“There is also ample evidence from peer reviewed studies that masks “do” work.”
We don’t need to guess. We can look at states that have put masks requirements in place...and watch as their cases continue to climb for weeks. The incubation time for the virus is 5 days, with most well under 10 days. If wearing masks in public was very effective in cutting transmission, cases would start to fall significantly in 10 days.
DOES NOT HAPPEN.
This isn’t guess work. We’ve tried it in places like California. On 18 June, masks were required statewide. What has followed? “Records have been shattered in recent days....”
https://www.latimes.com/projects/california-coronavirus-cases-tracking-outbreak/
Cases per day are DOUBLE what they were when the masks became mandatory. With a state sample size of 40 million! I think we KNOW how effective masks are. Just look at California!
https://www.kcra.com/article/coronavirus-map-graphs-cases-deaths-curve-california-july20/33367606#
You are comparing what to what? In New York cases rose from 5k a day to 10k a day in two weeks (Mar 27 - Apr 9) In California, with masks, it is taking four weeks to get the same rise. Use 7-day moving averages. Keep in mind California has double the population and there's a lot more testing now.
We are certanly not seeing the kinds of rises that we did in April.
There’s one “small” problem with your theory. It’s called “FLOYD-19” and consists of mass riots in precisely those locales where COVID is spiking IN SPITE OF the “imposition” of mask orders. THE RIOTERS AIN’T WEARING MASKS!
Nice propaganda save-try, though.