Trying to keep an open mind, I've seen persuasive evidence that 1) there are some masks that work to reduce the probability of severe illness, and 2) that mask mandates do not work at all to prevent the spread of a pandemic.
Unfortunately, nuance gets lost between the two camps chanting "masks work" and "masks didn't work". Part of the problem may be that faith in masks leads masked people to neglect other preventative measures: vitamin D, "staying away from people", etc. Failure of mask mandates ignores the fact that some people wore no masks, some wore paper surgical masks that simply catch the flying goobers, some wore fabric masks of varying effectiveness, and only a fraction wore really good, close-fitting masks (and then, not all the time).
Personally, I sewed some double-thick flannel masks that seemed effective and comfortable, and I got covid at a church picnic where I thought being outside (mostly) in the sunshine was enough. And I was ill for about two days.
Re: Masking as an informed, individual choice
Unfortunately, nuance gets lost between the two camps chanting "masks work" and "masks didn't work". Part of the problem may be that faith in masks leads masked people to neglect other preventative measures: vitamin D, "staying away from people", etc. Failure of mask mandates ignores the fact that some people wore no masks, some wore paper surgical masks that simply catch the flying goobers, some wore fabric masks of varying effectiveness, and only a fraction wore really good, close-fitting masks (and then, not all the time).
Personally, I sewed some double-thick flannel masks that seemed effective and comfortable, and I got covid at a church picnic where I thought being outside (mostly) in the sunshine was enough. And I was ill for about two days.
Lathechuck