All of these lines of thought aren't naturally related to one another. It's just how you're thinking; others may think differently. There's very rarely only two lines of thought on anything. Thinking there is is part of the problem with our world.

For instance, as pertains to Covid, I'm closer to the first two prongs of thought process #2 but couldn't disagree more on the last three prongs.

My disagreement on the last three prongs mostly has to do with the fact that it's built on a faulty and erroneous premise. You state that "Players are subject to contracts and the CBA" which is true but fail to realize that the CBA makes showing up voluntary. According to the dictionary, voluntary implies freedom and spontaneity of choice or action without external compulsion. Thus, no repercussions. No loss of pay. Having those types of consequences would be external compulsion and therefore take things out of the realm of voluntary. Think about any other job. If my boss tells me I will lose pay if I don't do a certain action a certain way, then that's not voluntary.

And whether players can be trusted to work out on their own or whether in person meetings is a superior method to virtual meetings is all irrelevant if showing up in the first place is truly voluntary.

Here is one way they could compromise: do away with the voluntary workout misnomer. Find a date in the middle between the supposed voluntary and mandatory dates players report.