UAMS Webinars on Proper Ventilation During Covid

A webinar on the role of proper ventilation in protecting employees, customers and businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic was presented Nov. 9, 10 and 12 by the Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences’ (UAMS).

The event was sponsored by Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield, the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce and UAMS.

Latest research on COVID-19 to inform winterizing our buildings.

Luke Leung PE – LEED Fellow, Skidmore, Owings, & Merrill LLP in Chicago

November 9, 2020

• What are the positions of the CDC, ASHRAE, and WHO on airborne transmission of COVID-19?
• What evidence is there the virus can be found in ductwork and HVAC systems?
• Why is the environment in winter more concerning than in summer?
• How do we prepare our buildings to minimize infection risk this winter?

Airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2:  Mitigation strategies for buildings.

Elliott Gall, Ph.D. – Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Portland State University

November 10, 2020

• Aerosols 101: What size particles are generated by people and how long can they remain in air?
• How are particles removed from an indoor environment and what strategies exist for reducing particle exposures?
• Overview of indoor air mitigation strategies: reduced occupancy + distancing, face coverings, ventilation, air-cleaning.
• Approaches and tools for estimating risk in an indoor space
• Emergent air-cleaning technologies

Developing Emotional Resilience:  A New Tool for Workplace Safety & Health

Cynthia Lewis – Principal, Creative Safety Solution; Director, Gulf Coast Safety Institute

November 12

• Recognize signs and symptoms of work-related stress in yourself and others.
• Use tools to increase readiness in yourself and others.
• Use communication strategies to reduce anxiety in tough conversations — wearing a face mask, social distancing, frequent hand washing, etc.