Affluent, well-educated, vaccinated, and liberal. These are four adjectives that describe both the typical clientele of an urban Trader Joe’s and those who will likely be attending former President Barack Obama’s 60th birthday party this week. We would expect these two groups to behave very similarly, especially in relation to the coronavirus. But maybe not.

While liberal politicians ignore mask mandates, which they themselves implemented, to rub shoulders with other members of the nation’s elite, or to host massive celebrations in honor of themselves, their supporters among the general citizenry are not just following public health guidance, but going well beyond what is recommended of them.