The Impact of COVID-19 on IQ and Its Potential Influence on Political Decisions Among the Unvaccinated

Imagine your brain as a high-performance engine. This engine’s efficiency is measured by IQ – which gauges our ability to solve problems, remember details, and make sense of the world. A higher IQ makes navigating life’s complexities less of a struggle. But what happens when COVID-19 throws a wrench into this engine? Like when Radiohead’s “OK Computer” warned us about technology’s darker consequences – COVID-19 seems to be warning us about the fragility of our cognitive machinery. Recent research suggests that COVID-19 can significantly impair cognitive functions. It’s more than reasonable to consider how COVID-19 affects IQ and how these cognitive changes might influence political decisions – particularly among the unvaccinated.

COVID-19 and IQ

Scientific studies have uncovered a troubling truth: COVID-19 leaves lasting marks on our cognitive abilities. Researchers at the University of Oxford found that even two to three years after infection – COVID-19 survivors performed worse on cognitive tests – with some experiencing a decline equivalent to losing 10 IQ points. This isn’t just a minor hiccup – it’s like your brain aging seven years overnight. Another study involving over 100,000 Norwegians showed that memory problems lingered up to 36 months after infection.

These cognitive deficits aren’t just numbers on a test – they’re tied to real changes in the brain. A study published in Nature used brain imaging to reveal structural alterations in COVID-19 patients – especially in the limbic system – which handles memory and emotion. These changes might stem from inflammation or even losing your sense of smell – which messes with how your brain processes information. So, it makes sense to compare COVID-19 to a computer virus: it sneaks in – corrupts some files – and slows everything down.

Cognitive Abilities and Decision-Making

How do these brain changes affect the choices we make? Well, let’s think of decision-making like playing chess. Each move requires you to think ahead – weigh your options – and predict what might happen next. A sharp mind can plan several steps in advance – while a foggy one might struggle to see even the next move. IQ helps us process information – assess risks – and pick options that match our goals. When COVID-19 impairs cognitive abilities – it’s like playing chess with a few pieces missing. Memory issues might make you forget key facts – and trouble focusing could leave you stuck on the small stuff instead of the big picture.

The Unvaccinated and Political Decisions

Now – let’s talk about the unvaccinated. Since they’re more likely to catch COVID-19 – they’re also more likely to face these cognitive effects. If the virus can mess with IQ – it directly influences how they tackle political decisions – like choosing who to vote for or what policies to support. Understanding complex issues like foreign policy, economics, healthcare, social issues, etc, or weighing the long-term pros and cons of a decision becomes significantly harder when their mental engine isn’t running at full speed.

The cognitive impairment from COVID-19 makes processing nuanced political information more difficult. The unvaccinated may struggle to evaluate evidence critically – becoming more susceptible to simplified messaging and emotional appeals. Their ability to detect logical fallacies or contradictions in political arguments diminishes. This cognitive decline doesn’t just make understanding politics harder – it fundamentally alters how political information is processed.

The downstream effects on voting behavior could be substantial. Reduced working memory capacity might explain greater reliance on partisan cues rather than policy details. Complex policy proposals become harder to comprehend – driving voters toward candidates offering simpler – more absolutist solutions. The irony is stark: those most affected cognitively by COVID-19 may be making political decisions that further expose themselves to health risks.

Look, the facts are in, and COVID-19 takes a real toll on IQ – causing cognitive hiccups that stick around long after the fever’s gone. Studies show it can knock down test scores – age the brain – and even tweak its structure. For the unvaccinated – who are more prone to catching the virus – these effects significantly impact how they approach political choices. Lower cognitive function directly influences political decision-making by reducing analytical capacity – impairing evidence evaluation – and hindering the ability to understand complex policy implications. As scientists keep digging into COVID’s long-term impact – I think the evidence will continue to show how this virus shapes not just our minds – but the decisions that affect us all.