How a virus exposed the myth of rugged individualism

Humans evolved to be interdependent, not self-sufficient. It's been long recognised that our ability to rely on others has been key to our success as a species. In fact, our instinctual preference for sociality, cooperation and communal care are traits that separate us from our closest living relatives like chimpanzees. However, when COVID-19 hit and all but compelled us to abandon our basic instincts, it highlighted the vulnerability of the United States' current aid systems. Robin G. Nelson argues that rampant individualism, nearly inaccessible healthcare and high levels of inequality are all factors that contributed to the US having a higher death toll than anywhere else.