Masks are effective but all masks aren't equal. https://uwaterloo.ca/news/media/study-supports-widespread-use-better-masks-curb-covid-19 Of course there is real world data providing solid evidence that masks are effective at reducing Covid. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2781283 More real world data showing that masks are effective. https://www.pnas.org/content/118/4/e2014564118 Well, what do you know, mask are effective at reducing Covid spread. https://priceschool.usc.edu/study-most-effective-measure-against-covid-early-mask-mandates/ Examining Covid rates before and after mask mandates. Reduced rates in states with high levels of mask wearing. https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0249891