It’s probably critical to distinguish between a non-respirator mask and a respirator (a mask that is sealed to the face and is supposed to filter most of the air that is being inhaled; and exhaled, if there is no exhalation valve).
For anyone whose model for COVID-19 transmission is based on what sources like the CDC’s website said prior to October: even the CDC’s website now says that “breathing in air when close to an infected person who is exhaling small droplets and particles that contain the virus” is a “main way” in which one can get infected with COVID-19 (they list that as the first item on their list of “three main ways” in which COVID-19 spreads). [EDIT: I don’t want people reading this to update that the risk is small if the infected person is not “close”, especially when talking about enclosed spaces.]
It’s probably critical to distinguish between a non-respirator mask and a respirator (a mask that is sealed to the face and is supposed to filter most of the air that is being inhaled; and exhaled, if there is no exhalation valve).
For anyone whose model for COVID-19 transmission is based on what sources like the CDC’s website said prior to October: even the CDC’s website now says that “breathing in air when close to an infected person who is exhaling small droplets and particles that contain the virus” is a “main way” in which one can get infected with COVID-19 (they list that as the first item on their list of “three main ways” in which COVID-19 spreads). [EDIT: I don’t want people reading this to update that the risk is small if the infected person is not “close”, especially when talking about enclosed spaces.]