Masks for running during covid19

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  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    edited April 2020
    dudasd1973 wrote: »
    cwolfman13 wrote: »
    MelanieCN77 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.

    Just for being outside? That sounds nonsensical. What is a mask going to provide just being outside in my neighborhood with nobody around...nothing. I can see it with the stores and whatnot, but just being outside in general seems like a knee jerk, nonsensical application with pretty much zero net benefit. Glad that isn't my government.

    I can see it ultimately being mandated to wear one if you're going to be in a store or otherwise in an area that could be harder to socially distant...but outside walking the neighborhood or sitting on my patio seems over the top ridiculous. Maybe people are misinterpreting what is being said...our state also recommends wearing a mask or other face cover when going out...but they don't mean just going outside...they mean being out and about shopping, running errands, etc. Our governor has clarified that several times.

    Ironically...or actually probably not, I went to Costco yesterday afternoon and I'd say probably 70% were wearing a mask or other face cover...almost everyone I saw was also touching their face constantly to adjust the mask or face covering.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    corinasue1143 wrote: »
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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.

    I think "when out in public" needs context and further clarification as our governor has done.
  • MelanieCN77
    MelanieCN77 Posts: 4,047 Member
    Lots of places are struggling to get their messaging coherent and pushed out clearly all at once. Rightly or wrongly, a lot of infrastructure was just not prepared, but we all have brains and can muddle along sensibly together. They can't say things like "wear a mask outside unless you think you don't need it" - they've trusted "common sense" so far and we're still a way from getting a handle on spread. We've gone from "wash your hands" to "keep 6 feet" to "safer at home" to "wear a mask" and it's not hard to see why. Every armchair epidemiologist who questions the measures feeds into the remaining reluctance to believe how serious the matter is, and makes them think they'll be seen as alarmist or stupid somehow for observing social distancing properly. I prefer the idea of a couple of weeks of face coverings and other recommended behaviours over needing permission from the state to leave my house at all, which is not a crazy conspiracy level theory at this point.
  • Duck_Puddle
    Duck_Puddle Posts: 3,237 Member
    For a lot of us who live in more urban areas that are already at or beyond hospital capacity, there is strong messaging to wear a face covering when outside - very especially (but not only) in areas where social distancing is difficult. In more urban areas or places with limited safe spaces for walking/running/biking, it is not always easy to maintain a safe distance everywhere except inside a store.

    The face covering is not to protect the person wearing it.

    The face covering is to help the thousands of asymptomatic people from breathing virus all over other people and things.

    It is also clear in the messaging that the face covering is NOT to be a medical grade mask - but some sort of cloth something (including a winter scarf, your dog’s bandana or a torn up t shirt).

    When there is no more hospital space, or equipment, or PPE for medical staff to safely test and treat affected people, “over the top” measures to attempt to limit infection (even in a small degree) aren’t as wildly out of place as they may seem in places with fewer of those situations.

    Circumstances are not the same everywhere. We are subject to fines If we leave the house for non-critical reasons. Some places don’t have any sort of stay home recommendation.

    There’s great variation in what is “normal” appropriate and recommended based on your location (how urban, the amount of resources available, how prevalent the virus is in the community, etc.).

    I cannot imagine wearing a mask to run outside. But I have given up on having a safe distance outside so I don’t have to try and figure it out anymore.
  • huntersvonnegut
    huntersvonnegut Posts: 1,177 Member
    I’m lucky enough that my route is fairly isolated and it’s easy to maintain a buffer of more than 10 ft from the few people I do encounter so I don’t wear a mask on my run. I have stated wearing one on my once a week food shopping trips.
  • Viking_Dad
    Viking_Dad Posts: 185 Member
    SchweddyGirl wrote: »
    OP...and anyone else coming in here to get a recommendation on a mask to wear while running...if wearing a mask is a necessity to you then a good option is a gaiter. You can wear it around your neck and then pull it up over your mouth and nose if you pass individuals, then pull it back down once you are a safe distance away. Buff is great brand as they make gaiters tailored directly for runners and outdoor activities.

    Exactly what I do; I pull it up high and fold it down to double thickness over my mouth and nose.
  • _nikkiwolf_
    _nikkiwolf_ Posts: 1,380 Member
    notapilgrim wrote: »
    SchweddyGirl wrote: »
    OP...and anyone else coming in here to get a recommendation on a mask to wear while running...if wearing a mask is a necessity to you then a good option is a gaiter. You can wear it around your neck and then pull it up over your mouth and nose if you pass individuals, then pull it back down once you are a safe distance away. Buff is great brand as they make gaiters tailored directly for runners and outdoor activities.

    Exactly what I do; I pull it up high and fold it down to double thickness over my mouth and nose.
    I think the double thickness is essential when you are close to other people, while grocery shopping and such. Stretchy knit fabrics have so many holes, if you wear them as a single layer they don't do much.
    Fun test: stand in front of a mirror and breath on it without a mask / with just a single layer of Buff or similar, and with e.g. a self-made mask of two or three layers of non-stretch cotton. And then watch how much the mirror fogs up.
    Disclaimer: I have no idea how that scientifically relates to the amount of potentially contagious water droplets you spread around. But when the mirror fogs up less, that's probably because less moisture from your breath is reaching it.

    That being said, for running I would go with the gaiter option. Breathing through a mask is hard! At the moment I chose uncrowded routes for running, and manage to keep my distance from everyone, so in my situation I would feel it's enough. I'm still going to get out the sewing machine and make some thicker clothes masks before the next grocery shopping trip.
  • tinkerbellang83
    tinkerbellang83 Posts: 9,142 Member
    edited April 2020
    A folded over buff (the type used by motorcyclists and hikers) might be comfortable for running in depending on climate, I used to use one in cold weather as cold air agitates my breathing still after being a child asthmatic and also during sandstorms when I worked overseas. It's not going to give you the level of protection a surgical mask will but anything is better than nothing if you're coming across others on your route.
  • AnnPT77
    AnnPT77 Posts: 34,627 Member
    Not endorsing this, as I have no relevant expertise. Just sharing it as a potentially relevant view related to discussion in this thread.

    https://medium.com/@jurgenthoelen/belgian-dutch-study-why-in-times-of-covid-19-you-can-not-walk-run-bike-close-to-each-other-a5df19c77d08
  • MichelleMcKeeRN
    MichelleMcKeeRN Posts: 450 Member
    Two layers of tightly woven cotton appears to be the recommendation. I made a couple. dudefsdky8oz.jpeg
    .
  • DancingMoosie
    DancingMoosie Posts: 8,619 Member
    Just wondering if anyone has tried going out for a run wearing a mask? Our governor is opening parks as of Monday, but also requiring face covering. So, if I want to run, I need to cover my face. I have a double-knit mask. Wondering if it's worth trying to get a run in.
  • corinasue1143
    corinasue1143 Posts: 7,460 Member
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    I don’t run. I didn’t know what a gaiter was, so googled it and found this article, which explained it well, and I thought had good info. Sorry, I don’t know how to post a link.
  • _nikkiwolf_
    _nikkiwolf_ Posts: 1,380 Member
    corinasue1143 wrote: »
    tklarc4ljpxf.png
    I don’t run. I didn’t know what a gaiter was, so googled it and found this article, which explained it well, and I thought had good info. Sorry, I don’t know how to post a link.
    Great article. thanks! I found the link, here it is: https://www.onthewater.com/is-a-buff-a-good-face-mask
  • Lillymoo01
    Lillymoo01 Posts: 2,865 Member
    cmriverside wrote: »
    So I walk every day. I've planned a route that is very hilly and the road to get there is narrow - which is good because not many people are on it.

    HOWEVER..I would like to please ask bikers and runners who come up behind a walker to PLEASE give us a 6 foot buffer. It really irritates me that bikes and runners can't 1.) Warn me they are coming up behind me 2.) Give me the social distance. Cross to the other side, or at least to the middle of the (empty) road. I can't see you coming when you are directly behind me. C'mon.

    I have had a couple of times when an elbow out at the right time would have collected them on the way past. So irresponsible, even if it weren't for COVID 19.
  • DancingMoosie
    DancingMoosie Posts: 8,619 Member
    Ok, so no one is out and about in my neighborhood. I like to take walks, but the city is mandating masks when away from home. I'm assuming this means walking the neighborhood....Even if I'm the only one. If I see anyone else, it's usually in their own yard, and I'm not going on their property. So, I guess I should just wear my mask and smother myself? It's supposed to be high 80s-90 this week.
  • kimny72
    kimny72 Posts: 16,011 Member
    DancingMoosie wrote: »
    Ok, so no one is out and about in my neighborhood. I like to take walks, but the city is mandating masks when away from home. I'm assuming this means walking the neighborhood....Even if I'm the only one. If I see anyone else, it's usually in their own yard, and I'm not going on their property. So, I guess I should just wear my mask and smother myself? It's supposed to be high 80s-90 this week.

    Would a bandanna fit the mandate? I wonder if since the bottom is more open it would be easier to breathe and cooler.
  • DancingMoosie
    DancingMoosie Posts: 8,619 Member
    Anything covering nose and mouth fits the mandate.
  • fitpal4242
    fitpal4242 Posts: 109 Member
    I live in nyc (the epicenter of it all). We are mandated to wear masks if we are unable to social distance- in the grocery store, crowded sidewalk, etc. people miss that last part- we do not have to wear the mask simply because we are outside.

    I run outside without a mask. I spend about 90% of my run in the street running against traffic. I move back if a bike, bus or car is coming. It’s a lot of maneuvering- I’ll back up, jog in place out of the way until people pass, or whatever else I have to do to maintain my distance. If people get too close (there are people with no respect for this that will angle toward me, for example if they want to cross the street where there isn’t a cross-walk), I cover my mouth & nose with my sleeve and hold my breath until they’re out of my way. I’m also getting extra mileage in from all the wide circles I’m doing to avoid people.
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