<p class="article-body"> Viruses are undoubtedly at the top of people’s minds lately. You may have heard about viral pneumonia and how its symptoms can be similar to the flu and COVID-19. Did you know there are pneumonias caused by bacteria as well? One of them is called pneumococcal pneumonia and it has many of the same symptoms as viral pneumonia – cough, fever, shortness of breath, and chest pain – but often causes more severe illness than its viral counterpart. The good news is there is a vaccine for this pneumonia! <br> <br> You can be vaccinated for pneumococcal pneumonia almost any time you visit a healthcare office or hospital, so talk to your doctor about whether it is right for you. The vaccination can also help prevent other diseases caused by pneumococcal bacteria such as ear infection, sinus infection, meningitis (infection of the tissue covering the brain and spinal cord), and bacteremia (bloodstream infection). <br> <br> Anyone can receive the vaccine, but those who are most at risk for infection are: </p> <ul> <li> Children under age 2 </li> <li> Adults age 65 and older </li> <li> Those with chronic illnesses such as heart, lung, kidney, liver, diabetes mellitus, malignancy, or immune system diseases </li> <li> Smokers age 19 and older </li> </ul> Most pneumococcal infections are mild; however, some can result in long-term problems, such as brain damage or hearing loss. Meningitis, bacteremia, and pneumonia caused by pneumococcal bacteria can be fatal. <br> <br> There are two different pneumococcal vaccines, PPSV23 and PCV13. Your healthcare provider will help decide whether each is needed which version is right for you. Talk to your doctor if you have had allergic reactions to vaccines in the past or if you are not feeling well. He or she may decide to postpone your vaccination to a future visit. <br> <br> If you do not have a primary care provider, visit <a href="/node/2531">www.gbmc.org/mydoctor</a> to find one who is right for you! <div class="end-of-story"> </div>
<iframe class="embed-responsive-item" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/UUiOVIaA2rk" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <p class="article-body"> If you or your child have been feeling more anxious lately, you aren't alone. In this time of upheaval, many are experiencing symptoms of anxiety that were not there before. Christopher Toth, PA, primary care provider at GBMC Health Partners - Jarrettsville, spoke about the signs of anxiety and provided tips for managing it. </p>
<iframe class="embed-responsive-item" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AX4D7hO2HY0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <p class="article-body"> The COVID-19 pandemic has caused many women to miss or delay their annual mammogram screening. Sara Fogarty, DO, Director of the Sandra & Malcolm Berman Comprehensive Breast Care Center at GBMC, explains the importance of scheduling a mammogram and what the hospital is doing to keep patients safe when they come in. </p>
<p class="article-body"> While influenza (flu) and the coronavirus (COVID-19) have some similarities, it is important to remember that they are not the same disease, and each affects the body differently. Below are the answers to some frequently asked questions about the differences between the flu and COVID-19. <br> <br> <strong>Q: How do the symptoms of COVID-19 compare to flu symptoms?</strong> <br> <br> A: COVID-19 and seasonal flu share a variety of the same symptoms including: fever or feeling feverish, chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue (tiredness), sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle pain, body aches, and headaches. Vomiting and diarrhea are also seen, but this is more common in children than adults. Some people diagnosed with COVID-19 have also experienced a change in or loss of smell or taste. This symptom is not associated with the flu. <br> </p> <figure class="image-full"> <img src="/sites/default/files/hg_features/hg_post/83c3119277f0a0fdda0aaa18c6e220ab.jpg" alt="Flu v. COVID"> </figure> <strong>Q: How soon after exposure is it possible for me to show symptoms?</strong> <br> <br> A: People exposed to seasonal flu often express symptoms within 1 to 4 days. It takes longer for COVID-19 symptoms to appear, usually between 2 to 14 days, but with 5 days being the average time to symptom onset. <br> <br> <strong>Q: If I am diagnosed with COVID-19 how long will I be contagious? How is this different from the flu?</strong> <br> <br> A: Currently, the CDC defines the COVID-19 period of contagion for otherwise healthy people as 2 days before symptom onset to 10 days after symptom onset. If there have been no symptoms, then the period of contagion is 10 days after the first positive test. If a person is severely immunocompromised or was severely or critically sick, then the time after symptom onset is extended to 20 days. <br> <br> A person who has the flu is the most contagious in the first 3 to 4 days of illness, but can be contagious from the day before symptom onset until 5 to 7 days after symptom onset. <br> <br> <strong>Q: How are the flu and COVID-19 spread?</strong> <br> <br> A: Both are primarily spread by droplets made when people cough, sneeze, or talk, which enter through exposed mucous membranes (mouth, eyes, and nose). They might also be spread if a person touches a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touches their own mouth, nose, or eyes, but this is not thought to be the main mode of transmission. <br> <br> Among certain populations, COVID-19 is more contagious than the flu. There are also more superspreading events associated with COVID-19, which means that it quickly and easily spreads to a lot of people and results in continuous spreading among people as time progresses. <br> <br> <strong>Q: Are there any treatments available?</strong> <br> <br> A: Seasonal flu can be treated with prescription antiviral medication. There are currently no FDA-approved treatments for COVID-19, but studies are in progress. <br> <br> GBMC Health Partners is pleased to offer <a href="/node/3491" target="_blank">drive-thru flu vaccinations</a> for its primary care and specialty care patients at Farmhouse Hill on GBMC’s campus. This flu vaccine program is open to all patients of GBMC Health Partners over the age of 6 and will take place through November. Appointments are required. <div class="end-of-story"> </div>
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<iframe class="embed-responsive-item" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Jv3bswbdn2Y" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <p class="article-body"> GBMC Infection Control Practitioner, Molly Hyde, MHS, CIC, discusses the importance of getting the flu vaccine and the possibility of contracting both the flu and COVID-19. </p>
<iframe class="embed-responsive-item" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6PqC4-CEAPc" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <p class="article-body"> One in nine men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime. Most won’t experience any symptoms before their diagnosis, which is why screening can be lifesaving. Matthew Boyer, MD, one of GBMC’s radiation oncologists, talked with Bmore Lifestyle host Terra Reeves about what men and the people who care about them need to know about prostate cancer screening and treatment. <br> <br> “Because prostate cancer does not usually cause symptoms until the cancer is advanced and has spread beyond the prostate gland, it’s recommended that men get screened with the PSA blood test from age 50 to 70,” Dr. Boyer explained. “Some men may need to start screening at a younger age, in particular those with a family history of prostate cancer or breast and ovarian cancer. And because the disease is more common in Black men, it’s recommended that they start getting a PSA test at age 45.” <br> <br> Dr. Boyer said that because prostate cancer is usually a slow growing cancer, many men can choose active surveillance rather than other treatments such as radiation or surgery as their first treatment. During active surveillance, your doctor will regularly check your PSA level to see if it is rising. Other treatment options include medications that suppress the male hormone androgen, which stimulates the growth of cells in the prostate. <br> <br> “Choosing which treatment path to follow should be a shared decision made by the patient and doctor together,” he said. “At GBMC, we approach treatment as a team. You’ll meet with your urologist and radiation oncologist who will explain the risks and benefits of each option that’s appropriate for you to help you make an informed decision about treatment.” He added, “My most important piece of advice is to get screened. Men often put off their healthcare, but when we diagnose prostate cancer early, it’s very curable and the chance of dying from the disease is small for most men.” </p>
This year, more than in years past, it’s important to get the flu vaccine, says Dr. Gregory Small, a primary care physician at Greater Baltimore Medical Center. “While many of the protective measures such as wearing a face mask, limiting indoor gatherings and promoting social distancing are to reduce COVID-19 transmission, these measures will also serve as a benefit to reduce the transmission of influenza,” he says. “Vaccination may be more important this year as symptoms of influenza will overlap with the symptoms of COVID-19, making these clinical presentations difficult to decipher.” WHY ARE VACCINES SO IMPORTANT? “It’s important to receive a yearly flu vaccine to protect ourselves and others from influenza,” says Dr. Small. “While the severity of the influenza illness may vary by year, it’s critical to provide flu vaccinations in advance, particularly to help protect our most vulnerable — the elderly or very young. Besides the groups that are higher risk by age, other chronic medical conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and asthma can leave a patient at any age with a higher risk of complications from influenza.” Dr. Joseph Fuscaldo, an internal medicine physician at GBMC, says people with the aforementioned chronic conditions should also receive the pneumonia vaccine. “All of us should make sure to receive all the appropriate available respiratory vaccines to minimize risk with COVID-19 still lurking as a possibility,” Dr. Fuscaldo says. ”The flu and pneumococcal pneumonia both may share symptoms with COVID-19, so already having those vaccines can help doctors efficiently diagnose what is going on when we start feeling ill.” Should we contract COVID-19, we will want our lungs and airways to be as fit as possible. By keeping ourselves safe from a respiratory illness like the flu or pneumonia through vaccination, we are preserving the strength of our lung defense. PRIMARY CARE PATIENTS “Patients with a GBMC Health Partners primary care provider or specialist have several options for receiving their 2020-2021 flu season vaccination,” Dr. Small explains. “If a patient has an appointment scheduled with their primary care provider, they will be offered their flu vaccine at the time of their appointment.” In addition, GBMC constructed a drive-thru structure at Farmhouse Hill on its campus that administers flu vaccinations for patients of GBMC Health Partners practices. (Note: The patient’s primary care office assists with scheduling the patient for this centralized flu vaccine drive-thru. During this appointment, patients will remain in their vehicles while receiving the vaccination.) IN-HOSPITAL TREATMENT When patients check in to the hospital, the admitting nurse will ask if they want to receive a flu shot, according to Dr. Fuscaldo. There is the standard flu vaccine for patients 18 to 64 and the high-dose vaccine, commonly referred to as a “senior dose,” designed for patients 65 years and older. “The high-dose flu shot was developed a couple of years ago for the elderly population,” explains Dr. Fuscaldo. “It’s basically the same vaccine as the standard one, but a more concentrated version for older people, whose immune systems sometimes need a little more help. We want to make sure that when older people get the shot, there’s enough immunity to protect them from the virus.” Dr. Fuscaldo says that over the past few years, Americans have become a bit more receptive to getting vaccines. "This is important because even without symptoms, people can potentially transmit infections to someone else,” he says. “All of the staff at GBMC Hospital and Health Partners are required to get influenza vaccines every year for this exact reason.” For more information about vaccines and immunization at the Greater Baltimore Medical Center, visit www.gbmc.org/flu.
<iframe class="embed-responsive-item" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/u8B75fZN628" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <p class="article-body"> Rachel Plotnick, MD, GBMC Pediatrician explains why it's important to get your kids their flu shots this year. WMAR-2 News Baltimore Day of Answers: Flu </p>
<iframe class="embed-responsive-item" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7RY5HuCeChQ" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <p class="article-body"> Matthew Boyer, MD, PhD, radiation oncologist at GBMC, talks about early detection and treatment for prostate cancer. </p>
<p class="article-body"> As fall and winter approach, it’s time to talk about influenza, more commonly known as "the flu." This year, the conversation looks different than it has in years past. The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has changed the way people think about viruses, and staying well has become more important than ever. While the flu and COVID-19 have many similar symptoms such as fever, cough, muscle aches, and shortness of breath, they are two separate illnesses caused by different viruses. If you are experiencing these symptoms, call your primary care provider, as testing may be necessary to determine if you are sick with the flu, COVID-19, or another illness. <br> <br> One of the most effective ways to prevent influenza is to get an injectable flu vaccine. Though the flu tends to target young children and older adults, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone six months and older get an annual flu vaccination, with a few rare exceptions. Here are answers to some common questions about the flu: <br> <br> <strong>Q: Why is a flu vaccine important?</strong> <br> <br> A: Influenza is a serious disease that even healthy people can get very sick from and spread to others, often unknowingly. An untreated flu can lead to hospitalization or even death. When more people get vaccinated against the flu, it has a lower chance of spreading throughout our community. This is especially important now, as communities are already at a high risk for COVID-19. <br> <br> <strong>Q: When is "flu season"?</strong> <br> <br> A: Flu season in the United States can begin as early as October and last as late as May. This is when flu viruses are circulating at higher levels than other months. <br> <br> <strong>Q: How does the flu spread?</strong> <br> <br> A: Mainly, the flu is spread when people infected with the virus cough, sneeze, or talk. This produces respiratory droplets that can land in others' mouths or noses. Less often, the flu virus can be transmitted by a surface or object that someone with flu has touched. <br> <br> <strong>Q: What are the best ways to avoid the flu?</strong> <br> <br> A: Get a flu shot! This is the most effective way of preventing infection from influenza. You should also wash your hands often with soap and water or an alcohol-based sanitizer and avoid sharing linens, eating utensils, or dishes with those who are sick. Disinfect frequently touched surfaces often, especially if someone around you has been ill. Avoid touching your own mouth or nose if you haven't washed your hands first. Patients of <a href="/node/2416" target="_blank">GBMC Health Partners</a> over the age of 6 can get their flu shots at our convenient <a href="/node/3491" target="_blank">drive-through flu vaccination area</a> on the GBMC campus. <br> <br> <strong>Q: When is the flu considered contagious?</strong> <br> <br> A: It's possible for healthy adults to be contagious and infect other people beginning one day before symptoms develop and for five to seven days after becoming sick. Children may be able to infect others for longer than seven days. It is possible to "feel fine" but still spread the flu virus to others. If you or your child is sick, stay home until your doctor tells you it is safe to return to work or school. <br> <br> <strong>Q: How quickly will a flu vaccine be effective?</strong> <br> <br> A: Vaccines don't work right away. It takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body to protect against influenza. This is why it is best to get vaccinated early in the fall, before flu season is in full swing. <br> <br> Talk to your primary care physician about getting seasonal flu vaccinations for you and everyone in your family who is older than six months of age. If you do not have a primary care physician, visit <a href="/node/2531">www.gbmc.org/mydoctor</a> to find one who is right for you. </p> <div class="end-of-story"> </div>
<p class="article-body"> COVID-19 has forced many Baltimore residents to think about things they probably never thought of before: “Am I washing my hands the right way?” “How many times a day do I really touch my face?” “Where did that cough come from?” <br> <br> But one of the newest things many of us have been considering since March is a lot more serious: “What will happen if I am alone in the hospital at the end of my life?” <br> <br> In some cases, patients sick with COVID-19 faced unexpected end-of-life decision making with only virtual communication with their families. This heartbreaking reality makes it clearer than ever before that everyone needs an end-of-life plan before they get too sick — not just elderly people. <br> <br> WHAT’S THE SOLUTION? <br> Even in normal times there is nothing easy about making end-of-life decisions for yourself or a loved one. That’s why the Greater Baltimore Medical Center has a dedicated department that deals with Advance Care Planning. Dr. Delia Chiaramonte and her team manage integrative care, palliative medicine, living wills and more at GBMC. <br> <br> “I am the medical director of integrative and palliative medicine at GBMC,” Dr. Chiaramonte explains. “In that role I lead a team of other palliative care providers, and we help patients who are admitted to the hospital with their advance care planning needs — things like determining their goals of care, making decisions about cardiopulmonary resuscitation, helping patients with symptom management and coping with serious illness.” <br> <br> Dr. Chiaramonte works alongside Dr. Robin Motter-Mast, GBMC HealthCare’s new chief of staff, who has been working on advance care planning for younger GBMC patients for the last few years. Dr. Motter-Mast is leading the push to have every GBMC patient over the age of 18 fill out a healthcare agent form during their annual physical. <br> <br> “Patients can determine who they want to make their end-of-life decisions if they are unable to,” Dr. Motter-Mast explains. “We help them normalize the conversation, then they go home and talk about their decisions with their family. They can have upfront communication about who is truly making the decisions if something happens to them.” <br> <br> Dr. Motter-Mast explains that once a patient chooses their healthcare decision-maker, the information is entered into GBMC’s electronic medical records system, Epic. Patients can change their decision anytime they want. <br> <br> Dr. Chiaramonte also stresses the importance of picking your healthcare decision-maker and having an advance directive — though she admits there is a lot to think about. <br> <br> “Everyone over the age of 18 should have an advance directive,” Chiaramonte explains. “An advance directive has two parts: the determination of a medical power of attorney (MPOA) and a living will. The MPOA, also known as the healthcare agent, is the person that you would want to speak for you to the doctors and make medical decisions for you if you were unable to make them for yourself. This should be someone who you trust to make the decisions that you would want, even if they are different than what they would want. The living will component of the advance directive explains what you want if you were very ill, near the end of life or in a persistent vegetative state and not expected to recover.“ <br> <br> Both doctors stress the importance of having these end-of-life decisions made before anything happens to you — for your own end-of-life experience and your family’s. <br> <br> “It’s a waste of time and money to be arguing about who is making the decisions when Mom is already sick,” Dr. Motter-Mast explains. “When you’re spending time arguing amongst family about Mom, it costs a lot, and you are wasting valuable time, which should be focused on your loved one. It’s important for people to take the initiative now, make their plan and lay it out for their family.” <br> <br> WHAT ABOUT OLDER PATIENTS? <br> While GBMC is working to have younger, healthier people make these decisions early in life, the hospital does the same with older patients who are nearer to the end-of-life experience. <br> <br> “At GBMC we have an in-house palliative care team and we are often consulted to see patients who are facing serious medical illness,” says Dr. Chiaramonte. “In addition to helping with medical decision-making and advance care planning, we help patients with symptom management and coping. Our team has physicians, nurse practitioners, a social worker and a mind-body specialist to help patients manage their stress and anxiety. We collaborate closely with the primary medical team.” <br> <br> For more information about advance care planning at the Greater Baltimore Medical Center, visit www.gbmc.org/advance-care-planning. </p> <div class="end-of-story"> </div>
<p class="article-body"> When actor Chadwick Boseman died of colon cancer at 43 years old, millions of Americans were shocked. After all, he hadn't spoken publicly about his diagnosis or his fight with cancer. <br> <br> Joseph DiRocco, M.D., MBA, FACS, is the director of gastrointestinal oncology for the Sandra & Malcolm Berman Cancer Institute at GBMC. He says Boseman's death should remind everyone how important it is to pay attention to overall health. <br> <br> "It is a fact that colon cancer doesn't care how old you are or what you have done with your life. We only get one body in this life, regardless of color," DiRocco says. <br> <br> More than 137,000 people are diagnosed with colon cancer in the U.S. every year. The number of people under the age of 50 being diagnosed has been on the rise for some time, a trend that has puzzled experts. <br> <br> "It doesn't seem to be happening more often in people with a family history," explains Dr. DiRocco. "These diagnoses in younger people are primarily identified on the basis of new symptoms." <br> <br> Additionally, Black Americans have the highest rates of colorectal cancer and death across all racial groups in the United States, nearly twice as high as non-Hispanic White Americans. The cause for this is also unclear, Dr. DiRocco says. <br> <br> "A number of academic centers have been investigating why the disparities in outcomes exist. It could be because of additional comorbidities that are present, limited access to healthcare, or even genetic makeup." <br> <br> He explains that Boseman, who was diagnosed in his late 30s with stage 3 colon cancer, wouldn't have met any of the current screening guidelines, which advise everyone to begin regular screenings at the age of 45. <br> <br> Dr. DiRocco reiterates that colorectal cancer has a high survival rate if caught and treated early, which is why it's important to recognize the symptoms and to contact your doctor if anything seems off, even if you're younger than the suggested screening age. Those symptoms include: </p> <ul> <li> Rectal bleeding </li> <li> New abdominal pain that's otherwise unexplained </li> <li> Change in bowel habits </li> <li> Unexplained weight loss </li> <li> Decreased appetite & fatigue </li> </ul> He adds that Boseman's death is tragic, but it has opened a conversation about the importance of colon cancer screening. <br> <br> "I've already seen a number of people who've called in to schedule colonoscopies since the news of his death. The benefits of early detection are very clear. This is another opportunity for him to save lives." <br> <br> Dr. DiRocco says Boseman has left the world with a powerful legacy. <br> <br> "The roles he played transformed pain into power. It takes effort and courage to have a colonoscopy. You don't have to [have superpowers] to be a superhero. You just have to take care of yourself and do the right thing. Hopefully that's what he'll teach us all." <div class="end-of-story"> </div>
<iframe class="embed-responsive-item" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/GEDBG3ao2NY" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <p class="article-body"> Are you one of the more than 40 million people in the U.S. living with varicose veins? Jennifer Heller, MD, RPVI, FACS, Director of the Vein Center at GBMC and Medical Director of the Wound Center at GBMC, talked with Mary Beth Marsden about what increases your risk of developing varicose veins, what treatments are available, and what you can do to help keep your veins as healthy as possible. Mary Beth also talked with Dr. Heller’s associate, Esther Kim, CRNP, FNP-BC, CWOCN, about laser tattoo and hair removal services available at The Vein Center. <br> <br> “It’s easy to distinguish spider veins from varicose veins,” Dr. Heller explained. “Spider veins are not raised and range in color from light pink to purple. Varicose veins, on the other hand, are bumpy to the touch and visible. They also change size depending on whether you’re standing, sitting, or laying down. What happens is that the valves in the veins that help move the blood from the feet back up to the heart and lungs aren’t working correctly. Blood accumulates in the leg veins and these veins become enlarged. Many people don’t experience any symptoms from their varicose veins, but for some they cause heaviness and achiness in the legs and increase the risk for phlebitis, skin changes, itching, scarring, and venous ulcers.” <br> <br> The factors that increase your risk of developing varicose veins include being female, being older, the number of pregnancies you have, and trauma to the leg. And while many people assume that having varicose veins means you need surgery, Dr. Heller said that is not the case. <br> <br> “If you have no symptoms, we do not and should not intervene surgically,” she said. “The first treatment is wearing compression stockings, which gives many patients relief from the heaviness in their legs.” <br> <br> She recommended taking part in activities that engage your calf muscles, like walking or running, to help keep your veins as healthy as possible. She also noted that it’s important to stay well hydrated throughout the day and maintain a healthy weight. Esther Kim talked with Mary Beth about the advances in laser tattoo and hair removal. “We use a cooling system that numbs and protects the skin during tattoo removal,” she said. “It makes the process more comfortable for the patient.” For people interested in laser hair removal, newer laser technology now makes it possible for patients with any skin color to undergo the process. “Before this technology was available, laser hair removal only worked on light colored skin. Now anyone can safely have this treatment.” </p>
<p class="article-body"> <em>*This is a rapidly changing situation. This article was written on September 10, 2020. For the most up-to-date information, visit the CDC website at <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/" target="_blank">www.cdc.gov</a>*</em> <br> <br> A recent study from Duke University has raised questions about neck gaiters and whether or not they serve as effective face coverings for fighting the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Many news outlets have taken this study’s findings and used them to say that neck gaiters are worse than wearing no mask at all. While the study does indicate that the specific neck gaiter tested broke droplets into smaller particles which can stay in the air longer, there is not enough data to categorically say that neck gaiters are worse than other masks or than not wearing a mask at all. GBMC infection prevention expert, Laurie Hart, RN, explained why. <br> <br> “This study is simply too small to make any overall judgments about the effectiveness of certain kinds of coverings,” she said. “They only tested 14 styles and used just one person as the subject. The same styles could be tested on a different person and have completely different results. While the findings are helpful for directing future research, there isn’t enough data to support that the claim that neck gaiters are ineffective or worse than not wearing a mask.” <br> <br> There are so many different mask designs available that it is challenging to say whether any one style is more or less effective than others. The goal of the Duke study was not to determine the effectiveness of certain mask styles, it was to learn whether the testing method was valid and could be helpful in future research. <br> <br> While the findings about neck gaiters weren’t part of the original purpose of the study, they do support what health experts have been saying about materials being a crucial factor in how well a mask works. The neck gaiter tested in the Duke study was made of fleece, which is a very thin material. Laurie explained that this is likely why it broke the particles up into smaller pieces that stayed in the air longer. A gaiter made of a thicker material such cotton would not necessarily do the same thing. <br> <br> “Material and fit are everything,” Laurie said. “If the covering is thick enough and fits tightly to the face, it should be effective in preventing the spread of COVID-19 regardless of its style.” When deciding what kind of face covering to wear, make sure that a tight seal is created around the face and that there are multiple layers of fabric. There is an easy test that can be done at home to see if a face covering is thick enough. Light a candle and try to blow it out from a safe distance while wearing the mask. If the flame goes out, the mask likely needs an additional layer of fabric in order to be effective. <br> <br> Laurie advised that this is a rapidly changing situation and that future research may change the current stance on neck gaiters and other kinds of face coverings. “People should continue to look to public health experts for guidance on the best ways to protect themselves and others from COVID-19,” she said. Laurie urged readers not to forget that handwashing and physical distancing are still critical to stopping the spread of this virus. “No matter what,” she expressed, “be mindful of how you act around others and follow the health guidelines to the best of your ability. The only way to get through this pandemic is together.” <br> <br> <a href="/sites/default/files/hg_features/hg_post/8606079e65a57d7e814ac328269d06ff.pdf" target="_blank">Click here to learn more about which types of masks are effective and which are not</a>. <br> <br> <em><strong>PLEASE NOTE:</strong> Because there are so many variables when it comes to types of face coverings, and out of an abundance of caution, GBMC's Incident Command Center team has advised that neck gaiters are not approved for GBMC employees to wear at work.</em> </p> <div class="end-of-story"> </div>
