There are cases where some people cannot wear a mask because they have pulmonary issues. Some people will de-saturate when forced to "rebreathe" a lot of their own exhalation. Of course, it is more likely they just don't care.... but we can't know.
Wearing a [cloth/paper] mask inside, can be helpful. It can help prevent the spread of droplets which typically occur from sneezing, coughing, and talking. They are of limited to zero value outside, unless you are close to others. Although they can help to remind people to be careful and help to remind users not to touch their nose/mouth/face with unwashed hands, which is the #1 way most viruses are spread.
Cloth/paper masks will do almost nothing to stop "airborne" viruses (those that are are not trapped in droplets). Even N95 masks are not that effective unless they are perfectly fitted (which, from what I have seen, is rare).
"There are cases where some people cannot wear a mask because they have pulmonary issues. Some people will de-saturate when forced to "rebreathe" a lot of their own exhalation. Of course, it is more likely they just don't care.... but we can't know." ===> Maybe a person in this condition shouldn't be out in public at all?
"Wearing a [cloth/paper] mask inside, can be helpful. It can help prevent the spread of droplets which typically occur from sneezing, coughing, and talking.
They are of limited to zero value outside, unless you are close to others. Although they can help to remind people to be careful and help to remind users not to touch their nose/mouth/face with unwashed hands, which is the #1 way most viruses are spread." ===> If you're outside, away from others, you don't need a mask. So it's effectiveness in this case it moot.
"Cloth/paper masks will do almost nothing to stop "airborne" viruses (those that are are not trapped in droplets). Even N95 masks are not that effective unless they are perfectly fitted (which, from what I have seen, is rare)." ===> I can't argue with that. The virus is much smaller than what these masks have been designed to filter out. I'm no doctor (where have you heard that before?) but I doubt that there's a ton of free floating virus particles in the air around us. I'd guess that most of those virus particles can be found in the aerosol droplets coming out of people's mouths and noses. Those particles can be filtered by masks. Perhaps not 100% but it sure is better than not wearing a mask!
