Not wearing a mask, outright denying vaccines pre-emptively & refusing to abide by social distancing guidelines are slowly becoming badges of honor & signaling devices for a growing contingent too eager to show off their special status as "non-sheeple."

It's a New Woke.

America's cultural psychology is antithetical to swimming with the tide of conformity especially when promoted by fiat or authority.

Sure it keeps us from succumbing to tyranny but overdoing it backfires, just like when an overactive immune system backfires with allergies.

Pandemic conditions are precisely when radical individualism may sometimes not be adaptive. What we need is recognition that in these circumstances, communitarianism may be more adaptive.

It's a philosophy that emphasizes the connection between the individual and the community.

The virus makes it clear that we are not isolated individuals living in vacuums. We're all potential vectors.

It's time that we act like it or we're not going to overcome this.

All this is to say that yes, Mr Pence should have worn a mask at Mayo. It's a hospital & he's the VP.

I'd add that if we adopt a more communitarian mindset in the first place, then it's less likely that governments have to legislate these new norms into the books.

For those who value personal responsibility so much, surely they can see the connection between that and freedom?