Experts suggest staying clear of runners during lockdown

The sport fraternity were mightily relieved and jubilant when President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that people would be allowed to go outdoors to exercise – albeit with certain restrictions.

But experts have advised people to stay clear of runners during the national lockdown as they believe there is a higher risk of being sprayed with virus droplets by those exercising.

A videographic has revealed that infected particles from a runner can travel further than two metres.

Tech company Ansys created a video which demonstrates how one could come into contact with droplets of Covid-19 while walking, running or cycling behind another person.

Some experts suggest that running side-by-side could be less risky than in single file, as you are less likely to be exposed to potentially infected fluids.

The reasoning is that if someone coughs, the droplets are suspended in the air. If you run or walk are behind that person, you are going to run right into them.

Being next to someone lessen the chances of that happening.

While there is no evidence at this stage that the coronavirus is found in sweat, it has been located in stools and other bodily fluids, suggesting it could be in sweat as well.

However, sweat is not the biggest concern when it comes to runners who don’t adhere to social distancing.

Breathing, which puts the virus in the air, is the main concern

Covid-19 is spread by respiratory droplets when a person coughs or sneezes, and transmission may occur when these droplets enter the mouths, noses or eyes of people who are nearby.

Spit contains saliva, but could also contain sputum from the lungs or drainage from the posterior nasopharynx.

Most runners spit during their training runs, which is another way of spreading the virus.

HAVE YOUR SAY

Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter.

For news straight to your phone invite us:

WhatsApp – 072 069 4169

Instagram – zululand_observer