Wife and I are fully vaxxed and followed all the proscribed hygienic measure put out by the CDC and thus far we avoided Covid.

My impression of masks: they help prevent someone who has covid from spreading it, as opposed to preventing a wearer from contracting it.

Did the country / world over-react?

No, as the shut down was pre-vaccines; with vaccines there is little to worry about unless you're too fucking stupid, bull-headed, and / or poliiticized to get the innoculations.