I'm not hopeful about the opposition, but I am hopeful that they're more numerate than Dougie. (and have less sociopathic owners.) Once in power there is at least the prospect of a rush of sense to the head; the PCs are not at risk of sense.

Respirators are cheaper long term (and gods know it's going to be long term), more comfortable, and present less impediment to activity. (I forget I've got mine on, having worn one in other contexts a fair bit.)

"Have to go for a soft mask at the optometrist" is about the only significant drawback I've encountered.