I think what is happening is that society is changing faster than it has, perhaps ever, and the ignorant (who are mostly conservative) cannot cope with it, so they rebel against it. This manifests itself as a hatred/disbelief/denial of all the threads that are changing: equality of women/coloured people; science; medicine; decline of religion; decrease in bigotry etc. This manifestation goes to bizarre lengths such that anything implemented, recommended or supported by anyone other than RWNJs is seen as bad and is actively opposed. It may not stop until these people are either pushing up daisies or dribbling down their shirts. The funny thing is, that their attitudes to science and medicine are aiding their own demise by preventing them from being vaccinated, wearing masks, etc.