Since there are around 330 million folks in the USA, it seems to me to be an indisputable fact that millions of Americans are not wearing masks. Even in the hypothetical "most ardent mask supporter scenario" of 98% universal mask wearing, that would still leave 2% who were not, which would constitute several million folks.
Disclaimer: I hope you and I are in agreement that mask usage is improving in the USA. I am personally optimistic about the mask-wearing numbers improving significantly and rapidly. (I'm just disgruntled that this new-found improvement in USA mask wearing didn't happen way back in April and May. And yes, of course I am well aware of the title of the article I linked.)
And no, 58 people is not "millions". It's a poll, for goodness sakes. It's meant to be a relative sample.
Unfortunately, the poll that was mentioned in "The Hill" article doesn't seem to be a terribly good indicator, because the phrasing of the question was a bit flawed. The question asked what percentage of Americans went out in the public while wearing a mask SOMETIME IN THE PAST WEEK. So unfortunately, that means if someone wore a mask JUST ONCE in public in one week, that person could still honestly reply "yes" to the poll. Here's a link that goes into a little more detail about the ABC/Ipsos poll:
New ABC News/Ipsos poll data finds most Americans are wearing face masks when leaving the home
www.ipsos.com
IMHO a more in-depth and nuanced poll was conducted by Gallup from June 29-July 5. The question was asked, "How often do you wear a mask when outside your home?" The options included were Always, Very Often, Sometimes, Rarely, or Never.
All told, 14% of USA adults answered "never" and another 4% said "rarely." The poll includes further breakdown of the results by age, gender, location, education, and other demographics. (And yes, the poll does indeed show differences based on political affiliation; as I have stated numerous times in this thread, I think it is unfortunate that the issue of masks was politicized, and I wish it had always been a debate about science and common sense).
Although a broad majority of Americans are wearing masks in public at least very often, fewer are doing so all the time as recommended by the CDC and other health officials.
news.gallup.com
So do I think that mask-usage is improving? Yes. Is it improving rapidly? Yes, I would guess that it is. I bet a poll conducted today would show significant improvement from just three weeks ago. Is there still a ways to go? IMHO, yes, or else the Surgeon General wouldn't feel the need to go on National TV to say he is "pleading and begging" (in his own words) for more Americans to use face coverings.
dieter, I know you are passionate about this issue. Sometimes you and I will see the same data and draw different conclusions. Just the way it is, I guess. Cheers.