when you ask somebody like fauci about the efficacy of certain drugs, of which there is good evidence of the efficacy of, he'll tell you there are no randomized, controlled studies, despite the fact that that kind of study is completely inappropriate, in context.
but, when you ask him about the efficacy of a mask, of which most evidence i've seen suggests is useless, he jumps all over it, without bothering to cite controlled studies, despite them being the appropriate standard to use, in context.
and, then, when we see real world data unfold in front of us, we just insist on doubling down on a policy that obviously isn't working.
it's just about perfectly dysfunctional.