Hold up a minute, context is everything. The fact of the matter is surgical masks don't protect you from contracting anything. They're designed to protect others from being directly exposed to the contents of the wearer's mouth, if you will.
In that function – if everyone wore one – they could make a small contribution to the lowering of the secondary infection rate. But they're compromised in that regard by the average wearer's behaviour, who erroneously trusts in being protected by the mask, disregards social distancing rules and oftentimes doesn't even wear the mask correctly.
You'd have to go through several masks a day if you were to do it right, for instance. Wearing a mask while outside is likewise not necessary.
Considering all the cons and the waste of resources due to popular ignorance, it's safe to say the masks are more urgently needed elsewhere. Doctor's receptionists, pharmacists, caretakers in retirement homes – they require those masks way more than the general public now.
The same is true for higher rated protective equipment (>FFP2). Us ordinary folks have no business sitting on those things.
No "expert" that I've ever watched being interviewed has said otherwise. It's just the media being desparate to create drama and find contradictions where there are none (journalists have never understood the meaning of 'scientific consensus'). Sadly, no one buys a newspaper that's titled 'We'll be fine'.
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Oh, speaking of FFP2 masks… I actually got sent one by my health insurance provider. Like out of nowhere, really. Apparently, they'd looked at my patient record and deemed me a member of a risk group – I don't even know why. I'll donate it to the hospital tomorrow; it's on my way to work anyway.