Page 6 - August 2020 Track N Times

SAFETY FOCUS

Q4: Do the neck-gaiters, surgical masks, and other non-tight-fitting face masks provide protection to COVID-19?

A4: As shown in the embedded video, loose fitting face covering such as surgical masks, neck-gaiters, or even home-
made cloth masks can be an effective method at containing personal respiratory droplets normally expelled by speech,
coughing, or sneezing. While particles can leak into or out of the mask through gaps in the nose, sides of the face, and
neck, any protective barrier will help to reduce the distance and quantity of larger respiratory particles.
Q5: Should I continue to wear a mask and social distance while I am on my two weeks’ time off when I am around
my family?

A5: At this time, the best course of action would be to follow the CDC guidelines and your home state protocols. If
you believe you have or are likely to have had COVID-19, you should follow the precautions outlined by the CDC
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and contact Core Health at 1.888.328.9510.
Additionally, if your family falls into the CDC’s list of people at increased risk for severe illness, you may want to con-
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sider wearing a mask and practicing social distancing when returning home.
It is my goal to address your concerns during this time of uncertainty in a factual and objective manner. If you have
additional concerns regarding personal protective equipment (PPE) or other environmental safety and health con-
cerns, please reach out to me at my contact information below.
Remember, during this time many are going through incredible levels of stress both at work and at home. For free,
confidential support whenever you need it, contact the Loram Employee Assistance Program (EAP) with the contact
information below. Stay safe.
Mitchell Kruse, Safety Specialist
mitchell.a.kruse@loram.com
(C) 651-268-9593

Loram Employee Assistance Program
US: 1-800-634-6433 0r Outside of US: +1-262-574-2509 Online: mylifematters.com ; Password = Loram1
References
42 CFR Part 84 Respiratory Protective Devices Summary
https://science.sciencemag.org/content/368/6498/1422
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2019. Reusable Elastomeric Respirators in Health Care:
Considerations for Routine and Surge Use. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press.
American Chemical Society Nano, Can N95 Respirators Be Reused after Disinfection? How Many Times?
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/end-home-isolation.html
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/index.html

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