COVID-19 What about on hot summer days? With Canada’s all-too-short summer season underway, you may wonder how you’ll get through the hottest months behind a mask. Given that sun and humidity can inactivate the virus and warm weather makes social distancing easier, Dr. Sharkawy says that it’s OK to mask up “only in enclosed areas such as offices or shops” during the summer. A word of warning: the summer heat and humidity can cause your mask to get wet, and “wet masks don’t work as efficiently,” says Dr. Oughton. If this happens, whether from sweat or from rain, “exchange the mask for a clean and dry one as soon as possible.” …or in the car? If other people are in the car with you, wearing a mask makes sense − especially if you’re feeling at all sick. When you’re driving alone, however, wearing a mask could create other risks, such as reducing your field of vision. How often should I wash my masks? Dr. Oughton recommends a daily schedule − more often, if the mask gets soiled. You can wash by hand with soap and water or put it in the washing machine with the rest of your laundry. It’s a good idea to have several masks on hand, so that you can grab a clean one when you need it − and match your fashion statement to your mood. Any advice for people who find masks highly uncomfortable? Give it time, says Dr. Longtin. “It’s a bit like when you start wearing glasses. At first you really notice them but, after a while, you forget that you’re even wearing them.” While he strongly recommends pushing through the discomfort, he offers “staying more than two metres away from other people” as an alternative. Should some people not wear masks? You can probably wear a mask if you have a respiratory condition, such as asthma or COPD, though you should “only use it for brief periods to avoid becoming short of breath,” says Dr. Sharkawy. “The more severe the condition, the shorter the period and, if you require oxygen, you shouldn’t use a mask at all.” Masks are also discouraged for very young children, who would probably end up fiddling with them and thus defeat their purpose. Should gloves get the love − or the boot? If you look around in a store, you may see some people wearing disposable gloves while shopping. While gloves may provide a sense of security, “they’re not recommended as protection from infections, since the surface of the gloves can become just as contaminated as your hands,” says Dr. Keith Warriner, a professor in the department of food science at the University of Guelph. What’s more, wearing gloves could lead you to cut corners on hand hygiene. Even if you do choose to wear gloves, Public Health Ontario scientist Dr. Jeff Kwong warns that, “you still have to wash your hands after taking them off.” Bottom line: Wash or sanitize those hands. A lot. CSANews | SUMMER 2020 | 35
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