It's a perfect storm for all sorts of opportunists. See what each player has to gain.
Medical people get a rush of self-importance whilst the workload is decreased up to 40%
Epidemiologists no longer need to explain they don't "study spiders"
People who crave excitement. I'm experiencing history! weeeee!
Checkout girls are Corona Heroes.
People who gain a sense of self-importance from being a corona evangelist.
Makers of masks and perspex shielding and floor marking think social distancing is swell.
People who now work from home think quarantine is swell.
Sunk Cost Fallacy -- too many bad decisions by authorities to turn back or regroup
Teaching staff are isolated by Zoom from classrooms filled with savages
People who are struggling with acceptance can use masks to feel a sense of group membership
People with social anxiety can hide behind a mask
Creation of public unrest to undermine the current administration
Creation of public unrest that can then be channeled for ulterior motives
People have a human need to moralise. "You do not wear a mask. You are the perverted deviant now".