For those of you who think that masks are only for keeping others from getting your illness

[Chainfire]

9. There is a difference in a "dust mask"

And a paper mask that is a "respirator."

The "respirator" at first glance looks like and is improperly referred to as a "dust mask." Properly worn a paper respirator will seal fairly well against your face. The "respirators" that I wore doing construction work were N-95s. They have two rubber band keepers, an adjustable nose piece, and they will fit snugly, and reasonably comfortably to your face. (They have to be reasonably comfortable if worn for extended periods of time) When used properly you first stretch the bands, fit it over your face, adjust the nose piece, and test the fit by blowing and searching for air leaks around the edge of the mask. By OSHA standards, anyone who wears the N-95, must have training on properly using one, and also be subject to a program of medical monitoring.

Of course, no paper filter will "filter out" a virus. What they will do is filter out the medium that the virus is attached to, like spittle to keep you from inhaling it.

But the point of my original post was that I believe that the government is not being truthful about the benefit of wearing masks for ulterior motives, and I just don't like being lied to by the people I employ. I think I understand why they are doing it, but it still pisses me off, because when you have demonstrated your willingness to lie then I can no longer trust anything you say.