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(M)ask Me Anything with Atul Grover & Ross McKinney

  • 1.  (M)ask Me Anything with Atul Grover & Ross McKinney

    Posted 09-16-2020 09:19:00 AM

    Is there a question you've been wanting to (m)ask?

    @Atul Grover & @Ross McKinney are ready to answer here in the Open Forum! Starting today through this Friday, 9/18, Atul and Ross will be here in the community to answer any and all of your mask-related questions.

    So, ask us anything!

    Reply in the discussion thread below to join the conversation.



    ICYMI, we hosted an event for the public to answer mask questions in August (think: "How many times can I wear my mask before I need to wash it? Is it safe to eat at restaurants and remove my mask?"). You can watch the recording of the event below:


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    Stephanie Weiner
    Director, Digital Strategy & Engagement
    Association of American Medical Colleges
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  • 2.  RE: (M)ask Me Anything with Atul Grover & Ross McKinney

    Posted 09-17-2020 04:28:00 PM
    A community member asked: Are masks more effective than the vaccine in ending the pandemic?

    The answer: We don't know yet because there's no vaccine. If the vaccine is only 50% effective, we'll need both. And when you say masks, include social distancing and all the other strategies we've used. 

    When will we get back to normal? I'm hopeful life will be as it was by Fall 2021.

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    Ross McKinney, MD
    Chief Scientific Officer
    Association of American Medical Colleges
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    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: (M)ask Me Anything with Atul Grover & Ross McKinney

    Posted 09-17-2020 04:33:00 PM
    Many families with school-age kids are forming learning pods - essentially agreeing to bring another family or two into their own "bubble" - so kids can do school together without wearing masks. What is the risk of bringing another family or two into your circle of trust?

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    Nicole Buckley
    Communications Strategist
    Association of American Medical Colleges
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    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: (M)ask Me Anything with Atul Grover & Ross McKinney

    Posted 09-17-2020 04:41:00 PM
    Hi, Nicole. It definitely depends upon the trustworthiness of that other family and those they interact with. 
    You are safest with those you live with (providing they are being safe).

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    Atul Grover
    Inaugural Executive Director
    Association of American Medical Colleges
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    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: (M)ask Me Anything with Atul Grover & Ross McKinney

    Posted 09-17-2020 06:03:00 PM
    The key is that everyone needs to honor the hermit's code of avoiding risky situations.  If everyone is wearing a mask in public, not going out to eat, not going to church, not working in a public place - you could add them to the pod. But there's always some incremental increase in risk.  It can be hard to assess someone's ability to remain a sequestered hermit, but that's what matters. If the kids like to hangout in the playground, particularly without masks, they may not be ideal pod buddies.  It's all a judgement call.

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    Ross McKinney, MD
    Chief Scientific Officer
    Association of American Medical Colleges
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    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: (M)ask Me Anything with Atul Grover & Ross McKinney

    Posted 09-17-2020 06:14:00 PM

    Masks are recommended especially when being in close proximity for a "prolonged" amount of time. Can you define "prolonged"? Is that 15 minutes or more?  5 minutes?



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    Jel Montoya-Reed
    Lead Digital Designer
    Association of American Medical Colleges
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    Original Message


  • 7.  RE: (M)ask Me Anything with Atul Grover & Ross McKinney

    Posted 09-17-2020 06:21:00 PM
    I'd think about this as any time spent in close proximity to someone where people aren't moving past each other.

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    Atul Grover
    Inaugural Executive Director
    Association of American Medical Colleges
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    Original Message


  • 8.  RE: (M)ask Me Anything with Atul Grover & Ross McKinney

    Posted 09-17-2020 04:37:00 PM
    Are there certain styles of masks that are unsafe (i.e., those with filter valves, gaiter style, bandanas, etc.)?

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    Joel Hoard
    Managing Editor
    Association of American Medical Colleges
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    Original Message


  • 9.  RE: (M)ask Me Anything with Atul Grover & Ross McKinney

    Posted 09-17-2020 04:39:00 PM
    Thanks for your question, @Joel Hoard. While there has been some study of gaiter style not being as effective, at least partially related to openings between the mask and skin, it also was due to a single & loosely knit material in the mask.  Ideally, you want at least 2, if not 3 layers.

    Masks with valves are also problematic as they are designed to allow freer exhalation.​

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    Atul Grover
    Inaugural Executive Director
    Association of American Medical Colleges
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    Original Message


  • 10.  RE: (M)ask Me Anything with Atul Grover & Ross McKinney

    Posted 09-17-2020 04:44:00 PM
    In an earlier discussion thread, community member @Randy Graff posed this ​scenario and question:

    A student that has a hearing impairment is in the clinical portion of their education and is assigned to an outside, private practice.  They typically rely upon lip-reading to interact with people in this type of setting.  However, given the need for masking and distancing this is not a readily available technique to rely upon.

    What are/would you do if you had a student in a similar situation? 
        • Provide a supply of masks with a clear window for patients they interact with to allow lipreading
        • Provide a supply of face shields
        • Utilize a live transcription service (via iPad or other device)
        • Other ideas??

    My thoughts    : It depends upon what's available - masks with clear windows would be the simple solution, provided you had an adequate supply.

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    Atul Grover
    Inaugural Executive Director
    Association of American Medical Colleges
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    Original Message


  • 11.  RE: (M)ask Me Anything with Atul Grover & Ross McKinney

    Posted 09-18-2020 02:41:00 PM
    There's still a few more hours to ask @Atul Grover and @Ross McKinney your mask-related questions here in the community. Keep 'em coming!
    ​​

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    Stephanie Weiner
    Director, Digital Strategy & Engagement
    Association of American Medical Colleges
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    Original Message


  • 12.  RE: (M)ask Me Anything with Atul Grover & Ross McKinney

    Posted 03-16-2021 09:35:00 AM

    As millions of people across the United States are getting vaccinated, and as new virus variants are spreading, we are seeing new questions arise about mask guidance. We attempt to offer some clarity here:

    • Evidence shows that people can unknowingly spread the coronavirus because they are asymptomatic, are not yet manifesting their symptoms, or have mild symptoms that they don't associate with COVID. Vaccine availability still varies by stage of eligibility and geographic location. And for various reasons, some people cannot or will choose not to get the vaccine. Wearing a face covering is one step most people can take to protect themselves, their loved ones, and the most vulnerable in their community.
    • Experts have been urging people to continue following public health guidelines, including masking and social distancing, even after they've been fully vaccinated.
    • A fully vaccinated person can-out of an abundance of caution-choose to wear a mask around unvaccinated people.  While there is only a very small chance that a fully vaccinated person could transmit the virus to unvaccinated others, it's not a chance worth taking. Especially if any of those people are in a high-risk category.
    • People who are fully vaccinated CAN be around other vaccinated people without masking.
    • To be effective, masks should be multi-layered and fit well (no gaps around the face that allow leakage).


    The CDC just updated its guidance last week: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/effective-masks.html



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    Ross McKinney, MD
    Chief Scientific Officer
    Association of American Medical Colleges
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    Original Message


  • 13.  RE: (M)ask Me Anything with Atul Grover & Ross McKinney

    Posted 05-06-2021 12:37:00 PM
    The AAMC has updated its consensus guidance on face coverings to align with new guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The latest CDC guidance suggests that, while the nation is in a period of transition, vaccinated individuals can now refrain from wearing masks in most outdoor settings unless in crowded places such as concerts, sporting events, and other large gatherings where not everyone may be vaccinated. Fully vaccinated individuals can also safely visit indoors with other fully vaccinated people. Prior AAMC guidance for unvaccinated individuals remains unchanged - except that even non-vaccinated people can exercise outdoors without a mask if alone or with members of the same household. They may also attend small outdoor gatherings without a mask if others are vaccinated. 

    https://www.aamc.org/covidroadmap/masks 


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    Stephanie Weiner
    Director, Digital Strategy & Engagement
    Association of American Medical Colleges
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    Original Message