It is unfortunate but who is to blame for it becoming a political issue? Answer is the media and the left. When GOP Governors made sensible, science based decisions they were pilloried by the left and the media, accused of being neanderthals and murderers. Why? To score political points, at least in their minds. All the while ignoring the awful results in states led by Democrat Governors who did the exact opposite with the carnage to show for it. As I said to Hound above, for the left everything is political. It's their religion. For me it has always been about the science.
And if everyone had followed the science there would have been no mask controversy and no mask mandates, or at least not for long once they understood they have zero impact on the rates of infection. But many people would have still worn them in the vain hope that they might help, which is perfectly fine. I followed the science and was roundly criticized here by many. And when I presented the science and asked for contradicting studies all I got was more insults. But in the end it turns out I was right about masks but probably wrong about social distancing and personal hygiene, which I faithfully observed.