I think you're equating the pro-mask side with some pro-science side. None of which has to do with the validity of science, or what truth is. You're talking about politics.
The "trust the science" people are using science to justify their political positions, which come with them the force of law backed up by government threats of violence.
A healthy media informs the public so they can decide to act on this knowledge.
At the same time politicians find ways to help or subsidize desired behavior, and lend weight to the media message. Harmful behavior is prosecuted (the word you're looking for is "force"... not violence).
That's how it's supposed to work. It doesn't work that way anymore, but it's supposed to.
I'm not sure that is materially different from what i said when it comes to the role of scientists or politicians.
Yes its regrettable that the media seems to be mucking up its role as the fourth estate (or at least sowing division and acting in ways that seem less than beneficial to the well being of the group). However, that's hardly unique in history, and arguably one of the primary functions of a free press is to spread dissent in order to keep the power of the state in check.
> Harmful behavior is prosecuted (the word you're looking for is "force"... not violence).
Is there a difference? or is it "force" when it happens to other people, "violence" when it happens to you or you disagree with it?
Typically the various methods are just very indirect ways to threaten violence, which if you thumb your nose at strongly enough, eventually ends in you getting arrested (or if you refuse to be arrested and resist, shot).
I suppose "it ought to be" that way, in a working system. But it seems that the line between politician and scientist is becoming increasingly blurry (Fauci comes to mind).