I agree that if everyone wore a mask correctly, it would lower the spread of all infectious diseases (non-venereal, of course). The problem is that even the n95 mask manufacturers say that they should be discarded after use. If you wear one, and someone sneezes on you, the virus is on the mask. Throw it away.
At this point, fwiw, my main argument against the mask argument is that it seems to be an attempt to get things back to normal while the epidemic is ongoing. I.e., if a mask is on, then it's safe to get close to people. That's 100% true for health care workers and people who must come into contact with lots of people daily. It's not true for me. They've asked me to stay inside to help slow the spread. I only go out to shop and ride my bike. Fwiw, I think I will start wearing a mask in the supermarket --but, just to make the clerks feel more at ease.
Oh, that's a partial lie. I did laundry in the building laundry room this morning. Everybody in the building is wearing masks, but I let my neighbor take the elevator before me. She was wearing a mask. In the laundry room, another neighbor was wearing an n95. But, I took my dust mask out and put it on in the room. I carefully put it on, didn't touch it, took it off when I finished and washed my hands. I should throw it away, but then I'd have to buy more. If I really bought enough, I'd be taking them away from people who really need them. I don't need to be out.
But, hey, it's too late for this time. Otoh, it's guaranteed that this epidemic will save lives because people start washing their hands --like they were supposed to all along -- and getting their vaccinations. You know that next year everyone will want a shot of the covid 19 vaccine.
Wearing masks might become a habit, but would you hug someone with a mask on?
