Pitt community members will be able to get N95 masks at concierge entrances to Pitt’s buildings starting Jan. 24, two days before in-person classes are scheduled to resume, the Pitt COVID-19 Medical Response Office announced Jan. 20.
The N95 masks, if worn properly, offer “maximum protection” against COVID 19, especially for people with pre-existing conditions or who “have a vulnerable close contact,” the CMRO announcement said.
Double masking with surgical masks also can improve the fit of the N95 masks, the office said.
This comes after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention gave guidance on Jan. 14 that N95 masks offer more protection from the virus and will be made more widely available throughout the country.
President Biden said on Jan. 19 that the federal government would be sending 400 million N95 masks — which filter out at least 95 percent of air particles — to pharmacies and community health centers in the next few weeks, which will be available for free.