Vented masks not effective against COVID-19
When it comes
to protecting yourself and others from COVID-19 by wearing a mask, Reid Health
officials are alerting patients and visitors that some types do not work - so
they are not allowed in a health system facility.
"We are joining
other national health systems such as the Mayo Clinic to let community members
know that masks with exhalation valves are not an effective, acceptable form of
protection," said Jennifer Ehlers, Vice President and Chief Quality Officer at
Reid Health. Though most cloth and other types of masks are OK, masks with
exhalation valves allow unfiltered air to be exhaled, increasing the chance of
exposing others to the virus.
"In general,
masks are effective because they help prevent the likelihood of someone
breathing out the virus, as well as reduce the risk of someone inhaling
contaminated air," Ehlers said.
Acceptable
masks include homemade cloth masks, surgical or procedural masks, dust masks
and N-95 masks that are not vented.
Reid Health
door screeners at all locations, besides checking for other potential symptoms,
will also not allow anyone to enter a Reid facility wearing a vented mask. The
screeners will provide an approved mask in those cases.
Ehlers noted
that the trend in positive cases and hospitalizations with positive or presumed
positive COVID has been going up again at Reid Health. As of Thursday, the
number was back to 34 hospitalized after hitting a low in the teens in early
July.
"This means we
cannot let down our guard - COVID-19 is still very much a reality in our area,
so mask up!"
Visit ReidHealth.org/Safe for a
downloadable copy of this flyer.