"One respected biologist", eh? And you are aware that correlation does not equal causation with respect to the Asian countries you referenced, right?
Here is a meta-analysis of numerous studies, most of which included surgical face masks (not the homemade masks and buffs most are currently using) and it concluded a "that wearing facemasks can be very slightly protective against primary infection from casual community contact."
https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.04.01.20049528v1 And here is a large randomized controlled trial testing the efficacy of cloth face masks that cautioned against the use of cloth masks and suggested they may actually increase the incidence of illness:
https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/5/4/e006...pe2=tf_ipsecsha Here is the WHO in January stating there was no evidence that medical grade masks protect non-sick persons in a community setting:
https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/documents/advice-on-the-use-of-masks-2019-ncov.pdf And here is the UK's deputy chief medical officer recently warning that mask use by the general public may be doing more harm than good:
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/healt...s-a9396811.html The masks requirements, especially the ones allowing for use of homemade cloth masks, are a "feel good" measure but not one based in science. But if it makes you feel safer, then by all means continue using one. I was merely responding to an earlier comment that the "science was settled."
Cheers.
