Masks. To wear or not to wear

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11, you wear a mask when it's required but unsure whether it does actually make a difference or not. Cases have risen since masks were made compulsory, some could argue its not made a difference others could argue cases would have been even higher without masks. Without going through a period without masks now its hard to prove either way

I wear a mask because I am not qualified to answer your question. I follow the guidelines because I am not qualified enough to make a judgement call on a virus pandemic.
I see it as
If I wear a mask and it doesn’t slow the spread etc then nothing or really lost apart from a annoyance.

If I don’t wear a mask and it does make a difference and I catch covid on a bus then pass it on to vulnerable person then that’s a bigger risk.

Where’s number “I just wear one because I’m told to”?

Also, define “wearing a mask”. I wear one where it is mandatory/I’m asked to, I don’t when just walking down the street. Does that count?

1. 3. and also a little bit of 8)
      It probably helps reduce risk.
      I don't feel I am likely to be at high risk but I am willing to wear it to protect others / do the right thing.
      OP which numbers are you?

TL:DR.
Lesson learned as a parent about bodily fluids:
Pissing without pants on spreads fluid everywhere.
Pissing with pants on limits the spread a bit.
Pissing into a nappy means it stays in the nappy.

I’m confused. I thought the advice from the scientist is to wear a mask. It’s been proven to help. It limits how much virus droplets you inhale and also limits how much you exhale. If we combine that with social distancing it works even better to help reduce (not totally stop) the virus being transmitted.
I don’t really see the point in asking what people think a mask does unless they are scientists who are qualified to answer your question.

I wear one because im told do. I don't want to wear one and im pretty convinced wearing one doesn't really do anything. But im a rule follower so would rather just wear one when i need to and get on with it. I will admit i barely leave the house now because i hate wearing them so much.

1 and 5
I think a properly fitted surgical mask definitely helps reduce spread, not by much but enough to make a small difference
And I am unable to wear a mask, so l try to limit where I go (although I'm in Wales so in the 2 week firebreak, meaning there's nowhere to go beyond essential shops).

Initially masks were not thought to help for the general public (hospitals they had been shown to work). This was down to a few studies, on influenza spread, that were fairly limited.

Since then further studies have shown a small net benefit. The effect is minimal, but it's an easy thing to get people to do and a bit better than nothing.

1, 3, 4, 8 for me

11e. Just trying to fit in, keep head down, endure.

I wear a mask because I can see it works in Asia - I wore a mask from around April or so, as soon as I could get some made.

I also see you pretending to be scientific and 'start a debate' about something that should just be happening now. Anti-mask science is bad science, promoted by people who think their right to be stupid is equal to other people's right to life.

11. I do wear one, but strongly dislike it, and also strongly dislike the mission creep around them (e.g. people telling me my two-year-old should wear a mask; others increasingly wearing them in parks and open spaces and showing clear disapproval towards those who choose not to). I do it because it’s mandated and to ‘do my bit’, but I believe any benefit from wearing them, while scientifically plausible, is marginal - especially when worn incorrectly, as most people do in reality.
    
    I hate the increasing marginalisation of those who are genuinely exempt, and worry about possible unintended consequences of extended mask use (the impact on basic human interaction and social cohesion; the possible consequences for babies’ and toddlers’ early language development and social skills; the additional difficulties faced by the hearing and learning impaired).

If I've had covid do I need to wear a mask as I won't pass it on as I'm out of quarantine and it's unlikely I'll catch it again within the next 12 months

I don't believe a mask stops you getting Covid but helps stop you spreading it and I wear one because that's what's required of me and it's the right thing to do,

I don't like wearing one because I'm asthmatic and sometimes I get quite breathless and have to take a minute to compose myself, but I always wear one even if I struggle sometimes.

There’s no number for “I wear a mask because it’s the rules but given numbers have done nothing but increase since we started wearing them I’m a bit cynical about the difference they make.”

I just wear one as it is a ticket into a shop or other public indoor place but doubt they make any difference is not there

I don't know whether masks help reduce the spread or not, but they definitely don't increase it so I consider wearing one at worst achieves nothing and at best helps.

What about an option for thinking mask wearing reduces the spread if masks are actually handled properly, kept clean, worn correctly, changed regularly, and combined with social distancing and handwashing, but a cause of skin infections, dental decay and pollution with no proven, measurable benefit if used inappropriately?

I agree with @3littlewords. It seems a small ask compared to all the other restrictions. Logically they must reduce the reach of a cough or sneeze?

I wear a mask as its a physical barrier.
For that reason it has to help even a little.
Even if you do catch it, wearing a mask reduces viral load.

I don't actually know if it helps, but the scientific consensus seems to be that it does, so I'm happy to go with that. I find it very uncomfortable and don't like wearing them, but as a socially responsible person, I think it's my duty to do so. Not sure which number that is?

I like this analogy:

2,6,8

1) Wearing a mask DOES help to reduce the spread of covid-19

3) You do believe that wearing a mask does helps limit the spread

4) You do not have a physical or psychological reason that prevents
you from doing so.

Yes I think it does, I do believe that it helps limit transmission. But that's not me being a sheep or believing anything I'm told, it's because I have (admittedly limited) experience that is the case. A family member has worked on covid wards since day one, never been positive, doesn't have antibodies so highly unlikely they've had it and been asymptomatic. They're religious about a mask (and other PPE at work) outside of work and handwashing etc.
Also had 2 staff members test positive where I work. Close contact with people. We wear masks and aprons/gloves. No one else has tested positive after their positive tests. That leads me to think in my limited experience along with the research I've read that they reduce transmission.

I don't have any physical or psychological reasons to not wear a mask, I don't have a particular objection to them, I do find them uncomfortable at times if I get too hot or out of breath.