“The response to Reinhardt’s comments was swift, with one MP even calling for his resignation”
Soon, these kinds of statements are going to be labeled as hate speech the way things are going.
The term "mask-denier" (recalling as it does the term "Holocaust-denier") makes it clear that deviation from the established party line will not be tolerated. An accusation of that kind does not allow for discussion - rather, it instantly shuts down debate.
I don't know how things are there in the States, but here in Germany, headlines decrying "Maskenleugner" are not uncommon.
Regards,