Covid-19

Is The Pandemic Over? Experts Say No

Epidemiologist and Professor Amira Roess answers frequently asked questions about the newest COVID booster shot. 

A new study from College of Health and Human Services’ researchers validates the use of artificial intelligence and seasonality to screen patients and identify the probability of COVID-19 prior to testing.

Now, the summer season is upon us, and as many of us look forward to time away with friends and family, we must remember that COVID isn’t taking a summer break. 

For commencement at EagleBank Arena and all indoor degree celebrations, we will require all students, faculty, and guests in attendance to wear masks. We will have additional supplies on hand for those who arrive without a mask.

Michelle Vassallo (MHA '15) led a team of infectious disease prevention specialists, physicians, pharmacists, and researchers at Inova Health System to develop and execute a plan to distribute 100,000 vaccines in just 53 days. To do this, Vassallo and her team of nearly 30 public health professionals reimagined how their hospital system could fight the pandemic while keeping everyone's safety top of mind. In recognition of her achievements and contributions, Vassallo has been named 2022 College of Health and Human Services Alumna of the Year.

Effective immediately, Mason campuses are mask-optional, except in certain event venues, healthcare settings, on public transit, or childcare settings.

Mason is now at Face-Covering Level Yellow, which means masks are optional at Mason, with a few exceptions. Let’s take a look at some of those exceptions, answering any lingering questions you might have about the recent changes.

We have met our goal of keeping our COVID-19 testing positivity rates consistently below 4 percent for the past several weeks, and the latest guidance from the CDC indicates that all of our domestic campuses are at the “Low” level of transmission, which now means the CDC no longer recommends that masks be required indoors.

Mason’s positivity rate – the percentage of those being tested who are positive for COVID-19 –remains consistently far below the 4 percent threshold, at 0.38 percent. This success, combined with Mason’s 95-percent overall vaccination rate, as well as the continued overall drop in COVID-19 spread throughout the region and nation, now make the pivot to optional mask-wearing more viable.