On January 18th, the University of Wyoming began supplying students and faculty with KN95 masks at no cost to students.
Jennifer Coast, the Deputy Director of UW Operations, along with Dr. David Jones and an executive team, established a plan to provide these masks to students and faculty in light of the recent CDC recommendation that higher quality masks should be worn as opposed to the usual cloth masks.
The goal is to provide students and faculty with KN95 masks for the duration of the semester, with shipments containing 5,000 masks coming in routinely, Coast said.
“We just want to make sure that the students have access to necessary, quality supplies while attending class on campus.” Coast said.
“Probably the most important thing we can do right now to protect those people — and to avoid quarantine and isolation for many of us — is to wear better masks,” President Ed Seidel said in a UW news release.
Students can acquire these masks in various buildings across campus, including the Wyoming Union, the Washakie Dining Center, the Classroom Building, and the Enzi STEM Building.
Per UW policy it is a requirement to wear masks in all UW buildings where social distancing isn’t feasible.
“Cloth masks only block about 50 percent or less of both outgoing and incoming viral particles,” President Seidel said in a UW news release. “So, while any mask is better than none, we encourage our students and employees to pick up the higher-quality masks and use them.”
Some UW students and staff shared their opinions on the offer of KN95 masks.
“It’s a good thing that UW is taking a stance and helping out students,” said Ben Newell, a junior studying political science, “The question is whether students actually use them.”
Other students also shared Newell’s sentiment.
“I think it’ll probably be common that students continue to wear whatever masks they want, but it’s nice that UW is providing options,” Ruben Reece, a junior, said.
Rachel Rasse, a freshman studying nursing, stated that she has seen several employees wearing the KN95 masks. She noted that even RA’s are wearing these masks.
“It’s cool to see UW not only following CDC recommendations, but also providing for their students and employees.” Rasse said.
In conjunction with providing KN95 masks for the UW community, the university is setting expectations of mask wearing across campus.
Cameron Craft, a staff member for UW, said “In light of a lack of enforcing social distancing, this is a good preventative measure that UW is providing and endorsing.”
More information about these KN95 masks can be found in the original press statement sent out by the University of Wyoming. It can be found here.
