> Ironically, the CDC's guidance might result in two different scenarios: excessive mask use where it won't help and inadequate mask use in places where it might help.
Sounds like a prime opportunity to do an extensive randomized real world study of mask efficacy in the presence of an airborne transmissible disease.
I say let it play out; most everyone has already chosen their sides, and only time will bear out the results. Once it's "over", adjust for or further study what societal differences contributed or caused the results, if any.
It's never going to be over until we accept the virus is going to be with us forever and people will die that might have lived a bit longer without the virus. The lockdowns are doing more damage than slightly elevated death rates (especially in developing countries and to the young and poor).
Sounds like a prime opportunity to do an extensive randomized real world study of mask efficacy in the presence of an airborne transmissible disease.
I say let it play out; most everyone has already chosen their sides, and only time will bear out the results. Once it's "over", adjust for or further study what societal differences contributed or caused the results, if any.