got to get past this point of blaming people when they getting it, of thinking they must have done something wrong, that wearing a mask would have made much of a difference one way or the other. I’m surprised more people aren’t wearing gas masks. They aren’t that expensive and probably would provide adequate protection
Ever worn one for an extended period? Miserable especially when it is hot. They are also only as good as the filters in them. If they aren't going to work on virii, which they won't, wear the bandanna. It won't work either but it will suck less.
Not for others, gas masks allow you to exhale your unfiltered breath.
Probably the only thing that would actually protect a person would be a positive-pressure, rubber canister-type mask with an air ionizing unit, or a compressed air tank.
Of course, unless you are in a high-risk demographic, (elderly, obese, COPD, diabetes, immunodeficiency) the survivability rate is generally over 99%.
And even if you should become infected, you have about a 50/50 chance you would develop symptoms and get sick. Otherwise, you would develop immunity (which should be the main objective).
So, it's probably not really worth the trouble. Instead we should have been devoting the bulk of our resources, pulling out all the stops, to protect the vulnerable members of the population.
Probably the most effective method of self protection is just to tell people to "Stay the Hell Back!"