Yet those who actually wield the levers of control have found themselves unable to spread their fear to the majority of the population. But - in their minds - the threat is real! So something must be done!

That's an interesting perspective I haven't saw before.

Hmmm... how do we stop carbon emissions? To do this would require the stoppage of industrial production. Hey?! Covid! That'll do the trick. A full-spectrum industrial halt. Magic.

But how long covid can last, at most? 2 years, 5 years? Then things go back to normal, inevitably. Sounds like quite a hassle for little to no result.