Imo, this is a critical discussion to have. While I have strong opinions that are confirmed by this cut of the story, is there a take that is thoughtful that is

Imo, this is a critical discussion to have. While I have strong opinions that are confirmed by this cut of the story, is there a take that is thoughtful that is better than "it was an emergency, misleading people to ultimately do the right thing was the ethical decision," or is that truly the best rationale for how the platforms and governments handled the pandemic response? It's a critical discussion because right now, it really, really looks like a cadre of people actuated by having power over others (instead of the freedom to build and create by themselves) have co-ordinated through NGOs, operating on compromised institutions and platforms, to deceive the western world into removing all limits to state intervention and protections for basic human dignity and liberty, and to leverage the crisis to ensconce new powers. The people of the world need to be shown how we were not deceived and betrayed. I don't know how long the window of opportunity for truth and reconciliation will last.