> This argument does not pass smell test. In countries where masks were mandated, there was simultaneously lock on medical masks. People used homemade ones at first and then later you could buy non-medical cloth masks.

Right, and there are no studies that I'm aware of showing that cloth face masks are effective at stopping the spread of covid-19. They're good at stopping large particles (which afaik you only really have if you're coughing), but not small/aerosolized ones.

Again, if you're being careful with your mask and making sure to clean it regularly and treat it like a dangerous object and washing hands after using it etc. It might help. If you aren't, it might hurt. Hence the WHO's guidance.

To be clear, I'm not saying "masks are bad", or even "masks aren't good". I'm saying "the evidence that masks are helpful is not strong enough to decry an organization that doesn't recommend them."