This theory is the latest incarnation of the Nazi formula, explained by Hermann Goeringback in 1946, for driving Germany’s people—or any people—to want war: “Convince them they’re under attack,” casting “pacifists” as threats to their security. (“It works the same in any country,” whatever its form of government.)
The difference is that, this time, “the enemy” is not some other state or states, or even stateless “terrorism,” but the virus.