COMMENTARY: Mandatory face coverings on campus will help slow the spread of COVID-19

UHCL posted a COVID-19 health alert to its website on June 26.  The health alert stated that face-coverings will be required on all UHCL campuses and Texas Medical Center locations by all employees, students and visitors until further notice. 

With cases still on the rise and no treatments approved by the FDA to prevent or treat COVID-19, UHCL must take proper precautions to help slow the spread of the virus.

Wearing a face covering protects everyone in the community. Essentially, wearing face-covering limits the spread of the virus. Wearing masks can lead to the continuation of normal campus operations, including face-to-face classes, without the need for remote learning.

While there is a chance departments may keep a small number of disposable face coverings on hand, each individual is responsible for providing their own face covering while on the premises. 

The statement provided by the university on face coverings provides information on approved face coverings on campus.

“There are a variety of cloth face coverings available that you can find online, or you can make your own following the CDC guidelines. The CDC recommends at least two layers of tightly knit cotton or the more detailed Olson design. In some cases, the use of a face shield may be appropriate.”

Individuals may request an exemption on the requirement to wear face coverings. Students who cannot wear face coverings must request an accommodation from the Accessibility Support Center. Requests for accommodation by employees will be handled by Human Resources.

Face coverings can be a hindrance to communication for students who are deaf or hard of hearing. For students depending on sign language in class, interpreters will either wear a face shield or provide remote interpretation.

Instructors will be responsible for implementing the face-covering directive if a student makes the decision to attend the in-person component of the Fall 2020 semester. Students will be first notified of the University’s requirement to wear face coverings through their course syllabi.

Students and faculty should comply with the face-covering directives as they are in place to protect not only at-risk individuals but everyone.

The implementation of face coverings on campus is a positive thing, as it is proven to be one of the most effective ways to slow the spread of COVID-19.  The CDC states that “A cloth face covering may not protect the wearer, but it may keep the wearer from spreading the virus to others.” COVID-19 is mainly spread through respiratory droplets by an infected person and they can land in the mouths or nose of those nearby. The cloth face coverings are recommended as a simple barrier to help prevent the spread of these respiratory droplets.

Since there is no reliable data on whether those who have already contracted COVID-19 can become infected or contagious again, it is in the best interest of everyone to wear a face covering. Wearing a face covering is about protecting others, among other things.

Here are three specific reasons to wear a mask. 

1. Humility
2. Kindness
3. Community

Wear a face covering in public for humility. Not knowing if one may be an asymptomatic carrier and wearing a mask can slow the spread of COVID-19 to someone else. The CDC reports that 40% of people infected by COVID-19 are asymptomatic.

Wear a face covering for kindness. When in a public setting where it is harder to practice social distancing, a face covering can act as a barrier to someone who may be caring for a high-risk family member or friend. CDC reports indicate that the chance of transmission of asymptomatic COVID-19 carriers to other individuals is at 75%.

Lastly, wear a face-covering for the community. Wearing a mask will help reopen local businesses and move the economy forward so that Texans can continue to earn a paycheck while slowing the spread of COVID-19. Wearing a mask allows students a chance for campus to resume normal operations without the need for remote instruction.

The CDC website has helpful information about cloth face coverings to educate and inform people about their use and effectiveness. They also provide information on how to wear, wash and make your own face covering. Recommended face coverings are not respirators or surgical masks, as those are critical supplies needed by healthcare workers and first responders. Remember to “mask it or casket” and help slow the spread of COVID-19.