Eight-time world squash champion Datuk Nicol Ann David had an encounter with an individual at the gym who wasn’t wearing a mask and it made her feel uncomfortable. She has since taken to Twitter to call on Malaysians to be responsible during the Covid-19 pandemic.
In a Twitter thread, Nicol David said she had her first gym session in almost a year and was biking with her mask on. She acknowledges that this can be uncomfortable.
She added that an individual at the gym then comes next to her without a mask and starts working out, which she says made her feel a little daunted.
“I was asking myself – donāt people have to wear masks in gyms as they are closed, low ventilated spaces?” she said.
“Story goes that I didnāt feel comfortable as I was wearing my mask and I believe itās safer if everyone does the same.”
Nicol David then went over to the individual and kindly asked him to put on his mask, especially since he was next to her. However, she said that the individual did not respond well to her request.
“I donāt think the person liked after it… but the conclusion goes to all- we have to enforce the rules and really look out for one another,” she said.
“Believe me, I wish I could take my mask off during the workout I was BOILING… but we have to think of the people around us.”
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Nicol David then urges everyone to be more conscious of the situation and to practise personal hygiene and physical distancing.
“Letās all work together to be more conscious of this situation- itās in our hands to wear our mask, wash our hands and keep our distance.”
While some netizens supported Nicol David’s stand about wearing masks during exercise, others responded that masks should not be worn during workouts as it could be potentially be harmful.
- “This is the exact reason why I haven’t been back to my gym. My gym doesnāt enforce their members to workout with their masks and I donāt feel comfortable being in that kind of space for now. I know that we need to live with the virus around but we can control our own safety measures.”
- “But we shouldn’t wear mask while exercising/cardio. You’re endangering yourself that way, maybe for you it’s ok, but not for others who are maybe less athletic. Even riskier when you exercise indoor with mask.”
- “Biking with mask in a gym, indoor or outdoor is actually very risky and endangering a person’s life because our body will absorb less oxygen, wear a shield is much better. It is the reason why all sports athletic like tennis or football don’t wear mask when they compete.”
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