Great article Amanda! I've been interviewing folks who are either in 'COVID-denial' or actively oppose some element of the COVID restrictions in Canada for a few months now as well. One thing that is worrying for me is the social aspect of anti-vaxx beliefs. That is, often people who are against vaccines exist in social circles who also are at least vaccine hesitant, if not completely against them. In this context, I often ask those I'm interviewing 'what would happen if you changed your mind on this? How would you friends/colleagues/family respond?'. They then respond typically with some line like, 'oh well they would probably mock me or think I'm an idiot haha'. While they usually dismiss the importance of this question, I think it is an essential component of changing minds.

The question is then, how do we help equip people with the ability to 'leave' their current position and join a new one? Especially if this transition will have a ripple effect in their social circles.