Source: SOPA Images / Getty The COVID-19 pandemic sent conservatives into a spiral against science and modern medicine that took such root in the psyche of America that it legitimately affected politics on the most granular level in elections all across the country. If you wanted to be a city council person, you likely had to answer someone's question about whether or not you "believe" in vaccines. Unfortunately, that denial of medical science is still very pervasive in 2025.