This is it exactly, in the first year we had little to know information as to the severity of the illness or the methods of transmission. With time we have developed vaccinations to mitigate the worst outcomes and have a much better understanding of the transmission vectors. I still wear a mask around because it's such a small inconvenience, and I still won't go into indoor crowded event, but I am considering easing up my defensive profile.

Also the production of N95/KN95/CA-N95/P99 masks have been upscaled greatly and they are far more accessible and affordable than they were at the beginning of the pandemic.

I remember when the only N95s you could get were counterfeit masks selling for $50 a mask.