#Bill Nye ‘the Science Guy’ urges public to wear face masks

Bill Nye, TV’s “Science Guy,” has weighed in on the ongoing mask debate and, predictably, he’s all for wearing one – saying it “is a matter literally of life and death.”

The popular science communicator delivers his message in a pair of videos on TikTok, where he displays a common surgical mask, a scarf that “won awards in the Washington state fair for both design and workmasnship” and a homemade face mask.

“Why do people in the scientific community want you to wear a face mask when you are out in public?” he says. “Well, please, consider the following. Face masks like this one prevent particles from my respiratory system from getting into the air and then into your respiratory system.”

The 64-year-old, who blows at a candle through the coverings, then pulls out an N95 surgical mask, which he says is made to “block particles in the medical environment and when you’re out mowing the lawn.”

After demonstrating its effectiveness, he raises his voice to make his point — as the wearing of masks has become a controversial topic in the US during the coronavirus pandemic.

“So the reason we want you to wear a mask is to protect you, sure. But the main reason we want you to wear a mask is to protect me from you, and the particles from your respiratory system from getting into my respiratory system,” Nye says.

“Everybody, this is a matter literally of life and death. And when I use the word literally I mean literally a matter of life and death. So when you’re out in public, please wear a mask.”