Yes I think masks have a tiny effect on stopping one catching flu or cold and also probably removes 1% of the effects of pollution. So they made sense to me but before Covid I didn't feel it was worth buying one or using one. When Covid struck in January 2020 I decided to invest, bought a reusable, expensive one (well, expensive then, £17) and have had it around my neck (and when indoors at shops etc) ever since. In the UK, France, Italy.