As many of us said at the time, the mandates weren't worth the destruction of public trust, especially because the vaccine wasn't even sterilizing.
The next time there's a crisis, resist the urge to use the government to achieve outcomes by brute force. It doesn't work and has generational adverse consequences.
> As many of us said at the time, the mandates weren't worth the destruction of public trust
Public trust was not dissolved by the actions of the government, it was dissolved by propagandists cynically using falsehoods and half-truths to gain power. That's it.
People don't distrust science because of anything scientists did, it's all because of the propagandists and the easily tricked and the political grifters.
All of your accusations are, in the very best possible light, half truths, but in reality they are just lies. I think the rational part of society is tired of treating liars with kid gloves. The pandemic was a traumatic experience for all, and extra social graces were extended for a while for those who impose upon kind and polite people with their weird beliefs, but we've moved past that moment.
Truth does matter!