Remove your mask outdoors to prevent heat stroke [Ministry of the Environment and Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare].

Thursday, July 2, 2020

The website of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) provides key points for heat stroke prevention actions in "new lifestyles. Among them is a description of "wearing a mask," which we quote below.

Wearing a mask can be physically demanding.

Masks are effective in preventing the spread of droplets, and "New Lifestyle" also asks each person to wear a mask as a basic infection control measure. However, compared to not wearing a mask, wearing a mask may cause physical strain, such as increased heart rate, respiratory rate, blood carbon dioxide concentration, and body temperature.

If you are outdoors and can maintain a sufficient distance from people, remove your mask

Therefore, wearing a mask in environments such as high temperatures and humidity may increase the risk of heat stroke, so remove the mask when outdoors and a sufficient distance (at least 2 m) from people can be maintained.

Avoid heavy-duty work or exercise when wearing a mask

When wearing a mask, avoid strenuous work or exercise, and be sure to hydrate frequently even if you are not thirsty. It is also necessary to temporarily remove the mask and take a break in a place where you can keep a sufficient distance from people around you.

When going out, avoid hot days and times of day and wear cool clothing.