I'm curious to know more about how "medical masks are proven to help in medical contexts". I've done a fair amount of reading and research, and come to a different conclusion. Got a link I can read?

Meanwhile, I'd suggest trying to get over the "germaphobe" thing as best you can...assuming you actually have a phobia, i.e. an exaggerated or irrational fear. It makes sense to exercise due precautions for contagious illnesses, but unless there's something very seriously wrong with you, COVID isn't even worth thinking about, let along donning a mask and impeding your respiration. In which case, you'd be better off completely avoiding places where you think you actually need a mask, since the mask almost certainly doesn't do anything besides the placebo effect.