Whether it's Ida or Nicholas, a lot of homes have gotten wet on the inside, making them a habitat for mold -- and that could be a problem for anyone with breathing trouble, including if they currently have or recently had COVID-19
"On top of hurricane Ida and on top of this tropical storm, we've got people who have COVID, and COVID makes them immuno-compromised," said Dr. James Diaz, director of Environmental and Occupational Health and professor at LSU Health New Orleans.
Thanks to the severe COVID outbreak in India, where they have a moist, tropical climate conducive to mold growth, Dr. Diaz said they have seen how the two form a potent mix.
The doctor said whether it is asthma, allergies, COVID-19 or any of its co-morbidities, "you need to get out of your house and have it professionally remediated."
Dr. Diaz said we all have mold somewhere in our homes, and usually a cool, dry home prevents it from being a problem -- but so many homes spent weeks without power, giving mold a chance to spread.
"Mold loves high humidity, wet conditions, and high temperatures," said Dr. Diaz, "and that is the characteristic climate that happens after hurricanes and tropical storms."
