Please clarify your request. I don't understand what your issue is.

First, I am not a power emailer. Maybe send 20 per month.

There are 16 available emoji/smiley characters in the standard setup to add to emails. Two, including the most common "smile" have masks.

I could possibly understand this if it was August 2020 ... but it's two years hence.

I think the regular "smile" needs to return. If there must be a masked one for those still in fear ... keep it as a masked smile. It's time to move on.

If you have a recommendation, go to the bugzilla website and post it there.