The thing is though, typically it is Japanese people who have cold/flu symptoms who wear them, not people who are otherwise healthy. When basically everyone uses public transportation, it's more of a common courtesy so you don't sneeze on a stranger. However, after this pandemic, who knows what it will be like over there. I was raised in Japan and have family still living there, including my brother in law who now jogs wearing a mask, so...
If they don't work, why do surgeons wear them? Why do the Japanese wear them? Why do dentists wear them?
they use masks to keep their saliva from entering an open wound
They also wear masks so that blood and fluid spatters FROM THE PATIENT do not enter their mouth or nostrils.
This
Surgeons and medical professionals wear masks in controlled areas. Masks are not reused. They are not shoved in a pocket or left in a hot car.
As for Japan and other nations, that's for the illusion of safety.
The thing is though, typically it is Japanese people who have cold/flu symptoms who wear them, not people who are otherwise healthy. When basically everyone uses public transportation, it's more of a common courtesy so you don't sneeze on a stranger. However, after this pandemic, who knows what it will be like over there. I was raised in Japan and have family still living there, including my brother in law who now jogs wearing a mask, so...
Careful, I said that and people want me banned and have told me to die.