re: #48 Teukka

Bacteria are much much larger than viruses — a good size comparison would be a Greyhound bus versus a chihuahua. Medical use masks like the now-famous blue N95 masks are a lot more effective in preventing the transmission of both bacteria and viruses than “civilian” cloth masks. Medical masks are used by people trained to wear them under supervision and they follow protocols for mask use and disposal when they are presumed to be contaminated and no longer fit for purpose. Cloth masks, on the other hand are chosen for their pretty patterns and not their fit or efficacy and worn day after day with unsafe handling between use. Epidemiologists worry that they provide a false sense of security, tempting people to go to bars, shops, theatres etc. in close proximity to other people “because I’m wearing a mask!” rather than staying as far from everyone else as is humanly possible for as long as you can.

TL:DR — cloth masks are somewhat useful in reducing the spread of diseases including COVID-19 but they do not make the wearer invulnerable.