To Mask or Not Mask?

Daily doses of fresh air and exercise are increasingly vital during this era of quarantine and social distancing.  Exercise and some vitamin D are proven to be astronomically beneficial for physical and mental health.  One of the questions that have continually come up during this pandemic is just how necessary masks are for going outside.  So when you take your dog out for a walk around the neighborhood, should you be wearing a mask?

One of the biggest issues with this virus is that carriers can be completely asymptomatic and unknowingly exposing others to the disease.  As an extra precaution, the Center for Disease Control, more commonly known as the CDC, has advised people to use non-medical cloth and masks to keep their faces covered.  President Trump made it clear that this was a voluntary measure and by no means a requirement when going outdoors.  However, all parties agreed that wearing some form of mask could only serve as an additional method of protection.  If you tend to cross paths with a few neighbors on your daily walks, wearing a mask for extra means of protection is never going to be detrimental.  If you venture to a hiking trail, beach, or remote piece of property where the chance for human interaction is slim, you’d likely be fine to walk around mask free.   Either way, the mask is not legally required but serves as an extra insurance policy. 

While masks are encouraged, the CDC does not recommend using medical or surgical grade masks for daily walks and outdoor activities.  The caliber of these masks far exceeds what an average person needs for a stroll around their neighborhood.  The CDC along with the White House Administration encourages people to save those grade masks for health care workers on the front lines combatting the virus who truly need them. 

“Medical protective gear must be reserved for the front line health care workers who are providing those services.”

-President Trump

Dr. Robert Redfield CDC Director reiterated the CDC’s message while speaking alongside the White House Administration.  He doubled down on the claim that asymptomatic carriers were a bigger transmitter than they’d previously been projected.  He stated that wearing masks served as, “…another mitigation strategy to protect someone from spreading the virus to someone else.”

“The purpose here is to first and foremost, embrace social distancing.  That’s the number one thing, that’s the powerful weapon.”

-Dr. Robert Redfield, Director of the Center for Disease Control

Redfield added that areas with considerable community transmission are the biggest concern for asymptomatic carriers, as contaminations could spike without warning.  He went on to add, “We know that a face barrier can interrupt the virus particles that can go from one person to another.” 

While not required, wearing masks while walking your dog or doing other outdoor activities is a simple safety measure you can take to help your chances.  If you’re having trouble finding a mask, the CDC recommends using whatever spare cloth you have around the house to make something to wear on your face.