coronavirus; COVID-19; Editorial

Update on vaccines and boosters

Melanie Balog — Mon, 17 Jan 2022 13:31:11 +0000

Update on vaccines and boosters Melanie Balog Mon, 01/17/2022 - 08:31

In observance of Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s Executive Directive issued January 15 for managing responses to COVID-19, �� will now strongly encourage employees to receive COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters, and to share their vaccination status with Mason. �� mechanisms to obtain and store this information will remain in place. This is a departure from our requirement issued earlier.

National data and our own continue to show that vaccines have been proven to be the single most effective means to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and the severity of its symptoms.

All other masking and testing requirements remain in place at this time.

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Faculty and Staff News

Mason provides N95 masks for spring semester

Melanie Balog — Fri, 14 Jan 2022 21:07:34 +0000

Mason provides N95 masks for spring semester Melanie Balog Fri, 01/14/2022 - 16:07

Photo by Getty Images

�� will start the semester as planned on Jan. 24 with a mix of hybrid, in-person and online classes.

Some public health officials are recommending a more substantial face covering than traditional cloth face covering to prevent the spread of the omicron variant.

Mason is committed to providing community members with mask options, and has ordered 180,000 N95 masks for the campus community, to be delivered in multiple shipments. The first batch of 35,000 is expected to arrive this week.

“We are grateful to Mason’s purchasing department for sourcing such a large quantity of N95 respirators when they are in high demand," said David Farris, Mason’s executive director of safety and emergency management. "This order will help our community contend with the current surge in COVID cases and provide a better barrier to COVID transmission.”

Masks are part of a multilayered strategy that includes getting booster shots and uploading proof of boosters by Feb. 15, participating in surveillance testing, using the Mason COVID Health Check when planning to be present on campus or to report positive COVID test, physical distancing, using good hand hygiene and staying home when unwell.

In addition, residential students are required to test before move-in, nonresidential students will be invited to test on a similar schedule as fall 2021, and faculty and staff who will not be fully remote will be asked to test Jan. 18-23. Get more details on surveillance testing.

Masks will be available at the testing centers on all campuses. They will also be available at information booths and at the Stearns Center on the Fairfax ��.

In addition, the university plans to stock KN95 masks in its Vengo vending machines on the Fairfax, Arlington, and SciTech campuses by next Friday, Jan. 21.

As a reminder, masks are required in all indoor settings, except when eating or drinking or when in a private enclosed space such as an office or residence hall room.

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Booster, testing and mask updates for spring semester

Melanie Balog — Fri, 14 Jan 2022 19:50:38 +0000

Booster, testing and mask updates for spring semester Melanie Balog Fri, 01/14/2022 - 14:50

Editor's note: This message was distributed Jan. 14, before Gov. Youngkin took office. In response to the Executive Directive issued January 15 for managing responses to COVID-19, �� will now strongly encourage employees to receive COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters, and to share their vaccination status with Mason. See the updated Spring 2022 plans.

Dear Mason Patriots:

As we prepare to return for the Spring 2022 semester, I am writing to give you important updates on how we plan to manage operations with current pandemic conditions. The arrival of the omicron variant has changed many of the rules of engagement, and it is now the predominant strain in the local area.

Given the highly infectious nature of omicron, we have seen unprecedented numbers of Mason students, staff, and faculty contracting the virus. While the numbers are sobering, we are prepared to manage under current conditions. We continue to see milder symptoms among those who are vaccinated, especially among those who have received their booster shot.

This spring we are guided by three goals for success: preserving health and safety, minimizing operational disruptions, and stopping the spread of the virus to hasten the end of the pandemic. We urge administrative and academic units to review their contingency plans and update them as appropriate.

In order to achieve our goals, we will do the following:

Return to classes – Mason is prepared for spring classes, and we will return to in-person instruction as planned. Mason is tracking the rate of transmission of active cases, monitoring for outbreaks, and working with public health officials to craft our Covid response. If conditions demand, changes to Mason’s public health policies and operations will be announced via email.

Vaccination – We are requiring that all students, staff, and faculty (without a vaccine exemption), who are eligible to receive booster shots, get them and upload their new documentation to the Mason health services portal by February 15. All new students, faculty, and staff must upload their vaccination status within 2 weeks of their eligibility date or request an exemption. Please visit /safe-return-campus/vaccination-requirements to learn more about our vaccination requirements.

Surveillance testing – All faculty and staff are required to take a Covid test January 18-23, prior to the start of spring classes. An email will be distributed to those who are required to test with information on how to test on campus, off campus, or request an exception to this requirement. An aggressive residential student Covid surveillance testing strategy is also being implemented during the first weeks of this semester to gather baseline information on the prevalence of Covid on campus. Learn more about the safe return guidelines for students at https://housing.gmu.edu/spring-2022.

Diagnostic testing – Diagnostic tests can be hard to come by in the community, so Mason will offer drive-up diagnostic testing for employees starting January 18 at Peterson Hall. The appointment scheduler opens January 16 for January 18 appointments at https://gmu.medicatconnect.com/. Learn more about diagnostic testing at /safe-return-campus/personal-and-public-health/covid-19-testing.

We continue to offer students diagnostic testing and medical care through Student Health Services. To mitigate potential exposures, please do not visit one of Mason’s surveillance test sites if you are symptomatic.

Masks - Masking requirements remain in place, with the added encouragement to wear either KN95 or N95 masks. Cloth masks are proving to be less effective at stopping the circulation of microdroplets that carry the omicron variant of Covid. Mason will offer a free N95 mask to students, faculty, and staff at Mason’s COVID Test Sites and information kiosks on the Fairfax, Arlington, and SciTech ��es. Learn more about the use of N95 respirators here.

Students who test positive – Medical staff at Student Health Services provide care to residential students who are positive and symptomatic. Mason continues to provide accommodations and/or support to residential students who remain on campus during their quarantine or isolation. Non-residential students who test positive should reach out to their primary care provider for medical care. Non-residential students who do not have a primary care provider can reach out to Student Health Services for medical care. Information regarding quarantine and isolation requirements is available here.

Employees who test positive – Employees who test positive or are unvaccinated and identified as a close contact must observe updated isolation and quarantine guidance.

Flexibility for students who miss classes due to Covid – Instructors are asked to exercise maximum flexibility for students who miss class due to Covid isolation or quarantine. Learn more at /faqs-faculty-and-staff.

Stay tuned – Conditions are fluid and can change rapidly, hopefully for the better. Mason will reach out to the community frequently as events warrant, so watch your email inbox for updates.

Patriots, we have forged ahead despite pandemic conditions in four prior semesters. Together, we will get through this one, as well. Welcome back!

Sincerely,

Gregory Washington

President

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Statement: Office of the President

Fast Grants to aid in the development of a pan-coronavirus vaccine

John Hollis — Mon, 13 Dec 2021 17:49:07 +0000

Fast Grants to aid in the development of a pan-coronavirus vaccine John Hollis Mon, 12/13/2021 - 12:49

Tyler Cowen is a professor of economics and the faculty director at the Mercatus Center. Photo provided

��’s Fast Grants program continues to play a leading role in the global pandemic by expediting critical research needed in the fight against COVID-19.

The philanthropic effort, which is part of the Emergent Ventures program for innovators based within Mason’s Mercatus Center, recently received nearly $7 million from generous benefactors, most of whom have chosen to remain anonymous. As a result, the Fast Grants Program was able to quickly send out nearly $4 million in support of pan-coronavirus vaccine research at the University of Washington and at the California Institute of Technology in the hopes of soon developing a vaccine that can offer protection against every strain of the virus.

“The necessity to fight back against COVID is obvious,” said Tyler Cowen, a professor of economics within Mason’s College of Humanities and Social Sciences and the faculty director of the Mercatus Center. “We are supporting research into vaccines that will—if they succeed—work against all variants to come in the future. And Fast Grants has had a good track record supporting quality research against COVID, and in a timely manner. The researchers have some initial promising results. Now they can get started on the next steps right away.”

Cowen, who founded Emergent Ventures, announced the start of the Fast Grants program in March 2020 in the hopes of inspiring immediate breakthroughs in the fight against the deadly virus that has now claimed more than 5.2 million lives around the globe, including nearly 800,000 Americans, according to the World Health Organization.

Donors soon began coming forward to aid in the efforts, including Telsa’s Elon Musk, LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman and philanthropist MacKenzie Scott, among others.

Launched with a $1 million grant from the Thiel Foundation, Emergent Ventures Fast Grants range between $10,000 and $500,000. Decisions on funding typically are made within 14 days of requests and are quickly dispersed to recipients.

To date, the Fast Grants program has distributed more than $54 million in more than 200 grants, including several for potential vaccines and treatments for the virus.

“I am hoping this work can save lives,” Cowen said, “and restore our economy to normal operation more rapidly. Perhaps it also will be the basis of future advances in medical sciences, directed at other problems as well.”

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Mason COVID-19 experts encourage vaccines, boosters and mask use as winter break nears

Colleen Rich — Mon, 06 Dec 2021 20:20:55 +0000

Mason COVID-19 experts encourage vaccines, boosters and mask use as winter break nears Colleen Rich Mon, 12/06/2021 - 15:20

Photo by Getty Images.

Amira Roess, professor of global health and epidemiology at ��’s College of Health and Human Services, Department of Global and Community Health, and Angela Chezem, MD, medical director, COVID Surveillance Program (Safety, Emergency, and Enterprise Risk Management), offer advice to the Mason community on omicron variant safety over the winter holiday season.

Q: What is the omicron COVID-19 variant, and how quickly should we expect it to spread in the United States?

A: The omicron variant is a variant of the COVID-19 virus and has several mutations on the spike protein compared to the delta variant. This is of significance because the spike protein is what current vaccines and therapeutics target. These changes or mutations may have implications for effectiveness of current vaccines and therapeutics. In addition, these changes may also have implications for transmission.

Every day we will learn about new cases of the omicron variant in the United States and throughout the world. Typically, by the time we identify the first case of a variant there are dozens if not hundreds more that have not been identified. This is an artifact of our surveillance system and our testing strategy.

Q: Does Mason’s surveillance testing detect the omicron variant?

A: Yes, Mason’s test would be positive for COVID if someone had the omicron variant. We are not running omicron-specific testing at this time, but our PCR test would yield a positive result for COVID.

Q: What should people do differently over the winter holiday, in light of the new variant?

A: There is a lot that we need to learn and we are gathering information quickly. Over the next several days we will have more data about the transmissibility of this variant and the possible implications of this on disease spread, and vaccine and therapeutic effectiveness.

In the meantime, individuals should prioritize getting the vaccine and the booster if they are eligible, and should continue to wear masks in crowded indoor settings. The elderly and those with underlying conditions should continue to be vigilant in order to avoid infection. Additionally, immunocompromised individuals who received Moderna or Pfizer should get a third dose 28 days after they have finished their initial series.

If you are going to spend the holidays with individuals who are older or have multiple underlying conditions, then it's extremely important that you, and they, get vaccinated and get the booster in order to minimize the chance of transmission at holiday gatherings.

Q: Will Mason offer surveillance testing over the winter break?

A: Yes, Mason’s surveillance testing site will be open for two Mondays during winter break, on Dec. 20 and Dec. 27 from 9 a.m. to noon in Fenwick Library on the Fairfax ��.

Mason’s vaccine site will be closed for two weeks during winter break (Dec. 20 – 31). The Mason community is encouraged to visit vaccinefinder.gov to locate clinics open during the winter break if you need a vaccine or booster. The Mason vaccine site will resume regular hours on Monday, Jan. 3, 2022.

Q: The World Health Organization describes omicron as a “variant of concern.” What precautions can the Mason community take now for protection against this new variant?

A: The Mason community should continue to do what it has been doing. We have a very high vaccination rate and now we need to increase our booster rate. If you have symptoms make sure that you get tested and quarantine or isolate as appropriate. We need to continue to wear our masks especially in crowded indoor settings in order to protect ourselves and others. Remember that masks are effective in reducing the risk of transmission of COVID-19 and other respiratory microbes.

If you’re sick and tested negative for COVID, you should still wear a mask and avoid being around others.

Q: Should you cancel your holiday party and celebrations?

A: For now, we do not need to change our winter holiday plans. If you and all of those at your holiday gatherings have been vaccinated and have received a booster as appropriate, then you have truly done everything you can to significantly reduce the risk of infection.

The recommendations for travel are the same. Continue to wear masks when you are in indoor settings, especially in crowded settings, which includes on airplanes, buses, trains and in airports and shopping centers. If you have symptoms, avoid contact with others until you get tested.

Q: For those of us who are vaccinated, do our vaccines hold up against the omicron variant? What about boosters?

A: Preliminary data suggests that individuals who have been vaccinated have mild symptoms when infected with the omicron variant. This supports the recommendation that all eligible individuals really should get vaccinated and get the booster.

Q: All three U.S. vaccine manufacturers—Moderna, Pfizer, and Johnson and Johnson—are already conducting research to determine how their vaccines fare against omicron. When will the results be available?

A: These vaccine manufacturers have indicated that they may be able to produce a vaccine that is updated to respond to the omicron variant in about three months. This timeline will be updated as more information emerges.

Q: It seems like things are changing every day. Why and when can we expect to know more?

A: Each day we are identifying cases and investigating clusters. I suspect that in a week we'll have more information on the implications of the emergent variant on transmission dynamics, disease severity and vaccine effectiveness.

The most important thing to keep in mind is that our current vaccines do seem to protect against severe disease. While this may change in the future, it does not change the fact that the delta variant is still the dominant strain in the U.S., and the vaccines that we have are highly effective against severe disease, hospitalizations and deaths.

The information that is emerging suggests that the omicron variant is more transmissible than the delta variant. (If this turns out to be supported by further data analysis, then we can expect to see an increase in vaccine, booster and other mandates.)

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Should COVID-19 vaccination status be used when rationing scarce medical resources? Mason professor says it’s an ethical Pandora’s box.

John Hollis — Thu, 07 Oct 2021 20:17:25 +0000

Should COVID-19 vaccination status be used when rationing scarce medical resources? Mason professor says it’s an ethical Pandora’s box. John Hollis Thu, 10/07/2021 - 16:17

Andrew Peterson is an assistant professor of bioethics in the Department of Philosophy. Photo provided

��’s Andrew Peterson says that rationing medical care depending on vaccination status is ethically fraught, but it’s under consideration in parts of America as the global COVID-19 pandemic continues to fill up hospitals and strain limited medical resources.

“It’s brutal,” Peterson said of possibly using vaccination status to decide which patients to admit to the ICU. “But it’s equally brutal to tell a family of someone who’s had a heart attack that their loved one can’t be admitted because ICUs are full with unvaccinated COVID-19 patients.”

Peterson, an assistant professor of bioethics in the Department of Philosophy within the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, has worked on the ethics of medical resource rationing since the pandemic began. He has conducted surveys with Mason colleague Wesley Buckwalter, advocated for people with disabilities, and informed RAND Corps guidance on triage protocols.

“We’ve moved into a new phase of the pandemic—the vaccinated versus the unvaccinated—and ethical challenges are evolving.”

Iowa recently became the first state to announce “crisis standards of care,” where health care resources are rationed, with Alaska and Montana soon following with similar measures. More parts of the country could be in a similar situation with the winter flu season approaching and the delta variant continuing to spread. Among overwhelmed ICUs, the majority of hospitalizations have been people who are unvaccinated against COVID-19, despite shots being free, safe, and readily available throughout the country.

Caring for unvaccinated COVID-19 patients is taking its toll on the medical field, Peterson said.

“It’s pushing clinical staff beyond the breaking point,” he said. “We’ve already hit the burnout stage. Now my clinical colleagues can only muster the word ‘helplessness.’ They’re trying to help people who won’t help themselves.”

As a result of medical resource shortages, many patients who don’t have COVID-19 but still need critical care are being turned away from hospitals.

Peterson cautioned against vaccination status determining who goes to the front of the line.

“Clinicians shouldn’t be in the position of judging patients’ behavior,” he said. “They have a duty to care for patients irrespective of how they ended up in the hospital. We wouldn’t turn car accident patients away because they weren’t wearing a seatbelt, so why would that be OK with vaccination status? It’s also hard to tell why people haven’t received their shot. Is it because they can’t access the shot? Or is it because they have anti-vaccine attitudes? Which reasons are good or bad?”

But even if vaccination status shouldn’t play a role in deciding who gets an ICU bed, Peterson suggested that it still might be factored in some part of the calculus. If two patients have equal consideration for ICU admission, but only one is vaccinated, Peterson said vaccination status might be used a “tie breaker.” He also suggested that vaccination status might be used once patients are discharged from the hospital to gauge the cost of their ICU stay. Some companies have raised insurance premiums on unvaccinated employees.

“Financially rewarding people for getting the shot might be effective way increase vaccinations and keep people out of the ICU.”

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College of Humanities and Social Sciences

Department of Psychology

Mason offering COVID-19 vaccine booster shots to eligible populations

Colleen Rich — Mon, 04 Oct 2021 21:58:03 +0000

Mason offering COVID-19 vaccine booster shots to eligible populations Colleen Rich Mon, 10/04/2021 - 17:58

Student Gianna Rivas-Rojas receives the COVID-19 vaccine at EagleBank Arena. Photo by Shelby Burgess/Strategic Communications/��

�� officials are encouraging those who are eligible to go ahead and schedule their third COVID-19 vaccine doses or booster shots to best help keep the entire community safe.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have approved Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccine third doses for immunocompromised individuals and Pfizer booster shots for specific populations aged 18 or older.

Mason is offering Pfizer third shots for eligible individuals who are immunocompromised for whom at least four weeks have passed since their second Pfizer dose. The third doses must be the same brand of vaccine received in the original vaccine series.

Pfizer booster shots are also available for individuals six months or more after the second Pfizer dose was received.

The CDC recommends the following individuals should receive a Pfizer booster vaccine:

People 65 years and older and people age 18 and older who are residents in long-term care settings.
People age 50 to 64 years with underlying medical conditions.

The CDC states that the following individuals may receive a Pfizer booster vaccine (after discussion of their specific medical conditions/history or concerns with their primary care provider):

People age 18 to 49 years with underlying medical conditions.
People age 18 to 64 years who are at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission because of occupational or institutional settings (i.e., high contact roles, health care, child care teachers, instructional faculty, public safety, and counselors).

“We encourage our students, faculty and staff to discuss their individual health conditions with their primary care provider and take advantage of Mason’s third dose and booster shots if needed,” said David Farris, Mason’s executive director of Safety and Emergency Management. “Mason’s COVID Response Team is working diligently to implement CDC guidance as our knowledge of COVID evolves.”

Mason is currently offering Pfizer third shots and booster shots for eligible individuals at Fenwick A on the Fairfax ��, Monday through Friday, noon to 4 p.m. If you need a third shot or a booster shot, schedule your vaccine appointment here through the office of Safety, Emergency and Enterprise Risk Management.

At your appointment, you must present identification that indicates your date of birth, as well as your COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card or other document that indicates the vaccine and dates that you received vaccine. You do not need to provide proof of your medical condition, activities, or occupation that qualifies you for a third or booster shot.

“This is just one more way that Mason continues to help our community during this pandemic,” Farris said.

The CDC and FDA are expected to approve Moderna booster shots in the coming weeks. When this occurs, Mason plans to offer Moderna third shots and booster shots consistent with the CDC recommendations. The university does not have plans to offer any vaccines other than Pfizer and Moderna.

For more information on Mason’s ongoing COVID-19 response, please visit Mason’s Safe Return to �� website.

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coronavirus; COVID-19; Editorial

Mason researchers use scent analysis for COVID diagnostics

Colleen Rich — Wed, 22 Sep 2021 14:32:16 +0000

Mason researchers use scent analysis for COVID diagnostics Colleen Rich Wed, 09/22/2021 - 10:32

Mason researchers Robin Couch and Allyson Dailey are working to answer that call with their research on volatile organic compounds (VOCs) for infectious disease detection. Photo by Creative Services

With COVID-19 continuing to spread throughout the world, there is a demand for rapid, noninvasive diagnostics. �� researchers Robin Couch and Allyson Dailey, members of the College of Science and the Institute of Biohealth Innovation, are working to answer that call with their research on volatile organic compounds (VOCs) for infectious disease detection.

VOCs are gases that emanate from a variety of sources, including from humans. Much like a sommelier can smell wine and determine the composition of it, Couch and Dailey have been looking at the scent prints of bacteria. They have been able to successfully diagnose mice infected with biothreat agents using this method, and were able to differentiate standard bacteria strains from antibiotic-resistant strains, as seen in Nature Scientific Reports. Mason holds a patent around the technology on the extraction and analysis of gases through the VOC extraction chamber.

When the news of COVID struck the world in March 2020, the researchers embraced it as an opportunity to further test their approach on viruses. Through a partnership with Sentara Healthcare, trained nurses collected breath samples to support Couch and Dailey’s study, as well as performed the test for standard patient care. The research team analyzed the breath samples, compared results from the traditional diagnostic test, and trained their instrument on the difference in VOCs between positive and negative COVID results. From there, they were able to take the breath samples and quickly discern whether or not a patient had COVID-19.

The team at Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center (SNVMC) Left to Right: Heather Causseaux, MSN, NP-C, Director, Patient Care Services, SNVMC; Arthur Chutuape, MD, Infectious Disease Specialist, SNVMC; Jessica Silcox, MSN, RN, PCCN, Clinical Manager, Emergency Department, SNVMC; Debra Lee, MD, Chief, SNVMC and SLR Emergency Departments, Facility Medical Director, SNVMC Emergency Department, Vice President, Medical Staff, SNVMC

“Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center is excited to collaborate with �� on this cutting-edge research,” said Heather Causseaux, director of patient care services. “We hope this study not only leads to advancements in patient care, but also the health care industry.”

The idea to use VOCs for COVID-19 diagnostics originated from a study in collaboration with Mason Science Associate Dean for Research Pat Gillevet and Rush University. The team looked at the scent profile of fecal samples from healthy patients and from those who were clinically diagnosed with alcoholism to assist with detecting the disease. Couch and Dailey’s goal then shifted toward using the technique for diagnostics.

Not only is VOC analysis less invasive than conventional diagnostic testing using biofluids, such as urine, but it also has broad applicability in the medical field. Rather than needing a battery of tests, VOC analysis can simultaneously look for multiple diseases using the same sample and technique. In fact, the researchers are optimistic that one day, scent analysis can be used for early disease intervention during regular checkups.

“Imagine being able to receive a whole body analysis through your scent profile when you go to your general practitioner,“ said Couch. “An instrument would be able to compare your scent to a library of diseases and promptly determine whether or not you have indicators of illnesses like diabetes or Parkinson’s disease, meaning you’re able to receive treatment sooner, or prevent the illness entirely.”

Another direction where the team would like to eventually take their VOC analysis testing capabilities is a surveillance tool. For instance, Couch and Dailey envision that as individuals walk by a testing station, it could smell their VOCs and provide rapid diagnostic information in the form of green, yellow, and red lights based on the detection of transmissible diseases. This could be especially valuable in public settings like schools and airports.

The researchers use the technique’s potential to help others as motivation for continuing to pursue their studies.

“What excites me most about our investigation is knowing what I’m working on right now could be used to help a lot of people,” said Dailey. “That’s what keeps me moving forward.”

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College of Science

SciTech ��

coronavirus; COVID-19; Editorial

Mason Momentum

Mason Nation masks up to fight COVID-19

John Hollis — Mon, 13 Sep 2021 19:29:56 +0000

Mason Nation masks up to fight COVID-19 John Hollis Mon, 09/13/2021 - 15:29

The Patriot helped encourage the use of masks to fight the spread of COVID-19. Photo by Shelby Burgess/Strategic Communications

Some �� students got an unexpected visit from the Patriot last week to remind them of the university’s mask policy.

The Patriot visited students in common areas of Horizon, Innovation, Planetary and Enterprise halls on the Fairfax ��, offering masks to those who were without and giving Mason swag as a “thank you” to those who were in compliance with the mask policy.

Mason Nation is being asked help reduce the spread of the coronavirus by wearing masks indoors, unless actively eating or drinking, and outdoors when physical distancing is not possible. Unvaccinated members of the community are expected to wear masks at all times while on campus.

“Masks continue to be a very effective way to control the spread of COVID, especially in indoor environments,” said Julie Zobel, Mason’s associate vice president for safety, emergency, and enterprise risk management. “It’s important for all members of the Mason community to wear a mask when indoors with very few exceptions.”

The use of masks is just one element in Mason’s efforts to slow the spread the virus. Others include mandatory vaccinations for all students, faculty and staff unless granted an exemption, testing, physical distancing and completing the Mason COVID Health Check each day. Mason’s strategy is detailed in the COVID Safety Plan.

“Although most of our campus community is vaccinated, masks coupled with vaccine help to prevent the spread of COVID,” said David Farris, Mason’s executive director of safety and emergency management. “However, they only work if we are diligent about wearing masks whenever and wherever we are able to, on or off campus, particularly when we are around others—whether they are vaccinated or not.”

Farris also urged Mason Nation to consider their behavior while off campus, as that can also impact the spread of COVID among the Mason community.

“We need everyone’s assistance to keep the Mason Nation safe, and this responsibility does not end at the borders of our campuses,” he said.

COVID vaccines are available at the Fenwick A Wing (formerly the MIX) on the Fairfax ��.

Zobel also noted that masks will provide additional help in keeping community members healthy as flu season is now upon us. Mason will offer flu shots at its Fairfax and SciTech ��es in October by appointment; sign up links will be shared soon.

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Staying vigilant in the fight against COVID will be key

John Hollis — Thu, 19 Aug 2021 22:29:16 +0000

Staying vigilant in the fight against COVID will be key John Hollis Thu, 08/19/2021 - 18:29

The Fall 2021 semester is about to begin, and everyone in the �� community needs to do their part to make sure that our campuses remain vibrant and that we all stay safe during the global pandemic.

Mandatory vaccinations, masks for indoors, ongoing surveillance testing and the daily Mason COVID Health Check are the primary ways in which the university hopes to keep the virus in check. Mason is welcoming roughly 5,400 residential students as well as non-residential students, faculty and staff to campus for the semester’s start.

Mason has fared far better than most universities in keeping COVID in check, but our steady vigilance must continue, said David Farris, Mason’s executive director of Safety and Emergency Management.

“I think Mason has done a good job, but we just need a few more folks to get vaccinated,” he said. “We’re in a good position to identify any potential problems and address them quickly.”

As of Thursday, Aug. 19, just under 93 percent of residential students have been vaccinated, with roughly two percent having received exemptions. Exemptions can be requested for medical or religious reasons. Mason’s medical personnel review each request and make decisions based on the individual’s medical information. But no exemptions will be given based solely on natural immunity or prior COVID infection, per the CDC guidance.

Additionally, better than 86 percent of Mason faculty and staff have been vaccinated as well.

All residential students and all unvaccinated students will be tested once per week this fall. Unvaccinated residential students are expected to be tested prior to arriving back on campus and will be tested twice per week throughout the semester, Farris said.

There have been 39 reported positive cases of COVID-19 in the Mason community since May 17, 18 of which remain active, Farris said.

“We’ve done pretty good,” Farris said, “but it’s important we continue following all the precautions we have in place.”

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