Face Coverings Highly Recommended for Individuals on Campus

CSUSM now highly recommends that individuals on campus wear a face covering to protect against the transmission of COVID-19.

On Friday, April 3, County of San Diego Public Health Services issued an addendum to the existing public health order adopting the California Department of Public Health face coverings guidance. This guidance complements recommendations issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). All persons in the county are expected to wear cloth face coverings when they leave home to conduct essential tasks. The change regarding the recommended use of face coverings is based on new studies indicating high rates of transmission from people who are infected yet asymptomatic. This means we should take extra precautions to keep ourselves and others protected by wearing a face covering that puts a physical barrier between our hands, nose and mouth. This new recommendation could slow or reduce community-wide transmission of COVID-19.

Surgical and N95 masks are in very short supply and should be reserved for health care workers and medical professionals. The California Department of Public Health is asking the public to use cloth face coverings or masks to ensure that commercially produced medical grade masks remain available for health care workers and first responders. Acceptable alternatives could include fabric masks, bandanas, scarves and neck gaiters (also known as neck warmers). Check out this short video on how to make your own face covering. The best precautions against COVID-19 are still practicing good hand hygiene, keeping all surfaces disinfected, staying at home, and modeling social distancing when doing essential tasks away from home.

For more information, please contact Safety, Health & Sustainability.