Okay, but if mask mandates dont work then why have them??
This is the question - how do you get people to use them? Does a mandate work? On the surface, these data suggest it may not (lots of complications, e.g., New York had huge rates in the early days before we even knew what we were dealing with). This may suggest plead with people, explain why, and maybe more people will do it rather than then when being forced to do it.
Surgeons wear masks for a reason, and masks are more about not transmitting to others, and less about protecting you (eg virus can enter through eyes). Masks also reduce the viral load you get and there is evidence that the amount of virus in the load you absorb affects how severe your symptoms.