[maccard]

> If the masks were useless healthcare workers wouldn't wear them

That's not how that works. The masks are less effective when used outside of a clinical setting, must be changed regularly (pretty much every time you take it off), and may prevent the transfer of disease from an infected healthcare worker to an otherwise vulnerable person.

Just because they're not effective for one situation doesn't mean all the advice is moot

[scarejunba]

Well, less effective isn't ineffective. The physical properties of the device don't change, so maybe the cost/benefit doesn't lie in buying them now, but I have my stack so it looks like it's worthwhile to use them.