Facebook Founder Mark Zuckerberg "Smog Jog" in Beijing, Stirs Up Commotion in Social Media
Running outside is a great way to exercise, but it may not be a good if the environment is currently suffering hazardous air pollution levels like in Beijing. Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg didn't mind doing a 'smog jog' in China though. According to a report by The Guardian, the chief executive of the top social media platform jogged through the smog in downtown of Beijing without wearing a mask.
Together with five other runners, he ran through Tiananmen Square, past the Forbidden City and over to the Temple of Heaven. Zuckerberg posted a photo of his jog on Facebook with the caption saying, "It's great to be back in Beijing." However, the response of the netizens to his social media post was not all warm and cheery as some have commented outrage and ridicule over his decision of running in a yellow-level smog alert.
According to The New York Times, the photo was posted at around 10:30 a.m. It was revealed that at 9 a.m., the air-quality monitor at the United States Embassy in Beijing calculated the level of PM2.5, ultrafine particles that damage respiration, at 305 micrograms per cubic meter. The level is said to be "hazardous" under American air-quality standards.
Get Our Latest News for FREE
This has lead for some Facebook users to comment regarding his health. One user, Christina Tan, wrote: "Mark, don't u see the air pollution? Stop running outside! Beijing is my home, but I'm not recommending you run outside."
One user also commented about the history of the place that Zuckerberg ran through. It said, "The floor you steped has been covered by blood from students who fought for democracy. But, enjoy your running in China, Mark. :)"
And while some expressed concern for Zuckerberg's health, others pointed to how he was able to access the website, since Facebook is currently banned in the country. Los Angeles Times noted that Zuckerberg must have used VPN or similar software to access his own site. The Facebook founder was in the Chinese capital for an economic forum.
