In the discussion about Covid deniers, we seem to forget the difficult situation the people are in. Not that it is an excuse, but it may explain how their behavior arose. The following was originally published in German:
Case 1 (Self-employed exhibition booth builder): Explains to me that he and his wife, who was previously employed by him, are facing the collapse of their existence. Has no more orders and cannot pay the rates for their house any longer. Aid packages from the government completely miss their problems. Since then only shouting at home and his relationship is collapsing. Because of distance learning, the children are always at home. Thinks that he will kill himself if the consequences of COVID19 are as long lasting as science says. So he convinces himself that politicians are wrong and everything is not so bad. He would simply like to have his old life again and sees the only chance in the fact that one may finally recognize that Corona is only the flu.
Case 2 (Employee managing director in a fitness studio): Has been busy for months processing letters from members cancelling their subscriptions. He is currently, so to speak, processing his lack of professional future. Explains to me that when the alarm clock goes off in the morning, he would prefer to stay in bed because he is so frustrated. He often sits at home in the evening and cries. He estimates that his employer will only last a few months. Studied sports and loved his job. Had a serious COVID illness in his relatives very early on and was extremely worried. But now thinks that Covid is just an excuse to "destroy the economy of the West". Is obviously totally caught in a social media conspiracy bubble.
Case 3 (Social worker at the City X Youth Welfare Office): Has several high-risk patients in his family and had a mad fear of infection at the beginning of the Corona pandemic. City X acts haphazardly, sometimes closing and sometimes opening youth care facilities - but without adequate protective measures for the employees. The social worker works with children from socially deprived areas, who naturally do not follow any regulations. Employees and children who come with masks are sometimes spat on, coughed on, etc. by other children in front of the facility. The social worker often calls in sick because he cannot mentally cope with this dangerous situation. This results in several employee interviews, in which his objections regarding occupational safety are ignored and he is accused of refusing to work. Has been explained by his bosses that he should be a better team player. My impression is that the guy has been running in zombie mode ever since. Goes to work, but is in a bad mood all the time. Doesn't take the mask commandment seriously anymore because he thinks that one of the brats at work will infect him one day anyway. He has completely resigned himself and just wants this whole "Corona circus" to stop soon.
I would bet that many of the Covid deniers are people who, like these three, see no other way out than to deny Covid.