I agree with everything you posted. Still, a mask worn correctly does limit the spread. For example, the spread of the virus on airplanes seems to be (surprisingly) much lower than initially feared. I think that is in no small part because of the more disciplined attitude of most travelers in wearing the mask and applying proper hygiene measures.

>Those cloth masks you usually see on politicians and media medics, actually *increase* risk if worn incorrectly. This is based on the main quoted study that was in hospital and involving health professionals who will have received sterile training. In that cohort, cloth masks absolutely increase risk of respiratory spread compared to the control group.
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>If you touch the outside of your mask or don't put in straight in a plastic bag for sterilizing every time you take it off, you increase risk.
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>This changes the mask proposition somewhat IMHO. Those advocating masks have a moral and scientific duty IMHO to ensure they're not encouraging people to increase risk in the belief they're being responsible- meaning there should be frequent reminders about proper mask management. Paraphrasing CDC:
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>To put your mask on safely:
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>-Wash hands with soap or hand sanitizer.
>-Remove newly washed/unused mask from its clean container
>- Put it on touching only the loops or ties. Don't touch the outside of the mask now, or later.
>- If you do touch the outside of the mask for whatever reason, wash hands immediately with soap or hand sanitizer.
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>To remove:
>-Wash hands with soap or hand sanitizer.
>- Remove mask touching only the loops or ties. Do not touch outside of mask.
>- If you do touch outside of mask, wash hands immediately with soap or hand sanitizer.
>- Place the mask into a plastic bag. If disposable, discard. If re-usable, do not reuse until sterilized or at least washed.
>- Wash hands with soap or hand sanitizer.
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>Not doing all this? Then you are probably increasing risk. That's the message that needs to accompany every exhortation to wear your mask. In society there will be many who cannot confidently adhere to these steps so either everybody else needs to step up to assist them, or it's actually safer not to wear a mask.