It was a compliance ritual. All science indicated the entire time that they weren't effective. Doctors even commonly acknowledge that the real use of masks isn't to prevent spread (although they don't mind taking extra precautions), but for the good of the patient and their being calm. It hides facial expressions it prevents any kind of drooling, sneezing or coughing exposing any unwanted debris. The need for compliance is obvious. They knew they were going to get Trump out (Fauci worked with Barry and Biden before Trump was in and coordinated Gain of Function research with his handlers in Wuhan) and that the fallout caused by mail in ballots would garner significant scrutiny, so they got out ahead of it by demanding compliance, first with masks and "distancing" (which is a social isolation, torture, method used by certain groups that are known for conditioning) and then with vaccines. It was all to curb dissent. They knew they couldn't win organically and they knew there would be drawbacks. They got in front of protests and general revolt with the Floyd protests, which got everyone to start thinking shit like, "well, we can't be like *them*". It was also an exercise in exciting Law Enforcement so that they're more likely to side with the government like, "we can't afford more destruction in our communities so any 'protests' are bad now." This shit is layered and complicated, but it all folds in on itself at various lengths and once you know how these things develop, you can start spotting where and how things will truly spiral out.