There are studies out there on the use of cloth masks vs medical ones [0]. Tho it should be noted that both, cloth and surgical masks, are mostly worn to prote

There are studies out there on the use of cloth masks vs medical ones [0]. Tho it should be noted that both, cloth and surgical masks, are mostly worn to protect others from accidental discharge by the wearer. So if you the wearer wants to protect themselves, then a respirator is actually needed. But respirators should be prioritized for at risk-groups who wouldn't survive infection or work with infected people. The non-respirator masks are mostly to reign in the spread by people who could be infected without symptoms yet or as the "we got nothing else" option. [0] https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/5/4/e006577 https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/5/4/e006577