Since the pandemic began this year, we’ve received a dizzying number of conflicting opinions on wearing masks and their effectiveness in preventing the spread of the coronavirus. At first, we were told not to bother — they didn’t work. This was later revealed to be a “noble lie” to prevent a run on masks. Later, we were told that wearing masks did work. Then, it really depended on the kind of mask. Then, it was uncertain whether there were actually any benefits.

I welcome the mask. I would be quite put out if its benefit was decisively debunked. Where I live, the mask has allowed us to get out of the earlier lockdown situation and return to some semblance of normal life. Thanks to the mask, businesses can responsibly reopen. We are able to take reasonable, prudential measures against the pandemic, not the ridiculously burdensome ones never taken in any previous pandemic and unproven as far as their effectiveness.