Can I microwave my mask? Is it safe to swim?

California’s COVID-19 case count is increasing, renewing concerns about disinfection and viral transmission. This week, a new survey by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revealed that 54% of patients did not know how they got sick.

In response to your questions, we investigated the responses of experts, who are learning more as the pandemic continues. Your responses are summarized here, as well as information gathered from other sources.

Q: Does the microwave kill the virus in my mask? What is the best way to clean it?

A: Fire safety officials warn against using microwaves to sterilize face masks. A cloth mask can melt, char, or start a fire. Disposable masks have metal wire that can cause sparks and break the microwave.

Instead, the CDC recommends using a washing machine. You can include your mask with your clothes. Use regular laundry detergent and the most appropriate and warmest water setting. If you wash it by hand, make a bleach solution by mixing one-third cup of household bleach per gallon of warm water

Be sure to completely dry the fabric face cover after washing. In the dryer, use the highest temperature. If air-dried, lie down. If possible, place the fabric cover in direct sunlight.

US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: “How to Wash Facial Covers”

Q: Is it safe to swim or surf?

A: There is little risk of COVID-19 infection when swimming in a pool, because the disinfectants used to clean the water, including chlorine and bromine, kill the virus. The water in lakes and ocean must also be safe as the virus is diluted by the large volume of water. Unlike bacteria, respiratory viruses do not survive well alone in water.

The biggest risk is not swimming, but spending time gathering around a pool, especially in large, clustered groups. For that reason, meeting on crowded beaches is a bad idea. Take precautions and physically distance yourself from each other. Of course, if you feel sick, stay home.

If you rent a paddle board or sailboat, stay away from workers, wear a mask, and be sure to sanitize your hands and any shared gear they touch, such as paddles, paddles, or a boat.

Dr. Sharon Nachman, Chief of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at Stony Brook Children’s Hospital

UCHealth in Aurora, Colorado

Q: Is liquid soap better than a bar of soap for washing your hands? Can I use salt water?

A: Soap and water are the best option for washing hands. Both liquid and bar soaps contain the same elements: a grease or oil, water, and an alkali, commonly called bleach. This combination rinses away dirt and oils and germs that cling to them.

If you don’t have access to soap and clean water, the CDC recommends using a hand sanitizer made of at least 60% alcohol. Saline or salt water is not recommended as an effective way to disinfect hands.

CDC: “Handwashing, Hygiene, and Diaper Change” and “Guide to hand hygiene in healthcare settings”

Q: What precautions should a pregnant woman take during this coronavirus period? If a pregnant woman becomes infected, will it be harmful to the baby?

A: According to the CDC, pregnant women appear to have similar chances of becoming infected as other people in the same age range. Recommendations for pregnant women are the same as for everyone else: Wash your hands with soap and water frequently, disinfect frequently touched surfaces, and practice social distancing. It is rare, but possible, for newborns to become infected with the virus.

Based on what we know at this time, pregnant women may have an increased risk of serious COVID-19 disease compared to non-pregnant women. Additionally, there may be an increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes, such as preterm delivery, among pregnant people with COVID-19.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that mothers with suspected COVID-19 infections wear face masks and take strict hygiene precautions if they are breastfeeding. The COVID-19 virus has not been found in breast milk.

CDC: “If You Are Pregnant, Breastfeeding, or Caring for Young Children”

American Academy of Pediatrics: “Management of Babies Born to Mothers with COVID-19”

Q: Would CPAP machines used by people with sleep apnea work for patients who are only mildly affected by COVID-19?

A: The American Society of Anesthesiologists and other medical professionals warn that using a CPAP machine potentially increases the risk of the virus spreading. While both ventilators and CPAP machines help people breathe, ventilators are a closed system. They use a breathing tube and filter the exhaled air. CPAP machines, on the other hand, wear face masks that allow unfiltered air to escape.

American Society of Anesthesiologists: “Information for Health Professionals”

Q: Does Advil (Ibuprofen) Worsen COVID-19? Is Tylenol (Acetaminophen) OK?

A: Although the World Health Organization previously advised the use of acetaminophen over ibuprofen, it later voided the recommendation. According to the FDA, no medication has been shown to worsen coronavirus-related symptoms.

World Health Organization: “The use of NSAIDs in patients with COVID-19”

FDA: “Using NSAIDs for COVID-19”

Q: Are over-the-counter MUCINEX (guaifenesin) or Robitussin (dextromethorphan) effective in relieving congestion in the lungs when infected with the virus?

A: If you have symptoms of COVID-19, call your doctor to determine the best course of action. In mild cases, guaifenesin or other expectorants can help thin mucus in the chest and throat. While this may help a patient feel better, it will not kill the virus.

According to the American Society of Hospital Pharmacists, infectious disease teams also recommend throat lozenges and fever suppressants, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, to relieve symptoms. (But similar to expectorants, these drugs don’t address the root cause of the new coronavirus.)

UCHealth: “A Summary of Coronavirus Medications for Home and Hospital”

ASHP: “Pharmacists Offer Information on COVID-19”

Q: I have a full spectrum light, would that kill the virus if used?

A: Sunlight consists of three types of radiation: UVA, UVB, and UVC. All three can harm the skin and eyes.

Studies show that ultraviolet light kills viruses in the air, making it used to disinfect hospitals, subways, and other public places when not occupied by people. But UV light has not been shown to prevent COVID-19 infection in humans or kill the virus in infected patients, and it is the most dangerous of the three types of radiation. UV lights should never be used to disinfect the body. Currently, there has not been much research on whether UV light provides an effective way to disinfect personal protective equipment.