Why are people acting as though we're not in a Pandemic.

[Ms. Toad]

54. Political polarizatin, which turns facts into opinions + instant gratification mindset

The risk associated COVID 19 is being successfully framed merely an opinions. In addition we have a 30-second attention span before we need gratification. That 30-seconds was pushed to the limit early in the pandemic by governors who actually imposed reasonable restrictions - AND - because we were sucessful in those places in flattening the curve, those inclined not to believe science were convinced there was no real threat in the first place. After 30-seconds had passed, they were dead set on restarting the economy and had to reject anything that sounded like another restriction directed to the "fake" pandemic.

While I adamately opposed DeWine backing off on imposing a mask mandate, it actually seems to be working. We are holding steady. I suggested at the time that he was operating on the philosopy that mandating mask-wearing would be impossible and that perhaps if it was not required people would do the right thing. Based on the numbers and my personal observations, it is at least not as disastrous as I expected it would be.