Online face mask request to joggers prompts debate in German Village neighborhood
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX/WTTE) — A neighbor in German Village sparked a heated online debate after she requested that runners wear a face mask.
“First of all, I had no idea of the reaction I would get. It literally went viral, no pun intended,” said Celia Latz.
She made her online request on the Next Door App this weekend after a jogger got close to her on her sidewalk and blew air into Latz’ face.
“I thought, ‘Yikes.’ I had a mask on,” she said. “I had no idea I touched a raw nerve for many people with so many responses.”
Since Latz posted her request, more than 160 people responded. Some said they don’t run with a mask but step out of the way from people while others stated they will not run with a mask unless it becomes a law.
“Even if someone is running behind you, they’re running in your trail or your plume,” said Dr. Mysheika Roberts with Columbus Public Health. She maintains that best practice is that all runners wear masks.
She said respiratory droplets can travel six to eight feet and even the thinnest of masks can help stop the spread.
However, health officials also said unmasked runners may not pose the greatest risk as exposure becomes significant with up to ten minutes in an infected plume.
“Just running in someone’s plume for a few seconds as you’re caught crossing paths isn’t probably going to be enough to have a true exposure,” said Dr. Roberts.
