Public Sentiments on Anti-vaxxers' COVID-19 Fate: Schadenfreude or Sympathy?

A study conducted by Ohio State University reveals that public reactions to the deaths of anti-vaxxers due to COVID-19 are complex. While very few people celebrated these deaths, some vaccinated individuals considered anti-vaxxers who contracted COVID-19 deserving of their fate. However, a significant majority of participants from both parties wished for the full recovery of the unvaccinated individual. Political affiliation and vaccination status influenced individuals' responses, with Democrats and vaccinated individuals more likely to perceive these cases as deserved. The study suggests that people view those on social media as characters in a morality play, judging those who shared misinformation about the COVID vaccine as immoral and deserving of retribution.