I’ve found the opposite to be the case. Masks facilitate increased social interaction as people can more safely meet each other indoors or share a car-ride – which is important when less daylight and colder/wetter weather limit outdoor socialising.

The media are more interested in what’s new and in my country (Ireland) masks have been old news for well over a year.

Since masks mean less interaction (contrary to what you wrote) people are looking to fill part of that information void through mainstream media. Which is a fear machine at the moment. More fear -> More masking up

Nobody said media is talking about masks all day.

We are at the point that the damage is visible on children so I don't care about bowing to HN's liberal readers anymore. It is clear as daylight, mask mandates are damaging our society.