So a few quick notes. As I enjoy your takes 90% of the time striker.
First masks themselves have varying degrees of efficacy, and that also lies in the issue. If you wear an N95 properly, odds of catchign covid are essentially 0. The chances of you transmitting it are essentially 0. The issue is that wearing it properly is kind of hard. Especially in an indoor setting. As it takes a bit to drink/eat etc. Surgical masks are more effective than the average cloth mask, but the issue with cloth masks is lack of standard. A cloth mask could range from multiple layers of material with a filter to thin material that provided nothing. All of them have issues. People I know who have worn masks properly the whole pandemic who've gotten it have gotten it from significant others or hanging out maskless in bars/restaurants. There is some value to that as so many people I know work closely with others.
Also maybe it's the nice person inside of me but generally I assume people wearing masks in cars are doing it because they forgot to take it off or they're travelling place to place and don't feel like putting it on again or it's an N95 and kind of a pain to put on.