..they will only keep the sick ppl from making you sick..so the sick people should wear them. Unless you get those super heavy duty masks..then you may as well just stay inside

The cheap surgical masks that are offered at the doctor's office will only protect others from your pathogens. It won't keep you from getting infected yourself.

The N95 masks are the ones health care workers need to keep safe; they do filter out pathogens. We are being urged to not buy those because there will be a shortage and people working in hospitals, etc. really need them.

Tell me: I know the ineffective masks are ineffective because the particles are too small and get through the weave.

But I had a brain storm yesterday. Would this work? Take a large scarf, pin a piece of paper to it, fold the scarf around the paper and tie it to your head so the paper covers your nose and mouth. I admit I tried this yesterday and, though it was hot, I could still breathe and talk.

Would the particles get through the paper?

You could toss the paper after you use it and keep a few scarves to disinfect while you are using others.

Otherwise, I would think you would have a hard time breathing. If so, then it won't be effective.

But if there is no way for the air to get through except through the paper, then it would surely block the tiny droplets that the viruses are floating on.

I'm thinking you could use a large piece of paper, like a yellow pad, tie it tightly around your head at the top of your nose and leave the bottom looser for air. Not optimal, but maybe uses gravity to take away some danger. Only the particles that float upward and under the paper would be a problem.

I had to be fitted for a mask. The mask does two things - it is sealed all around you face so air can only come through the mask and it filters the air. They test it spraying a fragrant sugar solution at you while you are wearing the mask. If you can smell it or taste sweetness, they change the size they are testing on you and retest you until you can neither smell nor taste anything. If smells can get through - you are not protected from airborne particles.

It does not appear as though the virus is contagious via airborne transmission. However, if your makeshift mask prevents you from touching your nose and mouth and reminds you not to touch your eyes, it will probably help.

And a paper mask that is a "respirator."

The "respirator" at first glance looks like and is improperly referred to as a "dust mask." Properly worn a paper respirator will seal fairly well against your face. The "respirators" that I wore doing construction work were N-95s. They have two rubber band keepers, an adjustable nose piece, and they will fit snugly, and reasonably comfortably to your face. (They have to be reasonably comfortable if worn for extended periods of time) When used properly you first stretch the bands, fit it over your face, adjust the nose piece, and test the fit by blowing and searching for air leaks around the edge of the mask. By OSHA standards, anyone who wears the N-95, must have training on properly using one, and also be subject to a program of medical monitoring.

Of course, no paper filter will "filter out" a virus. What they will do is filter out the medium that the virus is attached to, like spittle to keep you from inhaling it.

But the point of my original post was that I believe that the government is not being truthful about the benefit of wearing masks for ulterior motives, and I just don't like being lied to by the people I employ. I think I understand why they are doing it, but it still pisses me off, because when you have demonstrated your willingness to lie then I can no longer trust anything you say.

What the government's job is is to to provide you with the best information possible based on the best scientific evidence. If the information they give you is tempered with political or economic considerations than it is worthless if not harmful.

You are responsible for the protection of your health. You can only make informed decisions if you are given accurate information to work with.

Again, the prima facie evidence is in their actions, not their words. Government and private health care workers wear masks for protection. If it is good for the goose, how can it not be important for the other goose, unless considerations, other than health and safety are being included in the equation.

Give me accurate information and I will determine the risks I am willing to take and the preventive measures I am willing to forego. After all, it is my life that is in the balance, not Wall Street's, not the President's, not the NIH or the WHO.

Just the facts, ma'am.

That is not to say you should rely on government so completely that, if and when it fails partially or completely at that job, you don't have personal responsibility to also protect your health.

Personal responsibility and government responsibility aren't mutually exclusive, this is not an either/or proposition.