You may have already seen the news coverage citing research that reports wearing a neck gaiter-style mask is much less effective than other masks. And isn’t it so 2020 that we just handed out these particular masks to our entire team of 800+ people, and 6,000 students?!

We take the safety of our staff and students seriously. We do not recommend continuing to wear these neck gaiters as face masks. These masks were ordered back in May from a very reliable and affordable local company, and yet as we know, the world and what we know about COVID-19 continues to move at a rapid pace. For the time being, we will have disposable medical masks available to our staff in buildings if they do not have their own good fabric mask. Ultimately, we will be sourcing new fabric student and staff masks that will be aligned with this new research, and they will be available well ahead of when students would return to school to ensure a safe return. 

You’re probably wondering- what am I supposed to do with my snazzy new neck gaiters now? Well, here are just a few ideas below. 

Roxy wears her Home Office neck gaiter as a chic blouse (aka thunder shirt)

Manager of Enrollment Tracey Gifford shows off various uses for the gaiter, including headband,  post surgical ice pack holder, napkin, and fruit cozy.

Director of External Affairs & Student Recruitment and new mom Hillary Hoffman uses her former mask as a burp cloth for baby Colden

AND as a baby swaddle

Manager of Communications Stefanie Gilary is hoping the tube top will make a comeback

Director of Marketing & Brand Andy Mendrop is currently workshopping a sock puppet musical- stay tuned!

Have other creative ideas on how to use the neck gaiter? Share yours with mac@scienceandtech.org!