Exactly. Masks are like dampeners. Even if not everyone's masks are good (cloth masks), they'll still slow the spread, hence significantly fattening the curve.

Advising people to not wear mask is the biggest disservice the American government (and the CDC) did to its people. Just asking people to cover their mouths with bandanas and scarfs would've helped a lot.

I shudder when I see reporters in a breakout zone reporting without masks on. Man.