Judging from what I see when I leave the house (with my mask) - clearly not everyone does ...

If you look long enough and/or hard enough, you will eventually find exactly the info that you need to back up your own theory or beliefs. That does not mean that the info is right or wrong - -accurate....or mainstream...or anything other than just another person's ideas that may be somewhat believable because it sort of loosely "hangs together". That said, it is in everyone's best interest to research as much as they can before adopting a position on any given subject. From what I can tell - these articles all relate to research done regarding colds and influenza. I've never seen or heard of anyone recommending wearing a mask around their family members who had a cold.....or even the flu.....so I guess what I'm saying is - what exactly is the point of sharing these articles relative to the current Covid-19 pandemic? (Asking for a friend....

Gee, I dunno, to keep your nose/mouth secretions OFF MY FACE??????? Is this a joke?

Ron , I am not even sure what u are saying here .
That covid 19 is not reality , or that masks are not in need .
I can personally assure u that is very much a reality .
In the last 7 weeks I have cared for more than 200 humans as inpatients status in covid unit . Some in vents and in a prone position . Some just w supportive 02 and antibiotics for what is progressed to pneumonia .
Some w pre existing respiratory issues , some w none .
And some just nurses and grocery store workers and meat plan workers . I have no clue where u get the info or the belief that is not happening .

Published May 5, 2020--Masks prevent the spread of COVID-19, landmark analysis of 64 studies finds

[msn.com]

[annals.org]

Published: Ann Intern Med. 2020.
DOI: 10.7326/M20-1632
Published at www.annals.org on 5 May 2020

Perhaps some current research might help you, of course you can continue the conspiracy theories (fox news is always a safe bet) and listen to the supreme leader because drinking bleach will cure it without masks anyway

Try citing a study about covid 19 in America... Conflate much?

It's to prevent the infected from easy transmission to others and works

Wearing a mask (cloth) for the average person, during a pandemic, is about protecting others and your community from any germs you might have that exits your nose or mouth when talking, breathing hard, coughing or sneezing. Wearing a mask in a public place of business shows you care about your community and you wish them health. Pretty simple.

You believe what you want to believe. This is info from 1 study that's over 10 years ago. Don't wear a mask, lick some doorknobs, live dangerously.

The examples you gave are for flu. Covid 19 is much more contagious therefore much more dangerous.

I think you're missing the other side of the equation. The idea for the general public wearing masks is to keep others from becoming infected, not so much to protect yourself from becoming infected. The reason this is so important is because this coronavirus is more contagious than influenzavirus, and an infected person can become contagious before exhibiting symptoms.

Worth reading the actual documents in full Vs the titles: [cambridge.org]

[researchgate.net]

Not liking to the Japan study since it is included in the first metastudy.

Yes, I've noticed non-americans haven't said a lot on here about it, myself, because it seems so big an issue to you lot, but facemasks are not a thing in aussie as the authorities have been saying that you should wear one if you have a virus to stop others getting it, but if you don't have the virus then facemasks won't help. That dynamic changes if you are working closely with people who might have it and then you need a good closely fitted one. Although they have shown there is infection via droplet formation in the air, I believe research has shown negligible risk in normal circumstances.