Jesus. Of all the sites to link, the Federalist, might as well link Breitbart or Info Wars.
The study says in places where you have to gather in close proximity, like bars, gyms, restaurants, where people are bad about keeping on their masks, covid will spread. It basically proves poor mask usage and poor social distancing will spread the virus. Masks are not 100%, but they help a GREAT deal when everyone is responsibly wearing them.
Japan has a MUCH higher population density than us, and yet have only had a couple of thousand cases total this year. They wore masks from the start, is great about hand hygiene, and social distancing.
I work in the ER, and all my co-workers, from respiratory therapists, social workers, nurses, doctors, etc. We all wear masks for our 12-13 hour shifts. We see about 300-400 patients daily, and so far this year, I personally know of 7 of my peers have been positive. I am 100% certain, without PPE like masks, that number would be far greater. It's not that hard to wear one, I wear a pretty heavy duty N95 mask in the gym. Anyone else whining about a simple mask has no right calling others weak.
What frustrates me when I speak to patients who have tested positive for covid, and are heading in a downwards spiral, with an imminent trip to the ICU, who still yell at me for requiring them to wear a mask and/or disputing my report of their covid test is a hoax and I'm just saying that to make more money (No, I do not get paid any extra money for diagnosing positive covid patients). This happens on a weekly basis. I love America to death, and there's no other place I'd rather live, but I can't say I am surprised we are the laughing stock of the world during this time.
Anyone preaching this anti-mask rhetoric is just killing our fellow Americans. We got enough health issues to deal without ignorantly doing the bare minimum to help out.