When wearing a mask became a sign that you were a virtuous person and that you were part of a group concerned with the well being of others. Like a monks habit people liked wearing it, being part of a group, part of a community of like minded persons, part of a.....religion??. Masks as protection had lost their purpose as soon as research maked it clear that it failed to protect you from droplets, dust, and the virus itself and there was no quality checks to make sure the masks were of a quality according to regulations. The only thing it does is contain the largest droplets when you cough or sneeze, which is why people in Asian country's were wearing them when they have a cold....because bothering others is a sin over there. But in a busy subway you could as well be french kissing a infected person it make no difference.
