If the only possible way to get a mask to work is to apply it in perfect laboratory conditions, it's useless. Imagine if seat belts were that hard to use.
If masks were so effective, there would be good data somewhere out of like hundreds of studies done on them over decades. The truth seems to be that masks help somewhat with some pathogens spread by droplets, but airborne viruses can't be stopped by any commonly accessible mask. Even if the mask somehow works, an infectious agent can get in through your eyes. If you are facing a very deadly virus, you better have more than just a N-95. I don't care if you tape the damn thing to your face or double up, it won't be enough.
If masks were so effective, there would be good data somewhere out of like hundreds of studies done on them over decades. The truth seems to be that masks help somewhat with some pathogens spread by droplets, but airborne viruses can't be stopped by any commonly accessible mask. Even if the mask somehow works, an infectious agent can get in through your eyes. If you are facing a very deadly virus, you better have more than just a N-95. I don't care if you tape the damn thing to your face or double up, it won't be enough.