​My mask protects you and your mask protects me. Together, we protect KAUST.

Dear KAUST community,

I'd like to speak to you about the use of face masks in our community.

If you have been paying attention to the news, you already know that there has been a major shift in recommendations from several official bodies regarding the use of face masks for combating COVID-19. Many are now recommending the use of "face coverings" for the general public.

Here at KAUST, the Crisis Management Team has also had much internal debate about this issue. We have been aware of the potential benefit of masks in minimizing asymptomatic transmission of the SARS-COV-2 virus, as well as the concern of not depriving their use by frontline medical and other critical personnel, especially in regions where they are in short supply.

Fortunately, for us, through planning within our research and development environment, we have a sufficient supply of face masks. After setting aside reserves for our frontline medical and critical staff, as well as for higher risk subgroups of our community, we have extra capacity to distribute a small quantity of the masks to the KAUST community. 

At the same time, we have also started discussion with a social enterprise for them to produce fabric face masks for KAUST. Finally, our Health, Safety and Environment Department has started an effort to produce do-it-yourself, reusable masks involving the KAUST community.

As a result, we are making available (from our existing stock) five face masks for each member of the KAUST community who desires to have them. We strongly encourage their use whenever you leave the house, including visits to KAUST Health and Tamimi and for restaurant pickups. 

However, I hasten to add that wearing a face mask should not distract from other mitigation practices, such as social distancing and frequent hand washing with soap. It is important to wear a face mask properly in order to achieve maximum protection. 

Remember these steps when wearing a mask:

• Wash your hands with soap and water or a hand sanitizer prior to putting on the mask
• Ensure the mask fits snugly around the mouth and nose
• Avoid touching the mask or your face while using it
• Always remove the face mask from behind and avoid touching the front of the mask
• Immediately wash your hands with soap and water after removing the face mask
  

Visit the KAUST COVID-19 website for more face mask information, including links to instructional videos showing how to wear a mask and make your own mask and other COVID-19 related information.

Finally, remember the main reason for wearing a mask: 

My mask protects you and your mask protects me. 

Together, we protect KAUST.

Thank you,

Tony F. Chan
KAUST President