Why do those surgical face masks prevent you from spreading an illness but not protect you from contracting one?

Question

Can’t I just…turn the masks inside out?

Kidding!

But really, I don’t get it.

In: Technology

Answer 1

They’re far too porous to stop a virus but what they *do* stop is fluids. They stop droplets from your mouth and nose from contacting other people, and help prevent body fluids from entering your mouth and nose. Here:

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surgical_mask](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surgical_mask)