6 reasons people aren't social distancing (CNN)

[underpants]

Some people just won't stay home during a pandemic. Six reasons may explain why

https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/24/health/social-distancing-wellness-trnd/index.html

These socializers are 'under-responders'

They see it as a way to regain control

They don't think it's their problem
For some, Covid-19 seems like a distant problem shouldered by residents of populous cities or foreign countries. It's sad, yes, but it's just not their burden.

They're numb to it
The coronavirus is creating what Taylor calls an "infodemic." When people's media diets, social media feeds and conversations with loved ones consist of nothing but Covid-19, they may become desensitized to its severity, he said.

They're thinking individually
It's also not just a generational problem. The Western world, and the US in particular, has long prized individual freedoms -- sometimes even over community benefit.

They're lonely

[SheltieLover]

1. Yes

And this must be extrelely difficult for those who are extroverts - recharge their emotional batteries by being around other humans.

But common sense must rule here.

[GemDigger]

2. ..

1. They are idiots.
2. They are stupid.
3. They are not responsible peeps.
4. They don't give a shit.
5. They are doing it on purpose.
6. They are all COVIDiots.

I have no mercy for them.

[Igel]

3. Or bored.

Cabin fever.

[appalachiablue]

4. Extreme extroverts who crave and need people to function are

having difficulties. Endorphins and other feel good chems are what they seek, as bad as any substance or drug.

[logme]

5. When dealling with fear denial is also a natural human response to danger ...

I recently heard one of my favorite psychologist, Boris Cyrulnik, on TV, talking about the multiple problems that may result from our prolonged confinement in France. Using fear to push people to act & react is not a issue, it is actually a proper psychological response to a real danger.

What must be avoided is anxiety. It is therefore the responsibility of public & medical authorities to "properly scare" people, but individual needs to make sens of the situation, and make the resulting rules theirs.
This is why it is important to build a narrative ( or narratives ) that can reach the largest audience. Simple submission to authority ( whether political or scientific) is not enough. In order to be resilient a society needs people to understand the issue at an individual/personal level.

Not all people who follow the rules, do it for good reasons or systematically ( and they might therefore falter on the long run ) while not all people ignoring or defying the rules are sociopaths. There are cultural and social aspects to this problem & it is an important responsibility of the politics, media & scientific popularizers to build a narrative that can reach everyone.

PS : It is always delicate, but obviously easier when there are no contradictory messages from the government.