Tips for Safely Wearing a Face Mask as Temperatures Rise

Dr Gorensek's Tips for Safely Wearing a Face Mask as Temperatures Rise

COVID-19 spreads mainly from person to person through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.

"Cloth face masks are important to prevent people who may not yet have symptoms of COVID-19 from passing the virus to others," said Dr. Margaret Gorensek, an adult and pediatric infectious disease specialist for Holy Cross Health. “Warmer weather does however pose extra challenges to wearing masks. Using common sense is the best approach to staying protected against COVID-19 while avoiding overheating.”




Even with temperatures hovering around the 90s, and sometimes higher, in South Florida, it’s imperative to wear a mask, wear it correctly, remove it carefully and be mindful of following healthy habits.

Tips for Wearing A Mask During Warm Weather

The CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain, such as grocery stores, pharmacies and gas stations. The exceptions are people under age two years old, those who have trouble breathing or who are unable to remove the mask without assistance.

Be mindful of the following:

• wear a mask when indoors or in crowded outdoor spaces where social distancing is not possible
• that if you must wear a mask outdoors, wear a mask that is light in color, as dark colors may become hotter
• breathe through your nose when wearing a mask, which will result in less heat and humidity within the mask and
• that if you feel overheated, remove the mask and rest in a well-ventilated, cool area

Wear Your Face Covering Correctly

“It’s also important to wear your mask correctly,” added Dr. Gorensek. “Following some simple guidelines will help.”

Those include:

• Placing the mask over your nose and mouth and securing it under your chin
• Try to fit it snugly against the sides of your face
• Make sure you can breathe easily
• Keep the covering on your face the entire time you’re in public
• Don’t put the covering around your neck or up on your forehead
• Don’t touch the face covering, and, if you do, wash your hands

Other guidelines to follow include:

How to Remove Your Cloth Face Covering Carefully, When You’re Home

• Untie the strings behind your head or stretch the ear loops
• Handle only by the ear loops or ties
• Fold outside corners together
• Place covering in the washing machine
• Be careful not to touch your eyes, nose, and mouth when removing and wash hands immediately after removing
• Cloth face coverings should be washed after each use

Continue to Follow Everyday Health Habits

• Stay at least six feet away from others
• Avoid contact with people who are sick
• Wash your hands often, with soap and water, for at least 20 seconds each time
• Use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available

To learn more about how Holy Cross Health is helping our communities deal with COVID-19, please visit https://www.holy-cross.com/health-and-wellness/coronavirus. Also, check out our Coronavirus Health Library.