Quote Originally Posted by iris lilies View Post
my nuclear physicist-, PhD-holding -from-an-Ivy-League friend has been insistent from Day One that the masks do nothing.
Yeah But---I have a diploma in body shop, and I insist(from day one) that masks do SOMETHING insofar as filtering particulates, but are nowhere near 100% effective in filtering out viruses. They may keep you from inhaling "stuff" when someone sneezes, coughs, or even talks(thereby spitting droplets of saliva), but other than that.......You really would need a fitted, full-face respirator w/air supply, latex gloves and paper suit, properly disposed of after one-time use, PLUS a fastidious washing and disinfection regimen, to be anywhere near 100%, and even then...... So yeah, Hope that helps you some.