Wearing a mask has become another way to identify yourself as the “in group”. Health benefits are a far second to the signaling that you “follow the science” and “are willing to sacrifice for the greater good” - your one of the good people.

My buddy told me his Bay Area company did a story about “the story behind people’s masks”. They literally interviewed people and asked them to share “what their mask represents”.

It’s really bizarre how much people’s egos and identity are wrapped up in it now.

(And that applies to people willing to make a public stand against masks as well - it’s become a core part of who they are).