Piers Morgan wants masks worn whilst running...

[Trulyatraditionalman]

AIBU to think this is ridiculous?

You’re missing the bit about the fact that a) runners are not in your company for any length of time, b) theyre outside and c) you could wear a mask if you’re bothered

and if you have covid you are unlikely to be running. Even if you are asymptomatic there is a high chance that you will notice something is up if you try to run. I didn't know donating blood affected me adversely (temporarily) until I tried to run the next day after a donation. It wasn't pretty.

if a runner is coming at you...you should give them right of way

Nope. I always teach my kids that you give way for the slowest moving pedestrian. Pavements are primarily for walking. And I'm a regular runner.

I agree about the spitting though - why do people feel the need to do that? I mean, seriously?

I agree with PM. I walk daily alongside a canal. There are regularly joggers and cyclists. Most ignore social distancing, especially on narrow bits such as under bridges. They just barge past. Not only heavily breathing far too close to you, I've even seen some spit as they pass. If they can't "behave" then they need to be subject to certain rules. Yes, I appreciate it's a minority who are tossers, but in most areas of life, the minority spoil things for the majority.

Piers Morgan thinks that he is the worlds authority on anything and everything. He should wear a thick mask at all times, and have his mouth taped up as well,

@thebabessavedme

I have seen quite a few runners in the last year having a good ole spit as they go, that really does make me feel murderous, filthy gits.

I totally agree with this. Spitting is nasty.

Tricia Greenhalgh

Not an epidemiologist or an infectious disease expert? Virologist even?
Oh, a Primary Care Professor.

Piers Morgan just wants to say something controversial so that people talk about him. What's new there?

@Totallydefeated

Well Covid is spread from particles in the breath and runners pant much more heavily and presumably spread more particles if infected.... it would be nice if they could give others a wide berth while running, out of consideration. Where I live, not many of them do.

There is no reason that a runner would be infected with more total virus particles than any other infected person. So if an infected runner is breathing out hard, each breath would have LESS virus particles and be more dispersed than the breath of a walker.

There are regularly joggers and cyclists. Most ignore social distancing, especially on narrow bits such as under bridges. They just barge past

But what do you expect them to do if the path is too narrow? Jump into the canal?

@gnushoes

What *@auntiestella* said. I run, am asthmatic and try to give people a wide berth. The number of people dawdling along who just refuse to walk in file on the side of a path and basically force you into the road or the mud is bloody appalling and yes if I have to go close to them I will. No way could I run in a mask.

Whilst I agree there needs to be a special corner of hell reserved for the selfish idiots (walkers AND joggers AND cyclists) who won't go into single file, it still doesn't give you a right to get too close to them.

@Lweji

Tricia Greenhalgh

Not an epidemiologist or an infectious disease expert? Virologist even?
Oh, a Primary Care Professor.

And an expert in diabetes care, so you'd think she'd want to promote exercise, not put barriers in the way to it.

@poppycat10

There are regularly joggers and cyclists. Most ignore social distancing, especially on narrow bits such as under bridges. They just barge past

But what do you expect them to do if the path is too narrow? Jump into the canal?

How about they wait until the narrow path is clear?

If I'm walking and there's someone already walking towards me on a narrow bit or under a bridge, I wait to the side until they come past. Joggers and cyclists seem unable to grasp that concept.

Whilst I agree there needs to be a special corner of hell reserved for the selfish idiots (walkers AND joggers AND cyclists) who won't go into single file, it still doesn't give you a right to get too close to them

So what is your solution? They are allowed to block the path and get to close to me but I have to disappear because there's only one of me and my legs are moving faster?

@dreamingbohemian

Runners have as much right to pavement space as walkers.

And they have the same responsibility to distance themselves. I don't think anyone cares about runners who maintain distancing. The fact is an awful lot of them don't.

And no, I am not making way for a runner because it's too inconvenient for them to stop and start. If they want to run without obstacles, they need to go somewhere without so many people. If you choose to run in a very crowded park with the footpaths full of people, you will have to stop and start a lot.

Yes but runners are trying to run where it is quiet- the issue is nowhere is quiet at the moment.

You clearly just hate runners generally because you've met a few rude ones and have decided you're now annoyed at all of them (spoiler alert: there are rude runners and rude walkers, and rude dog walkers, rude pram pushers etc etc).

I assume you would make way for an old lady because she has a physical disadvantage and finds it harder to get past, or generally wouldn't step out onto a zebra crossing right in front of a bike coming up a really steep hill when there is no other traffic and it would literally only delay you by a few seconds- its just polite.

The person that it is the less inconvenience to makes way/waits. Sometimes its the runner, sometimes its the walker. Noone is saying it is always the runner. But in some circumstances it is.

It depends on the situation. You saying that you wouldn't make way for a runner in a situation where it is easier for you to, but harder for them to, just makes you the knob. It is everyone's responsibility to distance, you are right. So take some responsibility too.

Christ on a bike I should be rewarded for keeping healthy, I will not accept criticism from that wheezing blob of jelly

Not ridiculous.

It's annoying for runners who are considerate and social distance or go out when there's fewer pedestrians but some are very huffy and puffy and can't see any other pavement users. I've seen some of them stop to spit too 🤢

On a separate note there's clearly nothing else for him to discuss and he'll turn on big prams or dog walkers soon unless Kensington is in a e-scooter trial area in which case they are an easy target.

The evidence regarding transmission during exercise is for gyms with poor ventilation.

As others have pointed out, if you are so worried about joggers, wear a mask yourself when out and about.
But the risk will be tiny. Really tiny.

If I'm walking and there's someone already walking towards me on a narrow bit or under a bridge, I wait to the side until they come past. Joggers and cyclists seem unable to grasp that concept

Well it's easier for you to wait for them because they will get through the narrow bit faster. If somewhere is very narrow I will wait for a cyclist as I will wait less time for them than they would have to wait for me on foot.

Has he got a book coming out or a show to push? That's usually when these folks start wheeling out the attention-seeking soundbites....

@1forAll74

Piers Morgan thinks that he is the worlds authority on anything and everything. He should wear a thick mask at all times, and have his mouth taped up as well,

But sometimes he's right. He's been a brilliant supporter of the 3 million self employed that Rishi has excluded from the government support schemes. He was one of the first to highlight the issue at a time when the main TV news reporters wouldn't listen and believed the crap coming out of Rishi's mouth.

@poppycat10 fantastic news about parkrun.

I actually think peoples attitude towards runners are little to do with Covid. Covid is just giving people an excuse to slate a certain group of people that they dislike.

Probably because they've been startled a few times and have taken a dislike to runners mixed with a good dose of jealousy.

The fact is an awful lot of them don't

Really not a fact, just an overblown perception.

You’re missing the bit about the fact that a) runners are not in your company for any length of time, b) theyre outside and c) you could wear a mask if you’re bothered.

I’m not missing out any of those points. You’re missing out the point that runners are posing more of a risk to others than walkers. Being outside will mitigate the risks compared to being inside, but it doesn’t remove them entirely, and wearing a mask doesn’t give full protection to the wearer.

I’m not saying don’t run. It’s beneficial for you. I’m just saying be considerate of others and mindful of the fact you’re choosing to do something that is good for you, but may be raising risks for others. So have a think about how you can minimise that risk, so everyone’s happy. What’s wrong with that?

The overarching problem here is that we do not have enough provision for people to exercise comfortably outdoors!!
the current situation is that dog walkers, walkers, runners, cyclists, people with small children etc are all expected to share the same space
There is not enough room and the needs of the respective groups are incompatible, exercising outdoors is a good thing, we should all be able to have the space to do it comfortably and safely

I don't think runners should wear masks, but some effort to deviate from their entirely straight path would be welcome. I assume they don't want to ruin their 'time' or something by swerving slightly out of their hogging of the middle of the path.