There have been studies that indicate that masks are effective. There have been studies that showed no effect which also had low compliance. There has never be

There have been studies that indicate that masks are effective. There have been studies that showed no effect which also had low compliance. There has never been a study which showed people taking risky behavior because they were wearing a mask, as far as I've been able to determine. To me that above comment sounds like rationalizing to justify misleading the public and risking their lives, out of some paternalistic assumption which has not ever been even suggested by the applicable science. In practice, what little I've seen of people wearing masks causes a change in behavior -- additional distance, etc. from people around them. It raises awareness, and looks like it should reduce risk. Most of the concern that people might take on additional risky actions would be adequately addressed by making it clear that masks aren't a sure thing-- especially if not expertly fitted and coupled with additional PPE and procedures. Plenty of people are in "essential" jobs or just need to get groceries. In the bay area, many people already have used masks due to the history of fires... and many of those people are failing to use them because they have been materially and intentionally mislead by people who have, or ought to have, a professional obligation to provide honest information to them. The loss of trust from this, as the public realizes it was mislead, will have lasting negative effects.