Paper face masks do not prevent breathing in virus particles, BUT they prevent you from touching your nose and mouth. Just as many of us have to break habits (nail biting, wiping nose with fingers etc) I'm focusing on training myself not to touch my face. I saw an informative piece of news, viruses do not have wings. They can be in the air, but if you move quickly away from a cough or sneeze from another person and STOP touching your face your chances of catching (any) virus lessons a lot.
Viruses, per science article, do not replicate on their own. They have to attach to a living organism. My biggest fear is the mutation to something much worse. IMHO, if we as individuals work to protect ourselves, we protect others as well.
This article is from 2014, but Dr. Fauci points to how humans help viruses adapt and mutate.
https://www.vox.com/2014/6/27/5846900/how-viruses-stay-one-step-ahead-of-our-efforts-to-kill-them
"Other fast mutators include coronaviruses like
MERS and SARS. Influenza viruses are fairly fast mutators, although that varies from strain to strain. That's one reason why flu vaccines are often only effective for a short while."
What good is a vaccine for this virus if it mutates quickly and the vaccine is outdated?