Surgical masks defined as the ones that gape at the sides are comparatively ineffective at stopping aerosolized particles.

The idea that ballistic droplets are the primary means of infection is the old, old misunderstanding.

If we compare the objective of preventing transmission of pathogens from surgeon to patient to the objective of covering nudity, surgical masks are as effective as shorts.

Seeing as the objective is the objective, the ends should define the means. Therefore it is clear that any use of surgical masks is a fundamental and entrenched misunderstanding.