Mask-Wearing Recommended for Patients with Lung Disease
If you have severe lung disease, such as COPD or asthma, we still recommend you wear a face covering. There has been information reported that masks do not allow you take in enough oxygen, or that they increase CO2 levels, but there is no medical evidence to support these claims.
How to Wear a Mask
Your face covering does not need to be tightly fitted, but it does need to cover your nose and mouth. In the rare case that you absolutely cannot tolerate a face covering, please work with your doctor to find an alternate solution, such as a face shield. While face shields are not considered interchangeable with masks, evidence suggests they can help to limit the spread of virus particles.
Other Safety Precautions
Please remember that social distancing and hand washing are still very important safety precautions everyone should follow as well.
More Information
For more information about mask-wearing, visit our Mask-Wearing to Prevent COVID-19 page, or see our Michigan Health Blog article, "Yes, You Should Wear a Mask. Here's How and Why".
For more information on about the CDC face covering recommendations and several U.S. pulmonary organizations' response to them, visit the press release on the American Lung Association's website: "American College of Chest Physicians, American Lung Association, American Thoracic Society and COPD Foundation Statement on Importance of Patients with Chronic Lung Disease Wearing Facial Coverings."