British Prime Minister Boris Johnson eventually took the coronavirus pandemic more seriously once studies indicated that it would obliterate society if it was allowed to spread unchecked, but before that time Johnsnon publicly boasted that he was still shaking hands with "everybody" including patients who may have the virus.
Johnson recently tested positive for the virus but now things have become even more serious. Johnson was moved into an intensive care unit (ICU) this evening.
From BBC:
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been moved to intensive care in hospital after his coronavirus symptoms "worsened", Downing Street has said.
Mr Johnson has asked Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab to deputise "where necessary", a spokesman added. [...]
"Over the course of this afternoon, the condition of the prime minister has worsened and, on the advice of his medical team, he has been moved to the intensive care unit at the hospital."
I'm not here to gloat about Johnson's unfortunate turn for the worse; I'm just here to say that the virus doesn't care who you are or what your political beliefs are.
Pretending that the virus doesn't exist, or that it will disappear "like a miracle," as Trump once insisted, only makes it more likely that you or someone you care about will be infected.
Moreover, very little is known about the virus even at this point. We know that those with underlying conditions are more vulnerable to complications but, beyond that, we don't know why some people die and others do not. We don't know why some people don't display symptoms even if they're carrying it. Boris Johnson may be healthier and receive better medical care than the average person, but that doesn't guarantee any outcome. I am personally in the best physical shape of my life now, but that doesn't necessarily mean I would survive if i were infected even if it does improve my chances.
It's better not to take a chance. Don't 'shake everyone's hands' because you feel like being a contrarian oaf.