We mustn't forget that every time masks have been mandated, a rise in cases has followed. When masks ceased to be mandated from 19th July, cases plummeted.
Similar patterns have occurred elsewhere. It is absolutely clear that case rates are not going to be affected by whether or not masks are mandated. 99% of people wear flimsy masks to be seen to be complying with the mandate, rather than effective masks that would actually make any difference.
Omicron is so fit and contagious that anyone without sufficient immunity can only delay the inevitable rather than avoid it; anyone in such a position can choose to wear an effective FFP2/3 mask if they wish and it would make no difference to them what other people do or don't wear.
John Campbell has released another video:
The zero covid believers and cold hearted brigade on social media are up in arms at this, but most respectable experts do agree that Sars-CoV-2 is becoming endemic and we have no choice but to live with the virus, with the endgame being a state of endemic equilibrium.
I've been saying this for a long time; I thought it was the most likely outcome once the virus reached us and I did some research and I have become more and more convinced at this eventuality as time went on, for example over 14 months ago I was convinced at this being the only way out of the epidemic, and indeed I posted this:
People tried to discredit me and disbelieve me at the time. But it's happening; there is no denying it now.
We don't know how Omicron evolved (maybe in humans, maybe in mice) but it's been an absolutely fantastic development. While the last few weeks have been problematic due to the sheer number of cases, it's been an absolute gift towards reaching the end of the epidemic stage, in a timely manner.
Endemic equilibrium does mean a surge will occur seasonally and for the first few seasons it will be greater than the levels we will likely have in a few years time; we may have another surge before next Winter and we almost certainly will see a significant number of 'cases' again in the winter of 2022-23 but we just have to accept that, and live our lives as normal, just as we would do in a year when there is a lot of 'flu circulating.