In other words “reverse psychology works”. I don’t think very many people are actually trying to harm others by exaggerating about covid issues, but the results are the same.

If you find yourself in the position of stubbornly refusing to do what people insist you do, the good thought process is realizing they aren’t the boss of you whether you’re making your choices to go along or against what they want.

If you do exactly the opposite of everything someone wants you to do, they’re still controlling you.