The difference is clear between states that require masks everywhere and states that don’t. Masks have no effect if they are mandated or not. My state has had every single new wave occur while already mandating masks.
Terribly sorry about that. Perhaps if they have serious health concerns, they should take preventative measures such as being vaccinated, wearing masks, or isolating.
But as far as the people I work with every day, who also do not wear masks, I have not spread COVID to any of them. Nor my family, nor my volunteer groups.
As for me, I've been living quite happily without one since about July last year.