Because the entire thing is tied up in various forms of identity politics and signaling as you noted. There are probably lots of people who would protest the "lockdowns" and various inconsistencies and illogic of how rules were applied but the point isn't to get the lockdowns overturned, it is to signal your resistance to the government or whatever.What I don’t understand is why they can’t protest lockdowns.... while wearing masks!
Maybe we can end lockdowns sooner if they weren’t so stupid about mask wearing. Mask wearing doesn’t have to synonymous with lockdowns, it can be used more effectively to push for masks and for vaccination with the underlying message of masks and vaccines are enough to fight covid rather than lockdowns. Instead there’s this stupid association they make with wearing masks = oppression.