My hometown is as deep blue as it comes and masking is still the norm. Most stores still require it and you STILL see people in cars alone, walking down the street, even jogging(!) wearing masks. I never wore masks outside and regularly got dirty looks from maskers while hiking or walking down the street.
I'm on vacation now to a red area and it's such a relief to be gone from that. I didn't even realize how oppressive the constant masking is. I took my kid to a playground yesterday that must have had 50-60 people (kids and adults) and not a single mask in sight. My kid was nervous at first (he's had to mask at school for 8 hours a day), and now he can't shut up about how great it is not to wear masks.
It's wonderful.
Heh, for some reason your analogy reminded me. Amongst some of the old timer beekeepers, I've heard it's a tradition to every spring go around to a few of your hives and give them a few bangs with your first. This pisses the bees off, they come out rearing for a fight, and sting. The theory being you're getting the bees used to a human coming around again, and you're getting your body acclimated to being stung again.
The oldtimers are tough.