[coffeebean]

Originally Posted by GoodLife

That's a modeling study based on lots of assumptions and I don't think the writers have medical expertise. Even so, they claim that mask wearing reduced infections by 0,9% to 2%. Hardly what you would call very effective.

Here is a study done by two Doctors who are experts in respiratory protection who reviewed all the scientific studies.

We agree that the data supporting the effectiveness of a cloth mask or face covering are very limited. We do, however, have data from laboratory studies that indicate cloth masks or face coverings offer very low filter collection efficiency for the smaller inhalable particles we believe are largely responsible for transmission, particularly from pre- or asymptomatic individuals who are not coughing or sneezing. At the time we wrote this article, we were unable to locate any well-performed studies of cloth mask leakage when worn on the face—either inward or outward leakage. As far as we know, these data are still lacking.

COMMENTARY: Masks-for-all for COVID-19 not based on sound data | CIDRAP

Cloth masks can reduce transmission of larger cough and sneeze droplets, but look like a chain link fence to the smaller aerosol particles that asymptomatics spread by just breathing.

This is the reason why social distancing in addition to mask wearing is vitally important to slow the spread.