There’s been lots of debate throughout the pandemic over which kind of mask to wear to best prevent catching COVID-19. In the wake of the highly contagious omicron variant, some people are choosing to make a switch from cloth masks to an N95 mask. This week, some UNC students took matters into their own hands.

Thursday afternoon at UNC, students lined up around the Carolina Union to receive KN95 and N95 masks from UNC Student Government. Students were able to fill out a form to request up to two masks.

According to Student Body President Lamar Richards, UNC Student Government secured 10,000 KN95 and N95 masks from North Carolina Emergency Management and the North Carolina State Government.

In order to receive their mask each student was required to attest to knowing how to properly wear a mask. Dr. Amir Barzin, the head of the Carolina Together Testing Program, said in a recent video published by UNC that fit is most important.

“If you are wearing a mask it should be what we call a well-fitting mask,” Barzin said. “That means a mask that’s not very loose, not one that’s hanging down below your nose or below your chin [and] not one that has a lot of extra gaps on the sides.”

Updated Centers for Disease Control guidelines say cloth masks are acceptable if they are a three-ply cloth mask.  Barzin said surgical masks are also beneficial.

“KN95 masks or N95 masks have been asked a lot about,” Barzin said. “’Do we need to wear those all the time? Do we have to have them?’ The thing that I caution with KN95 or N95s, again if its not fitted appropriately and its loose all the way around you’re just as susceptible to being able to get the virus. The most important thing is you wear a well-fitting mask.”

Via Centers for Disease Control

To wear a KN95 or N95 mask properly it needs to seal to the face. The top strap of a double strapped mask should rest at the top of the head whereas the bottom strap should be positioned around the neck below the ears. Using the fingertips on both hands the metal nose bridge can be molded to the face. Then, with both hands over the mask perform a fit check by breathing out to see if there’s any leakage preventing a proper seal and adjust as necessary.

While the distribution by UNC Student Government was meant for the campus community, many Americans may soon be able to get such masks for free as well. The United States government is planning to distribute 400 million N95 masks to adults for free at places like pharmacies beginning next week.

Additionally, the government began a program this week to address a need for COVID-19 testing. A federal website launched where households can request four free at-home COVID-19 tests sent through the United States Postal Service. At UNC, students can continue to complete asymptomatic COVID-19 testing through the Carolina Together COVID-19 testing site.

The UNC Black Student Movement also arranged mask distribution on UNC’s campus. Black Student movement distributed 5,000 N95 masks to UNC students during the first week of class.

UNC Student Government said it is working to identify additional mask distribution days the week of January 24 for anyone who could not pick up a mask Thursday.

 

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