 and Class 11 — to the next class. </li><li>Ramesh Pokhriyal, the HRD Minister told CBSE that these students shall be promoted to the next class based on school assessments — including projects, periodic tests, term exams — that have been conducted so far.</li></ul>A large number of Indian students stuck at home during the lockdown might have a reason to celebrate. The ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) has directed the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) to promote all the students — from class 1 to 11 — without examinations. This will bring relief to over a million students who are agonizing over postponement of exams and the lack of clarity on dates. "In view of the current situation due to <keyword id="1754604" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="coronavirus">Coronavirus</keyword>, I have advised CBSE to promote all students studying in classes I-VIII to the next grade," Ramesh Pokhriyal, the HRD Minister tweeted. All except students of 10th grade, who are appearing for the board examination this year. <div type="twitter" handle="DrRPNishank" handlename="Dr Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1186894885564977152/sryZSavE_normal.jpg" favoritecount="329" retweetcount="147" status="📢 AnnouncementIn view of the current situation due to #COVID19, I have advised @cbseindia29 to promote ALL student… https://t.co/5CmZ7kM9qf" createdat="1585743732000" id="1245325590514642944"></div> Ramesh Pokhriyal, the HRD Minister told CBSE that these students shall be promoted to the next class based on school assessments — including projects, periodic tests, term exams — that have been conducted so far. The development comes after several teachers and parents appealed to the government for mass promotion without summative assessment. CBSE had earlier rescheduled Class X and Class XII examinations that were to be held between March 19 to 31 until further notice. “All ongoing examinations of the board for Classes-X and XII, being held in examination centres in India and abroad, and scheduled between 19.03.2020 to 31.3.20 (both dates inclusive), shall be rescheduled after 31st March, 2020,” CBSE <a href="https://www.ndtv.com/education/cbse-board-exam-2020-major-update-due-to-coronavirus-covid-19-2197031">said</a>. “While maintenance of academic calendar and exam schedule is important, equally important is the safety and security of the students who are appearing in various examinations, as also that of their teachers and parents,” the official announcement <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1240312126998110208?s=20">said</a>. Earlier, the UP government directed the state board to go with mass promotions. "Orders have been issued to promote all students, studying in schools run by the basic education department, of class one to eight to next classes without examination,” the official announcement by Renuka Kumar, Additional Chief Secretary of Education <a href="https://www.newsnation.in/education/more/up-school-students-till-class-8-to-be-promoted-without-exams-amid-coronavirus-outbreak-256533.html">said</a>. Evaluation work has also been put on hold during this time. The Uttar Pradesh Madhyamik Shiksha Parishad also halted the marksheet evaluation process of class 10th and 12th board exams in the wake of coronavirus — after several teachers refused to show up at the evaluation centres.

Over a million CBSE students will be promoted to next grade without writing exams

<ul><li>After extending the filing of IT returns till June 30, the Indian government is planning to revise the academic year as well — both for schools and colleges. </li><li>The government is now planning to compensate the lockdown period with the summer break given to students and start the academic session after the situation normalises. </li><li>The development comes after the Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a 21-day nationwide lockdown in the wake of <keyword id="1754604" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="coronavirus">Coronavirus</keyword>. </li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=coronavirus&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Follow the comprehensive coverage of the Coronavirus pandemic and its impact, and other useful resources that can help you in the fight on Business Insider India.</a> </li></ul>After extending the IT return filing date till June 30, the Indian government is planning to revise the academic year as well — both for schools and colleges. The <a href="https://theprint.in/india/education/modi-govt-wants-cbse-ncert-colleges-to-revise-academic-calendar-due-to-covid-19-lockdown/387761/">Ministry of Human Resource Development (HRD)</a> directed all the autonomous educational bodies — including the Central Board of Secondary Education (<keyword id="6356155" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="cbse">CBSE</keyword>), University Grants Commission (UGC), All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and the National Council for Educational Research and Training (NCERT) — to come up with an alternate academic calendar. The development comes after the Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a 21-day nationwide lockdown in the wake of Coronavirus. This will impact the learning calendar for students. Usually, the academic session for schools affiliated to CBSE start in the first week of April and then continues in July after the summer break. “On the orders of the minister, we sent a circular to all the states and autonomous bodies. It was based on the orders of the MHA (Ministry of Home Affairs). Autonomous bodies and NCERT have been asked to draft alternate academic calendars,” the Ministry confirmed. Earlier, the <keyword id="51613" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="hrd-ministry">HRD Ministry</keyword> also directed all the educational institutions to <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/education/news/cbse-jee-exam-2020-postponed-due-to-coronavirus-outbreak/articleshow/74701431.cms">reschedule the board and final examinations after March 31</a>. This was applicable to all institutions and boards including CBSE, university exams and entrance. The government is now planning to compensate the lockdown period with the summer break given to students and start the academic session after the situation normalises. The ministry had earlier directed the National Testing Agency and other governing bodies to defer the entrance exams as well — including the engineering entrance JEE Mains. Earlier, the exam was scheduled between April 5 and April 11, 2020. “Certain competitive examinations like JEE Mains require examinees to travel to other centers and in some cases even to other cities, to appear in the said examination. Also, the dates may clash with rescheduled CBSE and other board exams. Therefore, JEE Mains should be rescheduled and a new date will be announced on March 31, after re-assessment of the situation,” <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/education/news/cbse-jee-exam-2020-postponed-due-to-coronavirus-outbreak/articleshow/74701431.cms">the ministry noted</a>. The new exam dates haven’t been announced yet. Moreover, it is yet to be announced if the medical entrance — National Eligibility and Entrance Test (NEET) — will also get rescheduled. Given the lockdown, the MHRD and these autonomous bodies will also work from home to come up with a plan. See also: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/international/news/no-increase-in-domestic-covid-19-patients-says-china/articleshow/74820975.cms">No increase in domestic Covid-19 patients says China</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/coranavirus-cases-in-delhi-news-and-updates/articleshow/74773842.cms?upcache=2">Coronavirus in Delhi: With 5 fresh cases, Delhi now has a total of 35 coronavirus patients</a>

School and college students will lose their summer break as a part of Coronavirus lockdown

<ul><li>The Ministry of Human Resource and Development (MHRD) has postponed the IND-SAT exam in wake of the coronavirus pandemic. </li><li>The exam, which was scheduled to take place on May 30 will now be held in July. </li><li>However, the new dates haven’t been announced yet. </li><li>This comes after many international students, planning to study in India, requested to reschedule the examination. </li></ul>The Ministry of Human Resource and Development (MHRD) has postponed the IND--SAT exam in wake of the coronavirus pandemic. The exam, which was scheduled to take place on May 30 has been deferred. Union Cabinet Minister <keyword id="60487" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Ramesh-Pokhriyal">Ramesh Pokhriyal</keyword> took to Twitter to announce that the exam will now be held in July 2020. However, the new dates haven’t been announced yet. This comes after many international students, planning to study in India, requested to reschedule the examination. <div type="twitter" handle="DrRPNishank" handlename="Dr Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1250023125191819266/Bx7kBZRg_normal.jpg" favoritecount="285" retweetcount="37" status="📢AnnouncementConsidering the current #covidcrisis in the world &amp; upon receiving requests from many international s… https://t.co/yoLhCWK8Us" createdat="1590726452000" id="1266224634229293057"></div> India introduced the IND-SAT (Indian Scholarship Assessment Test) exam under the ‘Study in India' programme. This was announced during the annual budget session on February 1 by the Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. In this regard, the government said that the IND-SAT exam will enroll Asian and African students — including Bangladesh, Bhutan, Kenya, Mauritius and Nepal — in Indian universities. This will mirror the SAT and GMAT exams of the US which are used to enrol foreign students. The programme announced last year, focussed on bringing foreign students to study in India’s higher education institutions. The scores of the exam will facilitate scholarships for students based on merit.

India postpones IND-SAT exam for international students due to coronavirus; new dates to be announced soon

<ul><li>The Human Resource Development Ministry (MHRD) has asked the 23 IITs to plan a course of action to improve rankings on national and global scale. </li><li>This is in reference to the <keyword id="6513530" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="times-higher-education">Times Higher Education</keyword> (THE) rankings and <keyword id="990919" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Quacquarelli-Symonds">Quacquarelli Symonds</keyword> (QS) World University rankings. </li><li>The international rank of India’s elite Indian Institute of Technology (IITs) has slipped further this year and none of these premier institutions has featured in the top 100 universities in these global higher education surveys.</li></ul>The Human Resource Development Ministry (MHRD) is taking the international rankings of its institutions seriously. It has asked the 23 Indian Institute of Technology (IITs) to plan a course of action to improve them. The international ranking of IITs slipped further this year. None of these premier institutions featured in the top 100 universities in the global higher education surveys. "The issue was discussed in the IIT Council meeting. It is important to work on research excellence. The IITs have been asked to work on improving their national and international rankings. For this, each IIT will come up with an action plan," PTI<a href="https://www.livemint.com/education/news/iits-asked-to-improve-international-ranking-to-come-up-with-action-plan-11569820879448.html"> reported </a>citing HRD Ministry official. IITs aside, the ministry is wondering why its top universities like Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Hyderabad University do not feature in the top university lists. “The institutes ought to improve themselves first instead of complaining,” The Print <a href="https://theprint.in/india/education/upset-iits-complain-about-times-rankings-hrd-ministry-says-improve-yourselves-first/291061/">reported</a> citing the ministry’s response to the IITs that complained about the drop in their ranks. This move came after Times Higher Education (THE) rankings and Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University rankings. According to the THE rankings, only six Indian institutions were spotted in the top 500 universities, globally. None of the Indian universities — including IITs and Indian Institute of Science (IISc) — made it to the top 100 list. In QS rankings, IIT-Bombay, IIT-Delhi and IISc-Bangalore were the only three Indian institutes that featured in top 200 universities. See also: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/only-six-indian-institutes-featured-in-top-500-on-the-world-university-rankings/articleshow/71095268.cms">Only six Indian institutes featured in top 500 global university rankings</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/iit-madras-to-host-singapore-india-hackathon-in-the-presence-of-pm-modi/articleshow/71334067.cms">IIT Madras to host Singapore India Hackathon in the presence of PM Modi</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/indias-iit-ropar-makes-it-to-the-top-500-global-universities-for-the-first-time/articleshow/71096130.cms">India’s IIT Ropar makes it to the top 500 global universities for the first time</a>

Indian government demands an action plan from IITs to improve global rankings

In a bid to inculcate creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship among youngsters, the <keyword id="83103" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="All-India-Council-for-Technical-Education">All India Council for Technical Education</keyword> (AICTE) along with the HRD ministry is organising <keyword id="4216627" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Smart-India-Hackathon-2017">Smart India Hackathon 2017</keyword>. 
 The grand finale of the hackathon, which will be held in Ahemdabad, will be dedicated to <keyword id="201062" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="department-of-science">Department of Science</keyword> (DoS) especially for <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=isro&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">ISRO</a>. 
 
In the grand finale, students will come up with various solutions for <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=space+technology&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">space technology.</a> Nearly 500 youngsters will work for 36 hours non-stop to develop products that can be used for the nation. The event will be a<a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=computer+programming&amp;sortorder=effectivedate"> computer programming</a> competition in which the youngsters from 13 states. 
 An award first prize of Rs. 1 lakh will be given to the winning team, while second and third prize are worth Rs. 75,000 and Rs. 50,000 respectively. There will also be consolation prize of Rs. 10,000. "A total of 25-member team will judge the performance of the students including 15 national jury members and senior scientists from <keyword id="6358064" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="ISRO">ISRO</keyword>,” said Dr Haresh Bhatt from ISRO. 
 
Also, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=prime+minister+narendra+modi&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Prime Minister Narendra Modi </a>will address innovators via video conferencing.

Smart India Hackathon 2017 to see students working on space tech; PM Modi will also address innovators

<ul><li><keyword id="1026157" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Union-Human-Resource-Development">Union Human Resource Development</keyword> Minister <keyword id="106655" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Ramesh-Pokhriyal-Nishank">Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank</keyword> has said that <keyword id="1693851" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="CBSE-board-results">CBSE board results</keyword> can be declared by August 15. </li><li>However, the decision to open schools will be taken after August keeping in mind the current COVID-19 situation.</li><li>According to the HRD ministry, after August, new sessions will also start in universities.</li></ul>Union Human Resource Development Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank has said that CBSE board results can be declared by August 15. The results of both class 10 and 12 will be declared at an interval of just a few days. However, the decision to open schools will be taken after August keeping in mind the current COVID-19 situation. At present, <keyword id="5912066" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="The-Ministry-of-Human-Resource-Development">the Ministry of Human Resource Development</keyword> has not set any date for <keyword id="9009652" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="reopening-schools">reopening schools</keyword>. Nishank said during a discussion "We hope that the results of both 10th and 12th class will be declared by August 15. These include the results of previous exams and the results of examinations in July." On the issue of reopening of schools, Nishank said "after August the process of opening schools will be started." A final decision in this regard will be taken only after assessing the prevailing conditions. According to the HRD ministry, after August, new sessions will also start in universities. Meanwhile, the <keyword id="260213" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Arvind-Kejriwal">Arvind Kejriwal</keyword> government in Delhi has also written to the HRD ministry on the subject of reopening schools. Delhi Education Minister <keyword id="6354681" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="manish-sisodia">Manish Sisodia</keyword> said in the letter, "Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said some time ago that we have to learn to live with coronavirus. So it would be better to open schools with proper safety measures." Sisodia said that first of all, we have to assure every child that they are important to us. Everyone has equal rights over the physical and intellectual environment of his school. Education cannot progress beyond online classes only. It would be impossible to pursue education only by calling older children to school and keeping younger children at home. Several private schools have also suggested measures to the HRD ministry to open schools and safety in schools during this period. However, the ministry is not in a hurry to reopen schools at present. According to senior officials of the ministry, at present, preparations are being made to conduct the remaining board exams of class 10 and 12 between July 1 and 15. After the examinations, the first priority is to declare the results. Only then can the process of reopening school colleges begin.

Indian government may allow schools to open after August 15

<ul><li><keyword id="6364832" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="IIT-Kharagpur">IIT Kharagpur</keyword> and Kanpur have decided to mark students based on internal assessments including viva, projects, quizzes and mid-semester exams. </li><li>IIT-Delhi is considering early graduation options. </li><li>Meanwhile, Maharashtra government has also decided to go against conducting the <keyword id="9187161" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="final-year-exams">final year exams</keyword> across courses.</li></ul>In its latest directive, the Ministry of Human Resource and Development (MHRD) said that the final year college students will have to sit for exams in July — or later if the condition worsens. However, a few<a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/covid-crisis-forces-at-least-4-iits-to-ditch-final-year-exams/articleshow/76165911.cms"> Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs)</a> — Mumbai, Kanpur, Roorkee and Kharagpur campuses — are doing away with final graduation exams in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic. While others are evaluating online examination modules, grading systems and early graduation. <keyword id="6359674" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="iit-roorkee">IIT Roorkee</keyword> said that it will promote students of 2019-20 batch based on performance grade points. However, it mentioned that the students can appear for the exam later, if they don’t want to go ahead with the grading pattern. "We have introduced a system to convert a pass letter grade to a Satisfactory (S) grade without grade point if a student requests for the same. The weightage ranges of various evaluation components have been revised. Further, students also have the option to appear in a re-exam to improve their grades," Director AK Chaturvedi told news agency PTI. IIT Kharagpur and Kanpur have decided to mark students based on internal assessments including viva, projects, quizzes and mid-semester exams. The institute has formulated a special committee to work on the grading scheme. In fact, as an exception due to COVID crisis, <keyword id="108320" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="IIT-Kanpur">IIT Kanpur</keyword> said that no student will fail this year, and the grades would be marked as A,B,C or S. On similar lines, <keyword id="61708" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="IIT-Bombay">IIT Bombay</keyword> will evaluate students based on their performance in the mid-semester examinations while up to 20% weightage can be given to online exams — if all the students register to appear in it. IIT-Delhi is considering early graduation options. A Twitter post shared by IIT-D director V Ramgopal Rao said “For early graduation, there are two options. Students can choose the ‘Audit pass/fail’ option or a credit option. For audit pass/fail, instructors will declare the cutoff. For credit options, students will take online tests, home exams, assignments and viva voice as applicable. Grading policy will also be announced.” <div type="twitter" handle="ramgopal_rao" handlename="V.Ramgopal Rao" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1254326397868191745/TMHpMNSm_normal.jpg" favoritecount="87" retweetcount="28" status="IIT Delhi policy for 2020 Graduating batch.For any other queries, please send an email to &quot;arugs@admin.iitd.ac.in… https://t.co/e7XId2VJCZ" createdat="1591020290000" id="1267457079125479427"></div> Meanwhile, <a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/education/no-final-year-exams-for-maharashtra-students-new-formula-for-promotion-6437394/">Maharashtra government</a> has also decided to go against conducting the final year exams. State Cabinet Minister Aaditya Thackeray said that the students will be promoted based on the aggregate marks. Overall, as many as 33 crore students are enrolled in over 45,000 colleges in India. In March, the HRD Ministry directed all the educational institutions — including the universities, entrance exam centres to shut down in wake of the coronavirus pandemic. Since then, colleges have been trying to move the academic sessions online. See also: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/careers/news/digital-skills-that-experts-believe-you-need-to-survive-the-current-job-crisis/articleshow/76167406.cms">Digital skills that experts believe you need to survive the current job crisis</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/online-streaming-and-e-newspaper-replaced-burgers-and-pizzas-in-may-as-people-continued-to-spend-in-may-despite-the-lockdown/articleshow/76167952.cms">Online streaming and e-newspaper replaced burgers and pizzas as people continued to spend in May despite the lockdown</a>

IIT Bombay, Kharagpur, Roorkee and Kanpur students will not have to sit for final year exams

<ul><li>The datesheet for remaining class 10th and 12th board examinations has been announced. </li><li>In view of the coronavirus pandemic, the students will be required to carry hand sanitizers in a transparent bottle and wearing a mask is mandatory. </li><li>Of the 41 exam papers that were rescheduled, the board will conduct examination of 29 main subjects for class 10th and 12th. </li></ul>The datesheet for remaining class 10th and 12th board examinations has been announced. “Dear students of class 12th of CBSE Board here is the date sheet for your board exams,” HRD Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal tweeted, adding the instructions for the candidates appearing for the examination. In view of the coronavirus pandemic, the students will be required to carry hand sanitizers in a transparent bottle and wearing a mask is mandatory. <div type="twitter" handle="DrRPNishank" handlename="Dr Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1250023125191819266/Bx7kBZRg_normal.jpg" favoritecount="500" retweetcount="153" status="Dear students of class 12th of #CBSE Board here is the date sheet for your board exams.All the best 👍#StaySafe… https://t.co/xKnZWjZfyg" createdat="1589788221000" id="1262289406871781376"></div> <div type="twitter" handle="DrRPNishank" handlename="Dr Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1250023125191819266/Bx7kBZRg_normal.jpg" favoritecount="437" retweetcount="102" status="Dear students of class 10th of #CBSE Board studying in North East District, New Delhi, here is the date sheet for y… https://t.co/qTZm1UmqaV" createdat="1589787822000" id="1262287732883156994"></div> The Ministry of Human Resource and Development (MHRD) said that the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) 10th and 12th board examinations, that were postponed in the wake of coronavirus, will now be held from July 1 to July 15, 2020. Of the 41 exam papers that were rescheduled, the board will conduct examination of 29 main subjects for class 10th and 12th. These exams include those that were deferred due to lockdown between March 19 to 31. Meanwhile, the government directed CBSE to promote all the students — from class 1 to 11 — without examinations, except students of 10th grade. In addition, the students in 9th and 11th grade, who failed the final examination this academic year, will now be allowed to appear again in the school-based test, as per the new guidelines by CBSE. The schools can conduct online, offline or innovative tests to promote them to the next class. The test can be taken in all subjects that the student failed. See also: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/delhi-police-turns-prankster-to-teach-lockdown-violators-lesson/articleshow/75795691.cms?upache=2">Delhi cop 'plays dead' to teach lockdown violators a lesson — an act not appreciated by senior officers</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/india-among-58-nations-questioning-who-on-covid-19-response/articleshow/75797251.cms">India among 58 nations questioning WHO on COVID-19 response</a>

CBSE announces class 10th and 12th date sheet for the remaining subjects

<div type="image" title="joe jill biden masks" height="1416" width="1888" msid="81484552" hostid="261"></div><ul class="summary-list"><li>We've been wearing <keyword id="9418" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="masks">masks</keyword> for almost a year, and we're still not getting it right.</li><li>Designing better masks, and creating standards and labels for them could help.</li><li>So would imposing fines, as South Korea has done. </li><li>This article is one in a four-part series on the simple ways to fix the America's biggest COVID-19 mistakes. <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-live-with-covid-19-pandemic-solutions-2021-3">Click here to read more</a>.</li></ul>Over the course of the past year, we've gone through at least four major cultural shifts when it comes to wearing masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19:First, we heard: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/americans-dont-need-masks-pence-says-as-demand-increases-2020-2">don't wear a mask</a>! Save them for frontline healthcare workers tending to sick patients. Then: OK, wear a mask, but <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/cdc-recommending-cloth-masks-face-coverings-in-public-spaces-2020-4">make it yourself</a>. Next: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/anti-maskers-are-new-anti-vaxxers-threatening-public-health-coronavirus-2020-7">pretty, pretty please</a> wear a mask because <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/face-masks-effective-in-protecting-against-coronavirus-2020-6">they really work</a> quite well. Healthcare workers, try to get your <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/cloth-face-cover-guidance.html">hands on an N95</a> if you can. And now: wear<a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/cdc-double-masking-makes-masks-50-more-effective-2021-2"> a mask (or two!)</a> that's most comfortable for you, and make sure it <a href="https://www.insider.com/ways-to-make-your-face-mask-more-effective-2021-2">filters and fits</a> your face best.It's been a painful learning curve, but we've discovered during this pandemic that when dealing with a virus that often spreads without symptoms, one for which people are generally most contagious before they know they're sick, masks can help us keep our germs to ourselves in ways that are life-saving and yet simple.The truth is that <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/when-will-the-pandemic-end-depends-on-coronavirus-variants-vaccines-2021-2">masks are going to be with us</a> for many months to come, especially in public spaces, indoors. Yet, we are still largely left in the dark about how to put on a good one when we leave the house. There's no way to fit test your mask, no one (really) enforcing mask wearing in public, and no clear guidance about the best masks for different purposes. <h2>Researchers and health policy experts agree there are 3 simple ways to make our masked life better</h2><div type="image" title="fix the mask brace " height="1650" width="2200" msid="81484554" hostid="261"></div><h3>1. Copy NASA's playbook</h3>NASA often has to tackle tough logistical issues when planning how to get humans (and their digestive systems) into space. Toilets, especially, have been a<a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-nasa-astronauts-pee-and-poop-in-space-2018-8"> topline challenge for decades</a>. When the agency's in-house engineers come up empty handed, it crowdsources creative new solutions. In 2020, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/nasa-picked-winner-in-lunar-loo-space-toilet-challenge-2020-10">NASA offered $20,000</a> to anyone who could design a toilet that could work on the moon. In 2017, the <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/nasa-pooping-space-challenge-winner-thatcher-cardon-2017-2?r=AU&amp;IR=T/R=T/">agency awarded $15,000</a> to a flight surgeon who found a way for astronauts to .... relieve themselves while stuck inside their spacesuits.Why couldn't the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention engage in the same kind of crowdsourced, challenge-based hack-a-thon for masks? "There's a mask that's waiting to be invented," Dr. John Brooks, the CDC's chief medical officer for COVID-19 response, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/cdc-double-masking-makes-masks-50-more-effective-2021-2">recently told Insider</a>. "A mask that is easy and comfortable to wear, that filters beautifully, that is simple to take care of, and that's attractive."So where's the prize money for that?<h3>2. Make good, clear, evidence-based mask rules - and make it expensive to break them</h3><div type="image" title="Korean War veterans of South Korea salute during a ceremony to unveil an installation artwork to commemorate the upcoming 70th anniversary of the Korean War, in Seoul, South Korea, Monday, June 15, 2020. South Korea on Sunday convened an emergency security meeting and urged North Korea to uphold reconciliation agreements, hours after the North threatened to demolish a liaison office and take military action against its rival. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)" height="2666" width="4000" msid="81484558" hostid="261"></div>You don't need the same kind of viral protection in a crowded supermarket that you would going for a run in a quiet neighborhood. Virus expert and University of Maryland<a href="https://twitter.com/Don_Milton?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor"> professor Don Milton</a> knows this well: he wears a simple surgical mask if he strolls out for a walk."But, when I go to the grocery store, I put my N95 on," he told Insider.In <a href="https://www.cdc.go.kr/board/board.es?mid=a30402000000&amp;bid=00300030">South Korea, it's expensive </a>not to be properly masked in public, but only when it matters most. Masks are mandatory on public transportation, in buffet lines, and at the gym.Scarves, valved masks and chin-masking won't cut it, the <a href="https://www.cdc.go.kr/board/board.es?mid=a30402000000&amp;bid=00300030">Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency says</a>, suggesting that people stick to wearing the country's Ministry of Food and Drug Safety-approved models (but still allowing any "cloth masks or disposable masks that completely cover both mouth and nose" to do the job.) Violators can be fined around $85. <h3>3. Give people better quality masks</h3><div type="image" title="covid masks" height="1467" width="2200" msid="81484559" hostid="261"></div>Early on in the pandemic, University of Wisconsin mechanical engineering professor David Rothamer turned his home into a high-quality mask factory, enlisting his partner as its chief seamstress."I just wear the masks that my wife makes," he recently told Insider. "It's kind of everyone for themselves."If he has to run a quick errand to the hardware store, he pops on a mask she's made that has been lab-tested for performance against tiny viral particles. He says it's "just three layers of spun-bonded polypropylene" that have been sewn together, using a pattern. But, he doesn't think everyone should have to create this kind of sophisticated, homegrown mask-making operation."The somewhat frustrating thing is I think there was an opportunity to say, 'okay, we can use scientists to design this, use experts, design something that's cheap to produce, do it at high quantities, and get these things out there,'" he said. "But instead you have basically an unregulated bunch of products, nobody really knows how they perform, unless you're someone like me who has a couple hundred thousand dollars worth of equipment to test it." The government could create better mask standards (as South Korea has), regulate, and impose labeling protocols that would keep us safe, all while demonstrating that different masks come with different levels of performance. Then, it could make <a href="https://www.defense.gov/Explore/News/Article/Article/2149726/defense-production-act-contract-to-provide-39-million-masks/#:~:text=A%20Defense%20Department%20contract%20under,Mark%20T.">hundreds of millions of good quality masks</a> available to people across the US.

You Searched For "coronavirus HRD ministry hackathon" and got 10 results

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