Masks aren't signs of political preference. Some people think it's a deadly virus and they should wear masks forever because there will always be strains of coronavirus. These people will both live in fear and judge anyone who isn't doing what they want. Some people look at statistics of who died "from Covid" and not just died "with Covid" and think the actual death rates are so low that we overreacted. Others look at the global response and consider that every country took different steps and had different results based on a variety of factors and then they pick their favorite. In the US, death rates varied heavily based on who was Governor since each state got to decide how to react (and what to do with positive patients and the elderly).
What we do know is that cloth masks are not effective, scarfs are not effective, and most "medical" masks are not effective (because it clearly states this on the package). Effectiveness is measured by it's ability to actually prevent exchange of particles, not just reduce it by a random amount.
I design hospitals. I have been in hospitals, evaluating them, this entire time. Hospitals were concerned, are fine now, but are looking to change the way they configure patient wings to properly accommodate the next surge (whenever it happens in the future). Expect increased flexibility with HVAC systems, more UV sterilization, more robust electrical systems, and higher-flow liquid oxygen systems.
I think that sick people should wear masks when they are contagious, regardless of what they are sick with. Sick people should stay home from work and sick kids should stay home from school. For me, this view is about 20 years old and hasn't changed.
What I learned this past year is that most people think electrolytes are what plants crave... and they act accordingly.
The one positive thing out of all this is that employers and schools are now universally accepting of remote work/learning.
