Machiavelli's Mask

We are being told that facemasks are next to useless as prophylactics against coronavirus, and I can see the logic behind this - particles can stick to the mask, but still be sucked in when breathing in.

That said, surgeons wear facemasks to prevent particles that are breathed out infecting the open wounds of patients. That suggests that they are of use if someone suspects they may have the virus and want to lower the chance of spreading it to someone else. 

The Japanese, who are quite socially minded, are known for wearing facemasks. They tend to wear them, not as protection for themselves, but to protect other people from infections they may have. Look up facemasks and NHS on Google, and the advice it to wear one if you suspect you have flu - yet no-one is giving this advice at present.

Am I missing something here?

It may seem somewhat Darwinistic, but those who are most susceptible to dying from coronavirus are pensioners with underlying health conditions - people who use the NHS a lot; people who are drawing a pension, and people who could still, even though retired, be in the workforce. Allowing a large percentage of such people to die would solve a number of government problems simultaneously - future pressure on the NHS, lower state pension payouts and opening up jobs for younger people who need them. Thank God we don't have a Machiavellian, low tax, small public service government - oh, hang on!