I don't think we need to resort to anecdotes to conclude this. I think it was some time during the first wave that scientists began to communicate that indoor and enclosed spaces were far more risky than outdoor and well ventilated places.

Oh sure, but since a good half of the US doesn't believe in science I think it's nice to point out that people's personal experience corroborates it.

Science isn't a religion and isn't something people should "believe in".

As to the lack of critical thinking skills on display over the past few years, now that's something I can believe is a problem.

You misspelled "superfluous groups of people in enclosed spaces", which is why we had a pandemic in the first place. Some folks just can't be satisfied with a warning and have to stick the fork in the outlet for themselves.