So, I’m kind of in the middle on the whole mask thing.
There’s reason to believe that they should work as “source control”, which is basically the point you raise. There’s very little evidence for this, but it seems logical that stopping non-aerosolized virus particles could have only a positive effect, and at a modest cost. So, I figure, why not give it a try?
On the other hand, lots of people here in Cali have adopted some strong magical thinking about masks. They wear them while driving alone in their own cars. They wear them outside in the sun while running or walking. They become the “mask police” and berate anyone who doesn’t conform. None of this makes any sense.
Would be great if the theory bears out in practice, as we need to get the country back to work NOW, not in some magical futre.
>>They wear them while driving alone in their own cars. They wear them outside in the sun while running or walking.<<
Agreed, that is just wishing. I get rid of the damn thing as soon as I am a bit away from the store building and people.
And yes, we need to get back to work now. Many of the closures were knee-jerk idiocy.
Probably some of it has to do with the inconvenience of having to cover/remove constantly. The more you touch the mask, the more contaminated it gets, best (some think) to just put it on and leave it there. I don't see many people in enclosed vehicles with friends/family ("social bubble"?) wearing them, but taxi/Lyft/Uber drivers have to. As for walkers/joggers, same thing, most are barefaced until they get within the regular 30 feet/2 car lengths of a stranger, then on goes the mask.