I have used them for cleaning out the barn, I don't need that dust in my airways with god knows what in it, I also use them for shoveling out wood ash, and when I mix up soil enhancers for the gardens. They do work for some things, lets not throw the baby out with the bath water. I was also glad the doctors and nurses in the OR had them on when I had my hip replaced. Just because they have become a symbol of over reach by government and business, does not make them useless.I had my hip done before the COvid debacle, they did not have them on until they were in the OR, back then.