The whole point of everybody wearing masks is precisely because of these asymptomatic spreaders, and spreading from those people who are infected yet don't yet show symptoms. As we know the incubation time before symptoms can ranges from 2 days to 2 weeks, this is a significant contribution to infection.
Most studies are saying that while about 30% of people may test positive prior to displaying symptoms, that 75% of people don't become infectious until they have symptoms. The others become symptomatic within 48 hours of becoming infectious. According to a The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners report this week, there is a lot of debate over if totally asymptomatic carriers even exist with little to no evidence for effected people not having any symptoms, even if such are mild. Based on all of this, it is exceedingly unlikely that you have been infected by a asymptomatic carrier, but if you have reason to believe you have come in close contact, then wearing a mask is a good idea, I haven't said otherwise, and in fact stated multiple time, if you think you are sick, wear a mask. I'll add to that, if you think you have had contact and might be infected, get tested and wear a mask.
I don't buy the argument that wearing a medical mask makes people think they are suddenly invulnerable. The distancing and hand washing has been hammered home enough, people aren't suddenly going to ignore that now there is an additional layer of protection available.
Not talking about them suddenly deciding that they are invulnerable, I'm talking about them getting sloppy. Why is it that people on a skeptic's board always seem to jump to strawman arguments?
What is more likely is that people will reuse masks and touch them with contaminated hands when they adjust them, thus increasing their likelihood of being infected.
The fact remains that in countries that have been wearing medical masks universally since January, we are not seeing the same mass outbreaks there are in Europe and the US.
See Hong Kong, Macau, South Korea and Taiwan. Hong Kong has 900 odd cases (300 recovered) and 4 deaths. Don't tell me that masks don't help.
Let's have a look at these countries should we?
Hong Kong, as well as masks they closed the borders early, they instituted a lock down, banned social gatherings and went on a wash your hands and social distancing campaign.
Macu. Also banned social gatherings, closed the borders, and vital hygiene campaign emphasizing washing hands and social distancing.
South Korean. Major, major testing campaign testing campaign (1 in 200 people) followed by isolation for positive tests, social distancing and hygiene push.
Taiwan. Learned lessons of SARS-CoV so closed borders early, worked on isolation of cases, social distancing, and self isolation for non-essential workers, restrictions on travel and social gatherings. Personal Masks were actually donated to the govt on a I don't need mine, you take it program
I'll give you another... New Zealand. Currently 1283 total cases, 2 deaths, 373 recovered, with active cases having dropped by 18 in the past 48 hours.
Closed borders early, pushed restrictions on social gathering and travel, then went into lock down, oh, and no requirement for masks.
See I can do anecdotal data too.
I wrongly included Singapore on that list last time this came up, there were not wearing masks yet have now started a large outbreak. They have now gone on complete lockdown and are recommending masks.
Lock down was what was working, coming out of lock down too soon is what caused the new outbreak.
When they are available, masks help, full stop.
Your belief doesn't substitute for science.
Here's a question. When a person is maintaining social distancing (2-3m), and keeping up with proper hand hygiene and avoiding touching their face with potentially contaminated hands, how exactly do masks help avoid getting infection?
