You all are not going to like what I have to say, but both sides are wrong about masks. It is true, masks do not work, but social distancing does work. It is simple to understand. Isolation prevents the virus from spreading. But isolation is impossible because we need people to go to work so the rest of us can eat, get medical attention, and other essential services. So the compromise is not perfect, but better than nothing. Stay away from each other. Stay home if you feel sick or have been exposed to someone who has been sick. Again, this is not perfect.
So where do masks come in? The best study I have seen was done by a couple of physicists specializing in particle dynamics. The looked at what happens when you talk, sneeze or cough while wearing a mask. The fact is, some but not all particles pass through the common masks, even when they are well fitted. Air pressure forces particles out the sides of the mask and some through the mask. But what they found is masks slow the vast majority of particles that do pass through so they do not travel as far. If people stay 6-10 ft apart, then masks are somewhat effective. Again not perfect. But inside of 6 ft, they are useless because the mask does not stop particles from traveling inside 6 ft.
Does this mean we should where masks? No, not if we are going to huddle together even wearing our N95 masks. It is pointless. Kinds in school are going to be close to each other and teachers. Airlines can't keep people 6 ft apart. Even grocery stores will struggle to keep people apart. It would hurt the entire economy. And for COVID, which right now is not killing people, it would be dumb to try.