They can't be practically useless, and taking away from those that need them (simple contradiction).
In fact, even the simplest masks are not useless, plenty of studies prove that. And if you can get N95 masks they are very good if fitted properly.
The idea that buying from retail stores like home depot for personal use is taking away from the medical facilities is a dumb assumption and also shows how poor the preparations have been on a national level.
First of all, it's not a contradiction at all. All the medical facilities that needed them before, still need them now, unrelated to this. So it's completely possible for them to be needed for surgeons and doctors performing procedures but be ineffective for this virus. I'll try to find the source for it, but I believe I heard that these do nothing to prevent you from getting it, it only help prevent people who already have it from spreading it. Yes, buying them en mass definitely creates a shortage. I saw somewhere (I'll edit with link if I can find source in a bit) that medical facilities are asking manufacturers to fill their orders first as there is a shortage. Not sure why this concept doesn't make sense. Huge surge in demand typically means a decline in supply especially when manufacturers of said item may be in places that aren't operating due to the very reason these masks are being purchased to begin with.
ETA: Quick google search backs up pretty much all that info with multiple links, many quoting the CDC and WHO.
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