Video: “COVID-19, Why it Matters: Part 28, Omicron Mask Recommendations”

This video series features UW-Green Bay’s Immunologist Brian Merkel on COVID-19 and Why it Matters. This series empowers viewers with knowledge to help them navigate through the pandemic. Merkel has a Ph.D. in Microbiology & Immunology from the Medical College of Virginia. He is an associate professor in UW-Green Bay’s Human Biology & Biology programs and has an appointment at the Medical College of Wisconsin Department of Microbiology and Immunology. He will be responding to a number of questions related to COVID-19 and try to get behind the “why” it’s important to be educated in your decision-making as we navigate the pandemic together.

Part 28, Omicron Mask Recommendations Transcript: Hello, Brian Merkel, microbiology and immunology at UW-Green Bay and we are here to talk about why COVID-19 matters to you. So, because of what we have learned about the Omicron variant and how transmissible it is, the recommendation in terms of masks now include the 95 masks. There’s the N95 mask there’s the KN95 masks. There are counterfeits out there which you need to be aware of. So, on the CDC website, there will be a list of authentic N95 masks. One way to be absolutely certain that your mask is authentic N95 mask is that it will have a NIOSH-approved label on the mask.  Can you wear a 95-style mask more than once? Well, they’re really designed to be one and done. However, according to the CDC, you can wear them five times. So, you wear them for a day the recommendation is when you’re done you put them in a bag five days. Most important thing with what if it’s a KN95 or an N95 mask is that you wear them properly. Your nose is covered your mouth is covered those are paramount issues when it comes to wearing masks. So, ultimately to protect yourself and those around you, decrease the burden of the Omicron virus in the environment, we recommend that you wear the mask that we recommend, you wear them properly, and you avoid taking them off in classroom settings.

COVID-19 Why it Matters: Video Series:

Introduction with Brian Merkel https://youtu.be/M-yYPSPk30Q

Part 1: What are viruses and where did this one come from https://youtu.be/DYbiIv8ICgs

Part 2: Two main types of viruses https://youtu.be/O-OVk3rx96s

Part 3: Why is this virus serious? https://youtu.be/EDFyNN8i5G4

Part 4: Why wash hands/wear mask? https://youtu.be/FlcAvlt876Y

Part 5: I’m young! Why should I care? https://youtu.be/TDrEV_beY1U

Part 6: Can pandemics be stopped before they start? https://youtu.be/lgWnJZNYbFI

Part 7: Pandemic is not local, why wear a mask? https://youtu.be/IG3Sl3q-xH8

Part 8: Why does everyone need a flu shot this year? https://youtu.be/DGpBFj0fJkA

Part 9: What is the science behind a vaccine? https://youtu.be/eQ3FclkYaQo

Part 10: Where can I find accurate information? https://youtu.be/pLMlU5Xnkgo

Part 11: What type of mask should I wear? https://youtu.be/gCFHxQvkVYE

Part 12: Why HUGE COVID-19 spikes in Wisconsin? https://youtu.be/OuqmXvrDApY

Part 13: Fall break, protect yourself & others https://youtu.be/h21Ed_bBTE4

Part 14: Why is COVID-19 Testing so Important? https://youtu.be/Fr9VJZZrTE0

Part 15: What are COVID-19 Antibodies? https://youtu.be/J2lfJzoUEHI

Part 16: Will the vaccine protect against new COVID-19 variants? https://youtu.be/5l58jEZv3NQ

Part 17: Vaccine myths vs reality https://youtu.be/bGqLsRRbzVk

Part 18: What is long-hauler syndrome? https://youtu.be/f11b8nFpJiE

Part 19: Spring break, protect yourself against variants https://youtu.be/15ifuIosz2c

Part 20: Vaccine Side Effects https://youtu.be/7n3touy2PUY

Part 21: I’m young, why get vaccinated? https://youtu.be/F3KaBpSUpGo

Part 22: Variants and eased restrictions concern https://youtu.be/Xlt0VsxO-UA

Part 23: Delta Variant, protect yourself and others https://youtu.be/NtDJb2i_8Yg

Part 24: FDA full approval of Pfizer vaccine https://youtu.be/kMtIs0VxIbg

Part 25: Breakthrough infections https://youtu.be/lxixQhJsPqk

Part 26: I had COVID, why get the vaccine? https://youtu.be/OFyFqKwNbn8

Part 27: Why so much pressure to get vaccinated? https://youtu.be/Nt7GPuhCD38

Part 28: Omicron Mask Recommendations https://youtu.be/vFM9CpJQMuE