CNN spoke to psychologists to find out why some people refuse to practice physical distancing during an epidemic. They give 6 reasons:
- They think they are invulnerable. “They aren’t following social distancing because they believe they won’t get sick, even though it could prevent more vulnerable people from becoming infected.”
- They won’t let a virus boss them around. “Exercising their defiance makes the virus seem smaller.”
- They think it’s not their problem. “People who live in communities where infection isn’t widespread or officials haven’t imposed lockdowns may be less willing to distance themselves from others.”
- They’re numbed by info overload. “When people’s media diets, social media feeds and conversations with loved ones consist of nothing but Covid-19, they may become desensitized to its severity.”
- They favor individual freedom over the good of society. ” The Western world, and the US in particular, has long prized individual freedoms — sometimes even over community benefit.”
- They’re lonely. “Human beings crave connection, and being denied social interaction for extended periods can sting.”
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