"Maybe they are breeding the gullible out?"

No. They are not. Doing what you are told, despite what should be contrary evidence, has a high societal value in the USA. Somebody that a mask-hole trusts said, "Mask up and stop the spread!" They will believe that edict for the foreseeable future, period. More depressingly, there are also ostensible trusted sources who support masking. I heard a "health podcaster" on YouTube, with a large following, say (paraphrasing) that, "bandanas or masks made from tee shirt material block covid by about 60%." So, you can rob a stagecoach or stop the spread, with the same handy tool!