Not exactly accurate Dave. Various masks offer varying levels of protection. Even the cloth masks were deemed effective to some degree but only 30% as effective as n95's. Hypothetically, if there was an emergency and you're faced with riding in the backseat of a car sandwiched btw 2 covid patients with symptoms would you wear a mask if given the option?
This is a great question and for me it's a matter of perspective.
When covid first hit and it seemed like a death sentence I would have done anything to avoid it. A year into the pandemic I had flown numerous times and been to several "super spreader" events where many caught covid but I did not.
The first event I went to I was fairly conscious of wearing a mask, while I was unable to practically practice social distancing. By my second (and all ensuing events after) event I was much less cautious and only wore a mask as a formality. At one point I assumed I was immune to covid, having been around so many people who had contacted it and I had never caught it.
This past January I tested positive for covid and I suffered for about a week. It seems I had typical symptoms; fever, chills, shortness of breath, hacking cough (that lingered for weeks afterwards) and I realized I wasnt immune to the virus. The interesting part is I did not attend any large events but I did take a short flight at the beginning of the month.
I point that out because as we know masks are required in airports and on flights. Its funny because on all my flights airlines and airports were adamant people keep social distancing while lining up the plane and then sandwiched us all together while seated atop each other on the plane (and the same was true for TSA lines, people were always herded together like cattle).
I share all this to point out that there were times I did not practice "safety" measures and I was fine and there was a time when I did, religiously, and I still ended up infected, which, originally, we were all told that we going to be infected with this virus.
So to your original question, in that scenario, I believe I would do everything I could to prevent catching covid. I cant say with certainty that a mask would lessen the odds, but i'm sure I would wear multiple layers of coverings, a face mask and try tactics like holding my breath for periods of time and asking that the other 2 not speak during the ride because that's what I've been conditioned to believe would work.
I hope that makes sense.
