Public Perception of Anti-Vaxxers' COVID-19 Fatalities: A Critical Analysis

A new study suggests that people have complex reactions when anti-vaxxers who publicly reject COVID-19 vaccines die from the disease. While very few rejoice in their deaths, some individuals believe that those who are dogmatic against vaccines deserve worse outcomes. This reaction is influenced by the political party affiliation and vaccination status of the person evaluating the anti-vaxxer. Democrats and vaccinated individuals were more likely to think that anti-vaxxers who died got what they deserved, but even 63% of Democrats believed that they deserved a full recovery. The study indicates that people view those on social media as characters in a morality play, judging those who spread vaccine misinformation as immoral and deserving of retribution. However, even those who thought anti-vaxxers deserved death did not express high levels of satisfaction or happiness at their demise.