Brand new diseases take time to understand. I think the scientific community 'thought' masks would be effective IF this was transmitted mostly thru airborne routes (remember wiping down groceries before we realized it was so much harder to get from surfaces) and (I believe this is key) there were a shortage of PPE for health care providers. Once it was proven to be mostly airborne it had to be proven that masks could prevent transmission before you ask a population to all wear masks. Once epidemiological studies showed benefit we changed. One positive thing about wearing masks is that it should really tamp down the flu season. It is a mess. I wish our government would just trust the scientific community and do what they say.
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