I'm glad to see more people wearing masks, since that's what seems to be called for right now.
But I'm surprised to see people walking alone, riding a bike, driving a car, while wearing a mask.
I try to get rid of the darn thing every chance I get.
Do people not understand they won't catch C19 when they aren't around other people? Not to mention it protects others from You, not you from others.
Or is it an exercise in getting used to having the damn thing on?
Yeah, I saw a guy alone in his car the other day with a mask on and I wondered the same thing. It was particularly noticeable since very few people in my area are wearing face masks at all. Maybe you're right about it being a way to get used to wearing one. I suppose it's a good thing, better than flatly refusing to mask up like those videos going around of people throwing tantrums at supermarkets. That's just embarrassing.
shareAgain, I'm glad when people wear masks when appropriate - and there are many, many situations where it is appropriate - but taking a walk, riding your bike, or driving in your own car seems like a very safe zone.
And if it isn't safe, then why bother?
I can wash my hands ten times a day for 30 straight days, but at some point it becomes obsessive and not healthy.
We are meant to be social people. This pandemic feels like culling the herd, which maybe is Mother Nature spanking us for our excess.
I don't see any people with masks around here anymore.
shareOver a month ago I'd say a minority wore masks. Then a lot of businesses involving essential workers (like bus operators and riders) began mandating them, and finally the governor has recently ordered any activity inside a building must include wearing masks. So now I see A LOT of masks, and it feels like people are genuinely concerned rather than simply going along with government rules.
shareExact same here in AZ. Mask were optional for last few months. Now its masks everywhere.
shareIf you see me in the car with the mask on, it's because I just haven't bothered to take it off. I know there's no point to wearing it in the car.
As for walking along, riding a bike, or jogging, that's been the subject of some debate around here. People who are exercising breathe hard, and a runner or biker may be breathing out respiratory droplets hard and giving them the impetus of whatever speed they're at. If they have the virus and don't know it, they're capable of spreading the infected droplets further than average, and could theoretically infect someone nearby. So yes, a lot of runners and bikers here wear the masks, including me. As for walking alone, I've seen a lot of people pull the masks down when they're far from other people, and up when other people get closer.
I commend you and anyone who is this conscientious, concerning what you feel the need to do while getting serious exercise and not having it effect (infect) others. I assume people simply avoid being in the same space, but I can see it might not be that simple. Mostly I am thinking of people who look like they are casually going about their business alone outside but still wear the mask.
Why isn't everyone this conscientious? I mean, really, WHY??? If your community, your nation, your species is under threat, why the hell don't people ask themselves "Well, what can one individual do?". Because the answer is clear: COVER YOUR FACE WHEN YOU LEAVE THE HOUSE AND CLEAN YOUR HANDS WHEVER YOU TOUCH SOMETHING THAT ANYONE ELSE MIGHT TOUCH. And maybe sew washable face masks, that's also nice.
It's so simple and requires so little effort, yet some people absolutely refuse to do even that. What a bunch of dicks.
"Do people not understand they won't catch C19 when they aren't around other people?"
Coronavirus can linger in air for hours.
"it protects others from You, not you from others."
A face mask with an air valve only protects you from others. Even without an air valve, the virus that sticks to the surface of your mask may spread again when you exhale.
"driving a car, while wearing a mask."
Why do you assume a car is virus-proof?
I don't get wearing one in your car unless it's not your own perhaps. The other two seem fair enough to me.
They are now saying the virus can be airborne and so social distancing alone may not make the difference we are all told it will.
I too, am glad to see more people wearing them. If I'm out for a walk I don't wear one, but anywhere else, such as inside a store, I'll happily wear one.
If anyone thinks wearing a mask is uncomfortable, try to imagine being on a ventilator. I've read that it's like drowning in slow motion.
If wearing a mask is what it takes to get back to some semblance of normal life, I'm all in.