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Temperatures are going to spike across the US this week and, and as it does, it may become harder to breathe with a mask on. But, health officials are urging people to continue wearing masks in public places.
As businesses around the country begin to open up, people are beginning to gather in large groups, and some people are doing searches for “new jobs near me”, trying to get back to work.
But one of the chief concerns worrying health officials is that many people are operating on the belief that the warm weather and summer-like heat will decrease the risk of coronavirus.
More and more people are disregarding the importance of wearing a mask which could kick off a second wave of COVID-19 infections.
If there’s one thing we know about the coronavirus pandemic – some of the early information about COVID-19 has been misleading.
While initial reports speculated that the virus may behave like the seasonal flu and begin to dissipate with warmer weather – scientists and doctors have not reached a consensus on whether the summer heat will reduce the transmission and spread of COVID-19.
In fact, they are leaning toward the belief that warmer weather has not been a factor in reducing the risk.
“The data has shown, it [warm weather] doesn’t [reduce risk],” Dr. Praveen Buddiga of the Family Allergy Asthma Clinic said, ABC30 reported, as evidenced by what “we have seen the spread in hotter communities right now – South America, India, Africa.”
Dr. Buddiga adds, “It’s very important that [people] wear their masks, especially in public places.” The doctor adds that it’s important to take your mascot and cool off from time to time, allowing yourself to be able to take some deep breaths. He also advises that people drink more water during warm weather.
As many parts of the country are beginning to open businesses again, Dr. Buddiga also voiced his concerns about people gathering in large groups without wearing masks or distancing themselves from one another, as was seen over the Memorial Day weekend.
“Whenever I see that, my stomach cringes because I know the data and I know the facts,” Dr. Buddiga added, “and I dread to have a second wave.”
Without wearing a mask, all it takes is one sneezed by an infected person to spread coronavirus, Dr. Buddiga noted, urging that everyone wear a mask around other people to protect both yourself and others.
