Have you ever avoided a social interaction because you found out about the other person's politics, or because you didn't want them to find out about yours? Sadly, for the second case, I have.
For example, wanting to be friendly with neighbors but holding off because I saw a mask post or a Biden shirt and not wanting to be heckled for how I live my life freely. ☹️
I avoid to discuss politics, religion and soccer; they're very touchy subjects. When I don't know much people; I prefer to talk about neutral topics such as: food, weather, traveling.
In the summer, UK had this every Thursday https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-52143223 It was the only time in my life i felt nervous for *not* publicly following the crowd.
Not just "bad apples". The kind of people who would shoot a gun into a crowd with NO IDEA if it was loaded or not. Like a drunk driver who doesn't give a shit if he hits an old person.
It's one thing to oppose mandates. It's another to intentionally be unmasked with no idea if you have COVID. Not a freedom fighter, but rather a careless despicable manslaughterer.