I've been doing a good job of getting 10,000 steps in every day this summer.
During these long walks I've encountered a growing number of discarded face mask; So I thought I would drop a quick PSA to remind everyone not to pick up dropped masks with bare hands.
A primary reason for wearing the masks is to stop people with COVID19 from spreading the virus. A mask worn by a person with SARS-CoV-2 is bound to contain a super-concentrated amount of SARS-CoV-2. A discarded mask from a COVID19 carrier will be a biohazard to any person or animal that encounters the mask.
Personal I use a washable cloth mask. I wash the mask frequently with soapy water.
BTW: If I suspected that I had COVID19, I would self isolate in a place with smooth surfaces that I could clean with disinfectant. I would not wear a mask.
The human body was designed to expel pathogens. Wearing a mask when one has the disease will increase the viral load which will worsen the symptoms.
But lets get back to my observation that masks are a biohazard. If you are using disposable masks, then I would dispose of the masks by placing them in a plastic sack.
If I were at a health care facility, I would want to dispose used masks in a biohazard bin. If you need to pick up discarded masks that you encounter on the street ... assume it is contaminated. Use gloves and wash your hands after touching it.
If you think it is funny to discard masks in public places. It isn't. Discarding masks is not a decent method to display dissent as you force other people into the unpleasant situation of having to pick up and discard of the mask properly.