Here’s a perfect example of a story you will read that implies masks do work…But a closer look at the study shows a) it was done before vaccines and b) it did not include the USA. So how can it even be cited?
(Undated) — A study shows mask rules are leading to fewer coronavirus deaths. Data published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine shows out of 44 countries, researchers found a significantly lower increase in daily coronavirus related deaths in those with mask laws compared to countries without mask rules. The study was done before the coronavirus vaccines were in use. The U.S. was not part of the study because mask rules were made at the local levels.
Read for yourself
https://consumer.healthday.com/b-12-17-in-global-study-tougher-mask-laws-linked-to-fewer-covid-deaths-2656045203.html
https://www.ajpmonline.org/article/S0749-3797(21)00557-2/fulltext
Study Shows Masks Help Prevent Coronavirus Deaths