NYT: Do we still need to keep wearing masks outdoors?

[FakeNoose]

(link) https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/22/well/live/covid-masks-outdoors.html

As more people get vaccinated and spring weather and sunshine beckon us outdoors, one question may be nagging at you: Do we still need to wear masks outside? More than a year into pandemic life, many people remain confused about the risk of spending time outdoors around other people. A growing body of research shows that transmission of Covid-19 is far less likely outdoors than inside, and the risk will get even lower as more people get vaccinated and cases continue to decline. But many states have yet to lift strict outdoor mask mandates. In Massachusetts, for instance, outdoor masking is required at all times, even when nobody else is around.

Recently the online magazine Slate stirred controversy when it suggested an end to outdoor mask rules. The article won support from top public health experts and even The New England Journal of Medicine blog but prompted a fierce backlash from readers, who noted that while the risk of outdoor transmission may be low, it’s not zero.

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Many virus and public health experts say the guidance hasn’t changed — spending time with others outside during the pandemic has always been safer than indoors. But whether a mask is needed outdoors depends on the circumstances, including local public health rules and whether you and the people you’re with are vaccinated. Brief encounters with an unmasked person passing you on the sidewalk or a hiking trail are very low risk, said Linsey Marr, a professor of civil and environmental engineering at Virginia Tech and one of the world’s leading experts on viral transmission. Viral particles quickly disperse in outdoor air, and the risk of inhaling aerosolized virus from a jogger or passers-by is negligible, she said. Even if a person coughs or sneezes outside as you walk by, the odds of you getting a large enough dose of virus to become infected remain low, she said.

“I think the guidelines should be based on science and practicality,” said Dr. Marr. “People only have so much bandwidth to think about precautions. I think we should focus on the areas that have highest risk of transmission, and give people a break when the risk is extremely low.”

Dr. Marr uses a simple two-out-of-three rule for deciding when to wear a mask in public spaces or when she doesn’t know everyone’s vaccination status. In these situations, she makes sure she’s meeting two out of three conditions: outdoors, distanced and masked. “If you’re outdoors, you either need to be distanced or masked,” she said. “If you’re not outdoors, you need to be distanced and masked. This is how I’ve been living for the past year. It all comes down to my two-out-of-three rule: outdoors, distanced and masked."

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I walk my dog everyday in my yard and neighborhood and never wear a mask. When shopping in stores or patronizing a restaurant, I always have a mask on my face.

[liberal_mama]

1. I live in Western New York and almost no one wears a mask when outside. Not now or during the entire

pandemic. I live next door to a park and I haven't seen one person masking up while walking their dogs or playing with their kids on the playground.

[FakeNoose]

3. And yet in NYC Manhattan, people are wearing masks everywhere

... Indoors and out on the street. I guess we all need to use sensible judgment.

[liberal_mama]

8. They probably should be wearing masks in NYC if the streets are still as crowded as the last

time I went there in June 2019. For the record, I always wear a mask when I'm outside, even when getting my mail, and I get a lot of comments and strange looks from other people. I mean, you never know when a situation will occur and someone will get close to you.

[hlthe2b]

2. Going outdoors and staying distant (trying to avoid people totally) has been the MO

for most everyone, I know throughout this pandemic. To the point, I carried a mask in my pocket at first, but never donned it but simply moved WAAY away from anyone my dog and I encountered.

Never once did I not fully mask indoors with others, but outdoors, strict distancing-- even greater than six feet-- was always sufficient. But, of course, I wasn't out exercising in crowds or Central Park and COULD avoid others.

[FakeNoose]

4. +1 Yes I'm the same way

However it was pointed out in the article that some states (e.g. Massachusetts) require masks outdoors as well as in. So we need to have sensible laws, and also sensible people following the laws.

[ChazII]

6. I am not in New York.

Here in Phoenix but we have followed your steps. We walked our dogs without wearing a mask. When we encountered another dog walking its human (attempt at humor) we would cross to the other side of the street. I never did take my dog to parks or even dog parks.

[utopian]

5. I keep my mask under my chin

And pull it up if I get close to folks. Otherwise, I don't wear it, mostly cause I wear a mask all day long at work.

In my NW Portland neighborhood, though, almost no one even appears to be carrying a mask on them.

[FakeNoose]

7. +1 Sensible

[Raftergirl]

9. I'm in eastern NY (Cap District)

and everyone here wears masks, inside anyplace and outside most places. Even the young kids wear masks when the are outside playing. Same at my town parks playground.

If I’m walking in my quite suburban neighborhood I don’t wear a mask, but always have it with me just in case. I wore it outside all the time in winter as it kept my face warm. I will be doing that from now on. It made a huge difference.

[FreepFryer]

10. You can only control two of the three. Maintaining distance isn't guaranteed - so I wear a mask. Nyc

[abqtommy]

11. When I wear my mask it's because I'm around people, no matter where. But that's just me.

Back in February of 2020 I said we could survive this and I damn well will.

[I_UndergroundPanther]

12. When I go out I

Wear a mask under my chin all the time. If I am outside my apartment it does not matter if its trash day or going to the mailbox. My mask is on my chin unless I see other people are around..

If someone knocks on my door my mask gets put on before I open the door. After I open it I stand back to distance..


As a general rule I'll pull it up if I encounter any people ahead of the time we would get closer..

All other times,shopping walking where there are people moving around that makes distancing unpredictable and inside where others are around I pull up my mask and wear it.

I put it on before I get near a store entrance where people are around.

If I am walking in the woods or in a kinda isolated area my mask is under my chin unless I see other people a ways off than I pull up my mask and pass them quickly if the place we walking on is narrow,like a trail or sidewalk.

[HipChick]

13. Keeping my mask on...pollen is horrid..