The politicization of it is a thermometer of societal dysfunction and absurdity that has exceeded the measurable range. I remember the feeling. I wore a 3M N95

The politicization of it is a thermometer of societal dysfunction and absurdity that has exceeded the measurable range. I remember the feeling. I wore a 3M N95 mask into a Trader Joe's in the SF Bay Area mid-December 2019 and received gawks and offhand verbal insults (jeers). The nature of the threat was then unknown and epidemiological data later showed community spread was already occurring, so it seemed an entirely prudent precaution even in retrospect. OTOH, people wearing masks outside now when no one else is around and without evidence to show COVID transmission can happen in these conditions, it must be a practice for non-medical reasons. Best to apply good, individual judgment with precautions because some people with irrational tribal beliefs are intent on proving cigarettes or COVID "can't" kill them.