Friday on Political Rewind: Through the past year and-a-half, public health lockdowns, social isolation and economic strain exacerbated mental illness in many communities. And recently, the surge of COVID-19 cases caused by the spreading delta variant is a source of renewed anxiety and angst.

Officials may be relying on people to do their part to stop the spread of COVID-19 at a time when the public is simply not afraid enough anymore to keep up the recommended behaviors.