A: Nope. COVER THOSE SCHNOZES!
Why? The nose is often the first place the virus attaches and is a replication hotspot.
This may be because ACE2 — the cell surface receptor that the virus uses to get into cells — is more abundant on nasal-lining cells and less abundant on the surface of lower airway cells (link to article).
Remember, we test for SARS-CoV-2 with a NASAL swab because that’s where we find the most virus.
SO….we know it is hot, but not covering your nose is leaving your most contagious AND most vulnerable part hanging out there in the wind. It’s like using a condom but not covering…well you catch our drift!
