The Nurse Perspective: EMERGENCY ALERT
EMERGENCY ALERT MESSAGE
FROM THE NURSE PERSPECTIVE
STAYING HEALTHY -DURING THE WILDFIRE SMOKY CLIMATE
According to this morning’s Seattle Times 9/14/2020 – the smoky air is likely to be around for a while.
Here are some tips to help you stay safe and healthy.
People most vulnerable are also those most vulnerable for COVID-19: people with asthma, COPD, emphysema, diabetes, pregnant women, children, people over 65.The evidence says that the immune system is lowered by exposure to smoke and the risk for influenza and other respiratory infections is increased/
Here is how you can reduce your exposure: stay indoors and placing barriers against air seepage under doors or windows. Cloth masks are not helpful in keeping out soot and small particles from wood fires.They do not filter out the toxic gases that come from wood smoke. The advice is to create a “clean room” in your home, closing it off from outside air. If you do not have AC in your home, close doors to rooms you don’t need often, put a circulating fan in the room or hall. No strenuous exercise out of doors and even take it easy indoors.Good time to rest and not worry about chores!Heh?
You can monitor the Washington Smoke blog to find daily updates and forecasts (https://wasmoke.blogspot.com).