PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — July Fourth is right around the corner, and with that comes the summer heat and humidity — and face masks.
The sun may be beating down, but you still have to cover half of your face when you head out the door. To help prevent the spread of the coronavirus and keep cool, choose your mask fabric carefully.
“Ensure that the mask you are wearing is light in color when you’re outside. Dark colors may become hotter faster,” explained Dr. Trina Abla, chief medical officer at Mercy Catholic Medical Center in Philadelphia. “Avoid wearing overly thick masks, from materials such as flannel. I would suggest wearing a cotton or lightweight mask. Light colors are better.”
If you start to get overheated in a dark-colored mask and can’t get to a cool or well-ventilated area, Abla warned, “that’s probably the worst thing that you could do at this point.”
She suggests breathing through your nose to reduce the amount of heat and humidity generated. And remember: Your mask must cover your mouth and your nose in order to protect those around you.
Don’t forget to wash or replace your mask frequently, too.
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