I would say, with respect, that @NIHDirector doesn't get either the elites or the ordinary folk that are served by not wearing masks, and their drives are just as natural as his.
For much of Western history, if you were rich, government was either something you controlled or, if you faced the risk of not controlling it, attempted to destroy in order to remove the threat to your wealth.
The second question: why would the GOP base then identify around 'non-mask wearing.' The answer to that is - there is little 'governance' motive in GOP donor class; the deliverable is tax policy for the rich. 'Personal liberty' marketing for everyone else (*white) is the path.
Like gun rights, it's a way to belong. Once the GOP is the party that serves your identity, all the markers that go with that choice become part of your identity. rand.org/blog/2016/01/r…
The donor class that seeks to dismantle or disrupt government finds common cause with a cultural base that historically distrusts government. A public health campaign is possible but goes against the grain of both groups & their specific interests. artistascitizen.org/Atlas/WSJ_Webb…
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Gripping 6000 words on the fate of California from @lizweil. The more we normalize how rapid our transition is the better. As @steffen has been explaining for a long time. nytimes.com/2022/01/03/mag… Some extra thoughts...
@lizweil@steffen Because the legacy Mediterranean climate that indigenous people once safely managed is also disappearing, an equilibrium produced by better fire policy and careful rebuilding may not last for long. A parallel on the East Coast is coastlines.
In the meantime, the 'new norm' in high demand places is easily maladaptive...
NYC is unlikely to experience a dry heatwave.
When I want to bore myself to sleep in the middle of the day I like to open up a report sponsored by a couple of billionaires six years ago. riskybusiness.org/site/assets/up…