Doctor Runs 22 Miles In Face Mask To Prove They Don’t Lower Oxygen Levels

A doctor ran 22 miles to work and back while wearing a face mask to prove that it doesn't affect a person's oxygen levels.

Tom Lawton is an ICU doctor in Bradford Royal Infirmary and said he has seen what coronavirus can do to people, no matter how old or young they are.

And in a bid to raise awareness of the importance of wearing a mask to prevent the spread of the disease, as well as raising over £1,400 ($1,700) for the Trussell Trust, he set out on a mammoth run, during which he claimed he used the equivalent to 10 people's oxygen intake.

Speaking to the Yorkshire Evening Post, Tom said he was sick of seeing 'misinformation' being spread about the effect face coverings can have on a person's health and breathing.

He said: "I've done this because, working on ICU and in the hospital, I've seen some of the worst of what this virus can do - even to people in their 20s and 30s.

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"I don't think there's a single magic bullet that will fix this but a whole series of things we can do which play a small part each.

"One of those, and one of the easiest, is probably wearing masks.

"So it upsets me to see misinformation about oxygen levels etc that might scare people away from them."

During his run, Tom carried with him an oxygen SATS meter, which he said showed 98 percent oxygen levels throughout, proving that his breathing was not affected by the mask.

He told the publication: "I'd never actually run in a mask before doing it for real.

"I was confident in medical and physiology training.

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"The mask didn't come off at all (not even for food or drink during the runs) - and oxygen levels were stubbornly 98 percent every time I checked.

"Please feel free to cite this when anyone suggests they're bad for you, and stay safe - and Covid-free."

Discussing his choice of charity, Tom said the pandemic has hit the poorest the hardest and he wanted to help.

He added: "The choice of the Trussell Trust for fundraising was because they run the main food banks I'm aware of in Bradford, and many nationally.

"They were already needed too much prior to 2020, and the pandemic has made things worse for so many people - I've seen reports on how many children don't have enough to eat right now so I feel it's something really important to try to help."

You can donate to Tom's cause here.

Topics: Coronavirus, Health

Dominic Smithers

Dominic graduated from the University of Leeds with a degree in French and History. Like you, Dom has often questioned how much use a second language has been. Well, after stints working at the Manchester Evening News, the Accrington Observer and the Macclesfield Express, along with never setting foot in France, he realised the answer is surprisingly little. But I guess, c'est la vie. Contact us at [email protected]

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