Humidity goes down in winter - air is drier outside because of the cold and inside because people are using their heaters. Aerosols and small droplets remain suspended in the air much longer when the humidity is low. And people cluster inside more in winter. You could reduce risk of transmission within your home by using a humidifier.
As for mask mandates there’s a good study out of Kansas showing significant differences between counties that implemented mask mandates and counties that didn’t. Masks DO work but the seeding effect of Sturgis in its neighboring states and the recalcitrance of Covid deniers within states also plays a role. Mask mandates would have been far more effective if they were universal and came with fines attached.
We are looking at impending disaster with all the Thanksgiving flying/congregating still happening this week. And if you’re flying please realize that tests aren’t foolproof - they just reported on a flight where a guy tested negative before boarding the flight but was found to be positive after the flight and he infected four people in the flight. Wear your mask, wear eye protection in the plane, wipe down your seat and surfaces, don’t forget to keep your mask on in the bathroom.
