It wasn't out of the realm of possibility. Heck before the pandemic, I thought "cooler heads would prevail" but they didn't. And we also experienced those steeped in the narrative around us. So freaking weird, but not surprising, as there were so many that thought since 2016 our country was led by a fascist...who never put anyone to death that called him a fascist.

What you say about quality of life resonates. Imagine living in the reality of masks and the vaccine, what it would require for you mentally to accept it.