The state of things is that highly vaccinated countries like mine are experiencing the biggest baddest infection and death rate yet. This isn't the outcome projected when they were nagging, blackmailing, and propagandizing us every day for 2 years about reaching "80% vaccination".
The public did what they were told, and more. We're now above 90% vaccination, but apparently that isn't enough. We need blunt, symbolic tactics now, such as kicking unvaccinated athletes out of the country to "send a message" about vaccination. Desperate measures including mass-behavioral manipulation and psychological tactics dripping in political spin.
> a very strong anti-vaccine narrative chomping at the bit
You're kidding yourself if you think narratives and "chomping at the bit" is exclusively the domain of the anti-vaxxer, and not exercised by those pushing and enforcing mandates.