You're talking about symptomatic spread, which I don't dispute masks probably help. I'm talking about masking up if you do not exhibit any symptoms, regardless if you've got the jab or not.
But a general rule has to be applied, surely?
If masks prevent symptomatic spread, then it makes sense that everyone who has symptoms should have to wear a mask.
So how to best ensure that everyone with symptoms wears a mask?
A) Make everyone wear masks. Simple. And despite the vociferous objections from certain quarters, there is almost zero inconvenience. It's the obvious answer.
B) Tell people that you should wear a mask if you have symptoms. Result: some people with symptoms wear masks. Other people with symptoms see the request as (and I have no idea why) some sort of outrageous imposition on their human rights, and don't wear a mask, claiming not to have symptoms. Other people with symptoms don't wear a mask because "it's just a cough, it's not Covid", etc.
Option A is clearly preferable. Same reason that motorways have a speed limit. The blanket rule ensures optimum safety. Professional racing drivers would probably still be capable of driving safely at much higher speeds... but this isn't a reason to abandon the speed limit and ask people to drive at whatever speed they find comfortable.
Since when is lying a good public health strategy? Be clear, be honest. Bureaucrats have been telling people that "the science" says masks help reduce Covid transmission, they make no distinction between symptomatic and asymptomatic people.
If you're vaccinated, there is almost a zero percent chance you'll be symptomatic and have the ability to transmit the virus, so why mask up vaccinated individuals? It's ridiculous.
This is the Trump effect in action, where politicians will do a complete 180 given his position. We're at dementia levels of delusion when you tell people to start masking up 3 year olds. Orwellian type stuff, not rooted in any science, any logic, any rationality. I wish I was exaggerating. I'm thinking that people associate masks with mental fortitude, so it just makes them more comfortable with their insecurities, so they push it on everyone else. I feel sorry for the hypochondriacs that are vaxxed and still masking, a very sad existence to live so fearfully.