I don't think our mask compliance has increased since the earlier spike; I would say the opposite. I don't have any hard data of course, so it's possible. I hope someone is collecting this data.

If masks are truly effective enough to alone cause the dramatic change we're seeing, then the initial advice that they weren't necessary was utterly disastrous.

Sweden has recommended against wearing masks. So mask "compliance" would mean not wearing one, which should have led to an explosion of cases, no?

A recent survey found only 6% mask compliance in Sweden so that's probably not a significant factor. There must be something else going on.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/swede...

It is tempting to see masks as a solution, but I doubt they are. We had quite strict mask requirements (bordering absurd, like wear the mask in the woods, being alone), and they are again required in indoor public places. Our neighbours in Latvia never required masks and hardly anyone wears them. They have just a fraction of new cases we have.

Data so far seems to suggest the opposite. Countries with harder enforcement of face masks seems to have had larger outbreaks later.

There has been earlier WHO studies that suggests improper use of masks may be detrimental, but it might just as well be confounding effects of something else.

I see one mask maybe every other day (major city in Sweden). I would guess mask usage is close to zero.