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Joggers Should Wear Face Masks When Running, Oxford Professor Says

Joggers Should Wear Face Masks When Running, Oxford Professor Says

‘There is no doubt the virus is in the air, there is no doubt that you can catch it if you inhale, air that someone else has exhaled,’

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Anonymous

An Oxford professor has said joggers should be wearing facemasks while out running.

In an interview with other experts on Good Morning Britain, professor in primary care health sciences at the University of Oxford, Trish Greenhalgh, said: "There is no doubt the virus is in the air, there is no doubt that you can catch it if you inhale, air that someone else has exhaled.

"The exercising jogger - the puffing and panting jogger - you can feel their breath come and you can sometimes actually feel yourself inhale it, so there's no doubt that there is a danger there."

She continued: "So you're jogging along, you think you're fine, and then the next day you develop symptoms of Covid, but you've actually breathed that Covid onto someone perhaps an old lady walking a dog or something like that."

Face coverings are currently mandatory within closed spaces like shops and public transport but they are still optional outdoors.

With jogging becoming one of the nation's favourite hobbies since the first lockdown, the professor's advice is due to be challenged by some.

PA

The debate has already started with an infectious disease expert at Public Health England accusing professor Greenhalgh of 'whipping up hysteria', according to the Daily Mail.

Professor Devi Sridhar, the Chair of Global Public Health at the Edinburgh University believes that joggers and cyclers should be cautions and basically use common sense.

She said: "Runners should think and I think 'where am I running?' and should be attentive to pedestrians.

"The sidewalks are there for pedestrians in busy areas in high streets. If you're in a park, take off your mask and run freely.

"I think we need some consideration for each other right now.

"We're in a pandemic so think about how it feels for other people.

"If you're going to cycle in a busy area wear a mask."

Former Deputy Leader of the Labour Party Tom Watson has a different perspective: "For millions of people in the country in lockdown 3 through winter, the only thing they've had is running."

He continued: "I don't think I can do a run with a mask on. It's hard enough for me to run without it".Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: UK News