You are 50, so you can apply for the Non Immigrant O visa based on being over 50 years of age, get 90 days of stay and apply before ending for the 1 year Extension of Stay.
Wife and kids can apply for the Non Immigrant O visa based on being dependant on a foreigner with long stay in Thailand.
Long time ago, the Thai Government allowed companies to set their own rules about Covid prevention.
The MRT always asked for masks as example, so nothing wrong and nothing to override as an airline company has their own responsibility in providing a safe service and safe travel to their customers.
Rules are set by the CAAT, Civil Aviation Authorities Thailand and as far as I know the Royal Thai Police Immigration Office is not an airline company, so it would surprise me if they follow orders from the CAAT. But understand that seing the difference in organisations is a hard job, after all we must blame the Thai Government.