Covid 19 and the "Evolutionary Mismatch"

A fascinating article in the journal, Lancet Planetary Health, explores while some societies are relatively successful in dampening the spread of a contagion such as Covid while others fare much more poorly. 

Researchers conclude that much of the difference between societies that succeed and those that, by comparison, is largely cultural. "Loose cultures," (think California) can get overwhelmed while people in other cultures, tight cultures, are more compliant with precautionary measures - face masks, hand washing, social distancing. As you sow, so shall you reap.

Poring over data from 50 countries, researchers found that, in tight societies, 70% of the public were fearful of contracting Covid compared to just 49% in loose cultures.

Human Dodo Birds.

"Reality never bit in these populations in part because people in cultures that are adapted to low levels of danger didn’t respond as swiftly to the “threat signal” embodied by the pandemic when it came. This can happen in nature too. The most infamous case is the fearless dodo bird of Mauritius, which, having evolved without predators, became extinct within a century of its first contact with humans.  ...This is what scientists call an evolutionary mismatch, and it has led to thousands of unnecessary Covid-19 deaths in loose-leaning societies. Obviously, loose groups aren’t destined to disappear from the face of the earth. But their continuing struggles with a year-old pandemic shows the difficulties they are having in adapting.

"The virus has been especially effective at turning some societies’ propensity for rule breaking against them. Americans exemplify this spirit. It’s why the United States boasts a great deal of creativity and innovation. It’s also a major liability during times of threat. Such maverick behaviour is supposed to subside in emergencies. Yet countless US citizens continue holding parties, shopping maskless and generally scoffing at the virus. When the fear reflex is triggered, it’s often in a perverse way: fearing lockdowns and mask mandates more than the virus itself."

Western  societies, to varying degrees, are in a state of evolutionary mismatch. I have difficulty imagining we'll change course at least until something far deadlier than Covide-19 appears.

The authors conclude that relatively loose cultures, such as our own, need to develop to develop "cultural ambidexterity."

"The faster we tighten, the faster we’ll reduce the threat, and the faster we’ll restore freedom. What all nations need is what we call cultural ambidexterity: the ability to adjust how tight and loose they are based on how dangerous conditions are. New Zealand exemplifies this approach. Kiwis are famously loose, but they enacted some of the world’s strictest measures early on – and tamed their rule-breaking spirit, limiting Covid-19 deaths to just 25."