A viewer asks: “Could the intention to protect oneself with a mask confer any special protection beyond the inherent physical limitations, if requested?”

In general, this would not be the case except with certain individuals perhaps having inordinate fear and where the use of a mask will alleviate their anxiety and allow them to be stronger and less a match to the invading organisms they may come in contact with. That could be a determining factor in some individuals about whether the virus gets a firm foothold and replicates in sufficient numbers to produce symptoms, but in most cases the person’s attitude will make little difference. It has more to do with maintaining a state of conscious vigilance about all aspects of exposure and the containment issue warranting mass use. Careless handling of a mask that is contaminated can reintroduce risk unless the hands are washed scrupulously and there may be even transfer of particles during the mask removal and handling that subsequently are picked up on the hands and transferred to the mouth and eyes. So there must be ideally some training and then a careful conscious awareness of everything a person does to maintain, as close as possible, good sterile technique. Such instructions are not typically offered or available to the average person.