After three years and 56 studies saying they are worthless, Japan dropped the nationwide mask request this past week. A request that was met with among the highest compliance in the world-mandatory or not.
Nothing has changed, the optimal solution which was extremely apparent early on was to overtly protect the at risk and leave everyone else alone. Although obvious to an imbecile, it was followed by about zero nations on earth.
The superior lesser optimal solutions are the ones closest to the above not the ones furthest away.
Ventilation is probably better at preventing virus spread than mask wearing. In surgery operating rooms, high airflow is a major player in minimizing infections. Why has this knowledge has been completely ignored in favor of ineffective masks?
The biggest feature of vain leadership is an unwillingness to change direction once more information becomes available.