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Doctor Runs 22 Miles Wearing Face Mask To Prove It Doesn’t Lower Oxygen Levels

While the practice of wearing face masks and coverings has been proven to be a powerful weapon in fighting pandemics by many different countries, there are still a lot of people who don’t believe they’re effective. Moreover, some believe that wearing a facemask on a daily basis can have a harmful effect on a person’s health. For instance, some individuals refuse to wear a face mask because, allegedly, it can lower your oxygen levels.

A Yorkshire doctor named Tom Lawton recently decided to debunk this myth about face masks by running 22 miles while wearing one.

More info: twitter.com

During his run, the doctor carried an oxygen SATS meter with him

Doctor Runs 22 Miles Wearing Face Mask To Prove It Doesn't Lower Oxygen Levels

“There are a lot of people out there who just don’t want to wear a mask and will find any excuse they can, but the people I’m more concerned about are people with respiratory illnesses, who would like to wear a mask, would like to do their bit, but are scared because there have been reports that it causes hypoxia [a condition where the body is deprived of oxygen], I’ve seen some reports about people dropping dead while wearing masks,” Tom told Newsweek. “I’m someone who understands the science, I’ve got access to a pulse oximeter (a device used to monitor the amount of oxygen carried around the body) so I can actually go out and show that it definitely doesn’t.”

Tom felt frustrated seeing misinformation being spread about the effect face masks can have on a person’s health and breathing

Doctor Runs 22 Miles Wearing Face Mask To Prove It Doesn't Lower Oxygen Levels

“To make up for the fact that I’m fit and healthy, I thought if I’m running, then I’m using 10 times the amount of oxygen as I would if I’m just sat here. If I can show that I can get 10 people’s worth of oxygen through the mask, then hopefully someone who has a respiratory disease and wants to wear a mask, they can be reassured that it is a safe thing to do,” Tom told Newsweek.

Tom documented his whole journey on Twitter

pic.twitter.com/6BVhb8b06w
— Tom Lawton (@LawtonTri) July 20, 2020

“I’ve done this because, working on ICU and in the hospital, I’ve seen some of the worst of what this virus can do—even to people in their 20s and 30s,” the doctor explained. “I don’t think there’s a single magic bullet that will fix this, but a whole series of things we can do which play a small part each. One of those, and one of the easiest, is probably wearing masks. So it upsets me to see misinformation about oxygen levels, etc. that might scare people away from them.”

“Oxygen levels were stubbornly 98 percent every time I checked”

Doctor Runs 22 Miles Wearing Face Mask To Prove It Doesn't Lower Oxygen Levels

As we mentioned before, Tom carried with him an oxygen SATS meter for being able to check his oxygen levels. Tom claimed that “the mask didn’t come off at all (not even for food or drink during the runs)—and oxygen levels were stubbornly 98 percent every time I checked.”

“Please feel free to cite this when anyone suggests they’re bad for you, and stay safe”

pic.twitter.com/hSdQgn6g1N
— Tom Lawton (@LawtonTri) July 20, 2020

Tom Lawton has also raised more than £2,400 for the Trussell Trust, a charity that works to end food poverty and supports food banks in the UK

pic.twitter.com/R20g98iBVp
— Tom Lawton (@LawtonTri) July 20, 2020

“The choice of the Trussell Trust for fundraising was because they run the main food banks I’m aware of in Bradford, and many nationally. They were already needed too much prior to 2020, and the pandemic has made things worse for so many people—I’ve seen reports on how many children don’t have enough to eat right now so I feel it’s something really important to try to help,” said Tom.

“My mask protects you, your mask protects me”

pic.twitter.com/I1LRApLeIV
— Tom Lawton (@LawtonTri) July 20, 2020

Tom understands that there are people who, for certain reasons, aren’t able to wear masks. “There are obviously people who can’t wear masks for one reason or another, mostly for psychological reasons or PTSD, but everyone who can do so really should. My mask protects you, your mask protects me,” said the doctor.

Doctor Runs 22 Miles Wearing Face Mask To Prove It Doesn't Lower Oxygen Levels

Here’s what people thought about these findings

Doctor Runs 22 Miles Wearing Face Mask To Prove It Doesn't Lower Oxygen Levels

And of course, some people were still reluctant to listen

Doctor Runs 22 Miles Wearing Face Mask To Prove It Doesn't Lower Oxygen Levels

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Julija Svidraitė is an editor here at Bored Panda who has a bachelor's degree in Psychology. Before starting her journey at BP, she had worked as a social media specialist at a marketing agency. She has also tried herself in a few different fields working as an intern: from practicing graphic design at a social media marketing agency, to being an assistant at a psychiatric hospital. Besides writing, Julija is also very passionate about illustrating, drinking coffee, and watching crime documentaries. You can find her in Bored Panda Office or reach her at julija.s@boredpanda.com.

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What do you think ?

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Kathleen van der Gryp 4 years ago

This comment has been deleted.

5points

Lin 4 years ago (edited)

I work as a HCA and I did work through the pandemic and I do not agree with this. Keep in mind that he is not wearing a surgical mask or FFP3 mask with visor and goggles. These masks have filters and some of them are literally vacuumed onto your face for 12/13 hrs. I have other story to tell... if that was true then why nurses tell us every now and then to take the mask off and take 4 deep.breaths so we don't inhale the plastic particles present in the mask? Some people honestly if you are going to prove something use the proper equipment every healthcare professional is using not fave covers...

2points

Martha Meyer 4 years ago

Just a few days ago on the radio I heard about a study by the local university that masks do indeed lower physical performance. They might not lower oxygen levels, but they definitely don't allow the same level of sports activity as without masks. So no excuse for people who are only shopping.

2points

Bob Peterson 4 years ago

Haven't my first comment posted BUT in line with what I say there, performance is lowered because it takes more effort to pull air through the air flow restriction caused by the mask. Please, someone with the equipment, measure the RESISTANCE to air flow created by a mask. Again, it's not a reason to not wear a mask but it explains why so many people complain about it.

2points

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