Science has emphatically and repeatedly concluded that wearing a mask outdoors where physical distancing is possible is gratuitous at best. Baselessly mandating face coverings out in the open is little more than yet another arrogant exhibition of political grandstanding and Unfortunately, unwavering compliance to such a machiavellian implementation is buoyed by peddling the fallacy that people are “doing their bit”. As the science against outdoor mask mandates continues to pile up, so too does Dan Andrews and Brett Suttons unwillingness to provide the research behind this untenable rule.

A once in a hundred year pandemic requires decisions based on science, not politics and “masks shouldn’t go on being a blunt-force declaration of safety; we should embrace their nuanced use, starting with the idea that they might be overkill in some settings outdoors. This is especially true for people who have been fully vaccinated. “ - Dr Monica Gandhi, Infectious disease doctor, UCSF.  

Little is more symbolic of an industrial scale critical thought breakdown, blatant disregard for common sense and arbitrary governmental overreach than people walking around outdoors, alone, in open spaces, in the wind, nowhere near another person and wearing a face mask, depriving them of one of the few freedoms we have left; fresh air. It's time this gratuitous measure was respectfully questioned.                     

We believe in the science surrounding vaccines, why must we ignore the science, from the very same scientists, surrounding masks in open air settings?

Here is what some of the top scientists in the field say:

“There is no reason, in my view, for wearing masks outside. Evidence suggests that Covid-19 is transmitted far less effectively outside than in, with wind able to scatter infectious particles before they spread between people. There is no evidence the concentration of virus in any open space would be any risk of infection. In my view, requiring masks outdoors at every place is a bit misguided.” - professor Lidia Morowska, director and head researcher at the WHO collaborating International Laboratory for Air Health and Science.

“The virus spreads most commonly from breathing it in from the air, usually coming from people nearby or sometimes further away if you are in a poorly ventilated room. Outdoors the virus cannot accumulate in the air, it quickly becomes diluted in the atmosphere, like a drop of dye in the ocean. I think the guidelines should be based on science and practicality…I think we should focus on the areas that have highest risk of transmission, and give people a break when the risk is extremely low.”“ - Prof Linsey Marr, PhD, an expert in airborne viral transmission at Virginia TechVirginia Tech.

“I would argue strongly against wearing masks outdoors unless you have to be in a crowd.” - Prof Paul Hunter, Professor in Medicine, The Norwich School of Medicine, University of East Anglia

“It is unlikely that the new variant has much effect on outdoor transmission given the inherently low risk when outside with distancing.  Air movements and the ability to stay further apart are independent of the virus’s infectivity.  Walking or running past someone is such a fleeting contact and the possibility of infection is incredibly low and approaches zero.” - Prof Keith Neal, Emeritus Professor of the Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases, University of Nottingham.

“I think it’s a bit too much to ask people to put the mask on when they go out for a walk or jogging or cycling. We’re in a different stage of the pandemic. I think outdoor masks should not have been mandated at all. It’s not where the infection and transmission occurs.” -  Dr. Muge Cevik, a clinical lecturer of infectious disease and medical virology at the University of St. Andrews School of Medicine in Scotland.

“in the scenario where you’re walking unmasked on the sidewalk and briefly pass someone. First, you or the person you’re passing would have to happen to have an asymptomatic infection and then everyone would have to be exhaling and inhaling at just the right moment, and also, exchanging enough particles to actually seed another infection: You’re talking about a probability of getting hit by a car, and being struck by lightning.” - Zain Chagla, Infectious diseases physician, McMaster University

“Given how conservative I have been on my opinions all year, this should tell you how low risk is, in general, for outdoors transmission for contact over short periods — and lower still after vaccination. Keep the masks on you for when you are stationary in a crowd and headed indoors.” - Nahid Bhadelia, an infectious diseases physician and the medical director of the special pathogens unit at Boston Medical Center.

“The results are that this risk is negligible in outdoor air if crowds and direct contact among people are avoided,” - Daniele Contini, aerosol scientist at the Institute of Atmospheric Sciences and Climate in Lecce, Italy.

“I am generally a hawk about maintaining rules with a clear benefit. Outdoor masking has notable costs and really no evidence of benefits.” - Marc Lipsitch, head of the Center for Communicable Disease Dynamics at Harvard University

“contagions outdoors have been extremely rare, even at the beginning of the pandemic, when nobody was wearing masks…When outdoors, the air exhaled from the mouth tends to be warmer than the surroundings, meaning it quickly rises and is blown away by the air currents….A contagion could only be expected when people are very close to one and other, a meter or less, and are speaking face to face and even then, the risk is much lower than in indoor spaces …it’s time to stop using masks outdoors.” - Chemical engineer Martin Bazant, Massachusetts Institute of Technology.