Masks for running during covid19

Help! What is the best mask to use while running, and where can we get them? I have someone making me courting ones, but I doubt they will "stay on nicely" while running.
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Replies

  • Jthanmyfitnesspal
    Jthanmyfitnesspal Posts: 3,522 Member
    I don't like them, either. A big wad of sweaty cotton on your face! I'm hoping there won't be a local ordinance that requires them. I have routes that are quite unpopulated.
  • brittanystebbins95
    brittanystebbins95 Posts: 567 Member
    I can hardly breathe for the first mile of any run, and I cough for hours, if not an entire day, after I run. I've never had it checked out but its been an occurrence my whole life and I recently came to the conclusion that it may be exercise induced asthma.
    I cannot imagine trying to run with something over my face. Not to mention how much I sweat and how often I have to blow snot rockets. (Yes, I've been mindful of others. I've only been doing it in intersections or in the ditch when I need to, where I can be sure children won't be touching the ground, playing with chalk on sidewalks, etc.)
    Good luck to you if you find something that works.
  • swirlybee
    swirlybee Posts: 497 Member
    cwolfman13 wrote: »

    What cities are mandating that they be worn just going out your front door? Just generally curious as I've heard of no mandates...and mandate would seem like big news to me. I've only heard it recommended to wear them when going out and doing your shopping and whatnot when you're obviously going to be in closer contact with others. Our governor isn't recommending to just wear them anywhere outside of the house, only if you're shopping or having to go to work, etc and continues to recommend that families get out on walks and whatnot, but to avoid doing so where you're likely to encounter large numbers of people. There has been no mention here of wearing a mask just being outside in general.
    San Diego.
  • sijomial
    sijomial Posts: 19,809 Member
    The approaches to the use of masks seems to differ greatly from country to country.
    If someone does decide to wear one then sensible to learn why to use it, how to use and how to dispose of it.

    Here's the WHO advice.....
    https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public/when-and-how-to-use-masks
  • Cherimoose
    Cherimoose Posts: 5,208 Member
    edited April 2020
    Common masks filters out 95% of all particulates .30 microns and larger. Sounds great, right? Yes, it does, until you consider the size of a typical coronavirus which is from .12 microns down to .004 microns. In other words, the virus can very easily pass right through the mask like its not even there.

    But masks can filter out the respiratory droplets that the viruses are found on. The WHO says the virus is "primarily transmitted between people through respiratory droplets and contact routes." (source)
    lorrpb wrote: »
    Surgical masks and N95 masks should be reserved for health care personnel. They’re running out of masks. Please.

    You can easily make a mask that's equivalent to N95 masks using a vacuum bag. Plenty of tutorials are on Youtube. Choose one with bendable metal over the nose, for a better seal. If possible, use an HEPA vacuum bag. :+1:
  • MaltedTea
    MaltedTea Posts: 6,286 Member
    @swirlybee San Diego's "If you leave your place, cover your face" statement and #stayhomesd is not a mandate (which, in this context, is an official or legal order and possibly what @cwolfman13 meant) but a public awareness campaign. Furthermore, they've asked that residents "plan physical activities that can be done while at home."

    So the conversation about running with a mask (medical or non-medical) is moot, at least as recommended by San Diego officials, at this time. Are there cities or other locations mandating masks for outdoor activities despite maintaining social distance? Perhaps, but I only live in my city and did 5 min of research for San Diego which happened to be mentioned.

    Folks, let us let clear heads, your local reality and currently available evidence-based science prevail. We all want to stay healthy, ensure our loved ones stay healthy and return to normal lives sooner rather than later. @sijomial's WHO link is a great place to start, but also check in with your local municipality (as well as your healthcare team, if needed).

    Again, I hope the OP and everyone else finds the best way to stay physically and emotionally healthy during these trying times.
  • midlomel1971
    midlomel1971 Posts: 1,283 Member
    why do you need a mask if you are running outside? (which I'm assuming you are)
  • MelanieCN77
    MelanieCN77 Posts: 4,047 Member
    edited April 2020
    swirlybee wrote: »
    cwolfman13 wrote: »

    What cities are mandating that they be worn just going out your front door? Just generally curious as I've heard of no mandates...and mandate would seem like big news to me. I've only heard it recommended to wear them when going out and doing your shopping and whatnot when you're obviously going to be in closer contact with others. Our governor isn't recommending to just wear them anywhere outside of the house, only if you're shopping or having to go to work, etc and continues to recommend that families get out on walks and whatnot, but to avoid doing so where you're likely to encounter large numbers of people. There has been no mention here of wearing a mask just being outside in general.
    San Diego.

    Los Angeles and Ventura counties just last week.

    And on the federal level:

    https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/what-dr-fauci-wants-you-to-know-about-face-masks-and-staying-home-as-virus-spreads

    "Americans should wear face masks as a way to help stifle the spread of COVID-19, said Dr. Anthony Fauci, one of the nation’s top doctors leading the public health fight against the coronavirus pandemic — a departure from previous government guidance to only wear a mask if you were caring for someone with the illness or had it yourself.

    “If everybody does that, we’re each protecting each other,” Fauci said in an interview with PBS NewsHour anchor and managing editor Judy Woodruff. His comments came shortly before President Donald Trump’s coronavirus task force shared national recommendations for people to wear non-medical face masks. The task force did not recommend the use of surgical or medical grade face masks, which are in short supply for hospitals and front line health care workers."
  • MelanieCN77
    MelanieCN77 Posts: 4,047 Member
    why do you need a mask if you are running outside? (which I'm assuming you are)

    It's not about running, it's about being outside and meeting others.
  • MelanieCN77
    MelanieCN77 Posts: 4,047 Member
    Mayor Garcetti recommended masks in a video address last week and pushed it to socials, and Ventura county put it on their social media with a catchy rhyme. I didn't make it up or misunderstand. I chose the wrong word in "mandate" but the escalation of measures is a result of people not taking any of the stages of care seriously. If people choose to not exercise caution and infection and death rates continue to increase, things will get even more strict and the kind of things we are being asked to be sensible about and do voluntarily will start being legislated and enforced. I'm certainly not paranoid enough to be recommending OP wears a mask if he goes for a run where he meets nobody. Hang it about your neck and pull it up when you need it while continuing to socially distance and follow all other in place recommendations.
  • GiddyupTim
    GiddyupTim Posts: 2,819 Member
    There is a simple, small study, just published, suggesting surgical masks are quite ineffective at blocking the virus.
    https://annals.org/aim/fullarticle/2764367/effectiveness-surgical-cotton-masks-blocking-sars-cov-2-controlled-comparison
    On the other hand, when someone is infected, coughing and sneezing propels many more viral particles than does quiet breathing through the nose. Shouting also sends more particles into the air and shouting may be more akin to running. In those cases, when someone might be spewing bigger numbers of germs, a mask might help.
    Also, when the CDC made its recent recommendation that people should wear masks in public, it was with the idea not that the mask was protecting the wearer, but that it might help protect others from the wearer, in case the wearer was infected and did not know it because they were asymptomatic.
    For what any of that is worth.
    I wouldn't wear one to exercise outside myself. The masks seriously interfere with breathing. The outside is pretty safe provided you maintain a good distance.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    edited April 2020
    swirlybee wrote: »
    cwolfman13 wrote: »

    What cities are mandating that they be worn just going out your front door? Just generally curious as I've heard of no mandates...and mandate would seem like big news to me. I've only heard it recommended to wear them when going out and doing your shopping and whatnot when you're obviously going to be in closer contact with others. Our governor isn't recommending to just wear them anywhere outside of the house, only if you're shopping or having to go to work, etc and continues to recommend that families get out on walks and whatnot, but to avoid doing so where you're likely to encounter large numbers of people. There has been no mention here of wearing a mask just being outside in general.
    San Diego.

    Los Angeles and Ventura counties just last week.

    And on the federal level:

    https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/what-dr-fauci-wants-you-to-know-about-face-masks-and-staying-home-as-virus-spreads

    "Americans should wear face masks as a way to help stifle the spread of COVID-19, said Dr. Anthony Fauci, one of the nation’s top doctors leading the public health fight against the coronavirus pandemic — a departure from previous government guidance to only wear a mask if you were caring for someone with the illness or had it yourself.

    “If everybody does that, we’re each protecting each other,” Fauci said in an interview with PBS NewsHour anchor and managing editor Judy Woodruff. His comments came shortly before President Donald Trump’s coronavirus task force shared national recommendations for people to wear non-medical face masks. The task force did not recommend the use of surgical or medical grade face masks, which are in short supply for hospitals and front line health care workers."

    It is recommended just about everywhere to wear a mask when venturing out into the public where you're going to have closer contact with the public. These aren't "mandates" which would be enforceable by law. Most people I see going to the store and whatnot here are compliant with that recommendation...it's really not particularly applicable when just walking around my neighborhood though. Our governor has even clarified that unless it is a recreational situation in which it is difficult to socially distance...but also clarified that people shouldn't be putting themselves in that position anyway as there are plenty of outdoor opportunities that don't require being in crowds of people

    Again, a "mandate" is a legal order that can be punishable by arrest or fine or both. Nobody is doing that.
  • ccrdragon
    ccrdragon Posts: 3,374 Member
    cwolfman13 wrote: »
    swirlybee wrote: »
    cwolfman13 wrote: »

    What cities are mandating that they be worn just going out your front door? Just generally curious as I've heard of no mandates...and mandate would seem like big news to me. I've only heard it recommended to wear them when going out and doing your shopping and whatnot when you're obviously going to be in closer contact with others. Our governor isn't recommending to just wear them anywhere outside of the house, only if you're shopping or having to go to work, etc and continues to recommend that families get out on walks and whatnot, but to avoid doing so where you're likely to encounter large numbers of people. There has been no mention here of wearing a mask just being outside in general.
    San Diego.

    Los Angeles and Ventura counties just last week.

    And on the federal level:

    https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/what-dr-fauci-wants-you-to-know-about-face-masks-and-staying-home-as-virus-spreads

    "Americans should wear face masks as a way to help stifle the spread of COVID-19, said Dr. Anthony Fauci, one of the nation’s top doctors leading the public health fight against the coronavirus pandemic — a departure from previous government guidance to only wear a mask if you were caring for someone with the illness or had it yourself.

    “If everybody does that, we’re each protecting each other,” Fauci said in an interview with PBS NewsHour anchor and managing editor Judy Woodruff. His comments came shortly before President Donald Trump’s coronavirus task force shared national recommendations for people to wear non-medical face masks. The task force did not recommend the use of surgical or medical grade face masks, which are in short supply for hospitals and front line health care workers."

    It is recommended just about everywhere to wear a mask when venturing out into the public where you're going to have closer contact with the public. These aren't "mandates" which would be enforceable by law. Most people I see going to the store and whatnot here are compliant with that recommendation...it's really not particularly applicable when just walking around my neighborhood though. Our governor has even clarified that.

    Again, a "mandate" is a legal order that can be punishable by arrest or fine or both. Nobody is doing that.

    not true - Laredo, TX is:

    https://time.com/5815641/laredo-face-mask-fine/
  • MelanieCN77
    MelanieCN77 Posts: 4,047 Member
    I clarified in a previous comment that I chose the wrong word, but the recommendation exists and has all the potential to be escalated on a wide scale. I'm glad you're seeing compliance but that's just not true everywhere. I had a woman move TOWARDS me and brush by when I stopped to give her room. A guy in the post office last week laughed at the markers on the floor and then open mouth cough on the back of the neck of the guy he chose to crowd instead. I am running outside, and after the last recommendations have my mask ready around my neck. I give all the room I can when I can and if someone doesn't meet me halfway or makes it impossible I tell them so.
  • dudasd1973
    dudasd1973 Posts: 275 Member
    cwolfman13 wrote: »
    MaltedTea wrote: »
    If you're running, a mask isn't necessary.

    Some folks wear them for urban runs (like, if your running route has you alongside idling cars or high traffic for reason). Others, usu. athletes and biohacking fanatics, have masks that modify their oxygen intake.

    As others have mentioned, just go out 'n run 'n keep your distance from others. I've switched to evening/night runs (in lighted areas) as there's even fewer folks outside.

    Some cities are mandating them for being outdoors now. If people want to comply and be part of the solution, don't be telling them they're "not necessary." You've no idea how busy anyone's route is. Six feet distance was original six to eight and for normal breathing. Not a lot of sidewalks offer that kind of option, and every one encounter you fail at defeats the whole point.

    People who consider their understanding of the science to be superior and do what they think is best regardless of advice and community effort are the ones who are gonna make this thing drag on longer than it needs to.

    Hit the disagree button and enjoy your endless quarantine.

    What cities are mandating that they be worn just going out your front door? Just generally curious as I've heard of no mandates...and mandate would seem like big news to me. I've only heard it recommended to wear them when going out and doing your shopping and whatnot when you're obviously going to be in closer contact with others. Our governor isn't recommending to just wear them anywhere outside of the house, only if you're shopping or having to go to work, etc and continues to recommend that families get out on walks and whatnot, but to avoid doing so where you're likely to encounter large numbers of people. There has been no mention here of wearing a mask just being outside in general.

    Pennsylvania as a whole state has advised they should be worn when going outside. If the curve doesn't flattten soon, I can see it becoming a mandate.
  • nighthawk584
    nighthawk584 Posts: 2,023 Member
    MaltedTea wrote: »
    If you're running, a mask isn't necessary.

    Some folks wear them for urban runs (like, if your running route has you alongside idling cars or high traffic for reason). Others, usu. athletes and biohacking fanatics, have masks that modify their oxygen intake.

    As others have mentioned, just go out 'n run 'n keep your distance from others. I've switched to evening/night runs (in lighted areas) as there's even fewer folks outside.

    Some cities are mandating them for being outdoors now. If people want to comply and be part of the solution, don't be telling them they're "not necessary." You've no idea how busy anyone's route is. Six feet distance was original six to eight and for normal breathing. Not a lot of sidewalks offer that kind of option, and every one encounter you fail at defeats the whole point.

    People who consider their understanding of the science to be superior and do what they think is best regardless of advice and community effort are the ones who are gonna make this thing drag on longer than it needs to.

    Hit the disagree button and enjoy your endless quarantine.

    The CDC just recommends a mask . There is no mandate that requires a person to wear one. Even NYC, the hardest hit isn't doing that.
  • heybales
    heybales Posts: 18,842 Member
    Seems like the mask strong comments are from those officials seeing that way too many people aren't able to follow the other guidelines already in place.

    Don't touch face unless hands are clean.

    Don't be breathing in air and on things in close proximity to other people.

    Don't be touching things with dirty hands.

    If high risk group stay away from everything - let others do it for you.

    Merely watching people going into and through grocery store shows me there are still those coughing into their hands, into air, touch face after touching surfaces.

    And older friends clearly in high-risk group were originally commenting about still going out for things to high-risk areas.

    Same way some areas have done curfews because even with requirement for no social gatherings people weren't getting it.

    Extreme suggestions/orders are given when people can't follow the simple ones. Just improves the odds of those able to follow directions.

    And no way could I or would I run with mask, my fogged glasses would create a totally different but real health hazard - but I would totally be able to avoid anyone else while running - either breathing into air someone may walk into, or running into air someone else has been breathing into. Routes aren't hard here to avoid everyone, or the right time in combo.
  • corinasue1143
    corinasue1143 Posts: 7,464 Member
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    They’re both towns, not big cities. It’s early, so we don’t know how strictly it will be enforced. But the pendulum is definitely swinging that direction.