Originally Posted by
TheFly
Crew members are getting infected...The CDC recommends the public wear masks. If a mask can prevent the spread of the virus, it can prevent the virus from penetrating the mask.
No. It catches stuff if you cough, sneeze, or spit when you talk. Larger, heavier particles have more inertia, so they don't make the sharp turn and instead hit the mask.
When you inhale gently, the air comes around the edges of the mask, not through it. So any very fine drops will go around the edges with the air.
So it might help you to not spread, but probably isn't going to keep you any safer.