The “back-to-school” season is upon us, and it’s unlike any before. At every level of education, administrators, staff, parents, students, and other stakeholders are rightly concerned about the prospect of holding in-person instruction (and COVID-19 outbreaks have already been seen at campuses and in school systems throughout the U.S.). But it’s moving forward in many places, and one of the best precautions that can benefit everyone involved is the usage of masks. This relatively simple step is important in helping to limit transmission of COVID-19.

No matter if your institution is already reopen, in a holding pattern, or delaying in-person instruction for a period of time, it’s smart to have a good supply of masks at the ready—especially if you are requiring that they be worn on campus and/or if you are serving a financially challenged population.

For additional guidance on readying, or keeping, your campus as safe as possible, check out OpenSmartEdu.org, a free resource developed by the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, the Council for Higher Education Accreditation, and Tuscany Strategy Consulting. The website is designed to guide schools in planning operating strategies for both the near- and long-term amid the challenges of COVID-19.

OpenSmartEdu’s COVID-19 Planning Guide and Self-Assessment for Higher Education identifies several of the most critical areas of focus that are “essential for making return to campus possible in a meaningfully safer way,” one of which is: “Can the institution obtain sufficient quantities of critical supplies (e.g. masks, cleaning supplies) to support protective measures being implemented?” It also notes that protocols, policies, and procedures are an important part of an institution’s response to COVID-19, and recommends for review/action:

The institution has communicated expected protocols for hygiene, PPE use, and community behavior. This includes:

• Cleaning hands after touching high-contact surfaces such as door handles.
• Wearing cloth face coverings, N-95 masks, or other masks in social environments, unless otherwise stated.
• Note that the institution should consider providing face coverings in the event that students enter the campus or a building without a mask.

If your institution needs to build up or replenish its mask supply, Bona Fide Masks™, part of Ball Chain Mfg. Co., is here to help. We have been helping schools, teachers, and colleges across the country start the new school with the best respirators possible.

For instance, when Iona College looked to help students return to campus safely, they turned to us. Paul Sutera, Senior VP for Advancement and External Affairs commented, "It was a pleasure doing business with Bona Fide Masks™ in nearby Mount Vernon, New York. We were thrilled to find such a reliable and trustworthy source for authentic facemasks. They also shipped quickly, allowing us prepare for on-site activities with confidence."

We offer FDA-approved KN95s and N95s, as well as disposable and cloth masks, to meet your needs. Our Powecom KN95 has repeatedly met or exceeded filtration efficiency standards and has appeared on FDA's Appendix A of authorized respirators since May 7th.

To make things are easy as possible, we accept purchase orders (including blanket purchase orders) from schools and also offer wholesale pricing, which you can see here. Plus, all orders ship within two days from our warehouse in Mount Vernon, NY.

Written by Liz B