COVID-19 Outbreak (Update: More than 2.9M cases and 132,313 deaths in US)

Yes, this study was about preventing infection in mask users in the Healthcare setting but it highlights that for SARS the masks made little difference. In my mind it can be inferred that a cloth home made mask would be less effective. Also further inferring that if a user can be infected it would be just as likely that an infected individual could also infect others. If the virus passes through the mask it doesn't matter which way it goes through. Just that it can still go through. But we know initial viral load is important so they might be a somewhat helpful in that regard.

It may help a little but I just find some of the comments here a bit much in terms of belittling people for not wearing them when it is far from conclusive that transmission rates are significantly affected by wearing a bandana on your face or any other home made mask.

Based on conversations I’ve had with my wife about her hospital’s N95 mask fitting procedure, I’d guess a lot of the failures have to do with fit. Those masks don’t seem terribly well designed for a tight fit. And since a virus is tasteless and odorless, there is no way to tell if you have a bad fit.

We use half faced respirators with P100 filters at work for our welders working with galvanized metal. The mask is designed to fit a lot tighter/with a better seal. Also, there is the added benefit that if you have a poor fit, you can taste/smell the galv and know you have a problem.