SOMERSET, N.J.—What is a company in the lodging industry supposed to do when a virus as harmful as COVID-19 is about to steamroll the travel industry? In the case of Guest Worldwide, a Sysco company and parent of companies including Guest Supply, Manchester Mills, and Gilchrist & Soames, its response was to react quickly, measured and with a large dose of flexibility and innovation. It also positioned itself as a “go to” source for all things COVID-19. Sandy Romoser, President of Guest Worldwide, told Green Lodging News that Guest Worldwide realized the impact of COVID-19 early on with its business...

ODESSA, FLA.—Green Lodging News has added a “Face Masks” category to its Green Product & Service Directory. The first company in the category is Sterling Sleep Systems. Sterling Sleep Systems, a maker of sustainable mattresses with interchangeable, replaceable parts, has switched manufacturing gears to meet the needs of hotels in need of face masks. Its 100 percent cotton face masks are 2-ply and include 1/4″ elastic strips. They are machine washable and made in the USA. The face masks feature SaniCare by Cramer: a special cleaning method for cotton that, when appropriately used, inhibits the production of mildew and...

HILLSIDE, ILL.—The Aqualogic Ozone Faucet Line is the first conventional hot/cold faucet line that is also an ecologically safe way to clean food, and any other water-safe surface without any chemicals or chemical residue. Available as a standard single hole or pull out side spout, the faucets feature a small, thin ozone generator that uses regular house current to economically and naturally produce ozone water. The Aqueous Ozone produced is a powerful, clinically proven and extensively tested broad-spectrum microbiological agent which kills viruses, bacteria, mold, yeast and algae within seconds of contact. An Aqualogic Faucet is the easiest and most...

ROCKVILLE, MD.—Building on the existing dedication to cleanliness at its nearly 6,000 franchised hotels in the United States, Choice Hotels International, Inc. announced a new initiative: Commitment to Clean. The initiative is Choice Hotels’ holistic approach to supplying franchisees and their employees with the tools they need to help Choice-branded hotels achieve superior levels of cleanliness, and address health and safety concerns associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Commitment to Clean leverages Choice’s long-standing relationship with Ecolab, the industry expert and global leader in water, hygiene and infection prevention technologies and services; guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the...

MENOMONEE FALLS, WIS.—Bradley Corp. introduces the next generation of its award-winning WashBar series. This new extension delivers Bradley’s exclusive clean+rinse+dry functionality along with an ultra-modern, edgier profile designed to make a statement in upscale commercial washroom applications. The next generation WashBar features a thin, L-shaped design that gives the feel the all-in-one fixture is floating above the sink for an innovative and sleek aesthetic. And with only one connection point to the sink, the unique design provides more open space for easier cleaning while providing a striking design element. Designed in collaboration with award-winning international design firm platinumdesign, this new model...

BRUSSELS—Radisson Hotel Group announces its Radisson Hotels Safety Protocol, a new program of in-depth cleanliness and disinfection procedures, in partnership with SGS, the world’s leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company. One of Radisson Hotel Group’s highest priorities is the continued health, safety and security of its guests, team members, and business partners. The company has conducted a thorough review of all existing health and safety processes and worked with a team of experts to develop and validate additional protocols. These enhanced protocols, operational guidance and comprehensive health and safety procedures validated by SGS, will be adapted based on local requirements and...

NEW YORK, N.Y.—With a global shortage of N95 masks due to the COVID-19 pandemic, N95Maskco has stepped in to fill the supply gap with its KN95 mask. The company has been producing KN95 masks for medical professionals, government workers, hospitals, and first responders. Now, it is making excess inventory available to the public to help prevent the spread of the virus from all angles. N95Maskco firmly believes that all citizens should be empowered to take charge of their well-being during these dangerous times. Distributing the excess inventory furnishes the public with the resources to do just that. The adjustable KN95 mask...

AMBLER, PA.—With stay-at-home orders in place in most states, public health structural pests like bedbugs, roaches and rodents are proliferating because of increased accessibility to food sources. All of these contribute to worsening asthma conditions and related breathing complications, which may lead to more severe cases of COVID-19 for the 25 million asthmatics in the United States. Although pest control has been deemed an essential service by Homeland Security and the vast majority of states during the COVID-19 pandemic, concerns over maintaining social distancing and possible exposure to the coronavirus has significantly slowed, or stopped, treatments for these internal structural...

A little more than two weeks ago I added a wellness section to Green Lodging News. Just a few days ago I added a COVID-19 news section. You can find the link to the new section at the far right of the green navigation bar on the Green Lodging News website. There are already 90 articles in the section—focusing on topics ranging from new cleaning and maintenance procedures to new technologies, to socially responsible steps companies are taking in their communities and within their companies. Be sure to bookmark this section as I will be adding new articles to it...

I will be chatting soon with someone from Dyson about the importance of handwashing and, just as important, proper hand drying—both extremely important in this new COVID-19 world. According to the PR person who contacted me about handwashing and Dyson, damp hands can transfer up to 1,000 times more bacteria than dry hands. I found a press release from 2009 that backs this up. The hand dryer versus paper towel for public restrooms debate has been going on a long time. I have written about it previously for Green Lodging News. With COVID-19 everything is about touch points and of...