Floodcity says: And if any want to quote "bodycount" statistics to me, may I point out that 150K deaths out of a 330 Million (or more) Population translate into very very small odds of you catching a disease with a mask or without.
Like I said Tom, it isn't just about dying. How would you like to be hospitalized for weeks or even months and left with life long disabilities? Also remember that many who are hospitalized rely on Medicare to pay for hospitals and that only covers a maximum of 80% and even then not all procedures. People are being left without their savings or in big debt. Death toll now five times car crash deaths and climbing, more than triple flu deaths last year. Many survivors will have disabilities and debt that will change their lives in a negative manner forever. I saw my cardiologist yesterday since after four months I am having breathing and pulse rate problems, he said I very likely have scarring in my lungs that will leave me with problems for the rest of my life. Yes, I am alive, I survived, but my ability to do the things I love may be gone forever and my life shortened. Those folks with permanent heart and lung damage will not live as long as if they had never got the virus, that also counts towards a true death count even if they die from complications in the future.
TP, i don't know what kind of respirators you use at work, but I was an auto mechanic most of my life and after the asbestos business was exposed we all were issued the respirators with heavy elastic retaining straps, rubber mouth and nose coverings and the two big replaceable filter canisters. I assure you that after a brake job or clutch job my face and hands would be noticeably black but there would be no dust where the respirator sat. A good respirator does NOT allow any particulates to enter your respiratory system.