LifeCircles PACE Experts Advise Wearing Masks, Even in Warmer Temperatures
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 other people,” said Iris Boettcher, M.D., Medical Director, LifeCircles PACE.
The medical team at LifeCircles PACE continues to urge all persons who are able to, to wear face coverings and maintain social distance. These simple behaviors protect our community’s most vulnerable, like those with compromised immune systems and the frail elderly. The program has been working hard throughout the pandemic to help older adults stay healthy at home and avoid moving into nursing facilities. LifeCircles recognizes that Michigan’s warm weather poses extra challenges to wearing masks. However, masks remain a crucial defense against the virus’ spread in our community.
“Using common sense is the best approach to staying protected against COVID-19 while avoiding overheating,” said Daniel Caldwell, PA-C, Primary Care Provider for LifeCircles PACE.
Tips for Wearing A Mask During Warm Weather
- Wear a mask when indoors or in crowded outdoor spaces where social distancing is not possible.
- 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.
- If you feel overheated, remove the mask and rest in a well-ventilated, cool area.
Caldwell said “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.”
Wear Your Face Covering Correctly
- Put it over your nose and mouth and secure 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.
Take Off 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 (learn more about how to wash cloth face coverings).
- 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.
Download our flyer with these helpful tips here:
To learn more about LifeCircles PACE and their efforts to keep Michigan’s most vulnerable older adults out of nursing homes during COVID-19 visit: www.lifecircles-pace.org
About LifeCircles PACE LifeCircles PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly) is an innovative health care model that serves older adults who qualify for long term nursing facility care but desire to remain living in their own homes. Through a highly qualified interdisciplinary team of geriatric care professionals, LifeCircles provides a comprehensive array of medical & social services including primary care and specialist services, in home personal care and chore services, day center activities, physical, occupational and recreational therapies, social work services, nutritional support, caregiver respite, hospital & emergency services, prescriptions & pharmaceutical support, memory care, equipment & medical transportation. Our goal is to help older adults remain independent and living at home, while successfully managing their complex health care needs. LifeCircles is a non-profit joint venture between Porter Hills/UMRC, Mercy Health/Trinity Health, & Senior Resources of West MI. For more information visit www.lifecircles-pace.org. You can also follow us on Facebook.
About Trinity Health
To learn more about how Trinity Health is helping our communities deal with COVID-19, please visit https://www.trinity-health.org/find-a-service-or-specialty/covid-19/.
Trinity Health is one of the largest multi-institutional Catholic health care delivery systems in the nation, serving diverse communities that include more than 30 million people across 22 states. Trinity Health includes 92 hospitals, as well as 106 continuing care locations that include PACE programs, senior living facilities and home care and hospice services. Its continuing care programs provide nearly 2.5 million visits annually. Based in Livonia, Michigan, and with annual operating revenues of $19.3 billion and assets of $27 billion, the organization returns $1.2 billion to its communities annually in the form of charity care and other community benefit programs. Trinity Health employs about 125,000 colleagues, including about 7,500 employed physicians and clinicians. For more information, visit www.trinity-health.org. You can also follow us on Facebook or Twitter.