SF Officials Stress Mask Wearing to Mitigate COVID Risk as Omicron Spreads

January 26, 2022

January 26, 2022 – Santa Fe College has acquired and distributed N95 masks to be used by faculty while teaching in-person classes at the college. The masks have been distributed to the academic departments and are available at the Northwest Campus and all SF educational centers. If an SF employee would like to get one of the N95 masks, contact your department chair. If your department is out of N95 masks, contact human.resources@sfcollege.edu for assistance in getting an N95 mask.

Earlier this month, the Biden Administration announced it would make 400 million N95 masks available for free as soon as next week. The masks would be distributed through pharmacies and community health centers.

Santa Fe College officials are stressing the need for the entire college community to take the steps necessary to protect themselves and the greater community. Wearing a face mask is one of the most important measures that can be taken to mitigate the risk of contracting or spreading COVID-19. The college has also promoted the benefits of the COVID-19 vaccine, practicing physical distancing and frequent hand washing as measures to protect the college community.

Because the omicron variant of COVID-19 is extremely contagious and transmissible, SF has seen a sharp spike in cases among both students and employees. Although less likely to cause severe illness, especially among those fully up-to-date with vaccinations, the college has remained steadfast in ensuring that anyone who tests positive, displays symptoms, or anyone unvaccinated who has a known exposure to someone with COVID-19 avoid all SF properties for 10 days.

Santa Fe College will soon be announcing details of a voluntary vaccination incentive program, similar to the one the college held in the fall.

All official college safety protocols concerning the pandemic are available on SF's COVID-19 page.