Can Face Masks Really Protect You Against Coronavirus?

Sharon McNary/KPCC/LAist

Updated 4/23/2020: Many Americans are under local orders that require them to wear a face mask when outside of their homes. I live in Houston, Texas within Harris County, where beginning on Monday, April 27 we will be under orders to wear masks or face fines up to $1,000 or 180 days in jail. This, despite the fact that April 23 is Houston's fourth day in a row with no new COVID-19 deaths.

This is upsetting a lot of people locally, including the Houston Police Officers' Union. The union essentially said they would not enforce the law, saying they have more urgent matters to attend to. Like, you know, real crime. Houston Mayor Turner apparently feels the same way. On April 23 he said, "I want to give masks and not citations." ABC13 Houston reports that a political activist, "who is also a medical doctor by trade, filed a lawsuit against Hidalgo to stop the 30-day order," which he calls "unconstitutional." Rep. Dan Crenshaw spoke out too, calling Judge Hidalgo's order "draconian."

Some businesses are also protesting Houston's partial lockdown. A Houston restaurant owner, for example, announced plans to reopen on April 24, in defiance of Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo's orders closing many restaurants until May 30.

But Do Masks Really Protect You? Yes, And No...

This well-done video from Vox explains with helpful visuals. The bottom line is that a face mask does help, but it cannot provide foolproof 100% protection. That being said, however, a face mask is better than nothing, even if it's only a bandana. Face masks can be difficult to find in many parts of the U.S., and many are expensive. Over at LAist, they tell you how to make your own DIY face mask.