I wouldn’t say they’re totally worthless, but their effectiveness is probably minimal at best. A lot depends on the mask and how well it fits. The cloth and paper masks most people are wearing don’t fit particularly well, so a fair amount of the air you are inhaling or exhaling is going to bypass the mask. If the mask does happen to trap some germs or viruses, they are now trapped against your face, or your hands can come into contact with them if you adjust or remove your mask. Still, the CDC guy says Wearing a mask could be more important than getting a vaccine. How stupid do they think we are?
I tend to agree with your post in theory. I’d bet that without the mask, the stuff would go much farther. On the other hand, somebody without a mask would likely be more cautious.
I’d guess that they are roughly comparable to the buffalo-hide shields that the plains Indians deployed at the urging of the medicine men against the U.S. Calvary’s Winchester Rifles at some point in the last half of the 19th century.
Better than nothing in theory, in practice you are better of staying low if there is a danger of being shot.
Maybe we should have everyone tote around buffalo-hide shields as a way of stopping police violence. Or at least all the school kids in Chicago. They are better than nothing.
Oh, I know.. I agree with you 100%. I only wear a mask (paper) when I have to. The I’m so sick of the so-called experts. They have contradicted themselves endlessly.