Despite all the pro-mask science being based on in-the-heat-of-the-moment research done in the middle of a highly politicized pandemic.
Prior to all this, the science on masks was completely inconclusive. And there was literally no research done on the effectiveness of shutting down large swaths of human life for more than a year. Though it shouldn't take an expert to deduce that it has profound negative impacts on economic, social and mental health.
We are in the middle of a massive, uncontrolled experiment with billions participating without any consent.
The idea that smart well meaning people are supposed all just fall in line and agree with the prevailing groupthink is almost despotic. I shudder to think of what would happen if "the experts" even so much as hinted at it being okay for people to use violence against non believers. It's terrifying, honestly.