Tag Archives: mask

College Moving to Face-Mask-Optional Status Feb. 26, Except in Classrooms and Labs

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orange graphic COVID 19On Feb. 16, the Mecklenburg County Board of County Commissioners voted to relax COVID-19 safety restrictions in the county, based on recommendations from the Mecklenburg County Health Department. Commissioners voted to end the county face-mask-wearing requirement which had been in place since late-August 2021. Mecklenburg County’s decision to no longer require the use of face masks is based on the rapidly decreasing numbers of positive COVID-19 cases being seen in the county. Beginning Feb. 26, Mecklenburg County will no longer require persons to wear face masks in indoor public spaces.

On Feb. 17, N.C. Governor Roy Cooper encouraged ending all local face mask mandates, based on declining COVID case numbers across the state and the great availability of vaccines.

Effective Feb. 26, Central Piedmont Community College will make the use of face masks optional on campus, except for classrooms and labs. Students and faculty members should continue to wear face coverings when in their classes and labs through the end of the 2022 spring semester.

Nothing prevents employees and students from continuing to wear face coverings wherever they are on campus if they so choose. Please keep in mind individuals should not be asked to disclose their vaccination status or why they choose or don’t choose to wear a face covering outside of class. This is private information and should be respected.

Please be understanding as our employees and students make their decisions concerning face masks outside of class. Please continue to monitor yourself for any COVID-19-related symptoms, and stay home if you feel ill at all. If your symptoms persist, please contact a healthcare provider. Please report if you are exposed to or test positive for COVID-19 by sending a prompt email to wecare@cpcc.edu.

The Mecklenburg County Health Department and the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services strongly recommend unvaccinated persons eligible for vaccination be vaccinated as soon as possible. Likewise, Central Piedmont encourages all members of the college community – students, faculty and staff – to be vaccinated, if they so choose, as soon as possible.

Learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine and boosters by accessing the following resources: StarMed Health, Walgreens, CVS, Novant Health, and Atrium Health.

Central Piedmont Instructor is Changing the Face of Healthcare

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Dr. Anne McIntosh wearing “The Communicator” mask

During this time where being solution-oriented is paramount, Central Piedmont instructor Dr. Anne McIntosh’s ingenuity has changed the face of healthcare. As Founder & CEO of Safe’N’Clear, Inc., Dr. McIntosh designed “The Communicator mask” a medical facemask with a clear panel to allow facial expressions and lip-reading for the deaf and hard-of-hearing to be communicated while protecting both patient and healthcare workers. Inspiration for the mask stemmed from Dr. McIntosh’s own birthing experience, and her inspiration was met with a unique, and extensive set of skills as a Central Piedmont Communication professor.

While 93 percent of the meaning of communication stems from non-verbal cues, this is especially important amongst deaf and hard-of-hearing patients who rely on facial expressions and lip reading during conversation. The Communicator mask enables speech to be less muffled, decreases communication breakdowns, and improves patient outcomes. Manufactured in the United States, the mask is being used by American Sign Language interpreters to help ensure their own personal safety while still providing effective interpretation and communication to their patients.

Read the full story. ​