I think ignorance may be a driving factor. And I don’t say this as to point my finger at them and accuse them of ignorance.
I say this in a sense, that us (me, taking responsibility for my part), the medical establishment, have let our population down, at least in the US.
How can we expect trust when we send hefty bills after medical care? Bills that would bankrupt any uninsured or someone who is not a successful entrepreneur or high paid professional?

I’m not trying to justify people who distrust the government, but institutions that were supposed to care for them failed them.
Of course, we can say that they were part of those institutions. They were part of a population who didn’t revolt and demanded free healthcare for all.

But when you look at their faces (two of my patients were COVID downgrades last shift I worked, you see a system that failed them long before last year. From the morbid obese lady who didn’t understand the relationship between food and physical activity to the Hispanic guy who probably didn’t have papers and in a mixture of pride and fear didn’t got his vaccine.

Sure, I’m sure there’s a lot of wealthy people denying Covid now. But especially in the US, money doesn’t equate culture or critical thinking.

I hope this changes at some point. To wear an N95 for 12 hours is not for the faint of heart. Maybe healthcare professionals like me need to stop thinking “at least this pays my mortgage.”

Anyway, great piece.
Pp