[koonsolo]

Sure, but it needs to be a 'proper' mask.

Yesterday I was in a shop and saw 2 different people with a scarf over their mouth. You would think this is no problem, but they both had to keep this scarf up with their hands... . Seems like the most effective way to spread and receive germs.

Govermnent needs to be clear what the protocol is.

[Donald]

Even cloth filters out 70% of respiratory virus particles. The notion that only a properly fitted N95 mask is effective is ridiculous and is probably costing lives.

[checker659]

This. Also, nobody ever talks about double masking. You know, if you've got no N95, then put on two surgical masks (each facing the other way). If you don't have surgical marks, wear two cloth masks and wash them with antiseptic solution daily.

[koonsolo]

Sure, but if you inhale 30% of that from your hand into your mouth, and exhale 30% to your hand, it loses more than just not touching your face.

[bagacrap]

sure, but this seems like a minor quibble. Much cheaper for govt to manufacture and distribute simple surgical or cotton masks than shutdown entire GDP/forgo all tax revenue. The masks in question are not complicated to produce, whereas respirators and n95 are.