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NIST is a very legitimate lab that practices hard science.

With that being said, they state clearly that this design is “more likely to catch the virus.” (Paraphrased) I would accept that from NIST as I hold them in very high regard.

Here is the quote - “NIST researchers believe this mess of fibers is what increases the chance airborne particles passing through the mask will collide and stick to the fabric.”

What is the “increased chance”? Keep in mind that these materials are tested in ideal situations.

It is a simple fact that masks do not prevent airborne virus transmission. Even assuming the mask is of proper design, is worn properly, and it is clean and in good condition, it will only catch some amount of the virus. The mesh size or filter size is far larger than the virus itself and this is the problem they cannot overcome.

Do they provide some small level of protection?

Ask yourself if you would have sex using a condom and wanting to avoid a pregnancy IF the failure rate was 1 in 2 for example. I am pretty convinced after lots of reading and some experience that 50% reduction is optimistic, but we do not know.

They are a risks reduction measure that may not be very effective based on real world data.

Masks also have a downside in that they provide people with a false sense of confidence and as many have pointed out, even assuming you have a good seal and airflow, they tend to be used for days (not minutes as intended) so they get dirty and may collect the virus providing other pathways. This “collection” (not to mention the thriving bacterial farm on your face) might pose a larger risks.

The cheaper masks we have seen also lose their effectiveness in a short time. They are disposable for a reason. When I worked in a surgical suite many years ago you NEVER kept the same mask. They were “disposable” and you disposed of them frequently.

It is a simple fact that masking was never accepted as a protective measure for an airborne virus prior to Covid. In a hospital setting, used as PPE, it was supposed to avoid airborne liquid droplets (much like eye protection) from saliva and blood. Prior to Covid, positive pressure respirators or respirators were recommended to protect against airborne viruses and N95 masks were not considered or used for protection from airborne viruses like Covid. This is why airborne viruses are so scary!

The science was settled before “orange man bad”. I am fine if people want to wear a mask. I wear one when businesses, my employer, or other people request it of me. Fine and I don’t make any fuss about it. However, too many people issuing mandates to us have oversold the protection of these masks and put too much blind faith in them.

Don’t believe me? Look at the real numbers of people “wearing masks” who have been infected. The available data does not support the claims that one mask, two mask, or more will stop you from getting the virus. The few studies that I have seen show little effect.

The virus is very small (all viruses are) and the best analogy might be that you are hiding behind a chain linked fence and someone is shooting a BB gun at you. You are going to get hit.