FFS, the CDC is extending its mask mandate on public transport into May despite there being zero evidence that masks work.
There is plenty of evidence of course that masks work. One simply needs to test the mask, see that it in fact blocks sars-cov-2 and other virus, and that is evidence that they do work.
But if you want more evidence, there are plenty of studies. Purely for example:
The debate over when to lift mask mandates continues. The CDC extended mask guidance on airplanes, among other forms of mass transit, for an additional two weeks. The war over masks in elementary school continues to be waged. A new model attempts to provide more data on the interaction of the...
www.acsh.org
Of course, the mandates can only work if they are thorough enough and people abide by them.
Over here, we have a serious problem these days with the flu and other respiratory viruses. Covid is still annoying, though there are few cases, perhaps because there are almost no tests anymore, and also because perhaps nearly everyone got it already, perhaps repeatedly.
What about masks?
Well, they do not have much of an impact, I reckon because of how they are used - more like a fashion accessory. For example, I take a bus almost daily. That is one of the few places where masks are still mandatory. Here's what I observe:
1. Nearly everyone has ordinary cloth masks.
2. Nearly no one has a mask that is tightened around the nose. So, the air goes in and out easily.
3. Most people have their mask down, so that their noses are uncovered.
4. A good number have the masks on the neck, noses and mouths fully uncovered.
5. Many spend the trip speaking very loudly, to each other or on the phone.
6. Most of the times, there are one or two people coughing repeatedly - they are very clearly ill.
7. It is common for ill people to either go maskless, or pull their masks down every couple of minutes or so, to blow their respective noses.
8. And more of that sort of behavior.
Obviously, nearly all masks are ineffective. I still wear a good mask, properly. I haven't gotten ill even once this year, despite the massive covid wave in January, and the fact that most years, by this time of the year I got the flu and several colds. Maybe I just got lucky, though - after all, my personal experience provides a bit but only a bit of info. Studies are much clearer: masks do work (fashion accessories that vaguely resemble masks do not, though, and nearly everyone chooses them rather than masks, at least over here).