[canuck_conservative]

Note that the masks are basically useless.

They’re “N95”, which means they’re designed to screen out 95% of particles, like from grinding or smoke ... not 100%, and they aren’t fine enough to stop viruses. (That’s why they’re only a few bucks each.)

But everyone seems to think they’re some kind of impenetrable barrier!

[rfp1234]

Masks are for placebo effects only. They remind people to stay the heck apart from each other.

[DannyTN]

Nobody thinks that I'm aware of. And they don't have to be N95 either. But if everyone wears one here's what happens:

• When the asymptomatic people talk or cough or sneeze, their mask will stop most of the particles with their own mask.
• Some more particles will be stopped by the second person's mask.
• If you do get it, you breathed in a lot fewer particles than you would have, and that likely translates to a milder case.

  Since nobody knows whether they are asymptomatic or not, everyone needs to wear a mask.

[Mom MD]

And most masks worn in the grocery store are not N95. The ones that are are seldom fit or worn properly

[CurlyDave]

...They’re “N95”, which means they’re designed to screen out 95% of particles, like from grinding or smoke ... not 100%, and they aren’t fine enough to stop viruses. (That’s why they’re only a few bucks each.)...

I think it is very rare to find a viable bare-naked virus floating in air. The virus is in a small water droplet. Maybe a small snot droplet if you count all the stuff that comes along with it.

It is only necessary to filter the droplets out of the air to get protection, and the N-95 masks do that.

[Buckeye McFrog]

IMO the whole mask thing is about instilling confidence in essential workers like grocery store clerks so that they will continue reporting for work.