[Lincolnparkdc] More on bikers and runners and the Belgian study

[Jessie Dolch]

My husband keeps finding good stuff in Cycling News, which has written more comprehensively about the Belgian study that this list was passing around the other day, followed by opinions that it was suspect information. This article is very clear and helpful about the study itself and more about the controversy surrounding how much bikers and joggers might be putting others at risk (probably not so much).

 https://www.cyclingnews.com/features/belgian-study-on-safe-distancing-while-exercising-goes-viral/ <https://www.cyclingnews.com/features/belgian-study-on-safe-distancing-while-exercising-goes-viral/>

I find these final paragraphs from the article very helpful in many ways:

We all want the pandemic to get under control so we can resume a normal life, but without knowing who exactly is infected and who to avoid we're in the terrible position of having to act as if we are all infected but the last thing we want to get into the habit of is treating our fellow humans as pariahs.

The Blocken paper is an interesting study that can serve as a guideline for exercising outside but what it is not is any evidence whatsoever that SARS-CoV-2 is spread by aerosols in the outdoors.

While this isn't a good time to blow snot rockets, spit, or jump on the wheel of random people on the bike path, please remember, we are distancing ourselves to prevent more disease and deaths, not because other people are an immediate danger.

The virus has to get to your mucous membranes - your nose, mouth, or eyes. Even if you're in the slipstream of someone who coughs and is infected, science has not yet determined how many virus particles are needed to cause disease.

If it makes you feel safer, wear a mask and as always, avoid touching your face while out and wash and disinfect your hands when you get home.

This is a stressful time for everyone so please treat each other kindly if you pass one another outdoors.

Cheers from Jessie

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