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What on earth are you talking about?

Anti-mask protesters in 1918, anti-mask protesters in 2020.

In 1918, those protests succumbed to the second wave of the pandemic.

We await further developments in 2020.

Great graph on disease outbreak differences with this pandemic in countries that wear masks in public (those that suffered in the FIRST SARS outbreak learned their lessons, masks are considered polite and considerate behavior) and those who still eschew masks in public (only sheep wear those!)

https://twitter.com/jperla/status/1244192614959599622/photo/1

After more than fifty years as an environmental health and safety professional in large industrial operations I can assure you that the way most people -- not medical professionals who are trained in the use and care of personal protective equipment (PPE), but "regular folks" -- purchase, apply, wear and maintain these "masks" (scarves are not even worth a mention, much less a serious discussion regarding the use of a scarf as PPE) offers very little protection from a virus although they undoubtedly make the wearer feel safe and feel good about themselves.

The CDC recommends wearing a face mask where the two-yard [anti]-social distancing between your fellow humans cannot be maintained for an extended period (e.g., in a tightly congested area like a bus or a subway train). The following information is derived from OSHA Standard 1910.134 (Respiratory Protection) and OSHA Standard 1910.133 (Eye and Face Protection).

To be effective, a mask must be of the correct design and construction (i.e., a "dust mask" won't do for a virus); the mask must -- must! -- be fit-tested by a professional to ensure an effective seal -- it must be worn without any facial hair present at the mask/skin interface; the mask must be maintained in a sanitary condition and its seal must be maintained intact the entire time it is worn (no touching or adjusting it; no lifting away from the face to scratch your nose); and disposable masks must be discarded after one use and must be replaced (as described above) to avoid a build-up of contaminants that would be discharged directly into the nose and mouth during repeated use. To provide an additional sense of security from the Chinese Virus additional PPE should be considered. Fitted goggles should be worn to prevent the virus from entering through the eyes. Alternatively, a plastic face shield should be worn over the mask and eyes. Consideration may also be given to wearing ear protection (e.g., fitted ear plugs) just in case someone sneaks up on you and sneezes into your ear.

I just got back from a store that looked more like an infirmary in some third-world, fauci-hole country than a supermarket, where I saw a grown man with a full beard wearing a paper mask attached to the surface of his bushy beard with cellophane tape. There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that he thought he was protected from the Chinese Virus with this get-up and that he was being a "good citizen" by not "killing" other people if he was infected with the Chinese Virus and didn't know it. However, it's very likely that if he sneezed (an event which no doubt would have emptied the store) he would have blown the damn thing right off his face!

My point is, if you think you must wear PPE to protect yourself from the Chinese Virus every time you venture outside you should at least do it the right way. As for me, unless I was in a congested space for an extended period I would not wear a mask as it can cause more harm than serve a useful purpose (and because I think it creates an emotionally-damaging incessant reminder that to go outside without the blessings of your governor is to put your very life at risk). Then again, I realize a lot of people disagree with me about the effectiveness (perhaps "efficacy" is the better term) of wearing a mask, resorting to the trite, throw-away line: "Better safe than sorry". I get it ... I really do.