This may be better in another thread or in the P/R section, but the COVID-19 event has been a fascinating look at human psychology, and has really bolstered a lot of my ideas about society and the way our country (I can only speak of the U.S. here, since for obvious reasons I haven't been overseas in quite a while).
I've become fiercely bipartisan (or a-partisan, if you will). I am increasingly convinced that both "sides" in America are virtually interchangeable in terms of the human dynamics, we're just pointed in the opposite direction. There is fierce advocacy to the points we agree with, and derision and even hate for those we don't. Neither the right nor the left has any monopoly on these feelings, good or bad.
One of the more universal truths I've started to see is how often it's the OTHER guy that has to adapt, adjust, and modify, but we seem to forget that FOR THEM, WE'RE the other guy. I get it, the obvious answer is "but I'm right. I have science/morals/common sense/an election win on my side!"; but I think we fail account for the ability of the other side, on almost any issue, to rationalize that the same or similar way. We ALL, to a degree (and based on our prioritization of issues), presumably believe we're right to an extent.
I'm even more adamant about something I've said for years: tend your own garden. Make sure YOUR mask is solid, make sure YOU are distanced, and be ready willing and able to remove yourself from situations where YOUR space is encroached. I remember not long ago that "you're fat!" was an epithet, and even when tied to things like exploding healthcare costs (CLEARLY a public issue) it was frowned on, but now that we're talking about masks, "you're fat!" is, what, science? Truth? Why wasn't it truth before when it was used AGAINST the platform you espoused?
Don't get me wrong, I'm not being critical of any one person here, or any particular position. For all I know, everyone here was saying "you're fat!" back when the ACA was being debated. It's only an example. (I happen to agree with those that say "too bad, so sad" to those that claim to not be able to wear a mask; if that's the case, remove yourself from the situation, don't make the entire group have to pay or compromise for your individuality.) But I think it's probably a helpful exercise for all of us to sort of take a moment and ask how consistent we really are, and how much we're contributing to the dialogue or the dissension, and what does our position - and how we got there - really mean to the society as a whole, and the betterment of us as a group.