COVID-19
![A student wears a Kent State mask during the COVID-19 pandemic](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/article/student-mask-covid-site_2_0.jpg?VersionId=cMRgfx10pzAtzfsUnWaxUX_SMJ2WAvDS&h=5ebe4e5f&itok=5DqsBiP4)
Two professors have conducted much-needed research on face coverings that use alternative textiles to protect the public from COVID-19 and how to keep those masks virus-free.
![Coaches and Players Stand for the National Anthem](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/article/20201211_BC_200673_Athletics%2C%20Basketball_161%20crop_1.jpg?VersionId=zaoS6s8X_yLf6Tv5mxhubacnetNnMJ26&h=713c0b87&itok=lLw3VeGG)
Whether Kent State’s 450 student-athletes are studying or practicing, their safety and health remains the university's top priority.
![A student wears a Kent State mask during the COVID-19 pandemic](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/article/student-mask-covid-site_2_0.jpg?VersionId=cMRgfx10pzAtzfsUnWaxUX_SMJ2WAvDS&h=5ebe4e5f&itok=5DqsBiP4)
Two professors have conducted much-needed research on face coverings that use alternative textiles to protect the public from COVID-19 and how to keep those masks virus-free.
![Virus and medical worker stock image](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/article/Coronavirus_0.jpg?VersionId=4wi71xs0gC6w97oi2pif208ThB1WF4tF&h=e6f36a9c&itok=WseKZjO6)
Tara C. Smith, Ph.D., a professor of epidemiology from Kent State's College of Public Health, discussed the fight to stop the spread of COVID-19 and what's ahead for our state and country during a recent conversation on Facebook Live.
![DeWeese Health Center](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/article/Deweese.jpg?VersionId=F.ZJqm_cGmLQcdB2TAM6TijMOg_xYp1j&h=2e5cdddf&itok=do3NXTkY)