Howdy Met. You're not alone on this front. I have been in quite a bit of isolation from the Org attending meetings on Zoom anonymously and have just got back from an extended Internet Sabbatical whereby I tried to cut off all outside influences to try and get my head into the scriptures for answers.
As you said, I could read my rights and not wear it but by nature I don't like to make other Brothers feel awkward or uncomfortable if I can possibly avoid it. I don't know if this counts as fear of man or more a desire not to hurt any one's feelings.
The last meeting I attended on Zoom was a real eye opener. Before in person meetings resumed the pre Zoom convos were very scripted....kind of like those cringey Circuit Assembly demonstrations where everything is over acted and somewhat "Pleasantville".
But now the Brothers are chatting candidly and we still have almost half of the Cong still not attending in person.
Listening to the older ones chat away on Zoom I had no idea how genuinely afraid they were of "Covid" and how much they genuinely believe everything the Media/Government is saying.
Here is a selection of the pre meeting Zoom comments as close as I can get them to verbatim
Elder John " I can't believe how many people around town are not wearing masks. Just because restrictions have lifted doesn't mean we should stop wearing them. "
Old Brother "Oh I know. I carry a mask everywhere I go. I always wear mine no matter what"
Elder John " I always wear mine too. "
Sister No 1 " Well, I tried to get my 4th Jab today but they are prioritizing for those over 67....I'm only 65.....Darn!! "
Sister No 2 " Well my 11 year old granddaughter has just got Covid but she's not that sick"
Sister No 1 "Is she Vaccinated?"
Sister No 2 " Oh yes the whole family is vaccinated. That's why she didn't get so sick"
Elder John "Yes the vaccines don't stop you getting the Virus but they stop you from ending up dead"
Older Brother "Yes. I've just had my Fourth Dose. I don't want to end up dead either".
Sitting listening to that I felt sad and angry at the same time. I felt so sorry for the fear they were experiencing but angry at elements in the World and our "Mcfat" (thanks for that one Dog ) Org that have helped to embellish it.
What gets me with the Cult of the Trance Covidians is that they are more than entitled to state why we should wear masks but if we were to quote our position to them we are spreading "misinformation". We have the Freedom to agree with their contrived narrative and nothing more.
Like you, I am feeling discouraged at the thought of attending. The hybrid Covidian people there are now so far away from my general Worldview and Scriptural outlook that I don't feel that cherished kindred feeling I enjoyed as a young bloke in the 1990's. Part of that was my own self delusion but also I do believe there was a much freer form of communication in the Org back then.
The other thing is that 95% of the Community aren't wearing them and were glad to see the end of them. So why are JWs of all people the most Mask fanatical group in the City? I guess they are thinking that they are going the extra mile for love of neighbour but all the Scientific research I have seen says that is Bollicks.
Besides which, when you are rocking a Beard I feel it's a sin to hide such a grand creation from the World.
That begs the question, If I'm prepared to fly in the face of the Beard rule...why not the mask?
Where are you Yoda you wispy faced green little sage you?