But what’s happened is that’s there’s a few studies showing marginal effect. A bunch of common sense saying “obviously”, and a whole raft of politics making it — up until recently — very difficult for anyone with a reputation to dissent.
We need not only consensus, by also decent studies, and good levels of efficacy.
I think perspective on this changes depending on how much of an issue people find it to wear masks personally.
If you’re in the “I’ll do this as long as necessary but I hate the sodding things and want them gone at the first opportunity”, then you’d understandably want to see a fairly high standard of evidence for governments legally mandating them.
But if you’re of the “really what’s all the fuss about, it’s only a bit of cloth, barely even notice I’m wearing it and I’ve saved a fortune on lippy” view, then it’s fine if the best evidence is “it might help a little bit” because there’s very little cost to you doing it.
Like, I don’t think handwashing is that effective against covid but I’m happy to do it lots anyway because it’s no trouble and it’s probably helping prevent other illnesses spreading. For many people I think masks fall into that category - whyever would you not, when it’s so easy?
If you do struggle with or really dislike masks, though, like me, then other people saying “of course we should be legally mandated to wear these for now and the foreseeable future because I personally don’t have a problem with them” comes across as a bit tone-deaf.