Your shyness is a choice, just start saying yes to things that scare you and it will get easier.
The moment I worked that out life got a lot better for me. I figured it out not too far past 18 but I wonder what relationship I would have with my hometown if I figured it out sooner.
Pretty certain most masks just stop you spreading something and don't protect you. So they're asking a valid question. They only work en masse.