Not everyone lives in smoggy areas. Where I live masking up on MB is only covid related. Just a seas breeze where I live. Right now I'm in Ca. and not a mask in sight for the most part once I left the airport.
There's a difference with masking up occasionally vs the kids wearing a mask all day in school. When we return to Thailand I'll follow the rules and reach in my back pocket with hands that have touched all kinds of surfaces, put my mask on and this protects me and others, really? You do see the irony in all this. Or maybe not.