NPR

'Us Vs. Them' In A Pandemic: Researchers Warn Divisions Could Get Dangerous

The U.S. was deeply divided before the coronavirus. Now, researchers worry that the pandemic is worsening what they call a dangerously polarized climate.

As the pandemic moves from public health crisis to partisan flashpoint, the debate over the coronavirus response in the U.S. is becoming increasingly nasty – and, in some cases, violent.

It's not just the clusters of at state capitols. In sporadic incidents across the country, disputes over emergency measures have turned into , fistfights and . Stories abound of intimidation over . And armed right-wing groups have threatened contract tracers and people who "snitch" on neighbors and businesses violating health orders.

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