When I hear someone on the TeeVee say that a mask will not help protect

[Mike 03]

15. Totally agree.

This morning I gave a mask to my sister for her doctor's appointment tomorrow for a matter unrelated to COVID-19. She worked as a physician's assistant, so she knows a lot of this, but I just told her to read the fitting instructions and restrain herself from adjusting the mask, and to keep doing all the things she's been doing like washing her hands frequently, social distancing--and not to take the mask for granted as it certainly doesn't guarantee you can't get infected. She has rheumatoid arthritis and is at some risk of developing complications if she contracts this virus.

A mask optimizes one's chances, and since nobody in our government is looking out for us, our health is our personal responsibility. It's possible that wearing a mask means one less person calling 911, occupying an ICU, taking up a precious ventilator. IMO that's just being a good (and intelligent) citizen and trying not to become part of the problem of overfilled hospitals.

Early on I earnestly repeated some of those lies here, such as "the only benefit of wearing a mask is that it stops you from touching your face." We've heard a few lies now. Just reflecting for even a few seconds, and looking a the relative success of other countries where mask-wearing was required, should be enough to raise questions.