Mask or no mask today?

[MineralMan]

The past week, we've had rain and 90 degree heat. The back yard needed mowing (which I just finished) and I have a pickup full of brush and fallen tree branches. It's only going to be 80 degrees around noon, so I'm planning a trip to St. Paul's free yard waste drop-off site to unload it around noon. It's really nice of our city to provide that site, which turns all that yard waste into mulch and compost, which can be picked up at no charge by anyone living in Ramsey county.

Do I wear a mask? I didn't in my back yard while I was mowing with nobody nearby, but there are likely to be many other people dumping their yard waste today at that location. I don't mind the mask, but I'll probably be breathing a little hard while dragging about 500 lb. of branches and other debris out of the truck. The mask interferes with breathing a little bit, and I'm just three weeks from being 75 years old.

I'll certainly be at least 10 feet from the guy in the truck next to me, so I'm thinking maybe I can forego the mask while unloading, but I'm not sure.

What is DU's advice on this?

[underpants]

1. Mmmm wear it once you get out of the truck

That’s what I’d do. Take breaks inside the truck in the AC but wearing a mask in public is always a good move.

My 2 ¢

[Tetrachloride]

2. Mask. Odds are you only need the mask a short time.

The heavy breathing with dragging branches changes the social distance.

[littlemissmartypants]

3. Always default to mask on. ❤ nt

[CottonBear]

4. Wear a mask. I wear a disposable mask under my cloth mask when I work outdoors. N/T

[Newest Reality]

5. Take no risks.

In our age group, I would say, err on the side of caution, i.e., if you have to question whether you should, then do it anyway.

There are far too many long-term potential complications and even great disabilities awaiting us if we do succumb and that's just not acceptable. It puts an emphasis on protection and we all know that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of ICU.

Go out of your way to be as safe and protected as possible, take no chances and stay safe!

[jaysunb]

6. I tip my hat to you for being able to do that big a job at your age.

I'm a couple years older and can only wish I could exert myself as you have.
Wear the damn mask. Seems you have a lot of life left to live.

[MineralMan]

19. Well, I do have to pace myself a bit.

Normally, I use a tarp under my load of brush, but I've been putting brush in the truck over the winter and it's full now, so I didn't put the tarp in this time. Normally, I can drag the tarp out, pulling the whole load out at once. This time, though, I'll be pulling out smaller amounts multiple times.

I know my limits and stay well within them. It just takes me longer now to do a lot of things.

[handmade34]

7. even at our transfer station

I have the mask and at least wear it when in sight of others... removing it quickly (in this awful humid heat) once I am in the car or out of sight... I do get panicky with the mask, but I try as much as humanly possible to be a good role mode and citizen

I know it is difficult you just need to do what's best for you and your health... often in questionable situations, communicating with the people around us is helpful

[cwydro]

8. When I'm outside I don't worry about it.

I'm not usually near people though. I would think you'd be fine without one, unless literally walking right up to someone to converse.

It's going to be hot. Just haul your stuff and get the heck out of there.

I sweat like a horse, so it'd be useless for me to wear one doing that kind of work since the masks are ruined by moisture.

[ananda]

9. Wear it if you are going to be around people.

I even wear mine when I go walking.

People are unpredictable.

I can pull it down when nobody's around
because it's so hot.

[Just_Vote_Dem]

10. Mask if you can

Or have it around your neck ready to use if someone steps up wanting to chat

[Lars39]

11. Put in on right before you get out of your truck.

You never know when someone will walk right up to you. Stay safe, MM

[albacore]

12. Use a face shield instead...

According to some studies, they are better than most masks. And much easier to breathe in.

"A recent opinion piece in JAMA by Eli Perencevich, M.D., a professor of internal medicine and epidemiology at the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, and two of his colleagues pointed to such benefits of shields for infection prevention, and noted that “face shields appear to significantly reduce the amount of inhalation exposure to influenza virus, another droplet-spread respiratory virus. In a simulation study, face shields were shown to reduce immediate viral exposure by 96 percent when worn by a simulated health care worker within 18 inches of a cough.” In an April 19 tweet Perencevich wrote, “Biggest benefit of face shields would be inside crowded office situations where air exchanges aren't ideal."
https://www.aarp.org/health/healthy-living/info-2020/shields-compared-to-masks.html

[Cousin Dupree]

15. I prefer a mask. It covers my resting bitch face

[MineralMan]

18. Good idea, but I don't have one handy.

I need to unload the truck today, so I'll just wear the mask and work slowly.

[MuseRider]

13. Default is to mask.

You cannot control other people and they will sneak up on you (not to harm you specifically) and get in your space. I have a very hard time social distancing. It is hard for me when I see people I know to remember that. Unintentional harm is just as bad so....default to the mask always. GMO

[mcar]

14. Not necessary in your yard

Necessary anywhere you will be near people, especially if it's hot and you're doing manual labor (eg heavy breathing).

I know the mask will be uncomfortable but you should.

[people]

16. Wear the mask and . . .

Don't carry huge loads while wearing the mask -- break it down into smaller loads when you have the mask on so the difficulty breathing won't feel as bad. Make it easier on yourself. But, definitely wear it. Take care.

[MineralMan]

17. Thanks to everyone. I'll wear my mask at the yard waste site.

I appreciate everyone's answers.

[Dem2]

20. I rarely wear mine outdoors

I do keep a wide berth of at least 10 feet around others if I'm walking in the park. I also ensure that I'm always upstream of any wind that's blowing.

[Ms. Toad]

21. Wear something that covers you nose and mouth.

When I'm bike riding I wear a as a mask. Little chance I will be near someone for an extended period of time, but aerosolized droplets hang around a long time.



It provides some protection - appropriate for the level of interaction I expect. It captures less heat and makes it easier to breathe

A bandana (worn bandit-style) works similarly.

[MineralMan]

22. Job done. I wore the mask.

Truck is now unloaded and awaiting whatever I need to haul next.

[bluewater]

23. Good. That was the responsible thing to do.

It behooves us all to set a good example.

Mask wearing is more about protecting those around us than ourselves, and since asymptomatic spread is a real thing, we all should be wearing masks when around other people.

Well done.

[MineralMan]

25. I was the only one there with a mask.

Everyone else was maskless. I got looked at, so maybe they got the idea.

[bluewater]

26. I believe people are intelligent...

yet, at times, I admit, the evidence is lacking. lol

Again, thanks for setting the right example.

[LizBeth]

24. I would be comfortable with outside, distance. If more than a handful of people, grouped I would

wear the mask. Otherwise I wouldn't.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

27. Virus, shmirus, I'd wear the mask to filter the pollen.

If I cut the lawn without a mask, I'll sneeze for the next 15 minutes. With a mask, I'm fine in a quarter hour.

Wear the mask