?

A lengthy lockdown will obviously reduce the virus dramatically. Who is doubting that?

"If the 'general rules' both administrative and social were enforced in the West, we'd probably have a revolution."

Everywhere there was 'peak COVID' had lockdowns - but if the lockdown were as severe and controlled as Wuhan, or as consistentely interventional as Taiwan or Hong Kong, there would be revolts.

Much of that they did would be probably anti-constitutional and definitely challenged in courts by those who disagree.

If the police or medical authorities were going through facebook accounts for contract-tracing, there'd be a revolt, certainly in America, probably in Australia. The 'public health' issue is secondary, there are just enough people who'd consider that to be 'anti Constitutional' that it'd be a serious problem.

Politicians everywhere are testing the limits of what they can get away with, this is not a joke.

There are protests all over the Western world not being covered by the press because everyone is afraid the populism could get out of hand.

Case and point: Christmas. If this were any other time of year, the lockdown would have come sooner, but politicans were far too afraid, so in most places, they waited until just after. The UK had no choice to go before XMass.