From what I can see, there does seem to be a strong correlation between how much attention one paid to the government and media, and the subsequent attribution

From what I can see, there does seem to be a strong correlation between how much attention one paid to the government and media, and the subsequent attribution of health issues to having tested positive for an infection at some point. Among the people I know and that I'm aware of, there are three broad groups (spanning age, sex, and numerous other traits): 1) People who generally ignored the fear that governments, doctors, and the media tried to instill. They disregarded the lockdowns and other measures imposed by government, and remained calm. They didn't take tests, they didn't wear masks, they didn't get any shots, and they generally went about their lives as best that they could as if nothing was happening. 2) People who bought into it, and got somewhat worked up whenever it was pushed by the media. They masked, they stayed indoors when asked to do so, they took tests when they had to, they got shots and maybe boosters, and so on. But once the media focus moved on to other topics, they pretty much forgot about it all and moved on, too. 3) People who became extremely paranoid. Some of them masked month after month, even while at home, which they avoided leaving for weeks at a time. They took daily tests. They've taken every shot and booster available. They lived in a constant state of fear for years. Even after most other people moved on, they didn't, or in some cases, still haven't. The people I know who fall into the first group are consistently doing well, including those in their 70s, 80s, and even a few in their 90s. None have died, and none have had any major medical problems. I know that some of them don't even know if they ever contracted it, since they never got tested. If they had it, it was indistinguishable from any other cold or flu. It's a mix for people in the second group, although this is a numerically larger group. Some have had major health complications, including cancer and cardiovascular-related issues, but they generally don't blame their health problems on having tested positive for infection at some point. The third group are the only ones I hear of attributing ongoing health problems, no matter how minor or common, to a prior infection. Collectively, they now seem to have more serious medical issues, even among those who appeared quite healthy prior to early 2020. Also, I know that a number of these people are repeatedly testing positive for infection, even recently, despite having had numerous shots and boosters, and despite having supposedly overcome one or more prior infections that should have granted some degree of immunity. I can't say for sure if it's the only factor, but a person displaying more fear/paranoia in the past and present does appear to correlate with more medical problems in the present, and a greater likelihood of attributing such problems to having had prior test-indicated infection(s).