Fear is a tool. Even better is imaginary fear, as you can mold it to your needs. "They want to [insert whatever useful boogeyman you want]". Combine that with a Gish gallop when arguing and you can do anything.
There wasn't a lockdown the first time when it would have actually done something. There won't be now, Covid is here to stay. Doesn't mean we can't do a lot better with common sense stuff, but even if a lockdown was feasible in an economy-driven society, that moment is long gone.