The cold weather brings a host of challenges associated with wearing face masks and gathering indoors. People living in Canada are fashioning themselves as warriors able to withstand -20 C temperatures. This year, it could be a good thing.
The advice from medical experts is to resist retreating indoors where COVID-19 is much more easily spread. Bundle up, mask up if needed, and get outside as much as possible.
Here is some advice on how best to deal with the coming winter pandemic months.
Will a mask work if it is wet or freezes?
When a mask gets wet, it is no longer effective. This is one reason why it is important to have back-up masks.
There is no solid scientific data on mask effectiveness in cold weather. If you breathe through a mask in cold conditions, the moisture from your warm breath collects on the mask. It tends to stay warm enough on the inside due to your body temperature to stay liquid but will freeze on the outside.
If you are going to wear a mask outdoors in the cold for a long period, have two or three back-ups so you can keep a dry mask on.
Is there a need to wear a mask out in the cold?
It depends on the circumstances. Staying outdoors while observing distancing is protective. Activities such as going for a walk or skating in an empty rink puts one at low risk of transmission.
If going in and out of stores, or getting on and off transit while doing errands, it is best to keep the mask on the entire time to minimize touching the mask and possible contamination.
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LEARN MORE
Learn more about face masks and how to stay safe by enrolling in a mask fitting test which is a requirement for many workspaces and schools or the available masks for sale by visiting our face mask sale page.
Our courses maintain social distancing measures with reduced class sizes to maintain the minimum 2 meters apart along with the mandatory use of face masks and regular temperature checks. The venue of the courses undergo regular, enhanced cleaning and disinfection routines.
For more information about face masks, check out these sources:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/in-depth/coronavirus-mask/art-20485449