Running with a mask?

[2020wumben]

I was out for a run today and a woman shouted at me that I should be wearing a mask. Is this normal, do people wear masks while running? I thought as long as it was outdoors and unlikely to be within 2m of someone else, masks aren't needed.

For context, I was running in the middle of the oncoming traffic lane of the road as there were no cars coming and a good 5m from her. If I can't get onto the road I normally cross over or stop to ensure plenty of space

I wear glasses so a sweaty run with a mask is just going to lead to streamed up glasses and me running into something as I can't see!

I've started wearing a buff too, and pull it up as people approach even if the path is wide. I had some cheery thank yous from a couple of older people today. I think it signals that you are aware and will make space, as much as anything.

Where I live we have to wear a mask outside, but NOT while jogging. It's one of the reasons I jog to be honest. Going for a walk with a mask on is miserable so when I jog I can see where I'm going because my glasses aren't fogged up and I can smell the plants and the air around me.
Obviously, you give other people a wide berth and I do think the onus is on the jogger to do this.

Hk here. We had to wear them in summer even when exercising and it was ridiculous ( 38 degrees, 95% humidity). Now the gov has seen sense and there’s a ‘strenuous exercise’ exemption. Hk traces basically all its cases and there are literally no proven outdoor transmission cases other than construction sites ( probably from the canteens/toilets) or wet markets ( lots of handling of cash and only semi outdoors).

MsMartini

I've started wearing a buff too, and pull it up as people approach even if the path is wide. I had some cheery thank yous from a couple of older people today. I think it signals that you are aware and will make space, as much as anything.“

Another thank you from me 😊
Wish more people would be considerate. I wear a mask on my brisk walk (8 mile route) and have had no problems. I go at night though to avoid people, when it’s pretty cold. Might be more difficult on a sunny day.

"I've started wearing a buff too, and pull it up as people approach even if the path is wide"

Where I live they've now decided scarves, buffs, etc. aren't acceptable as masks. At the moment cotton masks are still allowed, but there have been talks about imposing surgical masks as well. I hope not because as a glasses wearer I can't cope with them and they're too expensive.

You don't have to wear a mask outside in the Uk so I think you'd be mad to jog with a mask on.

@LordEmsworth

The WHO advises against it.

www.who.int/news-room/q-a-detail/coronavirus-disease-covid-19-masks

"Even when you’re in an area of COVID-19 transmission, masks should not be worn during vigorous physical activity because of the risk of reducing your breathing capacity. No matter how intensely you exercise, keep at least 1 metre away from others, and if you’re indoors, make sure there is adequate ventilation."

I am getting bloody fed up of the apparent belief that the high transmission rates are the fault of runners...

Me too.

I do however like the sound of these buffs ... I've been out of the running game since before Christmas and fingers crossed am hoping to go for my first one next week > expect bad weather of biblical proportions < so would be good against the cold.

Any recommendations?

Are you in the UK? I thought we weren't expected to wear masks outside - and in my town you get funny looks if you do! (I keep mine on in the town centre sometimes if it's busy.)

Having said that, I think I could run in a mask - and I know there are countries where you must, and people are still managing. I'm hoping to run a 10K in the autumn (it's already been postponed twice), and if they decided we needed to wear masks for it to be allowed to go ahead, I'd be prepared to give it a try.

Yes based in the UK so i was of the opinion no masks outside unless social distancing wasn't possible.

I had a snood kicking around so i stick that on and if i happen to bump into anyone (not literally lol) i pull that up around my face. Had a few 'thanks' so far.

Looks similar to the below

www.oliverbonas.com/accessories/rainbow-stars-black-jersey-snood-317192?gclid=Cj0KCQiA1KiBBhCcARIsAPWqoSpNesoULR7wTQ6i0Z9AgPfyj5zdgeQYGba9HeV7LqGz133l9rBdOXMaAg26EALw_wcB

VanillaAndOrange

Are you in the UK? I thought we weren't expected to wear masks outside - and in my town you get funny looks if you do! (I keep mine on in the town centre sometimes if it's busy“

That’s interesting. Don’t stick my nose outside much, always wear a mask if I have to, and I’ve felt increasingly less peculiar in the past month or so. I’ve driven through town to the vets half a dozen times in the past few weeks and more and more people are wearing them just walking around s. I’d say 60/40 now have masks.
I take my walk at night, less people about but still, more wearing masks than not.

Where are you? We’re NW.

Denise I'm in the SW. I think I'd like your town - I wouldn't mind wearing one whenever I'm out and about (I still have to go to work a couple of days a week and I walk, plus occasional food shopping and walking/running for exercise), but apart from in the town centre I would definitely be in the minority, often a minority of one. I don't mind not wearing one either, but for those times when people just won't give you 2 metres and the only other option is to step in front of a bus, it would be useful.

@Gwenhwyfar, I pull the buff up to signal that I will get out of the way, and perhaps to protect a bit eg at park gates or traffic lights where people gather unavoidably. I don't think of it as a mask, don't use it when masks are required, and only pull it up occasionally. I am fed up with runners being demonised too, but equally have had large men barrel towards me out of nowhere, clearly expecting me to give way. I like to signal the opposite!

VanillaAndOrange

Denise I'm in the SW. I think I'd like your town - I wouldn't mind wearing one whenever I'm out and about (I still have to go to work a couple of days a week and I walk, plus occasional food shopping and walking/running for exercise), but apart from in the town centre I would definitely be in the minority, often a minority of one. I don't mind not wearing one either, but for those times when people just won't give you 2 metres and the only other option is to step in front of a bus, it would be useful.“

Not half as much as I’d like yours, we’re Cornish! Have to live here for work. I think though because the NW has had quite a bartering for a long-time now, people respect the need for the restrictions.

Fingers crossed, wherever we all are, a few more months and we’ll be out of the woods.

Battering, not bartering!

@DenisetheMenace

VanillaAndOrange

Denise I'm in the SW. I think I'd like your town - I wouldn't mind wearing one whenever I'm out and about (I still have to go to work a couple of days a week and I walk, plus occasional food shopping and walking/running for exercise), but apart from in the town centre I would definitely be in the minority, often a minority of one. I don't mind not wearing one either, but for those times when people just won't give you 2 metres and the only other option is to step in front of a bus, it would be useful.“

Not half as much as I’d like yours, we’re Cornish! Have to live here for work. I think though because the NW has had quite a bartering for a long-time now, people respect the need for the restrictions.

Fingers crossed, wherever we all are, a few more months and we’ll be out of the woods.

I have to wear a mask outside when not jogging and believe me, it's miserable. Not something to do if you can help it and if you're not in a place with a lot of other people. You miss out on all the plant smells, which is something you may not have even considered.

I have to wear a mask outside when not jogging and believe me, it's miserable. Not something to do if you can help it and if you're not in a place with a lot of other people.
You miss out on all the plant smells, which is something you may not have even considered.“

I can still smell most things? Anyway, hopefully with the vaccine programme going so brilliantly, we can all put masks behind us before too much longer 😁

"I can still smell most things? "

If you're wearing it properly it will block out quite a few smells - I suppose blocking particles is the whole point.
Yes, well as soon as I can I won't be wearing a mask again and will fight against those extremists who think we should be wearing masks just for a cold in future!

I wear a mask, but only because I live in the middle of a city with really bad air quality and I don't want all of that in my lungs. Perversely, I actually quite like that I'm no longer the weirdo running or cycling in a mask! I have a proper exercise anti-pollution mask with a valve. I think a cloth or blue mask would be useless because they'd get wet so fast. It certainly slows me down, but it also warms the air a bit so it's actually quite nice on a very cold day because I can't breathe through my nose (and keeps my nose warm). I have ones from the Cambridge Mask Company.

I missed the important bit: I don't wear one because of covid, and wouldn't judge anyone not wearing one, so long as they were otherwise considerate!

Gwenhwyfar

"I can still smell most things? "

If you're wearing it properly it will block out quite a few smells - I suppose blocking particles is the whole point.
Yes, well as soon as I can I won't be wearing a mask again and will fight against those extremists who think we should be wearing masks just for a cold in future!“

Oh on mr personal circumstances, I’m wearing [them] correctly.

The most pervasive smells I have noticed are cigarette and vaping smells . Can be, easily, 20ft away (I cross well in advance if I see them coming) but still I get a strong whiff.
That’s why I think the 2m is nowhere near enough. I keep at least 20m away if I can help it 😁
We’re not rural but there are 2 or 3 farms within 5 miles. No mask on earth will block out muck spreading.

In, not Mr. 🙄