Wear mask while exercising?
 

I've seen more people wearing some type of mask while doing outdoor activities such as biking and walking. Should we all be wearing a mask even while we exercise?

Yes, to prevent moisture escaping our mouths while breathing, talking or singing, if one is exercising near people. Studies show the louder noise we make from our mouths the further the droplets go. The mask also protects you from someone suddenly sneezing etc as you go by. And respiratory microdroplets can stay in the air for up to several hours. I wear my full face helmet while riding myself. At home on the treadmill I don’t wear a mask.

the magic words....."...if one is exercising near people..."

Really? No need to walk with a mask.

This isnt the Bubonic Plague

‘
“Bubonic plague is fatal in about 50-70% of untreated cases, but perhaps 10-15% when treated.” At our age group because it cannot be treated at all, Covid-19 is not that different.

I guess the fact that "respiratory microdroplets can stay in the air for up to several hours." kind of nullifies the 6 ft separation in a store plan. Apparently I can be infected by a person that was in the space several hours prior to my arrival.

The thinking is that the probability is low since airborne is not the main way of transmission. A problem that concerns me is that the virus has different degrees of lethal ness by age and vulnerability. If you are not in that fragile group then I guess you can take somewhat more risk.

virus
 

this is a virus - you cannot see it - you must take precautions to avoid breathing it into your body where it will try to suffocate you by irritating your lungs to the point you cannot absorb oxygen - dont you get that? Sooner or later all people will be exposed in some manner or form. Take precautions or suffer the consequences. It will kill you.

This 3-D Simulation Shows Why Social Distancing Is So Important
 

This may help you. Definitely don't be down wind.

This 3-D Simulation Shows Why Social Distancing Is So Important - The New York Times

Well, The Lone Ranger never left home without one

and Clayton Moore lived a long life :icon_wink:

You must be living under a rock. It’s been recommended to wear a mask at ALL times when outside.

Such microdroplets dissipate in seconds with the slightest breeze, and UV from sunlight quickly kills the virus in those droplets. If I were walking or biking with a friend I think I would wear a mask, but not by myself. It’s sort of like smoking. If you are face to face with people, they can definitely smell it. In the same car, yes. In the same room, yes. Outside, probably not much if the people are just walking by. Multiple lungfuls of contaminated air are more likely to share the virus than a distant whiff.

Is there one whiff of science in any of that? Please show us any source that indicates that microdroplets dissipate within seconds. Please read the NYT article relating research conducted by MIT that indicates the exact opposite. Your choice of when to use a mask is contrary to most new public directives to ALWAYS wear a mask in public. Please show us a source for your point that it takes multiple lungfuls of contaminated air to share the virus. No current research has quantified the amount of virus that must be inhaled to become infected.

I do appreciate your opinion. But, your opinion is so off as to constitute a dangerous approach to this pandemic.

According to data at the CDC's National Vital Statistics System, persons over 65 account for 76 % of all reported deaths, 78% of all reported deaths due to COVID19, 82% of reported deaths listing pneumonia as a cause, and 80% of deaths reported with COVID19 and pneumonia coded. I don't see a huge statistical difference in these. We have pneumonia vaccine, no social separaation and did not wear masks yielding a greater percentage of us seniors dying with pneumonia than with COVID for which we separate, wear masks, and there is no vaccine yet. I'm trying to understand the national panic on the basis of actual data rather than its political component. Data is as reported 4/13 -- it does update daily.

If you are high risk you must be careful, do you really think 2 weeks from now the virus will be any less dangerous? Of course not. Life must go on. If you are afraid you will need to continue to be careful. Half of the people asked have said if there is a vaccine they will not get it. So when will you be safe?

Which is why we ALL need to wear masks. I wear a bandana whenever I leave the house—even in my golf cart. That prevents me from infusing the air with my possible germs. It does absolutely NOTHING to help me. I guess I’m different than too many people around here—I actually care about other people and am willing to do something mildly uncomfortable if it might save someone else’s life.

Uh, cigarette smoke makes breathing difficult for me from 100 feet away if I’m downwind.

yep, I always come to ToTV or other public forums for personal health advice....

'ask the experts', and get "opinions" all around 360 degrees.

The thing left out from your comments is the highly contagious nature of this virus. Without social distancing many more will get this virus. similar percentages applied to many more people means many more very unfavorable outcomes.

Whoa wait a minute. SUNLIGHT DOES NOT KILL COVID19. Google it. Sunlight is not strong enough UV to kill a virus. We need to be accurate in what we say to help others stay safe.

Our entire family is used to wearing masks including 95s for 8 to 12 hours ar a time, while working.
Nothing like sneezing and working with same mask for hours, eeewwww, but no choice

Here while exercising we do not wear a mask, since no one is near us. Plus integrity of mask with sweat leavings much to be desired.

Hoping when I get to return to work in the next month or so, PPE will be back in abundance.

I donated my stash boxes of 95s and procedure masks in my locker to the staff still working, that we all call our second family. I got a virtual group hug, clapping video on Facebook, when they opened my locker for much needed masks.

From what I've read, sunlight or heat does not kill the virus.
Please be accurate in what you post; it could save lives.

Unless you have a N95 mask, you are not protected from other people, you are only protecting others from you.

Better to just not leave home. That way, you can stay safe. You also won't have to worry about getting hit by a golf cart or stepping in dog poop.

Yes, the 6ft rule, along with groups of 10, were just numbers someone picked because they were easy to remember. There is no scientific evidence that they are safe.

Depends on how many others you encounter when you walk and how close you get. I can see that for some wearing a mask while walking makes sense. My wife and I know the peak times in our neighborhood and we wait for the lulls.

And so are the many theories posted on this board by individuals who get their news from Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc. And please show us your source. If everyone is that hesitant to venture out without a mask maybe they should just stay home.

Not to mention that bubonic plague is spread by fleas on rats. Covid-19 is spread by breathing.

Anyone who is germophobic or paranoid should be wearing a mask at all times, whether inside or outside...maybe two masks, so you can remove the outside one when you walk inside...germs, bacteria and viruses are everywhere, so keep diligent... forever.

I made a response to this that I thought would be recognized as sarcasm. Apparently it was not by some. To be clear, I do not agree with the above at all. I do not wear a mask when I'm outside walking or cycling. I do wear a mask when I'm forced into close contact with others such as a busy grocery store.

The below is taken from the NIH site. I'm sure the worlds top scientist used similar data to establish their social distancing recommendations - 6 ft.

"C.2. Droplet evaporation
In the classic study of airborne transmission, Wells was able to identify the difference between disease transmission via large droplets and by airborne routes. Wells found that, under normal air conditions, droplets smaller than 100 μm in diameter would completely dry out before falling approximately 2 m to the ground. This finding allowed the establishment of the theory of droplets and droplet nuclei transmission depending on the size of the infected droplet. The Wells evaporation-falling curve of droplets (see Figure C.2) is important in understanding airborne transmission and transmission by large droplets. Wells' study also demonstrated that droplets could transform into droplet nuclei by evaporation."

You should do your own research on line but my take away is aligned with the vast majority of MDs. Airborne transmission of COVID 19 outdoors by those practicing physical separation is virtually nil.

Reasonable post
 

Reasonable quote:
It’s easy to observe from some of the comments that some have become paranoid regarding Coronavirus. Yes, we should be concerned and diligent but it is possible to go “overboard”.

MASKS..... YES YES YES.. especially with the windy conditions.. someone coughs or sneezes at the top of the street, and the germ gets 200 yards in a flash, so get used to them, as the next step is being allowed out regularly WITH MASKS...still those folk in stores ( senior hours) without gloves or mask .. shame on you.I dont care if you get it, but DONT GIVE IT TO EVERYONE ELSE.......especially grocery store staff, and those on the front line. Marion Sumter and Lake Counties have almost the lowest cases, lets keep it that way.

YOU ARE KIDDING -- RIGHT NOW THE STATS IN THE STATES are a mortality of 0.7 percent -- and many of those people were with severe comorbidities -- I really laugh when I see people walking alone with a mask or even more hysterical is people driving alone in their cars with the windows up -- come on -- you will probably never have a normal life again -- this is nothing like a plague -- if you are so afraid -- just stay home FOREVER

the concentration of virus particles flying in the wind would never be enough to cause an infection

The CDC recommended wearing masks "WHERE IT IS DIFFICULT TO MAINTAIN SOCIAL DISTANCING". They did not say wear them all the time. The MIT study of airborne micro droplets was conducted in a sealed environment WITHOUT WIND OR HIGH HUMIDITY.

We have wind and more importantly, high humidity. Higher humidity means more moisture droplets in the air which are heavier than the micro droplets someone might create by coughing or sneezing. The micro droplets are overwhelmed and fall to the ground in a matter of nano seconds. Wind disperses any micro droplets which reduces risk. Outdoor activity with social spacing is safer than going to Publix with a mask. And that's not a big risk either.

One more comment before the flaming begins: Ask yourself this question. If this virus is so contagious, where are all the cases we should be seeing? Social distancing alone does not account for the relatively small number of cases here or elsewhere in the US. 30 million Americans got the flu this season and the Wuhan virus is supposed to be much more contagious. yet only 1 million cases have been documented. Think about it.

Good points.

We need to adapt appropriate risk mitigation measures that are reasonably sustainable over 12-18 months.

Everything in life has risks. Likelihood of getting hit by lightening may be higher than getting COVID in the open air. Sorry but only way to go for the zero risk people is just stay home.

I do wish the health agencies would publish some examples where they have traced back to sources of infection. Especially when so many medical professionals imply there is viral load connection with sustained contact and/or surface to face.

YOU SHOULD JUST STAY IN YOUR HOUSE FOREVER -- you are wrong on so many counts -- you must think that pollen is dangerous too --- maybe that carries the virus and is on your patio and car -- according to you everyone must already have the virus and soon we will all be dead -- NO SCIENCE IN ANYTHING YOU SAY

If it brings you peace of mind... go for it

Very good advice - especially when coupled with "just don't try to force it on me".

If it makes you feel better...do it!