[zahma]

Masks were absolutely good at first as the medical services were at a loss how to treat patients even under the best circumstances, so disease prevention was crucial. There is an argument to be made now that we’re going to have to deal with a perennial virus with recurring infections throughout our lifetime. Some people react more adversely, so why shouldn’t they wear masks?

I’ve seen groups in Asia wearing masks as a gesture of respect for their community. It’s not to say we’ll all fall hopelessly naive to disease if we don’t wear masks, but we would all certainly be happier not getting a debilitating virus at least every year.

FWIW, a lot of the research money has dried up, so I’d be surprised if any longitudinal studies will arise now about disease prevention and masking. Seems like a study tricky to control.