Joggers should wear masks

Joggers should have to wear masks.

Why the contribution is important

Myself and sime friends have noticed that many joggers are not respecting social distancing when passing others. If they are infectious surely they could transfer droplets of virus whilst breathing close to others when passing them by. Perhaps this would lower any risk.

by Biba on May 09, 2020 at 05:14PM

Current Rating

Average rating: 2.6
Based on: 25 votes

Comments

  • Posted by glasgowbasedcitizen May 09, 2020 at 17:19

    Yes, agreed

  • Posted by william May 09, 2020 at 17:19

    Completely agree

  • Posted by Lorraine10 May 09, 2020 at 17:26

    Completely agree! There are studies ongoing to investigate how far the virus droplets can travel with an increased expiry rate as when running or cycling... evidence is indicating the social distancing should be increased to as much as 10m when considering slipstreams and wind direction also. However people exercising do not even give the minimal 2m distance, is what we have found. If everyone wore a mask then you stop the spread as there are too many asymptomatic carriers that may be spreading it without knowing. Therefore please include bikers also!

  • Posted by howardnm May 09, 2020 at 17:49

    Totally agree! and cyclists.

  • Posted by Biba May 09, 2020 at 17:54

    Yes, I forgot to mention cyclists!

  • Posted by yamoe May 09, 2020 at 18:05

    Joggers appear to expel air under pressure and therefore must be transmitting droplets much further than people walking. Either limit their times / places or making them wear masks or possibly both would help.

  • Posted by shereen May 09, 2020 at 19:24

    Totally agree. We commented on this too as a heavy breather passed close to us!

  • Posted by wprimerose May 09, 2020 at 23:02

    Disagree. This is impractical and there is no evidence to support such a recommendation.

  • Posted by ellied1 May 10, 2020 at 07:48

    I agree in principle but in practice wearing a facemask inhibits oxygen intake and under pressure of aerobic exercise like running and cycling this leads to fainting, which is really unsafe for a cyclist in particular but also a runner collapsing. Prolonged unconsciousness may draw in passers by to assist or just see, raising risk of social distancing being maintained. And in one case at least reported in a Chinese school where they made kids run wearing masks, one reportedly died.. Instead make road use safer for cyclists, create more desginated cycle paths and separate footpaths, jogging tracks etc to accommodate the rising number of people carrying out these forms of exercise regularly now and hopefully in the future, as all these are beneficial to health, weight management, immune system strength and mental health. And thus protective against viruses and other health risks. Meantime help people share space appropriately rather than vieing for narrow strips of limited option paths meant to accommodate all non-car users in the past where few ventured outdoors for exercise because a gym was safer and more convenient to working people in towns. Driving everywhere should not be the new normal going forward, and if cyclists were safer on the road and paths were kept well clear for all users, a bit of common sense would help ease concerns and obviously nobody should be out running or cycling when symptomatic anyway. Asymptomatic transmission is apparently (so I've read) a much lower risk during a brief time to pass someone. Or the recommendations for exercise wouldn't/shouldn't have recommended these as the only 3 safe forms of exercise to undertake daily? But if 2 or more pedestrians stand to one side and face away in their own face masks, rather than both sides of a path staring at the cyclist or runner who has to pass between and can't maintain any distance at all, there is less risk to all concerned.

  • Posted by Irena May 10, 2020 at 07:51

    The risk of an infection is higher the longer you stay in a person's presence. The second a jogger needs to overtake you bears less risk than waiting at a bus stop. And I always keep my 2m distance to other people. Just because a few joggers don't is no reason to restrict all of us. Have you ever tried running with a mask? It is nearly impossible because of the heavier breathing. I carry my mask with me in case of for example having to wait at a crossing, but if I have to wear it while running I would have to give up this exercise.
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