I believe this would have been an even worse strategy for policy acceptance. We were and still are dealing with unknowns and these unknowns are able to justify

I believe this would have been an even worse strategy for policy acceptance. We were and still are dealing with unknowns and these unknowns are able to justify wearing mask as a precautionary measure without a (not so) noble lie being necessary. Society isn't a military unit and has profoundly different dynamics. Some will ignore this advice but the repercussion of that are very likely managable. This type of PR will not work with a modern information infrastructure anymore or at least significantly less effective. > handed ammo to the anti-vaxxers by the truckload It is a stupid image of an enemy and policy was crafted with a steady look on these groups. That is a mistake in leadership if there is one. You have provided them with legitimacy without anything for you to gain. A complete waste for nothing and you elevated your opposition without benefit to you. That is neither competent leadership nor politics. Figuratively not looking them in the eye would be better. They are beneath you and don't even warrant attention. Few politicians would have even used the term, at least the smart ones. That said, since I oppose mandatory vaccination I am an anti-vaxxer myself in the eyes of many.