No, I won’t wear a face covering.
From what I’ve read the science on this is ambiguous at best. There is little concrete evidence to suggest that the wearing of face masks is beneficial, in terms of reducing infection spread, other than in surgical/clinical type settings. Plus there is a risk of the mask being worn improperly and causing infection of the wearer when they take it off.
Masks are worn a great deal in the Far East, but that is a cultural issue, rather than being based on hard science.
I would be more concerned about the risk of putting it on, than taking it off.
You will have to be sure that it isn't contaminated before you apply it to your nose and mouth.
If you have washed it at high temperature, and kept it sterile once dry, and put it on before you leave the house, then there is likely to be no contamination and therefore no risk.
However, the advice is to wear it on transport and in some shops, which implies carrying a mask about one's person. Keeping a mask uncontaminated in that way, and keeping it uncontaminated including while handling it to put it on, requires some thought. I'm not confident I could reliably achieve it.
What's more, even in the case of applying a mask at home before you go out, what about the journey home from work?
On top of all this, there is no guarantee your home is virus free. While you can limit your risk to this by washing your hands frequently and avoiding touching your face, all this is for nothing if your mask has come into contact with contamination. Since it goes straight on your face, your mouth and nose.
I'm with you on this. I think this is bad, bad advice which smacks of pandering to those who feel the need for visual comfort over genuine protection.