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

No

WHAT the science? wrote:

I just learned that Boulder County has a "wear a mask" rule when exercising on trails. I tried to google the source of this guidance that when running outdoors, for a few seconds, that COVID infection is even possible. NOTHING. The only guidance I could find is this saying that it is NOT a good idea, so long as you can stay 1 m apart. What drives me crazy is these guys love to tout "science" when it reinforces their narrative, but when that's not the case it's just "our judgement"

Reading is FUNdamental..

Boulder County Public Health has approved extension of the Boulder County Public Health Order requiring face coverings for every person older than 12 years old whenever in public anywhere in Boulder County that social distancing of six feet cannot be maintained.

The rule is the same as the science. Ding dong

I don't see the need to be a jerk here. This is what the signs say:

"Bring a face covering. Face coverings are required at trailheads, when passing other visitors, and when six feet of distancing cannot be maintained. See the Public Health Order for more information."

From here:

https://www.bouldercounty.org/open-space/parks-and-trails/#alerts

and to follow up, I'm asking to see the science behind the need to wear a mask, when outdoors, for a few seconds in passing.

and from the CDC website:

People who are engaged in high intensity activities, like running, may not be able to wear a cloth face covering if it causes difficulty breathing. If unable to wear a cloth face covering, consider conducting the activity in a location with greater ventilation and air exchange (for instance, outdoors versus indoors) and where it is possible to maintain physical distance from others.

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/cloth-face-cover-guidance.html

I wear a buff and I try to run at times/places where there aren't too many people. The buff is only over my face when I might be near someone -- I'll pull it down when I'm clearly alone. I don't know how much the mask does, but it certainly can't hurt, and it probably prevents a lot of aerosolized droplets from escaping.

The signs posted at the Boulder County Open Space trailheads are misleading. The mandate is that you only need to wear a mask if a distance of 6 feet cannot be maintained. When they put up those new signs a few weeks ago I asked a ranger and emailed the Public Health official and they confirmed that the mandate has not changed. The City of Boulder trails still state that you only need to wear a mask when a distance of 6 feet cannot be maintained.

WHAT the science? wrote:

and to follow up, I'm asking to see the science behind the need to wear a mask, when outdoors, for a few seconds in passing.

No, we know that there's a global pandemic, we know people are getting sick without knowing why or how. The onus is on you to prove that it is safe.

I don't think that it is unreasonable to ask that we are provided evidence supporting rules which are enforceable to be tied out to fact. In the USA, we don't accept "Because I'm in charge and I SAID SO!". Problem is that when one of the "rules" is just something a bureaucrat made up (and in fact conflicts with WHO/CDC guidance), it is going to lead to all of the rules being ignored.

It's incredibly simple:

1) Only go to public indoor spaces when it's necessary and the only option.

2) Wear a mask inside or close outdoor encounters when not moving (farmer's market)

3) Wash or sanitize hands

That's it. Otherwise you're going to get the backlash from overreach that FL/TX is currently "enjoying".

WHAT the science? wrote:

I don't think that it is unreasonable to ask that we are provided evidence supporting rules which are enforceable to be tied out to fact. In the USA, we don't accept "Because I'm in charge and I SAID SO!".

Which is precisely why the US is #1 in the world in terms of cases and deaths and #4 in terms of cases per capita. God forbid using an overabundance of caution in the face of a global pandemic which has so far killed 150,000 Americans and has no end in sight.

What I think you meant to say was : I could not find any evidence, so will change the thing we're arguing about.

Caution also had our parents hiding under the desk during nuclear fallout drills.

The W.H.O. doesn't recommend wearing a mask when excercising:

https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public/myth-busters

"People should NOT wear masks when exercising, as masks may reduce the ability to breathe comfortably."

"Sweat can make the mask become wet more quickly which makes it difficult to breathe and promotes the growth of microorganisms. The important preventive measure during exercise is to maintain physical distance of at least one meter from others."

Still not wearing a mask while running, even though So Cal is pretty hard hit. Its total viral load, brought about by close and extended exposure to someone breathing out coronavirus, not quickly passing by someone, that is likely to lead to infection.

I live in Trump land. Two distinct advantages are

1) not being pressured into wearing a face mask

2) being inspired by all the American flags in the neighborhood

I live in a n Denver suburb. Running around here, almost no masks on wide trails, people even have the audacity to say ‘hello’ or ‘good morning’. Head west to Boulder it’s almost everybody, even when it’s in uncongested spaces, many times in while driving alone. Lots of ‘put a mask on!’ , even when running in the road. Masks are the new reusable shopping bag. I believe this all traces back to the high% of old New England money in Boulder and a Puritanism that’s unshakable.

What's the latest on using / not using / re-using straws for drinks? I lost track of that a few months ago. What are the relative and absolute risks to human health and the environment?

thecrucible wrote:

many times in while driving alone

What is the deal with this? I see this a lot and I am wondering if people just forget to take them off. I have a neighbor that drives around with a mask on. It doesn't bother me, but I wonder if these same people wear masks while at home, too.

No

I don't wear one when I ride my bike either.

I do wear a mask when entering places of business.

I run on local trails (I'm lucky to live near a big park) and rarely in the city. On the trails I carry a mask and put it on if I see people, especially at the park entrance where people gather. I've gotten pretty good at putting it on fast. For running I wear one of those masks with air vents so I'm not sure how effective it really is, but at least it's something. Lately I've been able to do whole runs with it on and I run a lot of steep hills, and I'm breathing pretty hard. I have noticed that most people are wearing masks around here these days. I live in the SF Bay Area.

I don't always have the mask on and people don't seem to be bothered too much although one guy did yell at me once to stay on the other side of the trail. It's not a big deal really. One thing that does bother me is not so much wearing the masks but a certain set of people who seem to get satisfaction from shaming others and making others submit. It's like the mask thing is just what they always wanted so that they could play out whatever power issues they have. I think people like that are really enjoying this in a weird way. When I see people who seem to fit that bill I avoid them.