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There is no need to downplay the fact that wearing a mask is better than not wearing a mask.

Even if it is only a tiny bit better (though, what you posted seems to show a pretty clear difference) - it is still better than not doing it.

Other than previous studies showed that wearing masks can actually increase your chances of spreading it. The masks give people a false sense of security which makes them less likely to social distance, which does help.

It also causes people to tough their face and it irritates their lungs. The main thing I personally hate about wearing them is they make me start to cough after wearing them a few minutes(I wear n95 for the record). Which of course in the middle of the grocery store will cause people to think I'm sick, so I'm trying to hold it in.

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No one is coughing in my face, but when you cough the droplets don't just vanish. They stay in the air (which is then walked through, having the same impact as someone coughing in your face) until they cover a surface. People then touch that surface and continue to spread it.

Is a mask going to stop every droplet? No, of course not. But it is cutting down a lot of what comes out and the surface area that it covers (while also protecting you from what other people hack out).

The particles the mask will block will again only travel about 2.2 feet without a mask. Gravity takes hold. The ones you mention that go further will not be blocked by any mask going in or out. And they can stay in the air for hours.

If the distances were greater, then they would help. But with such a short distance it's really only helpful in a few situations. Meanwhile, it makes people think they are protected and they really aren't.

The bottom line is social distancing is what works. But even that can't prevent it because of the airborne particles that stay for hours. It will greatly reduce your chances however, where as masks will only help in situations that aren't very common.

There is just no way the spikes are caused by people not wearing masks.