With more beaches opening up following COVID-19 lockdowns, should wearing a face mask be as important as wearing sunscreen? Several states require masks whenever beachgoers aren't in the ocean. However, in most places, it's left up to the person's discretion.
But whether you're about the mask tan or not–it's always best to cover up if social distancing is not possible. Here are a few things we found to be helpful when wearing masks at the beach:
Face it. Wearing a mask in the hot summer heat might not be ideal, but then again, what part of a pandemic is? Take breaks if it becomes too much to handle. But make sure you remove your mask properly and sanitize thoroughly afterward; otherwise, what's the point?
You may also want to go on a mask-less stroll to uncrowded areas. Also, consider a morning mission when the weather is cooler.
Forget it, if you wet it. A mask that's damp or wet is less efficient at filtering the bad stuff. Store it in a dry place before taking a dip. We usually keep ours in a ziplock on the inside pocket of our beach bag before paddling out for a surf.
Pack a spare. If the mask gets wet or soiled with sunscreen, then bring an extra one. You can keep it in your car. When both get dirty, then move to a less crowded area of the beach, where you won't need a mask. Or cut the beach trip short and head home.
Have it on hand. While we could go an entire beach session without a mask, if we find ourselves alone, we still like to have one ready in case a crowd fills in. We cover up on our way to the car. Our two-year-old daughter won't leave on a mask, so we just cover her with a towel if we absolutely need to–without suffocating her, of course.
NOTE: We're not medical professionals. These tips are based on personal experience. COVID-19 information can change quickly, so check fact-driven media outlets for up-to-date news.
Comments