This post doesn't seem to be made in good faith.

> Is your mind open to accepting masks weren't that effective slowing covid-19?

There is a wealth of evidence[0] [1] [2] to confirm that masks are effective at reducing the spread of covid. Ignoring evidence does not mean you have an open mind. I would even argue it means the latter.

[0] https://www.pnas.org/content/118/4/e2014564118#sec-22

[1] https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/science/science-br...

[2] https://health.clevelandclinic.org/new-study-highlights-new-...

The truth might be more complicated that this. Masks are good against larger droplets but may be not effective in badly ventilated room. The best effect I have seen in practice is masks + very good ventilation.

What are you basing that on, the data mostly points the other direction.

So far just the observation that populations that tended to wear masks still saw high rates of infection and other cold viruses didn't seem to have the same drastic drop that flu did https://syndromictrends.com/metric/panel/rp/percent_positivi....

I'm not trying to make any claims. No harm in wearing a mask and everyone should be wearing one.

They may not have slowed covid-19 but they appear to have been effective against numerous other illnesses ( influenza, colds, etc.)

Replying to myself to add, which may have dramatically helped keep other hospitalizations and doctor visits lower allowing providers to focus on Covid-19.