coronavirus; covid-19

vaccinations

COVID won't be on break. Patriots, get your booster

Melanie Balog — Fri, 10 Dec 2021 17:50:26 +0000

COVID won't be on break. Patriots, get your booster Melanie Balog Fri, 12/10/2021 - 12:50

Dear Patriots,

As our semester comes to a close and we finalize plans for winter break, we want to take a moment and encourage all Mason Patriots – whether near or far – to please continue to prioritize your health and safety. Here are a few departing reminders to help ensure that we close out this year happy and healthy!

Get a Booster!

The omicron variant is moving quickly, and the delta variant remains a threat, so we must be diligent during this holiday season. While experts are still determining if omicron poses an increased threat, health officials agree: getting vaccinated (to include boosters) is the best way to combat COVID. The CDC is recommending COVID booster shots for anyone who is eligible for a booster, which includes anyone over 18. In addition, the FDA on Thursday authorized Pfizer booster shots for all eligible 16- and 17-year-olds who completed their two-shot Pfizer series at least six months ago. Vaccines and boosters have proven to be effective in helping to reduce the spread of COVID and the severity of COVID illness. We strongly recommend boosters for all Mason Patriots who are eligible to receive one, and Mason is offering booster shots Monday-Friday for free. Appointments can be made at https://vaccine.gmu.edu and hours will be expanded to accommodate the end-of-semester demand.

Test Before Traveling

For those who are leaving campus, we recommend testing before and after holiday gatherings. Mason will continue to provide walk-in tests through December 17. Please take advantage of this service before you leave. International travelers need to check with their airline and get tested 24 hours before travel to the US. If you are unvaccinated, you must quarantine upon arrival and get tested 3-5 days after arrival. The CDC provides travel guidance at their website.

Mason will also offer limited walk-in surveillance testing on Monday, Dec. 20 and Monday, Dec. 27 from 9-noon at Fenwick A Wing on the Fairfax Campus. Surveillance testing will reopen at Fenwick only on Monday, January 3.

Stick with What Works

As many of us plan to gather with family and friends, it’s more important than ever to continue the practices that have kept our community safe. We know our plan works, let’s continue to work it. Let’s maintain our safety protocols throughout the holiday break:

Continue to use Mason COVID Health Check, as this is the provides our health experts the ability to understand the extent and impact of COVID on campus. We will streamline the Mason COVID Health Check in the new year. Look for more information soon.
Stay home if you feel unwell.
Wear masks when in large groups.
- Follow the CDC’s guidance for close contact situations. If you are notified that you are a close contact please:
  - Get a surveillance test 5-7 days after potential exposure if you are vaccinated and asymptomatic.
  - Quarantine for 14 days from date of exposure if you are unvaccinated and get tested 5-7 days after exposure.

Thank you ALL for helping to keep Mason safe and open. Your consistency and care for your fellow Patriots has contributed to a successful fall semester. Please continue to do your part by following these guidelines so that we can start 2022 healthy and strong. Enjoy your winter break!

Sincerely,

Gregory Washington

President

Topics

Omicron variant

Vaccines

Mason's new masking requirements for all faculty, staff and students

Colleen Rich — Wed, 11 Aug 2021 14:07:29 +0000

Mason's new masking requirements for all faculty, staff and students Colleen Rich Wed, 08/11/2021 - 10:07

Get More Guidance on Face Coverings

Read Face Covering FAQs

Read University Policy 1415 on Face Coverings

Dear Patriots,

We are less than two weeks from the start of the fall semester, and we are making final preparations to fully open George Mason University’s campuses and begin fall semester classes. We cannot wait to welcome the full university community back to our classrooms, laboratories, libraries, and other academic facilities, as well as our residence and dining halls, and once again to come together in person to learn, live, work, and thrive.

Fortunately, with our successful experiences last year and our continued understanding, we are well equipped with the tools we need to fully open our campuses safely and responsibly. As you know, last month, we made COVID-19 vaccinations a requirement on our campuses, excluding those with medical or religious exemptions. If you have not yet uploaded your vaccination information, we urge you to do so via this link.

As COVID-19 infections increase in our region, especially the prevalence of the Delta variant, effective immediately, our university again will require all individuals on our campus to wear masks indoors, including classrooms and laboratories, regardless of vaccination status. We will not require masks to be worn by those who are vaccinated in outdoor settings at this time; however, unvaccinated individuals are required to continue to wear masks outdoors when physical distancing cannot be maintained or at a university event. As we have done in the past, there are a few exceptions to our mask policy, which can be viewed online.

We will continue to assess our policy regarding the wearing of masks in the context of federal, state, and local guidelines and the advice of the medical and public health communities.

This renewed masking requirement is based on the recommendation of the Northern Virginia Health Directors, and in response to our adjacent jurisdictions that are experiencing elevated levels of COVID-19 and the Delta variant. Our university masking requirement will help us to do our part to hold back its spread.

With thousands of students soon arriving on our campus from all over Virginia, across the United States, and many other countries around the world — including many places where the Delta variant is far more prevalent — our vaccination and masking requirements will help us to guard against spreading the virus. It is important to remember that this is a public health emergency, not a private health emergency. Our own personal actions impact everyone around us — and we are affected by everyone else’s actions. We are all in this together.

Our community knows how to fight COVID together. To date, the Mason community has experienced remarkably low rates of COVID transmission. As of the start of this week, we were tracking just six active cases among our students, faculty, and staff. In addition, almost 85 percent of Mason students and employees have reported receiving the vaccine. This is a track record we intend to maintain, for the safety of everyone at Mason.

Coming back together requires that we continue our fight against COVID together. We have a robust plan to keep COVID in check — vaccines, masks, Mason COVID Health Check, and testing. We now need the resolve to use them relentlessly so that we together prevent COVID from spreading.

I have no doubt that Mason Nation will respond as it always has, by supporting each other and setting an example for others to follow. I look forward to welcoming you back to our campus and wish you a successful, inspiring, and healthy fall semester.

Sincerely,

Gregory Washington
President

Topics

Office of the President

coronavirus; COVID-19; Editorial

Mason announces new safety guidelines

Melanie Balog — Wed, 26 May 2021 18:18:10 +0000

Mason announces new safety guidelines Melanie Balog Wed, 05/26/2021 - 14:18

Dear Patriots,

We have just completed one of the most challenging times in the history of George Mason University, and I am grateful for the important role that everyone played in making this year a tremendous success.

This week, I am pleased to share that we are reporting just one active case of COVID-19 on our campuses. Think about that for a moment. That’s an amazing accomplishment for our community and it is a testament to the number of people who have been vaccinated.

As we turn our attention to the Fall Semester, we must all continue to do our part and work together to keep Mason safe. This starts with new policies for COVID-19 vaccination, testing and masking. Below is a summary of what we will require, so please read this carefully.

COVID-19 Vaccination

Students: Mason will require that all students be vaccinated against COVID-19 by August 1. This policy does not apply to students who take online courses only and do not come to any campus, or to individuals who have an approved medical or religious exemption.

Plan ahead: Depending on the type of vaccine you receive, you may have to receive your first dose no later than July 4 to meet the August 1 requirement.

Upload COVID vaccination documentation to the Health Services Patient Portal. Visit the Student Health Services website for FAQs, information on how to upload your COVID vaccine documentation (all students), or submit your Mason Immunization Record Form (newly admitted students). If you are an international student with limited access to COVID vaccines, please email immunize@gmu.edu to request an extension. Students with approved extensions must get vaccinated when they arrive in the United States.

Faculty and Staff: All faculty and staff are expected to be fully vaccinated in time for the Fall Semester, and are strongly encouraged to receive vaccines over the summer. All employees are required to disclose whether or not they have been vaccinated in Mason Covid Health Check by June 11, 2021.

Those who have been fully vaccinated will be required to upload vaccination documentation into the Health Services Patient Portal before August 1. We anticipate full FDA approval of at least one COVID vaccine over the summer. At that time, we anticipate requiring that all employees receive the vaccine. An exemption process will be made available.

We encourage everyone to learn about the vaccine and get immunized. Mason will continue to host vaccination clinics on campus at no cost through the fall semester. To set up an appointment, go to vaccine.gmu.edu.

Masking

Mason will lift mask requirements for all fully vaccinated individuals on campus as of May 29 – except in medical facilities, public transit, child care facilities and in accordance with the Governor’s policy.
Unvaccinated individuals should continue to wear masks on campus, per the Governor’s new executive order. Masks may be removed while eating, drinking, playing instruments and for other exemptions allowed.
Mason will encourage everyone to wear masks in classes and indoors this summer, to allow more time for people to get vaccinated, and will support anyone who wants to continue wearing a mask after that.
See Mason’s updated mask policy.

Testing

Unvaccinated individuals will be required to participate in COVID testing at least once a week and as frequently as three times a week, depending on conditions.
Vaccinated faculty, staff and students may be required to participate in less frequent testing, based on the guidance from public health officials and testing capacity.
Symptomatic individuals, whether vaccinated or unvaccinated, should still self-isolate and seek evaluation and diagnostic testing.

Additional Safety Policies

Physical Distancing: Mason will require physical distancing of three feet during the summer; in the fall, we anticipate being able to remove physical distancing requirements once vaccination rates exceed 80 percent.

Mason COVID Health Check: Mason will continue to require everyone’s participation in the daily health check this summer; we will reassess the need for continuing in the fall, based on the vaccination data received.

We have made tremendous strides during this extraordinary time. I continue to be amazed by the resilience of the Mason Nation. Let’s keep working together to keep Mason safe.

Sincerely,

Gregory Washington

President

Topics

Office of the President

Access to Excellence podcast

Podcast - EP24: With Emergent Ventures, Tyler Cowen puts money where his mind is

Damian Cristodero — Tue, 04 May 2021 18:47:22 +0000

Podcast - EP24: With Emergent Ventures, Tyler Cowen puts money where his mind is Damian Cristodero Tue, 05/04/2021 - 14:47

In This Story

Gregory Washington

Emergent Ventures, which looks for big and unique ideas, has raised $60 million and funded more than 200 projects. Mason economist and co-founder Tyler Cowen says the grants are “something you can win that’s not about connections.” Push ideas, he said. “Make the world tell you no.” Cowen also talks about how the Fast Grants program is helping fight Covid-19, why having children can help fight climate change and why he is optimistic about the U.S. economy.

Topics

climate change; global warming

entrepreneurship

cryptocurrencies

President Washington announces plan to begin vaccinating Mason community; reminds people to follow safety guidelines

Melanie Balog — Tue, 06 Apr 2021 20:22:39 +0000

President Washington announces plan to begin vaccinating Mason community; reminds people to follow safety guidelines Melanie Balog Tue, 04/06/2021 - 16:22

Dear Patriots,

We are at an important moment in our fight against COVID, and I want to applaud everyone for their help in making George Mason University the safest campus it can be. We have done an incredible job this year of creating a safe environment. To date we have minimized the spread of COVID on our campuses through testing and by following safety guidelines. The university has also provided vaccinations to more than 40,000 people at clinics on our campuses, and we are ready to begin expanding vaccinations to our community.

This is an exciting time for our university, and I know that many of us are feeling more hopeful about the months ahead. I am, too. But I also know that some people are starting to let down their guard. Let me remind you that everyone must continue to follow safety guidelines, even after being vaccinated. Now is not the time to relax our standards, but to keep our focus on safety and remember why we have been so successful.

Let’s start with some good news: Mason has received the go-ahead to begin vaccinating faculty and staff this weekend, and students later this month:

Faculty and staff who are currently employed by the university and receive a W-2 are eligible to sign up. This week, the Office of Safety, Emergency, and Enterprise Risk Management (SEERM) will send a subsequent email inviting faculty and staff (which includes student wage workers) to sign up for an appointment on Saturday, April 10, or Wednesday, April 14. The number of slots is limited and appointments are first come, first served, so please be patient. If everyone cannot be vaccinated during those two dates, we will add additional dates this month. Our goal is for every eligible employee to receive the first dose by the end of April.

Students will be invited to receive a vaccine later this month, with dates to be announced shortly. Given the number of students in our community, we expect the timeline to complete vaccinations to be a little longer than for faculty and staff. Our goal again is to offer a vaccine to all students who want one.

The vaccine is a critical step to protect our community, and I encourage everyone to get vaccinated. But receiving one doesn’t mean you should stop following safety guidelines. COVID-19 is still highly contagious and new variants pose greater threats of infection. Vaccines are safe and effective, but it is still possible to spread COVID-19; please continue to follow Mason’s public health and safety guidelines even if you have been vaccinated.

So please remember the following:

Everyone should continue to participate in COVID surveillance testing when they are invited to do so. Many people can carry and spread the virus without being aware. Testing helps minimize the spread, and it takes only a few minutes.
Masks are still required of everyone in public spaces – even those who have been vaccinated. The latest public health guidelines do allow for groups of vaccinated people to gather without masks, but this is only in private settings. Please continue to wear masks in public.
Continue to practice physical distancing and participate in the Mason COVID Health Check, even after you have received your vaccine.
The Governor’s orders continue to ask employers to allow employees to telework when possible. Mason will continue to offer flexibility to our employees.

I’m grateful for everyone’s contribution in making Mason a model for success. Together, we can defeat COVID, so let’s keep up the good work.

Sincerely,

Gregory Washington

President

Topics

coronavirus

Access to Excellence podcast

Podcast — Ep 22: The coronavirus as Rubik's Cube, Part 2

Damian Cristodero — Mon, 29 Mar 2021 13:37:20 +0000

Podcast — Ep 22: The coronavirus as Rubik's Cube, Part 2 Damian Cristodero Mon, 03/29/2021 - 09:37

In This Story

Gregory Washington

Amira Roess, PhD, MPH

Epidemiologist and public health expert Saskia Popescu talks COVID-19: from policy to the front lines, including fractures in our critical infrastructure and what she tells Mason President Gregory Washington is the false dichotomy between public health and the economy. A fascinating conversation that informs and enlightens.

Topics

Access to Excellence

College of Health and Human Services

Schar School of Policy and Government

Podcast - EP21: The coronavirus as Rubik's Cube, Part 1

Kristin Heydt — Fri, 12 Mar 2021 19:48:16 +0000

Podcast - EP21: The coronavirus as Rubik's Cube, Part 1 Kristin Heydt Fri, 03/12/2021 - 14:48

In This Story

Gregory Washington

Amira Roess, PhD, MPH

How could the U.S. have improved its response to the COVID-19 pandemic? In part one of this two-part series of the Access to Excellence podcast, Mason president Gregory Washington hosts CHHS epidemiologist, Amira Roess, PhD MPH, as she breaks down the many factors impacting the nation's response and recovery.

Topics

Access to Excellence podcast

public policy

Public Health

CHHS News

President Washington: Please wear masks, complete COVID Health Check daily

Melanie Balog — Tue, 16 Feb 2021 14:23:58 +0000

President Washington: Please wear masks, complete COVID Health Check daily Melanie Balog Tue, 02/16/2021 - 09:23

Dear Patriots,

We are approximately one month into the Spring Semester, and our move to dramatically increase testing on campus has helped us to manage the virus. I’m proud of how Mason Nation has responded as a community. Now is not the time to ease our standards. We must remain vigilant and not let down our guard.

Across Virginia, some of our peers at other universities are seeing significant spikes in cases in recent days, and experts warn this is likely due to the more contagious strains of the virus that have emerged in the past month. Even here at Mason, where cases have been remarkably low, we are now starting to see increases that could be the result of this new strain. This includes 14 new student cases from last week.

Our testing is a critical tool in identifying these cases early. However, it doesn’t work without our other robust proactive measures. The best evidence shows that when people wear masks, practice physical distancing, wash hands regularly and stay home and isolate when they feel sick, we greatly limit the spread and are safer as a community. It is also important to cooperate with our partners at the Fairfax County Health Department contact tracing team. This protects your Mason colleagues, students, friends and our entire community.

Finally, I want to remind everyone that we all must fill out the Mason Daily COVID Health Check™ every day. This is not a request. The health check is an important public health tool, and it only works when everyone participates. It takes less than a minute each day, and it is vital to our efforts to track cases on our campus. Please don’t take this lightly. Everyone must do this – whether they are coming to campus or not - and be prepared to show the green all clear email, if they do come to campus. We have come this far together, let’s not ease up now.

Together we can keep Mason safe.

Sincerely,

Gregory Washington

President

Topics

Podcast - EP18: Creating a safer return to campus

Kristin Heydt — Fri, 29 Jan 2021 18:40:09 +0000

Podcast - EP18: Creating a safer return to campus Kristin Heydt Fri, 01/29/2021 - 13:40

On Jan. 22, Mason President Gregory Washington spoke with Mason scientists Lance Liotta and Virginia Espina, who head the university’s effort to push the boundaries of technologies that are keeping its three university campuses safe from COVID-19. That includes a rapid-result, saliva test and development of an antibody test that can track a body’s response to the virus and vaccine.

Topics

Podcast Episode

podcast