Masks Could Help Stop Coronavirus. So Why Are They Still Controversial? - WSJ

When Covid-19 spread to the West in February, key health-care institutions, such as the World Health Organization, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Surgeon General argued against widespread use of face masks outside hospitals. Some experts dismissed simple masks that don’t stop viruses as dangerous, because they could induce a false sense of security in wearers. U.S. Surgeon General Jerome M. Adams tweeted on Feb. 29: “Seriously people—STOP BUYING MASKS!” He has since apologized and now supports wearing them. White House adviser Dr. Anthony Fauci said this month that he initially dismissed masks because medical workers were facing a shortage in supplies. He, too, is now an advocate.

The whole point of science is to test a hypothesis and adapt based on results. So the change in position is totally understandable, and perhaps even expected.

That being said, the reality that only months ago there was uniformity in discouraging masks/facial coverings really takes the wind out of the sails of those who now so readily condemn their fellow citizens who opt not to wear a mask. This is especially true given that so many people who do wear masks do so improperly and with varying degrees of contamination.

As with anything, the best course of action is to assume personal responsibility for yourself and spend less time worrying about the choices that other people make for themselves.