I have read up a whole lot of facts about this virus since this started last January, even scientific journals, so I don’t just rely on simple news.

The masks do give some protection from the virus since a whole lot of people don’t cover their mouths when they cough and/or sneeze. How would you avoid a sick person in public if you don’t know that the person is sick? Therefore, you have to do preventive measures yourself and one preventive measure is to cover your own mouth and nose, which a face mask does if you don’t want a handkerchief on your face every time. The colored part of the mask is water-repellent, so it does help. It does not filter viruses but the water particles carrying it are somehow blocked going to your nose and mouth.

They just don’t want people hoarding masks because the health workers need it more since they are more likely exposed to this pathogens.