So, It Looks Like N95 Masks Did Nothing to Stop the Spread of COVID

From what I've heard, they were for tradition. They make people feel like they're doing something to fight the epidemic. Although they are not. I don't believe in them but my wife does.

CMSgt Marcus Falleaf - No. The purpose of the masks in this case are to stop aerosol transmission from the lungs, which it and other masks do very well. The fundamental misconception is that the mask protects the wearer - it doesn't do much in this case because it is not a sealing mask. The purpose of the mask is to stop or reduce transmission to other people. The problem is they very people most likely to be asymptomatic spreaders - those that refused to get vaccinated - are the very same people who would refuse to wear a mask, and so the practice rather than the mask itself was ineffective.

People have a hard time wrapping their head around the idea that they might have to endure some slight discomfort for the benefit of other people while gaining very little benefit for themselves.