Avoid smoke-filled air if possible: interim MOH

The interim medical officer of health for Hastings and Prince Edward is strongly advising vulnerable people to avoid being outside in the smoke-filled air for the next few days.

Following a meeting of the Hastings Prince Edward Board of Health on Wednesday, Dr. Ian Gemmill told Quinte News, “With the smoke that’s affecting much of eastern Ontario over the last day or two and probably for the next few days as well, we’ve been advising both the public and specific groups like the school boards, for example, how best to deal with it.”

“We’ve provided the school boards with information on how to assess whether or not there should be sporting activities … should be moved indoors or at least have to be cancelled and so on, based on the situation and a specific place at a specific time.”

“For people who have to work outdoors, it’s unavoidable of course, but we’ve tried to provide them all some information of what the symptoms can be so that they can take action to reduce those that they are experiencing.”

Dr. Gemmill commented on the issue of masking. “I think masking for this particular situation, that is, to avoid exposure to smoke is an individual decision. Particularly if people are medically compromised or elderly they should perhaps seriously be considering wearing, not a surgical mask as we did during the pandemic, but an N95 mask designed to keep particulates. Particulates are a large component of the smoke, and it will help to reduce that exposure.”

And for people who work outdoors.

“For people who have to work outdoors I would, suggest they talk to their employers to see whether the provision of N95 masks makes sense based on the assessment of what the real time situation is. Are they at a seven for example or are they very high risk at a 10.”

Dr. Gemmill added, “The bottom line is that, if we can reduce the exposure to the greatest degree possible, especially for groups that are vulnerable, that would be the best thing….if they have to go out to get groceries or have to go out to a medical appointment that’s unavoidable, but let the gardening go.”