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The denial is so palpable. I know a couple in their early sixties who refused to get vaccinated because "COVID is way overblown". They were both regular weight and normal health. The wife contracted COVID and died in the hospital. Later, when asked if he was going to get vaccinated, he said no, because "COVID is no worse than a cold."

He apparently believes that even though his wife went into the hospital for COVID, she actually died from pneumonia, and not COVID. I guess no doctor explained to him that pneumonia is simply an infection that has spread to the lungs.

You can't help people like this.



Consider what he would have to accept if he faced the truth: That his incorrect beliefs directly caused his wife's death.

Not surprising he'd perform basically any level of mental gymnastics to avoid that.

Ego-protective delusions are extremely common and most are motivated by far less than this.




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