There is quite a debate amongst professionals at the moment vis-vis masks, with strong arguments on both sides.
A current paper published in
Lancet argues that
everyone should wear a mask:
Wearing a mask helps with protecting oneself but even more importantly helps to protect others. One might be carrying and spreading the disease without knowing it. We all release fine droplets when we speak, sneeze or cough. Masks prevent one's droplets from spreading out.
The viruses are quite small and could slip through the pores of a mask. But the droplets they are carried with are larger and are less likely to come through. There are also suggestions that one virus alone is less likely to do harm and that a significant load of viruses is required to start the disease.
There are some cultural consideration that support the call for everyone to wear a mask:
There is currently a shortage of professional masks and those that are still available are needed in our hospitals.
But one can also use a scarf,
sew oneself a mask or
make one's own masks from household items. None will be as good as a professional masks but all will help to keep the number of cases down.
Viruses do not like heat. Soap breaks them apart. One can clean a mask by heating it in an oven at 70°C (160°F) or by washing it with soap.