On whether or not masks work on viral particles, I relied upon clean room engineers. Those guys know more about airborne contaminants than anybody. They found a properly fitted N-95 50% effective, at best. A surgical mask was good for no more than 10%. They’re good for stopping a sneeze into an open wound, but no more.
While the chain link fence analogy was flawed, the cheap blue masks never looked like a good idea.
The other problem was what the masks were keeping in. If one inhaled the virus and subsequently exhaled it, was keeping a mask on all day a good idea? How about breathing exhaled bacteria? Particularly after putting it in a warm moist environment? How about getting less oxygen all day?