private use wouldnt be necessary if not infected.
The point is we don't know who is or isn't infected. Largely because of the lack of testing. But also the nature of the virus, with a relatively long incubation period, and reportedly a contagious period possible prior to symptoms. Also the symptoms are similar to those of flu, cold, allergies.
If everyone wears a face mask in public, then everyone who is infected -- those who are asymptomatic, pre-symptomatic or experiencing symptoms --
will be largely prevented from spreading the contagion. And healthy people would have two layers of protection, the mask on their face and the masks others are wearing. This will reduce transmission.
This has worked very well in China.
If I were the governor of NY, I would be calling China, getting a plane loaded with two types of face masks, and then distributing them either free, at cost or at a reasonable price. There's plenty of excess air capacity right now. probably can charter a plane could charter a plane from any airline.
Face masks are small and light.
How many millions can fit on an airplane.
Maybe send one of those large military cargo planes.
Start importing tens of millions of masks per day.