WEBVTT Kind: captions Language: en 00:00:00.250 --> 00:00:01.250 Hi, everyone. 00:00:01.250 --> 00:00:02.290 My name is Dr. Mitch Rosner. 00:00:02.290 --> 00:00:06.370 I serve as chair of the UVA Department of Medicine, and I also serve as the chief medical 00:00:06.370 --> 00:00:09.179 adviser for the University’s COVID-19 Response. 00:00:09.179 --> 00:00:13.530 I’d like to talk with you today about a topic that we all know well – the importance 00:00:13.530 --> 00:00:18.160 of face coverings as part of our effort to slow the transmission of COVID-19 here on 00:00:18.160 --> 00:00:20.040 Grounds and in the Charlottesville community. 00:00:20.040 --> 00:00:23.980 So with the spring semester now under way, this felt like a good time to give you a quick 00:00:23.980 --> 00:00:27.640 “mask update” to let you know what’s new or different. 00:00:27.640 --> 00:00:30.550 Before we do, I’d like to say a couple of quick thank-you's. 00:00:30.550 --> 00:00:32.439 The first one is to you. 00:00:32.439 --> 00:00:36.899 Thank you for everything you’ve done so far to help us have a safe fall semester, 00:00:36.899 --> 00:00:40.690 and to help us get off to a strong start for this spring semester. 00:00:40.690 --> 00:00:45.050 This truly is an effort that depends on everyone looking out for one another. 00:00:45.050 --> 00:00:49.610 We can have a successful spring semester too if we continue to work together and we don’t 00:00:49.610 --> 00:00:50.950 let our guard down. 00:00:50.950 --> 00:00:54.140 The second thank you is to my special guest in this video. 00:00:54.140 --> 00:00:56.020 Most of you probably know Brennan Armstrong. 00:00:56.020 --> 00:00:59.980 He’s quarterback for the Wahoos football team and we appreciate him lending a hand 00:00:59.980 --> 00:01:00.980 today. 00:01:00.980 --> 00:01:03.850 OK, so I’m going to start with the most basic recommendation and request. 00:01:03.850 --> 00:01:05.700 Please wear a mask. 00:01:05.700 --> 00:01:07.640 Any mask is better than no mask. 00:01:07.640 --> 00:01:12.610 That’s because COVID-19 is spread primarily in the droplets that we expel when talking, 00:01:12.610 --> 00:01:15.690 singing, coughing, and definitely when sneezing. 00:01:15.690 --> 00:01:20.770 A mask helps block those droplets both on the way out and helps another person avoid 00:01:20.770 --> 00:01:22.860 inhaling someone else’s droplets. 00:01:22.860 --> 00:01:26.869 Masks are only effective if they fit and are worn properly. 00:01:26.869 --> 00:01:29.720 The mask should cover both your nose and mouth. 00:01:29.720 --> 00:01:34.220 And should fit snugly on the sides without big gaps that allow the vapors to escape. 00:01:34.220 --> 00:01:37.510 Just about everyone has more than one cloth mask at this point. 00:01:37.510 --> 00:01:41.620 The important thing about these masks is to check that they have at least two layers of 00:01:41.620 --> 00:01:42.740 fabric. 00:01:42.740 --> 00:01:47.540 A big question right now is whether two masks are better than one mask, and if you should 00:01:47.540 --> 00:01:49.799 double up on cloth masks. 00:01:49.799 --> 00:01:55.590 In a recent interview, Dr. Fauci said researchers are still figuring out if two masks are scientifically 00:01:55.590 --> 00:01:57.550 more effective than one. 00:01:57.550 --> 00:02:02.080 But he also said it’s just common sense that if one mask is effective because it contains 00:02:02.080 --> 00:02:06.759 respiratory vapors, then a second mask would logically provide more protection. 00:02:06.759 --> 00:02:11.370 As long as they fit well and you can still comfortably breathe, then two cloth masks 00:02:11.370 --> 00:02:12.370 is a good option. 00:02:12.370 --> 00:02:17.890 If the CDC makes that an official recommendation at some point, we’ll let you know. 00:02:17.890 --> 00:02:22.070 Another option for most cloth masks is to use a filter insert. 00:02:22.070 --> 00:02:26.540 Many of these two-ply cloth masks have an inner sleeve where you can insert a filter 00:02:26.540 --> 00:02:29.480 that offers more ability to block the vapors. 00:02:29.480 --> 00:02:34.069 You can see here that this is a very simple and easy option that can improve the effectiveness 00:02:34.069 --> 00:02:35.069 of your mask. 00:02:35.069 --> 00:02:39.550 So, what about the light blue or yellow disposable masks that you probably also have used and 00:02:39.550 --> 00:02:41.220 definitely have seen? 00:02:41.220 --> 00:02:43.930 Not every light blue mask is a three-ply mask. 00:02:43.930 --> 00:02:45.819 But many of them are. 00:02:45.819 --> 00:02:49.349 These masks are relatively thin, but they are also effective because – as the name 00:02:49.349 --> 00:02:53.280 tells us – they’re constructed with three layers of material. 00:02:53.280 --> 00:02:56.959 The science on these masks isn’t conclusive yet either. 00:02:56.959 --> 00:03:01.300 But there is some evidence that they are more effective than the standard cloth mask. 00:03:01.300 --> 00:03:04.390 They definitely provide a better fit, as you can see here. 00:03:04.390 --> 00:03:08.370 On most of them, you can adjust the way the mask fits across the top of your nose for 00:03:08.370 --> 00:03:09.940 a really snug fit. 00:03:09.940 --> 00:03:13.690 And they generally are close fitting on the sides of your face. 00:03:13.690 --> 00:03:18.230 For this reason alone, these three-ply masks might provide greater protection, especially 00:03:18.230 --> 00:03:21.409 when you are indoors and around other people. 00:03:21.409 --> 00:03:25.239 This kind of mask is pretty comfortable to wear with a cloth mask over it too. 00:03:25.239 --> 00:03:31.549 It’s less bulky than doubling up on cloth masks and actually has more layers of protection. 00:03:31.549 --> 00:03:35.830 These three-ply masks were not that abundant in the first months of the pandemic. 00:03:35.830 --> 00:03:38.680 But there are more of them in the overall mask supply now. 00:03:38.680 --> 00:03:43.750 I’m happy to tell you that UVA has been able to purchase a good supply of them. 00:03:43.750 --> 00:03:47.659 We provided them to areas that are higher-risk for virus transmission at first. 00:03:47.659 --> 00:03:52.790 This includes areas like Facilities Maintenance, Parking and Transportation and others. 00:03:52.790 --> 00:03:58.799 We’re in position now to make them available more broadly to students and people on Grounds. 00:03:58.799 --> 00:04:03.610 You can pick up a pack of the three-ply masks at any of the locations where UVA is currently 00:04:03.610 --> 00:04:05.439 conducting saliva testing. 00:04:05.439 --> 00:04:07.939 That includes the Central Grounds Parking Garage. 00:04:07.939 --> 00:04:10.050 The East Gate of Scott Stadium. 00:04:10.050 --> 00:04:12.580 The Claude Moore Health Sciences Library. 00:04:12.580 --> 00:04:15.050 And at the The Park on North Grounds. 00:04:15.050 --> 00:04:19.840 You can find these locations and more information at the Be SAFE website as well. 00:04:19.840 --> 00:04:25.300 A three-ply mask should last you all day or more if it doesn’t become wet or soiled. 00:04:25.300 --> 00:04:29.570 You might also be familiar with the heavy duty N95 masks. 00:04:29.570 --> 00:04:33.710 These are used mostly in patient-care settings, and the supply of them has generally been 00:04:33.710 --> 00:04:35.610 reserved for that kind of use. 00:04:35.610 --> 00:04:40.530 They are less comfortable to wear for long periods and are more difficult to breathe 00:04:40.530 --> 00:04:42.050 in than other masks. 00:04:42.050 --> 00:04:47.139 The CDC and other health experts have said – and we agree with this view here at UVA 00:04:47.139 --> 00:04:51.729 – that it’s more important to encourage mask-wearing overall than to consider recommending 00:04:51.729 --> 00:04:55.780 a broad use of N95 masks outside of healthcare settings. 00:04:55.780 --> 00:05:00.580 I want to thank you again for everything you are doing to help us and help each other through 00:05:00.580 --> 00:05:01.800 the pandemic. 00:05:01.800 --> 00:05:04.960 Thanks also to Brennan for his help here today. 00:05:04.960 --> 00:05:09.280 The vaccine is welcome news and we all look forward to eventually returning to more normal 00:05:09.280 --> 00:05:10.280 conditions. 00:05:10.280 --> 00:05:12.270 Let’s hope it’s sooner rather than later. 00:05:12.270 --> 00:05:14.280 Until then, keep your guard up. 00:05:14.280 --> 00:05:15.249 And keep your mask on.