I think it's more selfishness instead of stupidity rather than panic instead of stupidity. I even suspect that the author actually meant selfishness, but called

I think it's more selfishness instead of stupidity rather than panic instead of stupidity. I even suspect that the author actually meant selfishness, but called it stupidity to get at those who consider selfishness a virtue, and maybe also as a polite application of Hanlon's razor.