The stat that I go back to is that for the previous 2 years the flu rates have been lower. Gee, more people wearing masks have anything to do with that?

Yep, I'm thankful that I live in an area where it's pretty common these past few years for the "elderly" in our community to wear masks, and we don't feel out of place at all. It's pretty much expected that some of us older folks have to protect our health, by wearing a mask when it makes sense to do so.

I'm also thankful that I was vaccinated with the flu shot, pneumonia vaccine as well as the newest bivalent covid vaccine, prior to visiting with family members recently, who were all sick with flu, but I didn't get sick at all.

Always was a good idea in the modern world. And has been commonplace in parts of Asia for years, where it is seen as quite a normal and respectful health measure.

I never stopped wearing a mask despite the odd looks and occasional nastiness. A couple of weeks ago a clerk in a convenience store made me wait for fuel I had paid for, no one else waited, no one else wore a mask. When I see others wearing one I give them a thumbs up for not being selfish and potentially making others ill.