The simpler alternative to face masks for certain situations
I read the well done and much needed review of face masks for covid-19 as well as all of the 66 rapid responses posted to date. While the discussion is excellent with most of the pertinent issues covered, there is one alternative that was not mentioned: If we don't speak or exhale we don't emit coronavirus-containing respiratory droplets, so why don't we simply stop talking and exhaling within 3m of other individuals when the circumstances support doing so?
A typical situation supporting these maneuvers is cycling. At a moderate cycling speed of 16 km/hr less than a second is needed to traverse the 4m (2m approaching and 2m following) required to preserve the usual social distancing recommendation--and greater social distancing limits are easy to achieve. Yet I have not found any CDC , WHO, or other guidances that recommend this simple, noninvasive, universally available, no cost maneuver.
So, if you happen to be on one of the scenic bike paths in the U.S. and you're about to pass by a gray-haired, helmut-wearing senior on a hybrid bike, wave, nod, or give me a thumbs up, but don't talk or exhale. If you can't hold your tongue and your breath for 1 second, then please wear a mask!
Rapid Response:
The simpler alternative to face masks for certain situations
I read the well done and much needed review of face masks for covid-19 as well as all of the 66 rapid responses posted to date. While the discussion is excellent with most of the pertinent issues covered, there is one alternative that was not mentioned: If we don't speak or exhale we don't emit coronavirus-containing respiratory droplets, so why don't we simply stop talking and exhaling within 3m of other individuals when the circumstances support doing so?
A typical situation supporting these maneuvers is cycling. At a moderate cycling speed of 16 km/hr less than a second is needed to traverse the 4m (2m approaching and 2m following) required to preserve the usual social distancing recommendation--and greater social distancing limits are easy to achieve. Yet I have not found any CDC , WHO, or other guidances that recommend this simple, noninvasive, universally available, no cost maneuver.
So, if you happen to be on one of the scenic bike paths in the U.S. and you're about to pass by a gray-haired, helmut-wearing senior on a hybrid bike, wave, nod, or give me a thumbs up, but don't talk or exhale. If you can't hold your tongue and your breath for 1 second, then please wear a mask!
Competing interests: No competing interests