A cynic might point out our large mask shipments to other nations as proof we knew they work. That cynic might also tell you the focus on fomites and hand washing served a purpose. It detracted from the semi-suppressed news that airborne transmission was possible, and made the virus more or less unavoidable if one is in doors. Washing hands was a coping mechanism or something like it. We (those who were reading preprints from China) knew about the airborne transmission right away but “experts” went tv to “debate” the fact of airborne transmission in the name of fighting disinformation. Most disinformation came directly from the WHO and that continues with the recent “inspections” in China.