Performance of a fuel cell stack is recovered following long term decay by connecting an auxiliary load to the fuel cell while shutting off one or more of oxidant inlet valve, oxidant pressure regulating valve or oxidant pump, which all may be achieved with a controller, to cyclically starve the cathode of oxidant so that it achieves hydrogen potential, e. The cover contacts a patient during use and reduces transmittal of microorganisms. A first tier is defined at the top level.