I'd also note that we just learned of this Virus at the end of December. We were and are still learning new things about how the virus spreads and how we can effectively fight its spread. The fact that some of the early guidance has been reversed is evidence that scientists are learning more about the virus, not that we shouldn't listen to them or that their advice is 'obvious bullshit'.

You’re completely misinterpreting the mask situation.

Of course they say there’s no evidence that a mask will protect YOU. Masks aren’t supposed to protect YOU. They prevent YOU transmitting the virus to OTHERS. So of course it doesn’t reduce YOUR risk of respiratory infection. That conclusion has not changed.

The guidance was pretty clear: they didn’t want people wearing masks because there was a PPE shortage. Now there isn’t a shortage, so they want people wearing masks.

Are you sure that masks don't protect you? You've made that statement three times in four sentences.

It's false that the guidance was clear the reason for recommending people not wear masks was because of a shortage. US health officials stated that masks were ineffective and may increase the likelihood of infection because of touching your face while wearing a mask.

As someone pointed out Sweden to this day has this to say about mask usage:

"The scientific evidence around the effectiveness of face masks in combatting the spread of infection is weak, which is why different countries have arrived at different recommendations."

https://www.folkhalsomyndigheten.se/the-public-health-agency...

Dr. Fauci has since admitted that U.S. health officials intentionally lied about mask efficacy to prevent PPE shortages: https://techstartups.com/2020/06/17/dr-fauci-admits-health-e...