The key points of the CDC’s latest mask guidance:
- Masking remains a key mitigation tool to prevent transmission of COVID-19.
- The CDC recommends individuals wear the most protective mask you can that fits well and that you can wear consistently.
- Some masks and respirators have higher level of protection than others. The CDC advises it is most important to wear a well-fitted mask
- All masks provide some level of protection. Properly fitted respirators provide the highest level of protection. Wearing a highly protective mask or KN95 or N95 mask (also known as a respirator), may be most important in higher risk situations and for people at higher risk of disease.
Marquette mask guidance
- Masks are strongly recommended indoors if Milwaukee County is at a “High” CDC Community Level or when the city issues a mask advisory. Anyone who feels more comfortable wearing a mask is encouraged to do so.
- Better protection can be achieved by wearing a disposable (also known as a surgical) mask. Protection can be further enhanced by wearing a disposable mask with an overlying well-fitting cloth mask.
- Additional options for increased protection include wearing a KN95 or N95 mask, which provide the highest level of protection.
- Please note that many individuals on campus are required to wear medical grade N95 respirator masks for their jobs. Therefore, these respirator masks are reserved for those workers on campus and orders for these masks are restricted to those departments.
- To preserve supply, the CDC states N95 and KN95 respirator masks may be used beyond the manufacturer-designated number of uses, if properly sanitized between uses, but should not be used more than five times. To sanitize an N95 or KN95 mask, remove the respirator mask and place it in a breathable paper bag. Close the bag and allow it to sit at room temperature for at least 72 hours before reusing the mask. This process can be repeated but should not exceed five times before discarding the mask.
- You should not reuse an N95 mask if straps are stretched out and it no longer fits snugly against your face or when it becomes wet, dirty, or damaged. Throw it in the trash.
- Please dispose of masks in the trash and not on the ground. Snap off straps before disposal so that wildlife does not get trapped in the ear loops during the waste process.
- Level of protection and proper use and fit of various mask types can be reviewed on the CDC website.
Campus mask distribution information
- Marquette has disposable masks and non-medical grade N95 respirator masks for voluntary use available at the AMU Information Desk and Raynor Memorial Libraries. Each college, school and residence hall also has a limited supply of masks to distribute.
Campus mask ordering information
- All mask styles can be ordered by submitting a requisition form to the Dental Store by emailing dentalstore@marquette.edu. Access to the requisition form is located on the Purchasing Department website. For COVID-related purchases, use your department RC along with the COVID natural 6202.
- The purchasing requisition form has been updated to reflect the difference between the required healthcare N95 respirator mask and the added “voluntary use N95 mask” which currently states “Mask – N95 (voluntary – Non-medical use).” It is highly encouraged to order the voluntary non-medical use N95 masks to prioritize the medical grade version for clinicians and healthcare workers already included in the respiratory protection program.