Maybe they thought hr won't recognize them and they can go back to work like nothing happened.

I assume it is to decrease the risk of contracting COVID, which continues to circulate in 2024.

Are there any places where it's not? Sure, it's not mandatory anymore, but why are you objecting to people voluntarily taking measures to prevent getting infected? COVID is still around, and it's not the only thing that can have dire health consequences.

it reduces the risk of doxxing.

They are cowards who are afraid to put a name to their noble cause