You know, I think you have a point. What I wrote a page or so back was indeed a mix and included anecdotal evidence and speculation. I would however disagree that my post contained "nothing but anecdotal evidence or speculation from personal experiences".

It is a fact that public health experts in Germany and elsewhere, just like in the U.S. largely agree that masks should be used indoors and/or where a safe distance cannot be kept. That's not politicians making these things up. That's politicians implementing scientific guidance. Yes, there is continued debate as to how much masks protect the wearer vs. the other person and just how helpful each type of mask is and what dangers come with inappropriate mask use and hygiene. None of that means that masks don't work, though.

As pilots we travel the world. It is rare to see almost the entire planet reacting similarly to a situation. Almost everywhere it is being taken seriously. Almost everywhere mask use is mandated. It's not about party politics. Almost everyone is behind this. In Germany that's all political parties from the socialists, greens, social-democrats- liberal-democrats, christian-democrats. The entire established political spectrum is in favor of following the advise of the scientists. The only opposing party are the far right AfD.

The other thing I wrote that makes logical sense, or at least so I hope, is that all those comparisons between populations that have worn masks and others that haven't are not meaningful as they are not comparing like for like.

It's also a verifiable fact, that at least in my country a lot of infections originate from situations where no masks have been worn, such as weddings, birthday parties, other gatherings.

There are still so many questions as to why some parts of the world are hit so hard while others not so much. There don't appear to be simple answers. Masks alone cannot explain everything but they can be part of the solution. Just google "scientific consensus on mask use".