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Comment by throwaway_pdp09 | Hacker News Reader

Valid rebuttal, thanks.

OK, I think that the mask over your own face is to prevent viral spread in largish water particles caused by coughs and sneezes, not general breathing (I'm not sure general breathing spreads much virus anyway, but I don't know).

So if you are infected and not showing symptoms ie. not coughing/sneezing then arguably the mask is not doing anything.

Arguably not, but we need more data - can anyone comment with sources?

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> So if you are infected and not showing symptoms ie. not coughing/sneezing then arguably the mask is not doing anything.

It prevents you from touching your mouth and your nose and thus getting it on your hands.

There is an excellent video visualising the spreading of germs:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5-dI74zxPg

How To See Germs Spread (Coronavirus) by Marc Tober

Maybe that convinces you.

Even if you are breathing calmly mask will catch some small water droplets so spreading is somehow contained. It's true that after ~1 hour wowen mask will become wet and no longer effective. But it's not problem wear some other masks in your bag and change it... Currently there's huge shortage of respiratory protection products globally so your old wowen tshirt will help you :)

> not coughing/sneezing then arguably the mask is not doing anything.

People cough and sneeze all the time even if they're not sick.....

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