[api]

A major confounding factor with things like mask mandates is that there is no reliable data on adherence and no reliable data on types of masks used by the general public. N95 masks are better than ordinary surgical masks and surgical masks are better than neck gators or cheap thin cloth masks.

[gatronicus]

Germany had a N95 mask mandate (called FFP2 in Europe), nothing else was allowed, and yet had a very similar infection curve to Sweeden (according to article picture) which had no mask mandate.

Mask quality is definitely a factor, but can't be the major factor, unless people wear masks 100% of the time and never take them off outside of the house, which we know it's not true. There is also the "eye protection" factor, which seems to exist.

[techsin101]

We know it helps doctors as doctors had lower rate than general population in USA and we also know severity of case is linked to severity of exposure.. so it’s safe to assume masks have helped a ton

[api]

The mechanics are so simple it’s weird to me that people argue otherwise.