it also depends upon the mask type who you're protecting? IIR surgical masks tend to only protect other people, whereas you can protect yourself with FFP2/FFP3/N95/P99/...

but deciphering that is part of the problem, the layman had to come to terms with the difference between IIR masks and the other more protective to self standards.

the messaging was unclear but it required the avg person to do their own research.

imo, the real problem was the culture war?

i don't think there's any problem with someone making it clear that they're sick; society needs to be more accepting of the sick and more accepting of call-outs of work due to illness. this would help everybody in the long run.