We wear masks everywhere to protect from the coronavirus epidemic. So, is it necessary to wear a mask while doing sports? Chest Diseases Specialist Prof. Dr. Öner Dikensoy made warnings and recommendations by stating that wearing a mask is not the right approach in all kinds of sports.
Surgical mask is enough
If you are running or walking alone, you do not need to wear a mask. It is dangerous to wear a surgical mask or N95 type mask, especially in sports with excessive effort and long-term sports. When exercising outdoors, people do not need to wear masks unless they are too close to each other. The N95 mask should not be worn anyway. We do not recommend that people other than healthcare professionals use the N95 mask, it is sufficient to wear a surgical mask. Since masks make breathing very difficult, they cause discomfort and anxiety, and they want to remove the mask, which causes the wrong use of the mask.
Mask should be worn in every area where social distance cannot be maintained
The habit of wearing a mask should be similar to the habit of wearing a seat belt. Just as we reflexively wear our seat belts when we get in the car, we should wear our masks in every area where social distance cannot be maintained. We have to make this a reflex. There is no evidence that the virus is transmitted while exercising. If you are running or walking in a crowded place that cannot maintain your social distance, you should wear your mask, but if you are walking or jogging in an environment where social distance is preserved, you do not need to wear a mask. Walking or running with a mask can be especially difficult for elderly and sick people. When it comes to group sports; As long as they keep their distance, they don't need to wear a mask.
Talking and coughing while doing sports are behaviors that will cause the virus to spread. If they control these reflexes and cough, they should not exercise in that environment or wear a mask. It is not possible to get rid of the virus by escaping, we need to learn to live with the virus. Therefore, if we can explain the use of the necessary mask in the right place to the whole society and make it mandatory, we can return to our normal life. Every individual should take responsibility.