My dad came over for coffee today. Due to a medical condition, he has a severely compromised immune system. He railed against our governor's mask mandate that was just overturned by our state Supreme Court (because it was issued by executive order) and repeated the GOP talking point that it was on him to wear a mask since he was the one who was older and more at risk. It's taking all of my patience not to paint all Republicans with a broad brush.
Conrad Lorenz would argue that "political allegiance to the propagation of infection" is an evolutionary maladaptation every bit as bad as peacock feathers and the 40-hour work week. He would also argue that it came about for the exact same reason: you cease to strive against external pressures because they are largely bested and strive instead against internal constructs. Which is fine until the external pressures change and suddenly the internal constructs are no longer your biggest problem.