What does SU consider as a face mask?
There are multiple options to satisfy the university’s requirement for wearing a face mask. It is strongly recommended that individuals wear KN95 masks or double masks (e.g., nonmedical disposable mask under a cloth washable mask). Face shields are allowed to be worn if accompanied with a cloth face mask.
Here are some examples of acceptable and unaccetable face masks to wear when inside university facilities or around campus:
- Wash or sanitize your hands before putting on and after removing a mask.
- Identify the inside of the mask, which is usually white or lighter in color.
- Place the inside of the mask over your nose and mouth by placing the loops over your ears.
- Secure the mask under your chin and avoid touching the mask while wearing. Do not put the mask around your neck or up on your forehead.
- When removing your mask, handle only by the ties or ear loops. Fold outside corners together and throw away or store until next use. Be careful not to touch your eyes, nose or mouth while removing the face mask.
- If you have a cloth face mask, carefully put it in a plastic bag after use and take it home to wash it. If you have a disposable mask, throw it away after removing.
- Wash your hands after touching the face mask.
Prompting Someone to Wear A Face Mask:
- “Your health and mine matter to me. Did you know face coverings are required indoors?”
- “SU is providing free single-use face masks. You can find them at the hand sanitizing stations across campus.”
- “The policy is in place for the well-being of everyone. We cannot resume this class, meeting, activity, etc. until you put on a face mask.”
- “I am wearing my mask to protect the SU community so we can save the semester. Please join me.”
How to Maintain a Mask:
- Do not share a face mask.
- Store a face mask in a paper bag, envelope or something that won't retain moisture in between uses.
- Discard a single-use mask after 2-6 hours, or sooner if it becomes dirtied, damaged, wet or difficult to breathe through.
- Wash fabric face masks regularly and according to CDC recommendations.
- Dry your mask in the dryer on the highest heat setting, or air dry (preferably in direct sunlight).
Know the Facts
Face masks are necessary to protect our SU community. One of the best known ways to help slow the spread of COVID-19, is to correctly wear a face covering which means wearing it snugly over both your nose and mouth.
Some people who have coronavirus are asymptomatic or pre-symptomatic. Asymptomatic means that they have no symptoms. If you are pre-symptomatic, you may have no symptoms but will eventually go on to develop coronavirus symptoms. Studies have shown that both asymptomatic or pre-symptomatic people are potentially contagious and can unknowingly infect others in your community.
Susquehanna University requires wearing a cloth face mask to help reduce transmission and keep people who are asymptomatic or pre-symptomatic from infecting others.
What Face Masks Do:
COVID-19 infects others through droplets. These droplets can be projected into the air when someone breathes, talks, sneezes, coughes, etc.
Face masks help to contain these water droplets by keeping them from projecting into the air, which in turn reduces the likelihood of transmission. Face masks are particularly important when physical distancing is hard to follow.
Face masks are not a replacement for physical distancing measures. You should still continue to follow health and safety practices on campus, including avoiding close contact with others outside of your family group and washing your hands often. By wearing your face mask, you are helping to #savethesemester.