What do you think is fueling the truck?
To me, the bigger concern is what can reasonably be construed as gloating over the death of a coworker's husband. Whether you're pro-vaccine BS or not, it's really not something that should happen in a workplace.
I'll address what I think is the separate issue that you're focusing on: I agree, leftists don't self-censor whereas non-leftists do (but shouldn't be pressured to). However fair or unfair you think that is, the consequences for these groups speaking their minds are completely different.
Has OP meaningfully changed anything by standing up for his beliefs in this manner? No, he may have thrown his career away. With some perseverance and cleverness, could he have affected school policy to be slightly less woke in some way? Probably. Wouldn't that have been better?
It's about picking your battles, not doing nothing.
I disagree that this is a "good men remaining silent" situation. There is nothing positive to be gained by smirking and implying that someone's death was their own fault because they took the vaccine, especially to their newly grieving widow.
OP's question and reaction could even be interpreted as OP suggesting the husband deserved to die for making the mistake of getting the shot. I don't think he should lose his job or anything, but I think those comments were unkind.
High schools are leftist territory. In order to survive, you will have to conceal any non-leftist opinions you may have. You almost certainly know this already.
Should what you asked and how you reacted result in some kind of HR sanction? No, it shouldn't, even though I think your question and reaction were indelicate and would probably be frowned on by most people.
Is it reasonable to expect that your behaviour would result in some kind of HR sanction given that you work in established leftist territory? Yes, I think so.
I do appreciate your pushback against covid nonsense, but it was undeniably risky given the context and timing and the gravity of the situation. You might say it's cowardly, but I'd encourage you to pick your battles, but also to be considerate even to those you think deserve their negative outcomes.
We've looked into emigrating to the US from Canada, but it's actually pretty difficult to get in. We'd need to invest hundreds of thousands into an American business or have a job offer. In the latter case, my Mrs. wouldn't be covered and would need a green card.
However, it's still the plan.
The comments on that video are pretty discouraging. Maximum consume product. Are they all bots? NPCs? Is there a difference anymore?