In the old days slaves wore masks as a symbol of not having a voice, owned by their master.
This is essentially the reason for muslim women to wear their what-they-are-all-called head coverings also.
It's showing who choose to be owned and who will be a problem. Also, it expands the reach of COVID-19 because people walk around in a false sense of security because cloth masks do not protect from viruses. At all.
That's why.