Piers Morgan wants masks worn whilst running...

[Trulyatraditionalman]

AIBU to think this is ridiculous?

As if some walkers don't huff and puff

@Silenceisgolden20

As if some walkers don't huff and puff

Not to be rude but I've genuinely seen many an overweight walker huffing and puffing more loudly than I do when I sprint. 😬

@Silenceisgolden20

As if some walkers don't huff and puff

Quite. I rarely huff and puff when I run unless I’m really pushing myself (which I should probably do more often!). If it’s just a normal run then I’m not huffing and puffing anywhere!

Another example of a female runner being assaulted: twitter.com/stevenkedie/status/1367050388550148097

It really is a pity that people worry more about "huffing and puffing" than they do about runners being assaulted doing something they enjoy and that is good for them.

@hamstersarse

Anyone wearing a mask in the open air is properly daft.

I've tried to work out their logic, but fail every time. Maybe someone can give us an insight as to why they wear a mask outside?

I judge people wearing them outside now because infection rates are so low in my area that they are not being reported. So it's highly unlikely that anyone who walks, runs, or cycles past me has covid. It's all a bit silly.

@MummyJ12

Lweji, you don’t understand and that’s fine. If you’re not a runner (and you’re obviously not!) you can’t appreciate the difference between ‘performance’ and people’s enjoyment and comfort in an activity that is so healthy and actually helping the fight against obesity in this country, therefore alleviating pressure on the NHS. Enough of the judging. Of course there’s always an exception, there always is. Thank goodness you don’t run the country!!

You are the one who doesn't seem to understand that it is possible to say that runners don't NEED to wear masks because the risk posed by occasional very brief encounters in the street is minimal to zero, but also to say that masks do NOT reduce O2 levels in the blood and that it IS perfectly safe to wear masks when doing exercise (for most people), when and where masks are needed (example, indoors or in groups).

Please do point out where I said that all runners should wear masks, in any circumstance. Or even judging runners in any way.

It is your post above that makes me thank the gods that you are not running the country (whatever country), although it could be argued that it is a close call with Boris, if you cannot be bothered to check posting history in the same thread, or even read the posts properly before accusing and even insulting people.

Also, @MNHQ why is a commonly used and legendary MN expression now deserving of deletion?

www.mumsnet.com/SearchArch?mustmatch=are+you+on+glue&dontmatch=&nickname=&src_displ_option=s_m_d_m&fromDate=&toDate=&topicmode=All

It is a beautiful way of saying that a post makes no sense when we do not have time to give the extensive reply that was needed.

Quite. I rarely huff and puff when I run unless I’m really pushing myself (which I should probably do more often!). If it’s just a normal run then I’m not huffing and puffing anywhere!

That's the irony of this huffing and puffing comment. Because many runners, due to their naturally higher levels of cardiovascular fitness, are in fact less likely to be huffing and puffing as their bodies are used to this type of exertion. So unless you're pushing past your limits as you say, there'll be very little huffing and puffing.

Maybe because MN is trying to encourage civil debate.

I have been running for 10
years now and have found other pavement users sometimes abusive to runners ( even before lockdown) I now run with my 16 year old son and we are always considerate, but have received abuse when he is with me

@poppycat10

Another example of a female runner being assaulted: twitter.com/stevenkedie/status/1367050388550148097

It really is a pity that people worry more about "huffing and puffing" than they do about runners being assaulted doing something they enjoy and that is good for them.

Yes, its an ongoing problem. I would have expected to see a post about this on mumsnet, not one attacking a hobby that many women enjoy participating in.

*Another example of a female runner being assaulted: twitter.com/stevenkedie/status/1367050388550148097

It really is a pity that people worry more about "huffing and puffing" than they do about runners being assaulted doing something they enjoy and that is good for them.*

Agreed.
It's something I worry about at times too, especially when running somewhere less public like the forests and nature reserves near me. I've been shouted at / whistled at by men driving past before now, which is annoying, but never had any more serious threats thankfully.

Maybe someone can give us an insight as to why they wear a mask outside?

Because I'm on the way to somewhere that requires me to wear a mask, and it's a faff to keep taking off my hat to put a mask on whilst also pushing a pram/walking with a toddler.

Maybe someone can give us an insight as to why they wear a mask outside?

Because I had it on in the shop and walked home with it on, and washed my hands and put the washing away and was about to have lunch when I remembered I was still wearing it.

A friend who lives with her elderly father who is about as clinically vulnerable as it is possible to be, has been advised by his nurse that if they really do have to go out, they should wear masks st all times.

I judge people wearing them outside now because infection rates are so low in my area that they are not being reported. So it's highly unlikely that anyone who walks, runs, or cycles past me has covid. It's all a bit silly.

I think it's "silly" to judge others who you know nothing about. It's quite possible that those wearing masks outside have health conditions rendering them vulnerable, i.e. cancer, immune deficiencies etc. Whilst there may only be a tiny risk for them, it may well prove fatal if they catch covid. Why does it bother you anyway? What harm does it do to you if someone else chooses to wear a mask?

I don’t care if anyone wears a mask outside even people that wear one while driving with nobody else in the car .
You can do what you like wear it to bed if it makes you feel better, just don’t tell others what they should and shouldn’t do .
You could wear a mask outside then touch something forget to wash your hands and that’s how you’ll catch it .
Nobody catches it outside by a jogger running past in that 1 second unless you are kissing any of these joggers which I doubt .

I honestly think it’s bizarre this thread .

I'm a runner. I struggle to breathe walking in a mask, so running in it is completely out of the question.

I'm considerate to others, I always give people a wide berth when I can (but not all walkers reciprocate), I try to run on the side of the pavement where I'm facing into the road so that I can step into the road if I need to.

Chris Whitty has said that the chances of catching covid from a runner passing you is negligible, so people really don't need to worry about passing us.

MiddlesexGirl
“Unfortunately walking is not such good exercise as running by quite some way“

Unfortunately my knackered old knees can’t run any more.
Just back from my 24,668 step, 17.2 km daily walk. Probably quite good exercise 😇

MeInMyTree

I'm considerate to others, I always give people a wide berth when I can (but not all walkers reciprocate), I try to run on the side of the pavement where I'm facing into the road so that I can step into the road if I need to.”

I’m a walker these days. Me too. If everyone did the same it wouldn’t be a problem, would it 🤷‍♀️

I'm more scared of people who's dogs come up to me without a lead on(yes you find your dog adorable but I was attacked by one when I was younger and I'm scared), than I am of catching corona from a runner. I don't think anyone has more 'right of way' when walking or running, everyone should be considerate, runners sometimes aren't, but sometimes people with dogs, out for a walk or out with a baby aren't considerate either. I don't think masks when doing any exercise outside should be a thing if I'm honest.

@DenisetheMenace

MiddlesexGirl “Unfortunately walking is not such good exercise as running by quite some way“

Unfortunately my knackered old knees can’t run any more.
Just back from my 24,668 step, 17.2 km daily walk. Probably quite good exercise 😇

Absolutely accepted .... if I knacker my knees again I may have to join you. But I'm betting your 17km walk took rather longer than my 6km run and was less strenuous on your heart.

The worst thing about this is that it's now a 27 page debate on here (and elsewhere) entirely based around "othering" by Piers Morgan. Joggers are suddenly portrayed as an out group and so you're either with them or against them. Like some people try to make every other issue these days.

Truth is that everyone has the right to shared spaces, and should respect other people's right to those spaces too, pandemic or no pandemic. So joggers should give extra space to walkers, and if they can't they should wear masks. Walkers should give room to pass to joggers and cyclists where they can and not block the entire path. Cyclists should be patient if there isn't room and be considerate to walkers and motorists. Drivers should realise they're driving 2 ton killing machines and be considerate to all vulnerable road users that share the road with them. etc.

Most joggers are walkers and drivers too. If someone's breathing over you when you're minding your own business walking it's because they're a prat, not because they're a jogger.

@user1497207191

I judge people wearing them outside now because infection rates are so low in my area that they are not being reported. So it's highly unlikely that anyone who walks, runs, or cycles past me has covid. It's all a bit silly.

I think it's "silly" to judge others who you know nothing about. It's quite possible that those wearing masks outside have health conditions rendering them vulnerable, i.e. cancer, immune deficiencies etc. Whilst there may only be a tiny risk for them, it may well prove fatal if they catch covid. Why does it bother you anyway? What harm does it do to you if someone else chooses to wear a mask?

But the argument for wearing a mask is that it protects others - not the mask wearer

I love the idea that all ‘runners’ are somehow separate to ‘walkers’ too. Most runners also walk. Not many people just run everywhere they go .

Actually on our road where I hate the dogs and their waste it is a private road but not gated so everyone walking, riding, cycling, running on it is breaking the law (civil law) other than those who live on the road. So I universally dislike them all. I have not gone as far as spraying them with my hose yet. I just smile and tolerate it for the greater good although I wish at the least they could pick up their masks, dog waste, plastic gloves, drug stuff, litter all of which I pick up just from my bit of verge alone.