This study investigates the role of individual differences in emotional and personality-based variables in predicting virus-mitigating behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic. A large international sample (N = 324) was recruited to complete measures of self-perceived risk, fear of COVID-19, moral foundations, political orientation, and behavior change. The results consistently show that fear of COVID-19 is the only predictor of positive behavior change, such as social distancing and improved hand hygiene, with no effect of politically relevant variables. The study discusses the potentially functional nature of fear in global health crises, suggesting that negative emotions can serve adaptive and protective functions during pandemics. The findings highlight the importance of considering the context within which negative emotional states are experienced and the potential for intuitive moral foundations to overcome partisan differences in behavior.This study investigates the role of individual differences in emotional and personality-based variables in predicting virus-mitigating behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic. A large international sample (N = 324) was recruited to complete measures of self-perceived risk, fear of COVID-19, moral foundations, political orientation, and behavior change. The results consistently show that fear of COVID-19 is the only predictor of positive behavior change, such as social distancing and improved hand hygiene, with no effect of politically relevant variables. The study discusses the potentially functional nature of fear in global health crises, suggesting that negative emotions can serve adaptive and protective functions during pandemics. The findings highlight the importance of considering the context within which negative emotional states are experienced and the potential for intuitive moral foundations to overcome partisan differences in behavior.