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But, to think they make no difference is at best very ignorant.

No, what is actually ignorant is to think that masks that were never intended to stop virus sized aerosols would actually stop virus sized aerosols. Try to find some data which actually shows a reduction in COVID transmission as a result of mask usage. It is a lot harder to find that data than you think it is.

Some people fetishize masks. But don't think that your cloth or flimsy medical mask will protect you from an airborne virus. It won't. You need to at least wear a well fitted N-95 mask, and preferably a full face forced flow respirator.

Your analogies to something offering "some protection" aren't relevant. By your test wearing a 1" diameter pendant might offer some protection from gunfire. It does, but not enough to matter. Wearing a cloth mask that reduces your infection risk by 2 percent or some such number is a waste of time and effort.

So go and wear your mask everywhere. But don't fool yourself into thinking it does much to protect you unless you are properly wearing an N-95 mask or respirator.

In that case follow the CDC recommendations for masking when exposed to a hazardous aerosol virus:

"...an appropriate respiratory protection device, such as a half-mask air-purifying (or negative-pressure) respirator with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter or a powered air-purifying respirator (PAPR) with HEPA filters. Follow local and state requirement regarding pulmonary function and fit testing before beginning any work requiring the use of a respirator."

"Personal protective gear should be decontaminated upon removal at the end of the day. All potentially infective waste material (including respirator filters) from clean-up operations that cannot be burned or deep-buried on site should be double-bagged in appropriate plastic bags. The bagged material should then be labeled as infectious (if it is to be transported) and disposed of in accordance with local requirements for infectious waste."

CDC Source