Science. People want to stand on the science to defend their positions. Many, if not most, people support the governments positions to do this or that. These people along with the government and media want to say that it's all scientific. The social distancing, the isolation of the healthy, the face masks, all backed by science. Is it though?
Source
Masks have been looked at for their efficacy in protecting against viral transmission. Most studies, like random control trials (RCTs) conclude there is no significant efficacy. Tge CDC even published a paper in April to conclude that face masks are not effective.
Here, we review the evidence base on the effectiveness of nonpharmaceutical personal protective measures and environmental hygiene measures in non-healthcare settings and discuss their potential inclusion in pandemic plans. Although mechanistic studies support the potential effect of hand hygiene or face masks, evidence from 14 randomized controlled trials of these measures did not support a substantial effect on transmission of laboratory-confirmed influenza. We similarly found limited evidence on the effectiveness of improved hygiene and environmental cleaning.”
They reviewed the existing evidence for face mask efficiency, with 10 randomized controlled trials showing no substantial effect, was the conclusion.
Face masks
In our systematic review, we identified 10 RCTs that reported estimates of the effectiveness of face masks in reducing laboratory-confirmed influenza virus infections in the community from literature published during 1946–July 27, 2018. In pooled analysis, we found no significant reduction in influenza transmission with the use of face masks
Disposable medical masks (also known as surgical masks) are loose-fitting devices that were designed to be worn by medical personnel to protect accidental contamination of patient wounds, and to protect the wearer against splashes or sprays of bodily fluids (36). There is limited evidence for their effectiveness in preventing influenza virus transmission either when worn by the infected person for source control or when worn by uninfected persons to reduce exposure. Our systematic review found no significant effect of face masks on transmission of laboratory-confirmed influenza.
Yup, to make it clear they state their conclusion thus:
Discussion
In this review, we did not find evidence to support a protective effect of personal protective measures or environmental measures in reducing influenza transmission.
We did not find evidence that surgical-type face masks are effective in reducing laboratory-confirmed influenza transmission, either when worn by infected persons (source control) or by persons in the general community to reduce their susceptibility.
Is this science? Is it not science? When does the science matter? What's the real value of wearing a face masks when you're not sick and asymptomatic people (if they exist) don't even spread the alleged virus? Psychological comfort? Why are people harassing and shaming others for not wanting to wear a mask when not sick that apparently doesn't offer any real protection? Why are people threatening and wishing violence against people who don't want to wear face masks when not sick?
If you want to wear one, ok, have at it. Why has the world gone mad trying to force this onto everyone? The evidence of RCTs that they don't really work as purported is there, but there are no RCTs that they do work are claimed. Fear is ruling the minds of many, that's how I see it. Then comes the need for control and the violence follows trying to enforce that control.