We can empathize and still disagree with people. North Dakota is filled with the decedents of people who had be oppressed by their governments (kings, czars, etc) for centuries. It is to be understood they carry a generational revulsion to Government.* We all agree that 3 generations in, they need to get over it, generally trust authority, trust science, but we also understand why they struggle to. I'm still gonna judge parents for not keeping their kids safe, but I understand why.
*"Germans from Russia" (also called "Volga Germans") People from Germany invited to settle in the Volga river area in the 1700's. The Czar promised they would be left alone. Just farm and produce and pay some taxes and we'll let you keep your language, religion, etc., and TOTALLY won't draft you into our army or anything. RIIIGHT... Not long in, they'd go to the schools and take the kids. "We'll give them back when you "volunteer" to fight for us (meat waves) in the war. The Volga Germans later managed to get themselves expelled from Russia and not to the Gulags. Went to ND because that is all that was left. Tough people, they, and we need to respect that.
Also. Russia has always been run by shitbags. Taking kids to compel you to join the army? Yeah they still do that. Man, fuck those guys.