My husband is one of those ‘at risk’ people who wears a mask when he’s around other people.
But don’t you find it interesting that HK never had the case load the province immediately next to it, Shenzhen did?
Nobody was wearing a mask in Shenzhen in december/january. Hong Kongers have worn them for over a year.
If you live in an area where you are literally living, traveling, walking shoulder to shoulder among millions I can see a masks usefullness. The chance of having someone within touching distance coughing or sneezing or physically touching/brushing against you are very good.
I live in a rural area with the largest town of 40k within driving distance and have always followed just keeping away from other folks personal space. I don't see the need for a mask and couldn't wear one more than 60 seconds if I had to. Since all the kids were grown and gone I haven't gotten a bad virus in years. Just showing that shoving 30-40 runny nosed urchins into close proximity to pass a virus around and bring it home is a prime vector even in sparsely populated areas. For those stuck in high population areas with mass transit or forced or have a habit of living shoved up against each other, they need every tool they can get to not pass crud around.