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

It is not just about you, the wearer. A mask is designed to protect those around you, as well.

ksdfj;alsdfksdj wrote:

I run in Southern California.

No mask when I run.

"Experts, including the CDC, continue to state that the evidence does not show that wearing a mask will protect the wearer"

It is not just about you, the wearer. A mask is designed to protect those around you, as well.

I do not, but I only run very early in the morning. Even my long run on the weekend doesn't go past 8am. Tampa BTW.

I live in Oakland, in the Rockridge neighborhood. I run in the street on low traffic residential streets and never come within six feet of anyone and do not wear a mask. Seldom do I see a runner with a mask. About 50% of the walkers are wearing masks.

In Boulder. I'd say 50-70% of all runners and cyclists wear a mask/Buff. (Or at least pull one up over their face when passing). Inside a grocery store? Maybe 80-90%. I use a "Buff" (cloth) and pull if up over my mouth/nose only when passing within about 15'. It is uncomfortable and hot and hard to breathe out of, but it is a pretty minor inconvenience when it comes to much greater consequences and potential risks. I only have to keep it on for 5-10 seconds at a time usually. It's also not really for my own protection at all but to help prevent the spread to others....which can save their lives. I just assume I have it and am contagious at all times. Now the whole "Borne By Air" Transmission obviously is influenced by tons of variables from wind vectors, humidity, your running speed and force of inhalation and exhalation. The other big unknown variable is at what viral load concentration it takes to infect someone (probably quite a bit). I've consulted with several epidemiologists on particle transmission through the air (yes, it's technically not "airborne" but realize that 6' of space is no magical safe distance...especially without a mask on). Still, if you're running up behind a cyclist who's breathing hard and coughing all over the place I probably wouldn't hang out in their "slipstream".....or even hang 20-15' behind them especially if I am also breathing hard and breathing in a ton of air. That is a big factor with possible outside transmission risk...we are exhaling respiratory droplets forcefully and inhaling in air at a higher rate and volume (compared to someone walking...were 6' in still wind conditions is much safer). Then you have the aerodynamics of movement with the differing airflows. While I agree that outside transmission (while running cycling) is probably very, very rare and would take some really unlucky circumstances, I think that pulling up a Buff/Mask when passing someone is still a good idea...especially if they are within say 10' of you. Even if the fabric isn't a super small knit and has much bigger holes than an N95 mask you are prevent the projection of quite a few large respiratory droplets (i.e if you happened to cough or wheeze and were contagious). Sure, going to the grocery store is probably a much higher risk for transmission (than running outside) and I'd rather people just I've an extra 6' of space, but because of a lot of the unknowns about this virus (especially how it spreads through the Air) it is generally better to be "extra cautious" and take (what many would view as "extreme") protective measures at all times. And for the record I think Polis has done great work within CO so far.

Could be anyone wrote:

ksdfj;alsdfksdj wrote:

I run in Southern California.

No mask when I run.

"Experts, including the CDC, continue to state that the evidence does not show that wearing a mask will protect the wearer"

It is not just about you, the wearer. A mask is designed to protect those around you, as well.

I live in Philadelphia and have worn a mask or a buff running every day since April 1.

It took 2 runs to not be super annoying. I'd say 75% of runners I see have something on their face.

I don't know if it is effective but it keeps me from getting my ass kicked by some angry Philadelphians and keeps my wife a bit happier.

It keeps me from blowing snot rockets and spitting so that has to be a good thing.

I'm in the Boston metro west suburbs and I started wearing a mask when running or cycling outside last week (had previously only been wearing at the grocery store, etc.). I use a buff, and generally just pull it up when approaching other folks (I've been trying to avoid high-traffic routes (e.g., Minuteman bike path), so usually only have it on-on for about 25% of the time. Kind of annoying, but not really a big deal. I'd say about 80%+ of people I encounter out on the roads and trails are wearing them, including most of my friends in my running and cycling clubs (including some really good/serious athletes). Some towns in my general area (e.g., Somerville) have now issued mandatory mask in public orders, so I imagine those will become more widespread soon anyway. FWIW, I understand logic of widespread (non-medical) mask wearing is not to prevent yourself from getting it, but to make it less likely that you spread it if you have it. This generally makes sense to me, given apparent high number of asymptomatic cases.

I was shocked today to hear of a guy in Boston who I spoke to getting yelled at while running. Said it was quite common in Boston and even with a mask which really means a bandanna I think.

I'm in Ct suburb and I hadn't even thought of wearing a mask while running. I keep my distance from people . Most people out exercising (more walking than running) in my town don't have masks. I had thought of masks more for situations where you are in close proximity of people for more than a fleeting second ie grocery shopping, stores, etc.

For those wearing masks while running what type of "mask" are you wearing. Seems like it would be hard to breathe but I've never worn a mask while running.

wejo wrote:

I was shocked today to hear of a guy in Boston who I spoke to getting yelled at while running. Said it was quite common in Boston and even with a mask which really means a bandanna I think.

I'm in Ct suburb and I hadn't even thought of wearing a mask while running. I keep my distance from people . Most people out exercising (more walking than running) in my town don't have masks. I had thought of masks more for situations where you are in close proximity of people for more than a fleeting second ie grocery shopping, stores, etc.

For those wearing masks while running what type of "mask" are you wearing. Seems like it would be hard to breathe but I've never worn a mask while running.

Ask any doctors about these homemade mask back in February. They would have laughed as they filter out little compared to surgical masks and even less compared to N95 masks. There is data online that compares various materials. Cotton, like found in t-shirts, is one of the worst at filtering.

Many or all of these homemade face coverings are providing a false sense of security. Many who may wear real surgical or other masks often wear them improperly. They need to cover the nose and mouth. They need to make sure there is no leakage around the N95 masks.

How did we get from wearing a mask when we cannot be sure to maintain at least 6 feet of distance to now wearing a mask all the time?

For contact tracing a recent report said they would only ask who one was within 6 feet for 15 minutes or longer. The viral load is a factor and more load may be transferred when prolonged exposure. If I am passing walkers from at least 6 feet and only near for less than 1 second then there should be no need for any mask.

If I have to wear a mask while running I will make it out of cheesecloth so I know I can breath freely.

From the April 10th task force press conference transcript:

"If you must go out, maintain six feet of distance between you and everyone else, and wear a mask if you’re going to be within six feet of others."

During one of the press conferences Dr. Fauci was asked if he would wear one. He said if he could not be sure he could maintain a 6 feet distance then he would. He never indicated he would wear on all the time. He never said he would wear one while running. I have not been able to find the correct transcript.

Los Angeles. No mask. I do have a Buff, which I could pull over my face if I had to pass close to someone, but that's mostly theoretical. I am running in uncrowded areas, and traffic is so light that I can often run in the middle of the street. That has been one nice thing.

Even for busier streets, the city has reprogrammed the crosswalk signals so that one need not press the button to get the "walk" signal. Should have always been this way, in my opinion. Source of much of my past jaywalking activities.

L.A. has issued actual guidelines on when and where mask usage is required, and I am doing my best to observe these. But I certainly don't feel that I need to placate Nextdoor crazies (who, when this is all over, I'm sure will go back to frantically alerting us all daily that they observed a suspicious dark-skinned man walking down the street).

I've been running most days in CP and it's just about impossible to keep 6' away from people for a full loop unless you are running on very off times or it's raining. I did a portion of a long run through CP Saturday afternoon and the park was as crowded as I've seen it in my 10+ years living in NYC. I was absolutely dumbfounded at the lack of face coverings. I'd say 30% of people walking or running did not have masks on or even appear to have them available. I did not take pictures but this article I found from early April has several photos showing about how crowded it was for those not familiar with the park:

https://people.com/travel/central-park-still-crowded-with-people-despite-stay-at-home-and-social-distancing-orders-in-nyc/

Social Distancing in CP on a nice day is just not possible. My concern with people not wearing face coverings is two fold:

1. Even if the chance of transmission is low and only a few people got infected by being in the park, every additional case results in a slower decline and NYC being on 'pause' longer.

2. Cuomo is going to see photos from the parks and shut them down and then we'll really will be screwed in trying to run.

I can't speak for other areas but I'd say no one in NYC should be leaving their apartment without a face covering of some sort available to them. You may not need it at all times or even at all depending on your building and specific area of the city but that's gotta put you in the minority.

Lastly, I also hate running with my face covered and while I'm not really concerned with getting sick as I am 99% sure I had the virus in March, I do always have a buff around my neck which I can pull up as needed. Both as a way of respecting people concerned with getting sick and to minimize the risk of us all getting kicked out of the park.

PP Runner wrote:

. The one silver lining to all this is that I've seen a lot of new parts of Brooklyn.

You should run right down Flatbush Avenue next run. Great veggie patties there.

Try_Cheesecloth wrote:

If I have to wear a mask while running I will make it out of cheesecloth so I know I can breath freely.

If they ever make outdoor masks mandatory in my area, I'm planning to make my mask out of discarded panty hose. I'm pretty sure I could breathe through that.

Here's what I wanna know: what happened to the guideline to avoid touching our faces, especially out in public with dirty hands? Unless you don't touch a single thing out there, your hands are potentially contaminated, and pulling the mask up and down while passing others is hard to do without touching one's face. I get that a mask is a nice precaution, but I think people don't realize how unsafe they are being when they touch it all the time.

Trail Zealot wrote:

Here's what I wanna know: what happened to the guideline to avoid touching our faces, especially out in public with dirty hands? Unless you don't touch a single thing out there, your hands are potentially contaminated, and pulling the mask up and down while passing others is hard to do without touching one's face. I get that a mask is a nice precaution, but I think people don't realize how unsafe they are being when they touch it all the time.

Personally, I don't touch anything else once I'm out of the house. Don't need to. That's why I was excited when they made all the crosswalk signals touch-free.

I live just outside boston and have been running with a bandana around my neck. Pull it up if I see an old person or young kid coming towards me on a skinny trail. I wasn't doing this until I got yelled at by a boomer on a bike who was also not wearing a mask. trails and bike paths around me are packed especially on the weekends/nice weather days and it seems like probably about 2/3 of walkers and bikers are wearing masks but most runners who are running alone don't

I live in a suburb near Seattle, and I do not wear a mask. I've stopped running on popular trails and run around my neighborhood instead. I have no problem staying 10+ feet away from other people. Almost no one, running or walking, wears a mask in my area.

If I lived in NYC or any highly dense area I would wear one.

Smaller city here. Others may not have the luxuries I describe below.

I normally do not wear a mask when I run, but I have one around my neck and can pull it on if by rare chance I must get close to anyone else.

I have modified all my regular running routes and times to avoid other people. Running down the middle of many streets (which are almost empty with minimal traffic due to shelter at home). Running in alleys. Riding bike with a mask to go to deserted areas outside of town to run.

I am totally avoiding pedestrian paths, trails, bike paths, etc. when running. Too many people on those. Its crazy that people will drive miles to walk or run on a crowded trail or path when their local neighborhood streets are relatively empty.

Local tracks and athletic fields are locked, businesses shut down, as are schools so I sometimes run repeats in their parking lots which are deserted. I will also gun repeats along deserted sections of roads.

I round blind corners slowly to ensure I do not get close to anyone unexpectedly. If I see someone step into a narrow alley I am in, I turn around and go the other way.

Keeping away from other people is much more important than wearing a mask. Masks offer a false sense of security. The virus could potentially be transmitted if it lands in your eye, so unless you are wearing tight ski goggles stay away from others while running.

If I must pass closer to someone I stop at the widest location, face the other way away from them, and hold my breath as the pass. I talk and communicate before they are close to me.