Masks, Distancing, and Public Health
This session will cover public health mitigation measures, what they are, and how they work. A special discussion will highlight the research behind the Notre Dame masks and the science behind how masks work and which masks work best. Also, the COVID-19 situation in St. Joseph County and the relationship between the St. Joseph County Department of Health and the University of Notre Dame will be highlighted. The views presented are the views of the hosts and guests, not the views or policies of the University of Notre Dame. Information provided is not intended to serve as, nor should be interpreted as, specific medical advice or a substitute for the advice of an individual’s personal health practitioner.
Preview for Week 3
Presented by Heidi Beidinger-Burnett
Heidi Beidinger-Burnett gives a preview of this week’s session.
Unmasked: Lab study shows which face coverings are effective
Presented by Mark McCready
David Leighton and Mark McCready, professors of chemical and biomolecular engineering, conducted a test with several types of masks and face coverings to determine which would block the emission of droplets most effectively.
Read the full story about different face coverings here.
In this video, Mark McCready talks about the emissions of droplets in different settings.
The Science of Droplet Transmission
Presented by Mary Ann McDowell
This video tutorial demonstrates the difference between droplet and aerosol transmission and the relevance for public health mitigation measures.
Tracking COVID-19 Data
Presented by Heidi Beidinger-Burnett
This presentation will analyze the COVID-19 data in St. Joseph County, IN, while describing the public health implications.
View the Event
Presented by Heidi Beidinger-Burnett and Mary Ann McDowell
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Featured Speakers:
- Heidi Beidinger-Burnett, Director, Eck Institute for Global Health Masters Program; Associate Professor of the Practice, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame; President of the St. Joseph County Board of Health
- Mary Ann McDowell, PhD, Associate Professor of Biological Sciences and Member of the Eck Institute for Global Health, University of Notre Dame
- Dr. Mark Fox, Deputy Health Officer, St. Joseph County Department of Health
- Professor David Leighton, Professor in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Notre Dame
Additional Resources
Presented by Heidi Beidinger-Burnett and Mary Ann McDowell
- Scientists have turned the structure of the coronavirus into music
- Seeing is Believing. YouTube video showing how Florida Atlantic University researchers tested the effectiveness of facemasks and social distancing.
- The effect of temperature on persistence of SARS-CoV-2 on common surfaces. A peer-reviewed research article by Riddell et al. published in the Virology Journal on Oct. 7, 2020.
- 13 insider tips on how to wear a mask. Published in The Conversation, a list of tips on how to wear a mask without your glasses fogging up, getting short of breath, or your ears hurting.
- Understanding the Pandemic. If you are interested in more information about the pandemic check out “Understanding the Pandemic” a symposium hosted by the Indiana Pandemic Information Collaborative (IPIC). The ten-week series held each Thursday from 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. breaks down the COVID-19 outbreak for the layperson.
- Children’s book on the coronavirus. A book for children by Kate Wilson and Nia Roberts