Runners that live in U.S. cities: are you wearing a mask while out running?

I've been wearing a mask any time I'm running in an area where I expect to see other people. It kinda sucks - it's hot, uncomfortable, etc. But I think it's the right thing to do. I'm not at risk personally, but the mask probably reduces the chance that I will spread the disease to someone else (who might then give it to a few more people, and so on).

The masks helps in two situations. First, if I am already infected and contagious but asymptomatic. The mask then makes it a bit less likely that I will spread it to others. Second, if one of the people running past me is contagious. In this case I may catch the disease and spread it to others before I develop symptoms. It is less clear that non-medical masks help prevent you from catching the disease, but my guess would be that masks are still slightly helpful with this.

If you really don't want to wear a mask, drive somewhere that you can run where you won't encounter other people. Simple as that. That's what I've been doing on weekends. In fact, this is a much better way to avoid contributing to the pandemic than wearing a mask is. But if you have to run in a place with people, at least wear a mask.

Two cautionary notes: Since we live in a broken world without enough N-95 masks, runners shouldn't be buying medical masks, since doctors need them like a million times more. Instead we should use a cloth mask - bandana, folded up t-shirt with rubber bands, etc. And second, wearing a mask doesn't mean you can't spread the disease. You still absolutely can, just a bit less. Staying away from people is still the top priority.

I'm in Maryland suburb just outside of DC, and I carry a mask with me just in case but never wear one. I also try to avoid the narrow trails and run more on the roads, which isn't bad at all since traffic is way down from what it normally is. I also like to run to the campus of the university, where there are miles of full sized roads and zero traffic. It's wonderful.

I live on the Virginia Peninsula and I do not wear a mask while running. When I pass others, I try to maintain the 6 foot rule out of respect for the other person. Most people are quite friendly and wave, and try to do the same thing. The majority in our neighborhood are not wearing masks while exercising.

I'm in Fort Collins and I run with no mask. Even on the city bike paths, there is enough room to space out and give others room. I swing wide and even onto the grass as necessary. The Governor of Colorado has included wearing masks while running as part of his guidelines. Even in natural areas, state parks in the middle of fing nowhere.... according to the governor...... if you leave your house: Wear a mask. I ran in an area N of town yesterday where I crossed paths with a family (all wearing masks) and scurried 50 feet off trail as I approached. Then, 2 mountain bikers and I ran wide off trail about 12-15 ft and waved. That's it. For 10 miles I saw 2 groups of humans. But the governor thinks I should be wearing a mask. I regret voting for someone that dumb.

Live in a 2nd ring MPLS/St Paul suburb. Not wearing a mask and estimate that <5% of people I see outside walking/running/biking/etc... are wearing one. Probably <1%.

Almost no cases around here.

Downtown Seattle - do not wear a mask personally (weekday runs are early am and so trails/paths fairly uncrowded, weekends can be a different story but I run weekend routes to avoid the most crowded places). Of other runners, perhaps 10-20% are wearing some kind of face covering; of other people outside not running, perhaps 40-50% are wearing some kind of face covering.

I realize that for some, the decision around wearing or not wearing a mask outside (key word - OUTSIDE) ends up being a reason for moral judgment but I find that pretty over the top. Chance of transmission outside is pretty near zero and if you really can't stomach any chance of transmission at all, then stay in. It's not essential for you to be outside like it is to be in the grocery store buying food.

I'm in Chicago proper and I don't run with a mask.

There are a lot less people out anyway and running down the middle of quieter streets means I can give people a pretty wide berth even if they're also running in the street (a rarity in my area). There are also a few parks with decent sized fields so I've made a few mini loops that are fun to put together. Generally I just do a big lap around the neighborhood composed of mini loops.

I run in DC and do most of my running along the C&O around Georgetown which is about 6 feet wide. I don't wear a mask as i want to do my part in preventing the normalizing of it. Most people I see running don't, and the ones that do are slow runners.

Small city here. I wear a bandana and only put it up when I'm nearing someone. More or less just doing it out of courtesy.

Chicago: I run through the closed down parks around the fences. There's no one there so no need to wear a mask.

Great time to start wearing your training mask to build up your VO2max

But I don’t wear one for running. Since this started I’ve been running in industrial areas that have almost zero pedestrians. On the rare occasion there’s a walker or runner on my side of the street I switch sides

Chicago suburb. People have always hated runners here, so seeing many more hobby joggers prancing around mask free has many folks in an uproar.

I have exercise induced asthma and always ran with a mask in the winter. I dont run much anymore but wear it when my son jogs with me. He keeps it down on his chin and when he approaches people he'll put it over his mouth and nose out of respect for their fear. Very few people I come across wear them while running.

My city exempted people exercising by themselves from having to wear a mask. The hike and bike trail and local running loop trail have become very crowded during the lockdown. Fortunately, traffic is almost non-existent. So, I have been running in the streets in my neighborhood and have plenty of room to make sure I am on the other side of the street from any other pedestrians or runners.

I live in a rural resort part of New England and continue to run on my town's bike path mostly with out a mask. I have a light bandana I wear around my neck and will pull it up when passing people but I think it's more for show. I'd say less than 50% of people out running and biking are using them. Everyone is social distancing and for the most part being friendly. I had one woman yell WTF to me as I ran by her and her masked family from out of state more than 6 feet away! She should have been self quarantining. It's been an issue for locals and outsiders coming in. Most have been civil and friendly.

Live in Oregon, and I haven't seen anyone running in a mask. Maybe it makes sense if you're trying to make others "feel" safe, but practically speaking it seems like a waste.

I think most of what we've done regarding COVID-19 is good, but I also see a slant towards eliminating instead of flattening the curve. Some of these articles that take theoretical things that can happen in a lab, or at minute levels in the real world, and ask people to change behavior are over the top. No one wants to engage in irresponsible behavior that puts others at risk, but on the other hand, the goal of our behavior is not to prevent a single new case of COVID-19 from occurring.

Of course I'm wearing a mask. Have you seen the pollen counts recently!?

Galen R. wrote:

Of course I'm wearing a mask. Have you seen the pollen counts recently!?

Disappointed this didn't happen until page 2 of the thread LOL