Many narcissists tend to disregard social distancing guidelines.
It is possible that as a result of their Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD), many narcissists might ignore the rules put in place to prevent the spread of Coronavirus. Those with NPD have an inflated sense of their importance and believe that they are superior to everyone. In addition to this, they lack empathy and compassion. For this reason, it is not surprising that they might not care about how their actions might affect those around them.
‘Protect the vulnerable’ and ‘save lives’.
Governments all around the world stress the importance of following the rules put in place. They emphasize that wearing a mask, washing your hands, and keeping your distance could save the lives of those who are vulnerable or elderly. While these messages work to convince many people to stay at home or take the necessary precautions when they go out, this is mainly due to their ability to feel compassion and empathy. These people know that if they were to get infected, they could pass the virus onto someone who is vulnerable or elderly. In fact, they not only know so but they fear that they could be the reason someone dies.
Narcissists lack empathy and compassion.
Simply put, a narcissist does not care about saving others and protecting those who are vulnerable. They believe that they are the most important people in the world and that they deserve special treatment. When this belief is paired with their severe lack of empathy, it becomes clear why they might completely dismiss the social distancing guidelines.
It is important to note that this does not mean that all of those who do not follow the rules put in place to prevent the spread of the virus are narcissists. Rather, it explains why those who suffer from NPD are less likely to wear masks and be mindful of those they might infect.