There is terminological confusion. Several things are colloquially called ‘masks’. Surgical masks do not significantly protect the wearer. Filtering facepiece r

There is terminological confusion. Several things are colloquially called ‘masks’. Surgical masks do not significantly protect the wearer. Filtering facepiece respirators do.¹ ² The parent comment's links refer to N95, so they mean the latter, which are protective (assuming they're worn properly and genuine³). In addition, the permanent rubber units provide protection when fitted with suitable filters; NIOSH calls these half masks (as distinct from full facepieces, colloquially ‘gas masks’). Where I am, these are still languishing on the shelves⁴, which means that the sort of people who are willing to spend five minutes looking up that P95 ≥ N95 are not yet panicking. ¹ https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npptl/pdfs/UnderstandDifferenceInfographic-508.pdf https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npptl/pdfs/UnderstandDifferenceInf... ² https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/personal-protective-equipment-infection-control/masks-and-n95-respirators https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/personal-protective-equi... ³ https://knowits.niosh.gov/ https://knowits.niosh.gov/ ⁴ https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/3m-performance-reusable-paint-project-respirator-ov-p95-0550287p.html https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/3m-performance-reusable-p...