In Asia, people have been wearing masks when they're ill for decades, probably longer.
You don't wear a mask because you don't want to get sick, you wear it so that you reduce the odds of others getting sick.
Do masks work in that regard? Well they do to some extent limit some particles (depending on size) spreading while talking, coughing, sneezing, etc. Maybe there's a marginally lower risk of being infected by someone who is ill that's wearing a mask. Maybe short interactions might be fine, but I still wouldn't want to be in close proximity to them for any extended period of time. Or really at all, stay the fuck home if you're sick or otherwise stay away from other people.
In Asia, people have been wearing masks when they're ill for decades, probably longer.
You don't wear a mask because you don't want to get sick, you wear it so that you reduce the odds of others getting sick.
Do masks work in that regard? Well they do to some extent limit some particles (depending on size) spreading while talking, coughing, sneezing, etc. Maybe there's a marginally lower risk of being infected by someone who is ill that's wearing a mask. Maybe short interactions might be fine, but I still wouldn't want to be in close proximity to them for any extended period of time. Or really at all, stay the fuck home if you're sick or otherwise stay away from other people.