[Windguy]

Originally Posted by npwalters

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.

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.

[Windguy]

Originally Posted by Choro&Swing

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.

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

[DeanFL]

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

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

[Cparker]

Originally Posted by JohnB

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.

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.

[sdeikenberry]

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.

[asianthree]

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.

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by Choro&Swing

.... UV from sunlight quickly kills the virus in those droplets.

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

[allsport]

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

[Byte1]

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.

[Bill1701]

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.

Originally Posted by Gpsma

Really? No need to walk with a mask.

This isnt the Bubonic Plague

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.

[Jazzman]

Originally Posted by dougjb

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.

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.

[Joelack99]

Originally Posted by Velvet

‘
“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.

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

[argos5usa]

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.

[npwalters]

Originally Posted by Velvet

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.

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.