I don't think this particular issue was viewed through the lens of science for many. It's been a confusing two years and Americans got a lot of mixed messaging

I don't think this particular issue was viewed through the lens of science for many. It's been a confusing two years and Americans got a lot of mixed messaging from elites in general, and definitely from the FDA. This was seen as institutional failure though, not scientific failure. JTBC, I'm not arguing what it _was_, but how it was perceived. Your portrayal of the recent scientific dogma as being discriminatory of people who don't wear masks does not match mine, however. As far as I know, the current dogma is "get vaccinated and no one really cares if you have a mask on or not, maybe wear one when your grandma comes over though and consider getting a booster if your regional leaders are advising you to". Anyway. The culture war is still firmly between the un/vaccinated, not the vaccinated but unmasked. edit: Maybe try leaving the bay area if you disagree.