Face Covering: Difference between revisions

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 This policy applies to all University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) faculty, staff, fellows, residents, students and visitors (including contractors, service providers and others) while on property owned or controlled by UNMC.
 ==Policy Statement==
-Beginning August 17, 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 a UNMC campus, with the following exceptions:
+UNMC, upon consultation with campus stakeholders and leadership, may issue face covering guidance for individuals on UNMC property. Campus face covering guidance shall be monitored and updated as necessary, communicated broadly, and published on the UNMC website.
-*When eating (social distancing practices must be observed),
-*When alone in a room with a closed door.
+Masking may be required for certain types of research (e.g., BSL-3 work or animal operatory activities) or by occupational health directive (e.g., animal-specific related activities).
-*When in a motor vehicle alone or only with members of your household,
-*When an alternative is necessary as indicated by a medical professional during patient care,*
+Masking may be required for certain activities or spaces (e.g., some comparative medicine training activities and operatory suites).<br />
-*When in one’s assigned place of residence or UNMC housing unit,
-*When the task requires the use of a NIOSH-approved respirator, or
-*When pertaining to children under the age of two (2) years.
-In all other indoor settings on campus (including private spaces and cubicles without closed doors), face coverings must be used, even in situations where others remain more than 6 feet away.<br />
    *See section on [https://wiki.unmc.edu/index.php/Face_Covering#Requesting_Alternatives Requesting Alternatives] below
-Unless subject to specific exemption, face coverings are also required in outdoor settings on the UNMC campus, including situations wherein individuals are simply transiting open spaces. While brief outdoor ‘mask breaks’ are permitted, such breaks are prohibited in heavily trafficked areas such as in crosswalks and near the entrances and exits of buildings. This policy shall remain in effect until further guidance is provided from the Office of the Chancellor.
 ==Reason for Policy==
-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 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 community.
+The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has acknowledged that use of face coverings can help to slow the spread of diseases such as COVID-19 in our communities. Face coverings may help prevent people who have diseases such as COVID-19 from spreading the virus to others.
-===What Constitutes a Face Covering===
-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 face coverings are acceptable, as are disposable paper masks.
-*A face shield is an acceptable alternative for those lecturing at the head of a classroom or auditorium, so long as they never come within 6 feet of others. Face shields are not acceptable in other situations except as an accommodation granted to those unable to wear cloth face coverings by either the Department of Human Resources or the Office of Services for Students with Disabilities.
-*Neck ‘gaiters’ and bandanas are not acceptable substitutes for cloth masks and should not be used.
-*Masks and respirators with exhalations valve are not to be used.
 ===*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 the [https://www.unmc.edu/student-success/support-services/accessibility/index.html Office of Services for Students with Disabilities]. Staff and faculty should contact UNMC Department of [https://www.unmc.edu/human-resources Human Resources].
+Individuals whose unique and individual circumstances require an alternative face covering, as indicated by a medical professional during patient care, may request one.
-===Wearing and Caring for One's Face Covering===
-Each individual is responsible for the care of their own face covering. Disposable face coverings are to be discarded as ordinary refuse when they become soiled or damaged. Reusable cloth face coverings should be washed regularly. Reusable face shields should be cleaned thoroughly with sanitizing wipes after each day’s use. Cloth face coverings or face shields that are in poor condition should not be used; these may also be discarded as ordinary refuse.
-===Additional Protective Measures===
-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:
-*Stay home if you are sick.
-*Before coming to the UNMC campus, self-monitor 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 [https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=edu.unmc.covid19screener Android] and [https://apps.apple.com/us/app/1-check/id1514252153 iOS devices]), or the [https://1check.app/welcome web-based tool]. Those without web access may connect to the screening app via kiosks located in Wittson Hall and the Sorrell Center.
-*Wash hands frequently throughout the day and should specifically do so after contacting high-risk surfaces such as sinks, toilet handles, doorknob and the like.
-*Refraining from touching the face, eyes, nose, and mouth.
-*Practicing social distancing, by maintaining 6 feet of distance from others.
-*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 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 this face covering policy, please report your concerns to your supervisor or to the [mailto:unmchealthsecurity@unmc.edu UNMC Office of Health Security].
+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.
 ==Additional Information==
 *[mailto:ted.cieslak@unmc.edu UNMC Office of Health Security]