Gregory's Server@augieray thanks for this- the only reliable numbers we have are going to be from other countries as our own citizenry (American) have dubbed COVID “just a cold” and aren’t testing, tracing or isolating (just my personal experience.) So in fact we should assume that the situation is more extreme in the US than in Japan. As to the masks conversation: I and my husband have worn KN95 since 2020 and have dodged infection BUT we also follow all the precautions.
@augieray meaning: no flights or long public transport, no bars or restaurants, no hotels, no parties or concerts or conventions or weddings, doctors visits yes even the occasional dentist and hairdresser. At school as a teacher I added two additional filters and have intake and outtake fans in windows all year round and eat lunch in my car. Masks alone won’t do it. But #MasksWork