Oh come on! All of this-(including wearing a helmet-LOL) is about REDUCING RISK. There isn't anything that is 100% effective. You can ask your health care worker why they are wearing masks, shields and other PPE why they are wearing all that crap if it is practically useless? If the simple cloth ones don't work well enough for you, get a better mask. I don't much want to be part of the next 100K.
A sentiment I also share . . . . .
Well, I guess I should start this with a disclaimer that I am not a doctor, or any sort of medical professional . . . . . . but I have an ex-68 Whiskey, med-tech son and an RN daughter working "on the front lines" . . . . . and I am willing to listen to what their "doctor" colleagues have to say.
Yes, the virus is tiny, 1.25 nanometers, and small enough to pass through any mask, IF, it was a "dry desert particle". Your lungs, however, don't work like that. It's a wet environment, and the virus particles are "carried" in and out, on the "microdroplets of moisture" entering and leaving your lungs. These much larger, micro-particles, are stopped by masks of all types.
And just to be clear, I'm not confused about the effectiveness of masks at all. I do not "live in fear". I'm simply intelligent enough to want to "minimize risk". It's why I wore a fire suit, helmet, 6 point restraints, etc, when I tested race cars. I understood the "risk", and took the appropriate steps to "mitigate the risk".
I DO NOT insist that anyone else accept my values, but I DO understand that their "denial" raises the "risk" to others, including myself, and others that I care about. If you wish to accept a "lowest common denominator" approach to risk, or life in general, just know that I do not agree with your choice. And I will not accept this "additional risk" involuntarily.
This is not about "freedom", or anyone's "presumed rights". You do not have, and have never had, the right to endanger others. Either by your words or your actions. This is really about sensible choices for "public health" and a willingness to show "consideration" for other members of our society. Since most of us are now in "multiple heightened risk groups" from this pandemic, it would seem that sensible precautions would be in order.
Yes, you have the right to refuse to do this. Think about how you are portraying yourself to others, and be prepared to accept their judgment of your actions.
JMHO
P.S. Caramel & pecans please