Masks at a point were mandatory, yet digging behind the scenes they were proven useless

Viruses travel through nasal contact yes, but also physical touch. Sneezes when covered can reach very far even when covered, as can cough germs. A mask has no protection, yet it was still mandatory. How can we be sure the same is to be said with a vaccine? Many examples have even shown that many with the vaccine got covid, then died suspected to be because of the vaccine. As those without it suffered less. I myself have seen it first hand. My grandpa got covid and nearly died from it, he had the vaccine. My best friends father who smoked 6 packs a day had covid and had the reaction of a cold. While every body is different, I have heard similar cases.