Bill Nye Has Strong Feelings About Wearing a Mask While Hiking and Biking

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

Bill Nye is frustrated. "The science is so well understood for what to do during a pandemic," he says. "It's so well figured out, and we're ignoring it all. It's not working for me." So, he's doing something about it, collaborating with Airband on a collection of science-themed washable, reusable masks with filters, and sending the proceeds to the University of Washington’s Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, which is working on strategies to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.

We sat down to check in with Nye and hear him break down—in the elementary terms he's so known for—why we should be wearing masks, when he's wearing them and when he's not, and where he dreams of traveling when the pandemic is finally under control. (Which would be sooner, he says, if we all just wore a dang mask.)

For those who may still be hesitant to mask up, can you explain how masks work and why they're so important in this moment?

Masks keep a great many particles from your breath from getting into the air, and they keep a great many particles in the air from getting into your nasal passages. They're a filter, like a coffee filter only for particles. But the thing that I want everybody to keep in mind is it literally works both ways—and when I use the expression literally, I mean literally, actually, for real. So you want to keep particles carried on water droplets from the breath of people who are sick around you from getting into your lungs. And you don't want particles from you getting into the air of the people around you. This is what people generally call public health. It's what my parents would call common sense, right? But as they often pointed out, common sense is not that common.

People are leaving their homes much more often than they were in late spring and early summer to get outside, walk, bike, and even go to the beach. I'm going to throw a few scenarios at you so you can let us know how we should be approaching mask-wearing. You are going on a hike and it's a fairly empty trail. When are you wearing your mask?

All you have to do is wear it when you see somebody approaching, like when they get within, say, 30 feet. I recommend you tie a string—a piece of cord or even a shoelace—to the ear straps of your mask, so that you can let it hang around your neck to carry it and easily put it on when you see someone.

https://www.cntraveler.com/story/bill-nye-has-strong-feelings-about-wearing-a-mask-while-hiking-and-biking

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. Very good and sensible advice that should be followed. n/t

[iemitsu]

2. This is why I have been wearing a mask to mow my front lawn.

Hoards of un-masked joggers run past my house and spew their germs all over the place.

[HockeyMom]

18. Husband was not masked when he mowed our

lawn. He is old and has Parkinson's. Said don't do this. Nothing to do with wearing a mask. We live in a rural area across from State Game Lands. He fell into the road and cars were driving around him. The could have run him over. So you are saying if he had been wearing a mask drivers would have helped him to safety? Nobody even called 911. Two UNMASKED workmen in a truck got out and helped him into our driveway. SPREADING THE VIRUS!

On the other hand, I was in a car crash not wearing a mask in my car (should have?) not long afterwards. Had my windows rolled down. Other motorists stopped and came running out maskless putting their heads into my windows asking if I was ok and saying 911 had been called. They were doing the same with the other car. Another unmasked motorist stopped and was walking all around asking how could he help.

What IRRESPONSIBLE people maskless people spreading the virus! Would you have helped help either of us not wearing a mask? Thankfully, there are still people around whose concern about other's safety extends beyond the virus.

[LisaL]

20. The reason people should wear a mask is out of concern for other people safety.

The time your husband or you, maskless, interacted with all these other maskless people, could have very well have resulted in you getting infected. For whatever reason, you seem to be constantly arguing against mask wearing or social distancing.
I really don't get it, especially if your husband is elderly with all these pre-existing conditions.

[Hekate]

32. What?

SMH

[iemitsu]

45. An odd response to my post.

I was just commenting on how many people in my neighborhood don't wear masks while coming close to me in my yard.

[Hav]

47. Wow...

Seriously, just try to assess this problem rationally. Masks have a specific function in relation to this pandemic. They are meant to contain the spread of an infectious disease, nothing else.

Was it preferable that people helped your husband back to safety as opposed to inaction regardless of whether they or he happened to wear a mask? Of course. No one is even remotely arguing that masks benefit your health and safety for any situation you could possibly imagine.

If you have to go to these bizarre kind of arguments, maybe it's time to reconsider the basis of your position.

[LizBeth]

3. I went to one of our parks to hike. A narrow path and steep. I was having people coming down the

path huffing and puffing, three across. No room for me. Approaching me with no masks. I turn to face the mountain, with my mask on and saw more coming my way. I gave up. I was surprised to find out hiking felt worse than in stores where people work hard at distancing and everyone, 100% wears mask. I have not been back to that park.

[LastDemocratInSC]

34. I've had the same experience with trail runners

in Shenandoah National Park. I get off the trail, face the woods and put on my mask.

[former9thward]

4. There is no science behind that second statement.

Not a single report, not a documented case of transmission outside among individuals. None. Covid is spread inside, in areas of poor ventilation where people are sharing the space with someone who is infected for long periods of time. That is what all the reports show. The CDC and WHO say you have to be within 6 feet of an infectious person for at least 15 minutes to be at risk. Outside is well ventilated and the UV rays from the sun kill the virus.

It is disappointed the interviewer did not ask any follow up questions. My guess is they they are not familiar enough with science to ask any. BTW Nye's background is mechanical engineering. Nothing about infectious diseases.

[LisaL]

5. If CDC and WHO say you have to be within 6 feet of an infectious person for at least 15 minutes,

it must be so. Then of course CDC and WHO were also saying that masks don't work-it must be so-oh wait...
And somebody from WHO made a claim that asymptomatic people don't actually transmit COVID-then it must be so-oh wait....
I can tell I don't believe for a second you have to be within 6 feet of infectious person for at least 15 minutes to be infected.
Study after study actually shows these droplets can travel much farther than 6 feet.
It's also not accurate that there is no documented cases of outdoor transmission.

"It may also help to know about some studies suggesting that most Covid-19 transmission happens indoors, not outdoors. In China, a study of 318 outbreaks found that transmission occurred outdoors in only one of them."

https://www.vox.com/future-perfect/2020/4/24/21233226/coronavirus-runners-cyclists-airborne-infectious-dose

[former9thward]

7. Yes, ignore the WHO and CDC but take advice from a mechanical engineer on the subject.

OK...

[LisaL]

12. Like another poster pointed out, where exactly do CDC and WHO even say that?

What you are claiming doesn't even appear to be accurate.

[Mariana]

13. The CDC and the WHO do not say that. nt.

[Steelrolled]

8. There is so much misinformation

And much of it from people who should know better, and in some cases deliberately. While I think the CDC and WHO are good organizations, I am now skeptical of any advice they provide to the public. They are afraid to be transparent, thinking we can't handle the truth.

I thought it was interesting that Nye said masks work both ways. I believe the "official" story from "official" sources is that the masks most people wear (not N95) offer minimal protection to the wearer. Somehow this is supposed to make more people wear them.

[Mariana]

11. Neither the CDC or the WHO say what the poster claimed. nt.

[former9thward]

44. See Poster #23

[LisaL]

49. You seemed to have confused being at high risk for infection

if you were around someone with covid for more than fifteen minutes with being no risk for infection if you were around someone infected with covid for less than 15 minutes. One doesn't equal the other.

[former9thward]

51. You seem to have confused being outdoors with being indoors.

No one can show a report of outdoor transmission between one individual and another.

[LisaL]

53. I already posted a link that says your claim is not accurate.

Outdoor transmission has happened.

[former9thward]

55. Ahh no.

The Chinese "report" is about transmission in a mass of people outdoors --- not individuals passing one another for a few seconds. With 800,000 deaths and 23,000,000 cases don't you think someone could come up with one -- just one -- report of a transmission of the type Nye is talking about?

[LisaL]

56. Way to shift the goal posts.

In your post you claimed there is not a single documented case of outdoor transmission. When I proved you wrong, you are adding qualifiers that there are no documented cases of outdoor transmissions if individuals passed one another for a few seconds.

[former9thward]

57. Look at my original post.

I said individuals. Nye is talking about individuals. Try again....

[LisaL]

14. I guess the thinking is that most people are altruistic?

Since when?

[Steelrolled]

15. Perhaps the idea was that you didn't want people to not wear a

mask because "I'm a tough guy/gal, and I'm willing to take the risk.". Instead, you want these types to say "I don't need a mask, but I wear one for for the weak people around me".

[misanthrope]

22. I think the motivation for "works both ways" is this

Because of how morally bankrupt our culture has become post-Reagan, you can count on more Americans being motivated by their selfishness than by altruism. Therefore, in order to keep them from spreading more virus (which masks are more effective at), you have to convince them they are saving themselves (which masks aren't actually as good at).

It sucks but it's just the way we are and the evidence has been abundant this year.

[Mariana]

10. "The CDC and WHO say ..."

Where exactly do they say that? I found this page for the CDC:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/how-covid-spreads.html

and this one for the WHO:

https://www.who.int/news-room/q-a-detail/q-a-how-is-covid-19-transmitted

and neither of them say anything even remotely like "you have to be within 6 feet of an infectious person for at least 15 minutes to be at risk."

[ProfessorGAC]

23. It Is, However, The Guidance ...

...upon which the Illinois Department of Public Health issued the quarantine/isolation rules for schools, hospitals, & clinics are precisely the "<6 feet for 15 minutes" being discussed.

Being within 6 feet of a person with COVID-19 for more than 15 minutes. Being in direct contact with secretions from a person with COVID-19 (e.g., being coughed on, kissing, sharing utensils). Being in close contact (as described above) in the 48 hours before a person with COVID-19 developed symptoms.
Illinois.gov › dph › covid19 › pote...
Potential Exposure | IDPH

They got this information from some organization they trust or they wouldn't have passed them on.

[LisaL]

24. I am not going to be guessing where they got it.

There has already been so much disinformation of how covid spreads.
Originally we were told to wash our hands a lot. What good is it going to do with mostly airborne transmission? Which (airborne transmission) is only recently being acknowledged.

[ProfessorGAC]

25. I Get You

But I don't agree that airborne transmission is recent information.
That goes back to at least early April.
Admittedly, at that time, they thought that was a secondary route, rather than the clear primary. But, the fact that it's transmitted by air has been known for at least 4 months.

[Mariana]

28. Sure, it's discussed as being higher risk.

The poster I answered claims CDC and WHO say there is zero risk unless you're closer than 6 feet for 15 minutes. Of course, neither agency says any such thing.

The CDC and WHO say you have to (emphasis mine) be within 6 feet of an infectious person for at least 15 minutes to be at risk.

[ProfessorGAC]

31. It's The Metric Attached To...

...contact tracing to determine the need to quarantine people exposed to a known positive COVID patient.
If those people have not been <6 feet for more than 15 minutes, the exposed person does not need to sit the bench for 14 days.
The schools here are using it.
Hospitals outside dedicated COVID areas, clinics, care homes, etc. are all using this guidance from IDPH.
I looked, but couldn't find anything on their site as to the origin of that standard.
And, I agree that nobody has declaratively made such a statement.
I'm not defending the devil's advocate post in question, but in fairness, that standard is, in fact, official cially out there, and in use.

[LisaL]

33. Well, that might be the metric they are using, but I doubt it is based on reality.

One cough or sneeze likely releases so many of the virus particles that it might be enough to infect a bunch of people. One doesn't need to be there for fifteen minutes to get infected.

[ProfessorGAC]

36. You're Being Needlessly Argumentative

The rule applies to situations where everybody is masked.
So, your scenario is likely untrue.
It's fine if you wish to ignore fairness, but it's a fact that public health officials are releasing said guidance. I posted out of fairness because, although it's not WHO or CDC there are official sources populated by educated professionals that are issuing precisely those recommendations.
Seems kind of CTish for you to suggest that the doctors & scientists at IDPH are somehow finding a way to abrogate their duty to protect the public. Everyone's in on it? Really?

[LisaL]

37. Public healths officials might be releasing such guidenance.

Yet we had bunch of infections in schools already. Schools that barely started. And I am not being "needlessly argumentative." I just don't want people to count on not being infected if they been around someone infected for less than 15 minutes. And by the way you are wrong that this only applies to people not wearing masks.

[PTWB]

19. Please source this or delete it.

I’ve heard this said before but no one has ever been able to provide a source. You may be correct and I will be happy to acknowledge your correctness - if you can source it!

Otherwise you’re spreading misinformation.

[ProfessorGAC]

27. Check This Out

I'm in no way coming to the defense of the other poster, but I knew IDPH was using this standard.
It's around 50% down the page.
https://www.dph.illinois.gov/covid19/community-guidance/potential-exposure

[LisaL]

38. CDC doesn't say you can't get infected if you are around someone for less than 15 minutes.

15 minute rule apparently comes out as to who should stay in quarantine after exposure. And by the way this is regardless if PPE was worn or not (which kind of surprises me).
"Note: This is irrespective of whether the person with COVID-19 or the contact was wearing a mask or whether the contact was wearing respiratory personal protective equipment (PPE)."
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/php/public-health-recommendations.html

[ProfessorGAC]

40. IDPH Guidance Requires PPE

For not being argumentative, your sure following me around.
I provided the IDPH link.
I cannot provide you with the school districts' guidance papers, because they are for staff & subs only. (Although I'm certain the parents were provided them)
All the schools are using the standard when contact involves masked individuals.
Since the schools either went online only or mandatory masks, any guidance not involving PPE is irrelevant.
They are following this guidance in an environment where everybody is masked.
Same as the care home where my BiL lives.
You seem to have not grasped that I was not defending the post that started all this.
But, it's a fact that public health bodies are issuing exactly that form of guidance.

[LisaL]

41. Well, CDC specifically states that PPE wearing or not wearing is irrelevant for 15 minute rule.

And I guess you don't want your posts responded to? Maybe you shouldn't be posting on a discussion board then?

[LastDemocratInSC]

35. You posted something that is very important.

"The CDC and WHO say you have to be within 6 feet of an infectious person for at least 15 minutes to be at risk."

Can you please provide a citation for that?

[LisaL]

39. CDC doesn't say that.

What CDC is actually appears to be saying is that you are at a high risk to be infected if you were around someone infected for more than 15 minutes and closer than 6 feet, and thus you should stay in quarantine. Regardless of mask wearing. That obviously doesn't mean you can't be infected if you were further than 6 feet and for less than 15 minutes.
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/php/public-health-recommendations.html

[former9thward]

50. You are ignoring Nye is talking about outdoors.

Show me one report, just one, where Covid has been transmitted outdoors where someone is passing by someone else on a hike or bike. Just one.

[LisaL]

52. And you are ignoring that you claimed the wrong thing.

[former9thward]

46. See post #23

[crickets]

6. Sensible, practical advice that isn't hard to follow. If only everyone would. nt

[Liberal In Texas]

9. I ride a bike 3 or 4 times a week - in Texas. I wear an N95 mask.

Once you get used to it, it's no big deal. Any fogging on my glasses is taken care of by the relative wind as I ride. I does not impair breathing.

[Steelrolled]

17. I think it would be more accurate to say an N95

does not impair breathing to a large degree. If fitted correctly, it definitely adds resistance when breathing in, which means you are doing extra work (w = fd). But I'd agree that for most activities, you get used to it. And in my case, I don't mind a little extra workout.

[sl8]

16. I'm not sure that hanging a used mask around your neck is a good idea.

He's advocating removing and replacing the same mask over and over during the same outing, which definitely goes against other advice I've seen. From what I've read elswhere, you need to take particular care in removing and handling a used mask, and you shouldn't wear it again until it's been sanitized or at least aged. His method means that you have a used, presumed contaminated, mask hanging a little below your breathing holes.

Another thing I'd be concerned with is the sweat. I tried exercising while wearing an N95 and it was beginning to get wet around the edges from sweat after 10-15 minutes. Another 15 minutes and I'm sure it would have been soaked. The WHO recommends against wearing a mask while exercising for this reason.

[LisaL]

21. Well, I agree, but then he is wearing it during an outing, not in covid ward.

It definitely would be a big no no working with covid patients. As for sweat, this presumably is one of the reasons he is not keeping it on constantly.

[ananda]

26. That's exactly what I do when I go walking.

!!!

[LisaL]

43. I just keep it on at all times.

This really is a best practice. You are not supposed to touch your mask after you put it on. Yet I see people constantly adjusting their masks all the time, or constantly taking them off and putting them on. If you have to constantly fiddle with your mask to keep it on your face it's not a good thing.
Best practice is to put it on and to leave it on for the duration of whatever it is you are doing when you are in proximity of other people.

[ananda]

58. I do this when I'm in a more crowded space. However...

When I go walking, I wear it around my neck unless
I see people who are approaching.

Why.. because it's hot here and that's just so much
more preferable.

There is absolutely no danger in my doing that.

[Yeehah]

29. Nye is such a great guy.

He's much like Carl Sagan - using his great knowledge and platform to educate people about the world around them and trying to inspire people to make the world a better place.

[ProfessorGAC]

42. You're Right

I've known Bill since around 1995.
I was (out of personal, not professional interest) involved in academic outreach & support from a major US technical society.
At a couple roundtables in the 90s, Bill was also there.
He and I got on well. We had lunch a few times, but not for 12 or more years.
By total coincidence, a couple years later we were on the same flight, in the same row, both in aisle seats.
So, we chatted the entire flight, too.
He's a big sports fan!

[Yeehah]

48. Nice to hear that!

So he doesn't just play a nice guy on TV.

[GulfCoast66]

30. I won't wear a mask at the beach anymore than when on my boat fishing.

When fishing I am never closer than 10 yard field from someone else and only at the boat ramp. That said, I wear it when going into the bait shop for shrimp. But once on the boat there is often no one within a mile of the wife and I.

Same at the beach. I hate crowed beaches and even before Covid I would not go unless I could have 10 yards or so around me. If I have to use the bathhouse I wear it.

And I never wear it driving although always I have it with me.

I think it is pretty situational.

[backscatter712]

54. That's where I'm at.

Usually, if I'm just walking one of the local trails, I'm far enough away from others that I can leave it off.

But if I'm going to the grocery store, or going anywhere where I'm going to be closer to people, I'm wearing it. Last science I heard (UC Davis, going from memory here...) says a mask cuts its wearer's risk of catching Captain Trumps by 65%. There's a factoid you can use the next time a maskhole gives you crap.