CINCINNATI — Whether you like it or not, the heat is on! On top of that, health experts still want you to practice social distancing and wear a mask.
What can you do?
Terese Cisse from East Price Hill has a strategy for keeping cool and safe.
“It’s a little difficult, but I do bring it out forward a little bit this way so it’s not flat against my face and it allows me to get a little more fresh air,” Cisse said.
“It’s quite warm, I tell you that. However, I do put a little wet rag over your head to keep your head cool,” she added.
Mike Samet with Hamilton County Public Health says you have to do what you have to do.
“It’s hot out. Nobody likes to wear a mask, but we’re doing it for each other,” said Samet.
Obviously, when you sweat in the heat, your mask will get wet. When that happens, the mask provides less protection, Samet said.
Dr. Denise Warrick, a Tri-Health pediatrician, explained why that’s the case.
“When the moisture gets in there, it doesn’t allow for that air barrier to really take place, so it allows more of the germ particles or the virus particles to get in there,” Warrick said.
Samet offered a helpful tip.
“A wet mask is less effective than a dry mask but it’s better than nothing,” Samet said. “So if we’re out there and we’re sweating it up and we’re doing outdoor activities, bring an extra one along. I keep extra ones in my car at all times.”
Health officials do not recommend wearing a mask in the pool. Instead they say to stay 6 feet away from other swimmers.
