I think people who don't wear masks in public feel powerless when they wear a mask. They feel their behavior is being controlled. Denying the danger of CoViD makes them feel more powerful. It's like denying the Holocaust. If some belief upsets you, just pretend it isn't real. I think it's interesting that wearing a CoViD mask is powerlessness, while wearing a Klan hood can make one feel powerful.
I think religion is about powerlessness. It deals a lot with death, which is the ultimate powerlessness. I think the issue with the masks is that it's not 100% or even close. It's about feeling your own life is safe vs keeping others safe. It's like if you don't feel safe with a mask on, then you won't wear one and nobody's safe. You have the power to make people sick. It's an act of violence not to wear a mask in public.