Pitt, Penn State officials support mask wearing efforts, coronavirus mitigation plans

Officials with the University of Pittsburgh, Penn State and Temple University said they are supportive of mask wearing and other mitigation efforts put into place by state officials to help reduce the spread of the coronavirus.

All three universities plan to offer in-person classes this fall.

“Penn State is finalizing plans to support the critical aspects outlined by Gov. Wolf – from wearing face masks to maintaining social distancing to testing and contact tracing – in order to do our part to minimize the impact of the virus,” Penn State President Eric J. Barron said in a news release. “It’s crucial that we all work together to help keep our campuses and our communities safe and healthy.”

Like other universities and colleges across the nation, the institutions are devising plans to safely reopen campuses this fall after the coronavirus forced many to shut down this spring and offer classes solely online.

State and federal health experts have said wearing masks and limiting indoor activities could potentially prevent another surge in covid-19 cases.

A recent study conducted by researchers at Brigham Young University showed there is evidence that wearing masks reduces the transmission of covid-19. Cloth masks can stop 90% or more of the dispersal of droplets carrying the virus, according to the release.

Penn State plans to offer in-person classes at the start of the semester, but will switch to virtual learning after Thanksgiving break to minimize the spread of the virus. The plan applies to Penn State’s 24 campuses, including those in McKeesport and New Kensington.

Like Penn State, Pitt plans to operate on a compressed in-person schedule this fall. Students will not return to campus after Thanksgiving break.

Pitt said it will test up to 400 students a day for covid-19 before classes begin at its Oakland campus. Students living in university housing will be required to “shelter in place” in their homes for a week prior to coming to the Oakland campus, and then for another week once they arrive on campus.

About 25% of first-time students of the Oakland campus will be housed in three nearby hotels to reduce the density of living conditions during the pandemic, Pitt officials said.

“Evidence-based strategies are vital to reducing the spread of covid-19, and it is critical that we use them to promote the health and safety of residents throughout the commonwealth,” Pitt Chancellor Patrick D. Gallagher said in a news release. “The University of Pittsburgh deeply appreciates Gov. Wolf’s unwavering commitment to protect the health of all Pennsylvanians.”

Temple has drastically decreased its classroom sizes, and is converting buildings previously not used for teaching into new classroom space.

“The fight against covid-19 is not over,” Temple University President Richard M. Englert said in the release. “Temple supports the governor’s efforts to prevent additional spikes in cases and ensure the public’s safety.”