Safe Return to Campus

Moderna and Pfizer COVID vaccine booster shots available at Mason

Melanie Balog — Tue, 26 Oct 2021 00:32:39 +0000

Moderna and Pfizer COVID vaccine booster shots available at Mason Melanie Balog Mon, 10/25/2021 - 20:32

Mason Patriots,

The CDC and FDA have approved and recommended booster doses for certain individuals who received any of the three Covid-19 vaccines available in the U.S.

Pfizer and Moderna boosters are available for eligible individuals who completed their initial series at least six months ago. Eligible individuals include:

People 65 years and older
People age 18 to 64 years with underlying medical conditions
People age 18 to 64 years who are at increased risk due to occupational or institutional settings

Individuals who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine are also eligible for a booster of any of the three vaccines available in the U.S., two months after their initial vaccine.

Pfizer and Moderna boosters are available at Mason. The vaccine clinic is open at Fenwick A on the Fairfax Campus, noon to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Schedule your vaccine appointment here (vaccine.gmu.edu) through the office of Safety, Emergency, and Enterprise Risk Management.

At your appointment, be prepared to present your COVID Vaccination card (preferred) or other record that documents your previous vaccinations. Please also bring a form of identification that verifies your name and date of birth. You do not need to provide proof of your medical condition, activities, or occupation.

Initial vaccine series of Pfizer and Moderna are still available.

Mason does not plan to offer vaccines to the 5-11 year-old age group.

Thank you for doing your part to protect the Mason Nation. For more information on Mason’s ongoing COVID-19 response please visit Mason’s Safe Return to Campus website.

Sincerely,

Safety, Emergency, & Enterprise Risk Management

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Safe Return to Campus

Campus News

coronavirus; COVID-19; News; Editorial

Dr. Amira Roess Awarded for Outstanding Achievement in Mason Community and Beyond

mthomp7 — Thu, 08 Apr 2021 11:50:46 +0000

Dr. Amira Roess Awarded for Outstanding Achievement in Mason Community and Beyond mthomp7 Thu, 04/08/2021 - 07:50

In This Story

Amira Roess, PhD, MPH

Professor of Global and Community Health Amira Roess has been recognized for her excellence in community involvement, teaching, and research during the COVID-19 pandemic and Mason’s safe return to campus.

Amira Roess, an epidemiologist and professor of Global and Community Health, has received Mason’s Outstanding Achievement Award. Every year, ��ӽ紫ý recognizes employees for significant achievement in their contributions to Mason. The Outstanding Achievement Award is given to individuals whose outstanding work exemplifies Mason’s values.

Roess has played a vital role in Mason’s response to COVID-19 and the safe return to campus.

With expertise in infectious disease epidemiology and pandemic response, Roess has played a vital role in Mason’s response to COVID-19 and the safe return to campus. When the coronavirus led to the shutdown of businesses and campuses across the country, Roess led a team to create and launch the nation’s first online COVID-19 symptom and exposure tracker. This tool, the Mason COVID Health Check™, has been vital to the university’s randomized testing and surveillance protocol. Last June, Dr. Roess was requested by the Virginia Council of Presidents to share the Mason COVID Health Check™ with all Virginia universities.

Roess has also served on several committees that have informed Mason’s safe return policies and protocols. These committees involved coordinating efforts on screening, contact tracing, testing, and vaccinations. Her contributions have been foundational to Mason’s response to COVID-19 and these successful strategies have played a big role in Mason’s low positivity rate. Furthermore, Roess is the recipient of two extramurally funding grants on COVID-19 transmission.

“These time-intensive initiatives of service to the University and the community are in addition to countless hours she has dedicated to ensure accurate translation of COVID-19 health information to various communities,” said Dean of the College Germaine Louis on Roess’ extensive work in the Mason community and beyond.

Additionally, Dr. Roess is also directing the new PhD in Public Health degree program within the Department of Global and Community Health, teaching a course on epidemiology, and working with several students on COVID-19 related projects in the disciplines of public health and engineering.

Her tireless, multifaceted work demonstrates a clear commitment to excellence in the face of adversity. Congratulations to Roess on this well-deserved honor.

Topics

coronavirus; covid-19

Safe Return to Campus

Mason COVID Health Check™

CHHS News

faculty spotlight

What you need to know about the recent CDC mask guidelines

Colleen Rich — Wed, 17 Feb 2021 17:52:43 +0000

What you need to know about the recent CDC mask guidelines Colleen Rich Wed, 02/17/2021 - 12:52

Photo by Ron Aira/Creative Services

Some members of our community may have questions about the guidance issued on Feb. 10 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on the use of masks and face coverings to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

In addition to practicing good hand hygiene, staying home when unwell and when directed to isolate or quarantine by a health professional, staying six feet apart, filling out the Mason COVID Health Check and participating in on-campus surveillance testing, wearing face coverings is a key part of the strategy for safe repopulation of our campuses.

Q: Has Mason changed its face covering policy?

A: No, Mason’s face covering policy has not changed. Face coverings are required

Inside a university building, vehicle or other facility.
Outside on Mason property when physical distancing of six feet cannot be consistently maintained.
At any event or gathering organized by a university department, student group or external organization.

More details about the policy can be found here.

Q: Are Mason’s face coverings sufficient?

A: The face coverings provided by Mason are tight-fitting masks with two layers of tightly woven cloth (two ply), and meet CDC recommendations for two or more fabric layers.

Q: How do I ensure my mask fits properly?

A: A mask should cover your nose and mouth, be secure under your chin, and fit snugly against the sides of your face. See these guidelines from the CDC for more details.

Q: Do I need two cloth masks?

A: No, the CDC does not currently recommend two cloth masks. Your cloth mask should have at least two or more layers and fit snugly. Alternatively, the CDC recommends one disposable mask underneath a cloth mask.

Q: How would I double mask?

A: A tight-fitting cloth mask over a disposable mask can help reduce or eliminate gaps in the disposable mask.

Q: Do I need an N95 mask?

A: No, the CDC does not recommend N95 masks for everyday use; they should be reserved for health care professionals who interact with potentially infectious patients.

Topics

Campus News

Safe Return to Campus

coronavirus; COVID-19; Editorial

��ӽ紫ý expands testing and tracking behind faculty research

Colleen Rich — Wed, 27 Jan 2021 20:28:46 +0000

��ӽ紫ý expands testing and tracking behind faculty research Colleen Rich Wed, 01/27/2021 - 15:28

In This Story

Lance A. Liotta

��ӽ紫ý announces it is introducing a rapid-result, saliva-based COVID-19 test that will greatly expand testing capabilities on its campuses this spring. The effort, led by Mason's faculty, is part of a comprehensive program to better track and control the virus on campus.

Mason scientists, who are pushing the boundaries of technologies that are keeping Mason's campuses safe, are also developing an antibody test that can track a body's response to the virus and vaccine. See more in this video.

The use of the saliva test with the recently acquired Fluidigm system, designed to analyze large numbers of test samples, will help Mason increase testing capacity from 1,000 tests per week to a goal of 10,000 by March, said Lance Liotta, co-director and co-founder of Mason's Center for Applied Proteomics and Molecular Medicine, who leads the CAP CLIA laboratory in which the COVID testing takes place.

CAP CLIA accreditation—from the College of American Pathologists (CAP) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services through the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA)—ensures laboratories provide precise test results and comply with professionally and scientifically sound laboratory operating standards.

'The more we test, the more we are able to identify people who are positive at the earliest stages of the infection and therefore stem the spread of infection,' said Ali Andalibi, senior associate dean for the College of Science. 'That's what we're striving toward.'

Liotta leads the multidisciplinary team that is internationally recognized for its expertise in diagnostic testing. The team pivoted from its primary work in cancer research to take up the fight against COVID-19, following the start of the global pandemic last spring.

Mason was a model during the Fall semester for its efforts to combat the spread of the virus, with some of the lowest COVID-19 case numbers among Virginia's largest higher education institutions, and no known transmission in its classrooms.

'I've been very gratified to see the enormous amount of effort being put forth by Mason scientists in all the colleges toward the COVID crisis,' Liotta said. 'We collaborate with scientists in many different sectors of Mason, as we work together to develop these new strategies all the way from testing, to the methods, to how you collect samples, and how you care for patients.'

The saliva test, which received an Emergency Use Authorization from the Food and Drug Administration, will help track symptomatic and asymptomatic cases on campus and will be available at five sites across Mason's three university campuses. The samples will be analyzed at Mason's Science and Technology Campus in Manassas, Virginia, in the laboratories directed by research professor Virginia Espina. Turnaround time for results will be two days or less.

Julie Zobel, Mason's associate vice president for Safety, Emergency and Enterprise Risk Management, and her team led efforts to set up the campus infrastructure for testing. That entailed construction of five testing sites with card scanners, check-in counters and private saliva-collection booths. About 50 people, including 20 licensed medical professionals, were hired to staff the sites.

It's been a challenge, but we've had a large team of medical professionals, emergency and risk managers, researchers and lab personnel, and IT and finance professionals working tirelessly over the past five months to get us to this point,' Zobel said. 'I am proud to be part of such a high-performing and driven team all working toward keeping our community safe.'

Liotta's team is also validating a novel test that measures a body's antibody response to the virus and COVID vaccine. The test will help researchers understand a person's post-vaccination response, how long individuals will remain resistant to the virus and how a person's immune system fights the virus.

'The antibody test is going to be the future because everyone wants to know, did the vaccine work for them?' Liotta said. 'Somebody who has immunodeficiency syndromes gets the vaccine. Did the vaccine work for them? We can answer that question. We can also tell whether a patient should be donating their plasma to treat others.'

About ��ӽ紫ý

��ӽ紫ý is Virginia's largest public research university. Located near Washington, D.C., Mason enrolls 38,000 students from 130 countries and all 50 states. Mason has grown rapidly over the last half-century and is recognized for its innovation and entrepreneurship, remarkable diversity and commitment to accessibility. Learn more at www.gmu.edu.

Topics

coronavirus; COVID-19; News; Editorial

Safe Return to Campus

Campus News

Press Release

Faculty members share their experiences with in-person teaching this fall

Colleen Rich — Mon, 14 Dec 2020 18:39:25 +0000

Faculty members share their experiences with in-person teaching this fall Colleen Rich Mon, 12/14/2020 - 13:39

In This Story

Peter N. Stearns

Steven Pearlstein

Professor Peter Stearns lectures during his Honors 240 class, History of Emotions. Photo by Lathan Goumas/Office of Communications and Marketing

As this unusual fall semester ends, we wanted to take the opportunity to talk to several ��ӽ紫ý professors who taught in-person or hybrid classes. Here are their thoughts on what worked well for them.

During a career in higher education spanning almost six decades, in dozens of positions at five universities, Peter Stearns has been through it all—calming nervous freshmen, developing new educational strategies, supporting stressed doctoral candidates, and navigating the myriad administrative challenges as Mason’s provost for 14 years.

Teaching and learning during a pandemic was a predicament that provided new challenges for Stearns.

Nevertheless, he jumped in when the call went out for faculty interested in teaching face-to-face for Fall 2020.

“My daughter, who is a doctor, advised me not to do this,” he added. “But I saw this as a legit opportunity to pitch in.”

Any remaining concerns Stearns harbored regarding teaching face-to-face evaporated when he arrived at his Honors 240 classroom in Robinson Hall B. While the room would normally be set for 40 students, it was laid out for 18.

“It’s a very well-organized arrangement,” Stearns said. “It was all done by Facilities. The other chairs are completely gone; wipes and hand sanitizer are provided.”

Musicians in the in-person classes are protected by plexiglass while playing their instruments. Photo by Lathan Goumas/Office of Communications and Marketing

Stearns taught two history courses this semester, one in a hybrid format, and one completely online, and said they both went well.

The new requirement of regularly sanitizing classrooms has kept Kathleen Mulcahy, director of woodwinds in the School of Music, on her feet—literally. Because Mulcahy does a significant amount of one-on-one teaching and the rooms need to be sanitized, Mulcahy must change venues after each student.

“I’m doing a lot more moving around,” she said. “It's been an adjustment getting used to carrying my work and instruments between several different locations on campus, but it has been worth it."

Mulcahy said she did not hesitate to return to campus to teach this fall.

“I felt like our school did so much more research on safe options for teaching music than many other university music programs,” she said. “My colleagues at other schools were very impressed with the information I was receiving from our leadership. None had received anywhere near the level of support and research available to me.”

In addition to moving among classrooms, Mulcahy noted that there were very visible differences inside those classrooms. Ventilation was a key part of the School of Music research.

“They decided what rooms we could safely use,” she said. “We are in a larger space than normal. And the students are surrounded by plexiglass, because it isn't possible for them to wear conventional masks while blowing into an instrument.”

When the weather is nice, Mulcahy moved her classes outside.

Part of Mulcahy’s inclination to return to face-to-face instruction was founded in the earlier limitations of teaching music online.

“Zoom was not intended for use to teach music lessons,” she said, adding that “certain settings have now been upgraded; musicians all over the world are using it.”

The best part of returning to campus was the response Mulcahy received from the students.

“The students are so appreciative of the opportunity to play live and together,” she said. “I feel like they’re more appreciative of me, too, and they thank me every day.”

That student affirmation is echoed by Robinson Professor of Public Affairs Steven Pearlstein.

“The students really appreciate it,” he said. “They see that the professor is working hard to make the class possible.”

In fact, one student jokingly told Pearlstein that his class was the highlight of his social week.

Pearlstein added: “I really wanted to teach in person. I get a lot of energy from the students, and they get a lot of energy from me.”

Pearlstein’s Honors 131 classroom is fully equipped with microphones throughout the room and cameras on the walls.

“Chairs are arrayed like a traditional classroom,” he said. “[Facilities] put Xs on the floor, and arranged eight feet between each of them” to comply with physical distancing requirements.

The microphones allow students and Pearlstein to be heard clearly through their masks.

It was important to Pearlstein to maintain the same Socratic method format for this class that he has honed over the years. He credits the classroom he uses for the ability to deliver his lectures as he always has.

“When you teach a large lecture class it’s a little bit like performance art,” Pearlstein said.

During Pearlstein’s classes, a graduate student coordinates the technology and handles the slides, the microphones, the camera and links to Blackboard Collaborate.

“Tech and my support spent a long time together preparing for this class, and Blackboard Collaborate has been great,” Pearlstein said.

In his history class, Stearns also uses Blackboard Collaborate once a week to support small group projects. These group exercises also help students stay engaged.

“This gives students the opportunity for contact in a group setting,” he said.

This semester, Stearns noted an interesting phenomenon that he attributes to the lack of other activities during the students’ days.

“Some students are actually doing things better this semester,” Stearns said. “I think this classwork is the only thing they have to do—more students are turning in work early and the quality of work for the freshmen students is especially better than I’ve previously seen.”

That, according to Stearns, is a silver lining of this unprecedented semester.

Topics

Campus News

transformative teaching

Safe Return to Campus

Behind the scenes at #DoYourPartMason

Damian Cristodero — Thu, 10 Dec 2020 21:04:56 +0000

Behind the scenes at #DoYourPartMason Damian Cristodero Thu, 12/10/2020 - 16:04

Lisa Park
Executive Director, Student Health Services

Lisa Park laughed when asked what keeps her busy during a typical day.

“Meetings,” she said laughing. “A lot of meetings about processes that affect the whole university and processes that affect student health and the clinical care we provide to students.”

Park wasn’t kidding.

She has six meetings a week with the outbreak mitigation team, including three with the Fairfax County Health Department to pinpoint trends or clusters of outbreaks.

There are meetings about diagnostic and surveillance testing strategy, and quarantine and isolation, as well as clinical meetings concerning continually evolving scientific evidence around COVID care and applying those changes at Student Health Services and university-wide.

“It’s pretty complex in terms of figuring out what strategy to have based on scientific evidence, medical evidence and public health guidance, and then figuring out how that affects students, how it will be operationalized at the university level,” Park said.

Park is coordinating the planning for diagnostic testing in the spring semester.

“Testing is one piece of containing the virus,” Park said. “Getting a sample from a patient is one step—you have to be able to get the test results through IT infrastructure. They have to be accurate—that’s the lab. You have to be able to communicate the test results to the patient, to the health department, to housing if there are residential students so they can be isolated, and close contacts quarantined. So there are many more pieces to managing COVID than just testing, and so many hardworking people involved for each test.”

The most important factor this fall, Park said, has been buy-in from the Mason community.

“I’ve said from the beginning, this pandemic is really driven by people’s behavior,” she said. “I think that Mason, especially students and staff, have been great at following those behavior precautions. And that is what has kept us pretty safe at Mason.”

Topics

��ӽ紫ý

Student Health Services

coronavirus; covid-19

Safe Return to Campus

Campus News

Behind the scenes at #DoYourPartMason

Damian Cristodero — Wed, 09 Dec 2020 17:02:06 +0000

Behind the scenes at #DoYourPartMason Damian Cristodero Wed, 12/09/2020 - 12:02

Many at ��ӽ紫ý contributed to the safe return to campus. Some have flown under the radar.

Julie Zobel
Asst. Vice President, Safety, Emergency and Enterprise Risk Management

Julie Zobel leads the planning efforts and operation of those plans that have kept the wheels of the university turning during the COVID pandemic.

But with 18 working groups that made adjustments to curriculum, classrooms and residence halls while integrating public health needs, Zobel stressed that “100 percent of what I am doing is a team effort that includes more than 205 Mason Patriots being involved.”

In the name of safety against the pandemic, and as planned, Mason pivoted to all online learning after Thanksgiving for the balance of the fall semester. Still, the Safe Return to Campus and Do Your Part campaigns, which resulted in keeping virus cases relatively low among students, faculty and staff, were a great success.

“That is because our students, in particular, and faculty and staff embraced our public health and safety precautions,” Zobel said.

With plans to increase in-person learning by at least 10 percent in the spring semester while expanding residence hall populations and on-campus activities within public heath guidelines, Zobel knows the university cannot let down its guard.

Mason President Gregory Washington has announced that by March, the university hopes to be testing up to 10,000 people per week for the virus, up from 1,000 pr week during the fall.

“I am very proud of what we have accomplished at Mason,” Zobel said.