Face Coverings

Posted on January 14, 2022

Memo Banner "Message from Provost Storrs"

January 14, 2022

To:  Instructional Colleagues

From: Debbie Storrs, Provost & Executive Vice Chancellor

Re:  Face Coverings

The University has recently acquired a limited supply of N95 masks, which is now available for any instructor teaching face-to-face classes, regardless of their vaccination status.  We are prioritizing the distribution of N95 masks to all instructors and staff who have significant face-to-face interaction with students.

It is important to note that current CDC guidance does NOT consider classroom instruction to be a high risk of transmission activity; therefore, N95 use is considered voluntary.  Students are required to wear face coverings in the classroom, and the three-ply surgical style masks are available for their use.

If you would like to receive N95’s, they will be available through your Dean’s office for pickup on Tuesday. The Office of Environmental Health and Safety will distribute them to each Dean’s office. Each face-to-face instructor will be provided three masks initially and more will be available as supplies last.  These masks are resilient in nature, and can be reused; however, it is recommended that masks be rotated on a daily basis to lessen risk of surface contamination, although surface transfer of COVID-19 remains low risk.

Further information including CDC guidance on fit and use of N95’s, along with specific N95 instructions, can be found at the following links.

The Office of Environmental Health and Safety are working on logistics on how to distribute N95’s to staff with significant face-to-face interaction with students.

Instructions:     https://www.duralinesystems.com/v/How-to-Fit-N95-Respirator-Harley-L-188.pdf

CDC Guidance:  https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2010-133/pdfs/2010-133.pdf

Questions can be directed to safety@uncg.edu

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