DCHAS-L Archives, Apr 26 2020 - Re: [DCHAS-L] Face Coverings (was Minimizing risk in reopening research laboratories)

I thought one of the benefits of wearing a simple mask was to prevent the individual from touching their face. I have a grandson that developed a nervous habit of itching his nose while speaking, the mask takes care of that. We all know the limitations of any simple get th===cloth mask. He has asthma. He was recently accepted at Loyola University, New Orleans, and he is scared to death about going off go college in the fall without clear guidance of what he has to do to stay healthy on campus.

There is an entire generation of ill prepared freshman of how to deal with the reality of Covid-19.

It would be great to help these young men and women get through their first year away from home with sound advice to allay their fears and the fears of their families,

From: ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU> On Behalf Of Reinhardt, Peter
Sent: Saturday, April 25, 2020 4:32 AM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Face Coverings (was Minimizing risk in reopening research laboratories)

This Message Originated Outside the Company

Some facts:

Dr. Fauci does recommend the use of face coverings: https://www.physiciansweekly.com/americans-should-cover-faces/

Face coverings can prevent the spread of virus-laden droplets from simple breathing and talking (not just through coughs and sneezes): https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/04/14/science/coronavirus-transmission-cough-6-feet-ar-ul.html

Face coverings aren't the most efficient protective measure, but the CDC recommends their use. Only future scientific studies will determine their contribution (or lack thereof) in preventing disease spread.

Pete Reinhardt, Yale EHS

From: ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU> on behalf of Yaritza Brinker <YBrinker**At_Symbol_Here**FELE.COM>
Reply-To: ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU>
Date: Friday, April 24, 2020 at 12:07 PM
To: "DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU" <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU>
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] [EXTERNAL] Re: [DCHAS-L] Minimizing risk in reopening research laboratories

To reinforce your point� has anyone noticed that Anthony Fauci has been extremely careful when answering questions regarding cloth masks. Every interview I've seen, he has refrained from recommending them.

I respect him for not bending to the pressure to recommend them. I'm also disappointed in Jerome Adams for creating a YouTube video on how to make one from household items.

Thank you,

Yaritza Brinker

260.827.5402

From: ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU> On Behalf Of Frazier, Alicia S
Sent: Friday, April 24, 2020 11:07 AM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] [EXTERNAL] Re: [DCHAS-L] Minimizing risk in reopening research laboratories

** External Email **

The issue of cloth face coverings is one that I have talked about until I am practically blue in the face but here goes:

1) Cloth face coverings do not protect the wearer from anything and in fact may cause more harm than good if the wearer does not wash their hands each time before touching it.

2) Cloth face coverings do not protect persons near the wearer from virus. The cover will absorb large liquid droplets only, airborne virus is not stopped by cloth.

3) Asymptomatic means that a person is not coughing, if an infected person is not coughing then wearing a cloth face covering provides no benefit

The hazards potentially introduced by cloth face coverings (not FR, potential for holding infectious material closer to eyes, nose&mouth, potential skin irritation etc.) is not worth it.

Other measures are far more effective at preventing virus spread. Those measures are enhanced facility cleaning, maintaining physical distance from others, washing ones hands frequently and making sure that sick people stay home until they are well.

Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone

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From: ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU> on behalf of Stuart, Ralph <Ralph.Stuart**At_Symbol_Here**KEENE.EDU>
Sent: Friday, April 24, 2020 8:23:11 AM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU>
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Re: [DCHAS-L] Minimizing risk in reopening research laboratories

> In fact, just compiling a list of coronavirus-related issues that should be addressed would be valuable.
>
I'll throw one in: An issue I am concerned about in regard to reopening any public area is the cloth mask protocol. Cloth masks are community health measures rather than personal safety measures, so I would be reluctant to impose OSHA style expectations on the use of cloth masks by the public. On the other hand, I can imagine that these masks are likely to become reservoirs for many contaminants beyond the Covid virus.

I think that we face a major challenge in maintaining the quality of the cloth masks if we ask people to wear them in public areas while relying on the wearers to maintain them. I suspect that professional laundry services will be required to assure co-workers and the community that the masks are being appropriately cleaned.

A related question is: Are labs public areas? Few academic labs I have seen have security protocols that control who enters them and it will take a significant change in both protocol and culture in change this situation.

Thanks for asking an interesting question.

- Ralph

Ralph Stuart, CIH, CCHO
Environmental Safety Manager
Keene State College
603 358-2859

ralph.stuart**At_Symbol_Here**keene.edu

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