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Face Covering: Difference between revisions
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This policy applies to all University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) faculty, staff, students, and visitors (including contractors, service providers and others) while on UNMC property. | This policy applies to all University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) faculty, staff, students, and visitors (including contractors, service providers and others) while on UNMC property. | ||
==Policy Statement== | ==Policy Statement== | ||
Beginning August 15, 2020, all UNMC faculty, staff, students and visitors (including contractors, service providers and others) will be required to use a | Beginning August 15, 2020, all UNMC faculty, staff, students and visitors (including contractors, service providers and others) will be required to use a face covering at all times when indoors (including elevators) on the UNMC campuses, with the following exceptions:<br /> | ||
*when eating; however, social distancing practices must be observed, | *when eating; however, social distancing practices must be observed, | ||
*when alone in a room with a closed door, | *when alone in a room with a closed door, | ||
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*when pertaining to children under the age of 2 years. | *when pertaining to children under the age of 2 years. | ||
*See section on [https://wiki.unmc.edu/index.php/Face_Covering#Requesting_Alternatives Requesting Alternatives] below | *See section on [https://wiki.unmc.edu/index.php/Face_Covering#Requesting_Alternatives Requesting Alternatives] below | ||
Face coverings are also required in outdoor settings on the UNMC campuses if safe social distancing and gathering practices are not possible unless subject to an exception. This policy shall remain in effect until further guidance is provided from the Office of the Chancellor. | |||
==Reason for Policy== | ==Reason for Policy== | ||
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has acknowledged that use of | The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has acknowledged that use of face coverings can help to slow the spread of COVID-19 in our communities. Cloth face coverings may help prevent people who have COVID-19 from spreading the virus to others. Wearing a cloth face covering will help protect people around you. Face coverings are most likely to reduce the spread of COVID-19 when they are widely used. The spread of COVID-19 can be reduced when cloth face coverings are used along with other [https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/prevention.html preventive measures], including [https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/social-distancing.html social distancing], frequent handwashing and cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces. A face covering can reduce the trajectory of expelled respiratory droplets, which pose risk to those around you. When you wear a face covering, you demonstrate care about the health and safety of those in our campus communities. | ||
==Procedures== | ==Procedures== | ||
===What Constitutes a Face Covering=== | ===What Constitutes a Face Covering=== | ||
There are no universal design standards for | There are no universal design standards for face coverings. However, the covering must extend from the bridge of the nose to below the chin. | ||
*Reusable cloth | *Reusable cloth face coverings are acceptable, as are disposable paper masks. | ||
*A face shield is an acceptable alternative. | *A face shield is an acceptable alternative. | ||
*Regardless of the type used, a mask should not be designed with an exhalation valve. | *Regardless of the type used, a mask should not be designed with an exhalation valve. | ||
===Requesting Alternatives=== | ===Requesting Alternatives=== | ||
Individuals whose unique and individual circumstances require an alternative face covering, as indicated by a medical professional during patient care, may request one. To request an alternative, students should contact [https://www.unmc.edu/stucouns/services/disabilities/index.html Services for Students with Disabilities]. Staff and faculty should contact UNMC [mailto:employeerelations@unmc.edu Human Resources Employee Relations]. | Individuals whose unique and individual circumstances require an alternative face covering, as indicated by a medical professional during patient care, may request one. To request an alternative, students should contact [https://www.unmc.edu/stucouns/services/disabilities/index.html Services for Students with Disabilities]. Staff and faculty should contact UNMC [mailto:employeerelations@unmc.edu Human Resources Employee Relations]. | ||
===Wearing and Caring for One's | ===Wearing and Caring for One's Face Covering=== | ||
Each individual is responsible to care for their own | Each individual is responsible to care for their own face covering. Disposable face coverings are to be discarded as ordinary refuse after a single day’s use. Reusable cloth face coverings should be washed regularly. Reusable face shields should be cleaned thoroughly with soap and hot water after each day’s use. Face coverings that are visibly soiled or in poor condition should not be used. | ||
===Additional Protective Measures=== | ===Additional Protective Measures=== | ||
This policy on | This policy on face coverings complements other important community and self-protection measures which are to be consistently practiced by all faculty, staff, students, and visitors. These measures include: | ||
*Staying home if you are sick. | *Staying home if you are sick. | ||
*Before coming to the UNMC campus, self-monitoring for any potential COVID-19 symptoms using evidence-based screening, such as the [https://www.unmc.edu/news.cfm?match=25636 1-Check COVID mobile app] (on Android and iOS devices). | *Before coming to the UNMC campus, self-monitoring for any potential COVID-19 symptoms using evidence-based screening, such as the [https://www.unmc.edu/news.cfm?match=25636 1-Check COVID mobile app] (on Android and iOS devices). | ||
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*Assisting in environmental cleaning by promptly washing surfaces that might have been contaminated by bodily fluids (e.g., one should disinfect their desk if they happen to sneeze on it). If the ability of the individual to accomplish such cleaning is limited, contact environmental services personnel. | *Assisting in environmental cleaning by promptly washing surfaces that might have been contaminated by bodily fluids (e.g., one should disinfect their desk if they happen to sneeze on it). If the ability of the individual to accomplish such cleaning is limited, contact environmental services personnel. | ||
===Compliance=== | ===Compliance=== | ||
Compliance with this policy is for the protection of those with whom you will be in contact when on campus. Any employee, student or visitor who fails to abide by these guidelines may be asked or directed to leave the campus space. Employees and students who are directed to leave a campus space for failure to comply with these guidelines may be taken off duty and/or subject to disciplinary action. For non-emergency COVID-19 concerns, including compliance with the face covering policy, please report your concerns to the '''Behavioral Review Team using the [https://www.unomaha.edu/student-life/student-safety/report-now.php Report Now] link.''' | Compliance with this policy is for the protection of those with whom you will be in contact when on campus. Any employee, student or visitor who fails to abide by these guidelines may be asked or directed to leave the campus space. Employees and students who are directed to leave a campus space for failure to comply with these guidelines may be taken off duty and/or subject to disciplinary action. For non-emergency COVID-19 concerns, including compliance with the face covering policy, please report your concerns to the '''Behavioral Review Team using the [https://www.unomaha.edu/student-life/student-safety/report-now.php Report Now] link.''' | ||
===Counteracting Existing Marginalization=== | ===Counteracting Existing Marginalization=== | ||
In implementing this policy, we must ensure protocols to optimize safety and provide a sense of wellbeing for all members of our community. We recognize that a policy to wear | In implementing this policy, we must ensure protocols to optimize safety and provide a sense of wellbeing for all members of our community. We recognize that a policy to wear face coverings may exacerbate implicit biases and existing racial stereotypes. Thus, we will provide training and professional development for members of campus units regarding face coverings in order to prevent racial profiling and targeting. | ||
==Definitions== | ==Definitions== | ||