OU Installs PPE Vending Machines On Norman Campus

Face masks are becoming more accessible at the University of Oklahoma as they work to install PPE vending machines across campus.

“Even simple cloth masks are incredibly effective at preventing droplets from getting into the air around you,” OU chief COVID officer, Dr. Dale Bratzler, said.

After assuming the COVID-19 advisory role, Bratzler mandated masks at all three of OU’s campuses.

The university provided faculty, staff and students with free masks at the beginning of the semester.

“But there are times when people forget their masks or don’t have easy access or one a different one and so we put some in vending machines around campus,” Bratzler said.

Five PPE vending machines have been installed in addition to 28 existing machines that now have PPE for sale. Student and staff can purchase PPE kits, gloves, alcohol wipes, KN-95 and cloth masks.

“They keep the droplets that routinely come out of your mouth when you breathe, talk, sing, cough, sneeze from getting into the air around you,” Bratzler said. “They’re very effective at that. There’s been multiple good studies recently.”

The university will also be requiring everyone on campus for football games to be masked up.

“We are even more strict on game days,” Bratzler said. “This weekend when we have a football game, you have to wear a mask anytime you’re on campus just because we know there will be a lot more people on the campus.”

The vending machines were provided to the University by Gilly Vending at no cost.

According to the university, PPE kits cost $4.66, KN-95 masks $7.99, gloves $0.75, cloth masks $5.48 and alcohol wipes are $0.75.