It was shortly apparent that the masks had not had any effect against the spread of the Spanish flu, and as the years progressed, closer study showed that the masks had actually made the situation worse.

For the next 100 years, masking — especially widespread mask mandates — were relegated to the dustbin of history in favor of science and progress that used evidence instead of blind hope to achieve real improvements in infection control. Further study even began to call into question the value of wearing masks in settings it had been assumed that they simply must help, such as in hospitals.

And then, in a media-induced hysteria that was pushed for political advantage, all that science was tossed aside — along with common sense, commitment to American values, longstanding principles of body autonomy, and respect for the dignity of personal choice.

And as a frightened and dumbed-down population sank back into superstition and comfort-seeking, paternalistic authoritarians saw that the mask was becoming a potent symbol of contagious fear and conformist compliance...

It was shortly apparent that the masks had not had any effect against the spread of the Spanish flu, and as the years progressed, closer study showed that the masks had actually made the situation worse.

For the next 100 years, masking — especially widespread mask mandates — were relegated to the dustbin of history in favor of science and progress that used evidence instead of blind hope to achieve real improvements in infection control. Further study even began to call into question the value of wearing masks in settings it had been assumed that they must help, such as hospitals.

And then, in a media-induced hysteria that was pushed for political advantage, all that science was tossed aside — along with common sense, commitment to American values, longstanding principles of body autonomy, and respect for the dignity of personal choice.

And as a frightened and dumbed-down population sank back into superstition and comfort-seeking, paternalistic authoritarians saw that the mask was becoming a potent symbol of contagious fear and conformist compliance...