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

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“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?