If there is a super deadly virus out there making people drop dead, what the fuck is a mask going to to stop it?
As for not spreading it to other people - let me think, here's an idea for people, cough and sneeze into your sleeve, that's actually advice doctors have given for many years.
I haven't worn a mask since day one. I didn't believe people who weren't sick were contagious and as it turns out, I was right.
Long before the CCP Virus came around, my wife and I made it a point to avoid sick looking people or people who were coughing and sneezing whenever possible. We also sneeze/cough into our upper arm as the OP suggested. All of this was based on doctors advice and common sense and, while not 100% effective, works pretty well.
It seems to me that people are just too lazy to do the simple things to keep from getting sick and stopping the spread of germs. Wearing an ill-fitting mask that they pull off to cough and sneeze isn't one of those things.
Also, the moronic protocols the stores/businesses have in place are bulls*&t. I was in a store this weekend and there was an employee working there who was clearly sick. It wasn't just allergies or a smoker's cough. She was sniffling a lot and coughed a few times, taking her mask off constantly, then folding clothes and putting them on the sales floor. I get allergies pretty bad and I can tell the difference between that and someone who's sick. So much for "we screen all our employees prior to every shift."
It probably went down like the girl called in and said she didn't feel good. The manager said, "We have nobody to cover your shift. Come in anyway...you'll be wearing a mask so everything should be OK. The masks protect everyone after all."