Wearing a mask going for a walk

[MerinoFroggie]

Would you wear a mask going for a walk?

I haven't worn a mask while walking to date but I'm thinking about changing this from today. Going for a walk later on. When I am on the quite road, I won't be wearing a mask. When I join on the main road and the main walking path I will put on a mask then because its a small path and keeping 2 metres apart from passerbys will be hard.

I do, I live rurally and pass people cycling or running. Anything to stop this awful disease.

If I walk with my household, I dont wear a mask, if I meet a friend for a walk I do.

Hell no.

The "it keeps my face warm" people - how did you go on before rona? Have you heard of scarves?

DH always wears his running buff when he goes out and sometimes pulls that up if it's busy

Only in busy areas/ very narrow pavements where I know I'll be forced to walk near to someone, if I knew there was a risk but didn't see anyone, I'd just keep a mask on hand. I live rurally though so am able to dodge the odd pedestrian I see.

I do. I’m not sure it’s necessary in summer, but with less sunlight and less humidity (things the virus doesn’t like) I feel it’s best. Just about every other western country does it, and they’re all doing better than us.

I sometimes put one on before leaving the house to avoid fumbling around outside the shop, 100 yards away.

Masks are to protect other people. I assume people wearing masks in the park who don’t look obviously infirm are unsure of their COVID status, and give them (and everyone else) a wide berth.

If it makes you feel better then go ahead and wear them.
I personally don't as we pick walks which are quiet so I avoid people anyway but also I don't live in a city!

I do if I venture in to town.
I don’t wear one where I live as it’s in the arse end of nowhere and there’s no-one else here. We don’t have any pavements, it’s all footpaths and stiles and it’s so muddy that I have it to myself

No. Happy to comply in shops etc, but would only wear one outside if it became mandatory.

@TitInATrance

I sometimes put one on before leaving the house to avoid fumbling around outside the shop, 100 yards away.

Masks are to protect other people. I assume people wearing masks in the park who don’t look obviously infirm are unsure of their COVID status, and give them (and everyone else) a wide berth.

Masks protect the wearer, particularly if you buy a decent one. Study after study has now shown that.

wear a mask OP if it makes you more comfortable - worse is to glare in a horrified fashion at children you pass whilst covering your mouth with a (grubby) scarf ... that has happened to my family a few times - the children concerned are very good at single file and distancing - but few footpaths are 2metres wide.

WalrusWife

That’s what the law required from me. The propaganda has been very much “I wear a mask to protect you.”

Yeah I agree the propaganda hasnt helped. The government has thus far been "follow the science". But that means its inherently reactive rather than proactive. You dont get the scientific evidence until after the event. But events such as when Israel dropped masks in school (due to a heatwave) and had a massive spike in cases are seriously suggestive.

The government has been slow in everything in this pandemic accept vaccines. Countries with more closer experience of past major virus outbreaks have a far more normalised attitude to mask wearing. I also read There is some suggestion they have lower flu transmission rates, but I haven't found a source for that.

If I'm wearing a mask and you're not I'm going to be far more wary of you than someone who is. However wonderful a mask is.

I think 99% of ppl who wear a mask on a walk with nobody else around do it because they think it protects them which it doesn't as your eyes are still exposed

If you're in a park with a lot of people, or a town centre with people about, yes you should. If you can stay distanced from people, bar perhaps walking past the odd person then it's not really necessary.

You would not be unreasonable to do something that makes you feel safer.
In this scenario, being outside and not in close contact, it really is nobody elses business.

I see people on our walks with masks on in the forest, its their call i suppose if i was passing by in close proximity i may wear one.

Yes, we do, and have done since the beginning. Even if it only reduces risks very slightly, it’s still worth it.

No, absolutely ridiculous to wear a mask when going out for a walk, I hope gov don’t introduce such a measure.

Yes I take one with me as some people won’t distance. Only go outdoors with our household through as don’t risk seeing others and not many pavements here are 2m wide anyway.

@evouk

I think 99% of ppl who wear a mask on a walk with nobody else around do it because they think it protects them which it doesn't as your eyes are still exposed

What would they be protected from if there's nobody else around?

I don't wear a mask to protect myself. It's to protect others. Although my local government has made surgical or FFP2 masks compulsory from today on, as these might offer some protection for the wearer too. Better than nothing I say.

I have started to do this recently as the cases started going up and several people I know caught coronavirus. I sometimes walk with a friend and find it impossible to fully distance on the paths and pavements around here. Even on my own people often stop to chat and don't distance so I would rather wear a mask for now.

I have started wearing one if the walkway is busy.
I've managed to go a whole year without getting covid. so It'd be pretty stupid to take chancesnow, just before I'm due a vaccine.
If that makes me look paranoid to some people I couldn't give a damn.

Yes because it's mandatory in all public places in my country. Doesn't really bother me. Obviously can't know if it's directly related but we have nowhere near the cases + deaths per million as the uk has had.

@HippoOnMyRoofEatingCake

Yes because it's mandatory in all public places in my country. Doesn't really bother me. Obviously can't know if it's directly related but we have nowhere near the cases + deaths per million as the uk has had.

Interesting.

I don't, but I live in a rural area and rarely pass anyone on walks. I walked with a friend yesterday who lives with someone who is ECV. She turned up wearing a mask. I offered to put one on as I'd got one in my pocket. She said I didn't need to - so I didn't. (She is the sort of friend who would have responded with "would you mind" if she really wanted me to). We kept our distance the whole time and neither of us go anywhere other than rural walks or the supermarket once a week (at very quiet times).