I accept all that but having a face mask, whether or not it works, helps personal morale I think. In my communication over Skype and the like one person I know is trying to preserve the life of his mask by folding a tissue into it, he then takes the tissue out and disposes of it. I like the orient idea of wearing face masks, coughing into one's sleeve, yuk! Having the experience of watching people down the pub over a number of years I can't believe that basic Brit habits of coughing into the air, burping into the air and yawning into the air have changed much, if at all?
Also, the world has changed in all sorts of subtle ways I think, it also seems to be 'Brit hip' to be seen in a niqab type face mask or perhaps a cowboy face mask (another form of niqab to me) which I've seen a couple of times along our sea front.
Jimmy Durante, the USA comedian springs to mind about the others in the pub, "A wipe of the cuff is enough!" Again yuk!
I also wonder if those people that go to the loo in the pub or motorway service area and never wash their hands are doing it now???