Anyone going out in cold weather urged to follow ‘face mask’ rule | UK | News
Anyone going out in cold weather is asked to comply with the ‘face mask rule’ before going out. The advice comes as large parts of the UK face snow and ice this week, with the Met office issuing several yellow national severe weather warnings. Yellow warnings, where snow and ice are expected and temperatures are expected to drop below zero, will affect parts of Scotland and northern England until Thursday, November 20. A yellow cold health alert has been issued by the UK Health Safety Agency (UKHSA) for North West England, North East England, Yorkshire and the Humber; There are also yellow warnings for other regions. The Met Office said that the coldest weather will arrive on Wednesday, when snowfall is expected, and up to 5cm of snowfall will be possible at lower levels.
In the event of power outages, households are asked to prepare for winter weather by gathering essential supplies including flashlights, batteries and blankets, and anyone going out in cold weather is advised to take precautions, including adhering to the ‘face mask rule’.
The NHS warns that cold weather can trigger asthma symptoms and recommends people wear a scarf over their mouth, such as a face mask, to help protect against the cold.
According to the health service, using a scarf like a face mask helps reduce the risk of triggering asthma symptoms by warming the air before it is inhaled.
It is also recommended to breathe through your nose instead of your mouth, as this also warms the air as you breathe.
The NHS says: “Cold weather is a common trigger of asthma symptoms. There are things you can do to help control your symptoms in the cold.”
“Carry your reliever inhaler with you at all times, and continue to use your regular reliever inhaler as prescribed. If you need to use your inhaler more than usual, talk to your doctor to review your treatment.”
“Keep warm and dry; wear gloves, a scarf and a hat, and carry an umbrella. Wrap a scarf loosely over your nose and mouth; this will help warm the air before you breathe.”
“Try breathing through your nose instead of your mouth; your nose warms the air as you breathe.”
The Met Office advice also suggests people should plan to leave their homes at least five minutes earlier than usual to reduce the risk of accidents, slips and falls in icy weather, and stick to pavements on main roads if traveling on foot, as these are likely to be less slippery. If you’re cycling, it’s best to stick to main roads, which are more likely to be treated.
Deputy Chief Forecaster Tom Crabtree said: “Wednesday to Friday will be the coldest part of the week and this period has the greatest potential for impactful weather conditions with multiple warnings in place. Temperatures could drop to minus 10 overnight, with a significant wind from a strong north wind making it feel even colder.
“Winter snowfall is expected to extend southwards from Wednesday to Thursday and mainly affect north-facing coastal areas. Snow accumulations of 2-5 cm are possible in some low-lying areas in the north and east, where heavy rains are frequent.
“In parts of Northern Ireland, 5-10cm of snow could fall on hills in north-east England and Scotland, and 15-20cm of snow accumulation above 300 meters is possible in parts of north-east England and Scotland.
“Although there will be plenty of sunshine in many places, daytime temperatures will be well below average and there will be widespread frost in the evening, especially in sheltered areas.
