I talked about this with a friend just yesterday. He had the same visceral triggered reaction about seeing people with masks on outdoors. In discussing it, his anger wasn't about them being afraid of COVID, it was making him angry at just how easily and accepting they were of it. Like it literally doesn't seem to bother some people to wear a mask, they just don't care. Like putting pants on in the morning... someone told them they have to wear pants or shorts to go outside so they said ok. Then someone told them they need to have a shirt on, fine. Then someone said hey wear this mask, fine whatever. They will go about their day fine and not think twice about it.
That was what was triggering him and I think a lot of folks feel that way. It's not about the mask, the fear or whatever.... its about just how easily accepting they are of it and it truly annoyed him that these people weren't more annoyed by wearing a mask. They were obviously having a great time playing with their kids and everyone was laughing having a great time... and it really pissed him off .