I really don't know about masks.

Half of me says they are a psy-op. To make people numb, faceless mobs in a faceless world. Losing identity, cohesion, structure, society...

Half of me says its a good thing, as this Wuhan-flu is a bio-weapon and has quite a lot more ramifications than just a flu, and these ramifications won't be showing up till later. And, unlike the scare story, it appears that the things need to be transmitted via body secretions... for which a mask both keeps your inside, and slightly protects from others coughing, sneezing, splattering, sputtering... your way.

Unfortunately, both of these are true.

And all i can do is comply, because a run-in with a police officer will likely lead to death by torture.
(owing to their typical MO, and my body type and ailments)