The mask situation is clearly theatre. Aerosol sized particles easily pass through all but the most sealed of mask designs - easily meaning that the majority in use are basically useless. Additionally, they store up our metabolic wastes and toxins so that we keep breathing them in.. In general, they are ridiculous. 'Officials' even publicly stated early on that they were only in use to try to minimise people's anxiety and to give them a sense of empowerment, that they could do something to protect themselves. Many studies show they are useless.
The debate about stupidity vs malevolence is as relevance as ever! I can hypothesise either way.
I've come to like the idea of spraying a little aerosol fragrance like strawberry or peppermint and asking "What does that smell like?" When they answer I say "If you can smell that then that mask won't do anything to stop a virus as small as COVID".
Haha... Truth.. une parfum by Winblood. :)