Do you think this is not happening in the US?
Leak WhatsApp messages between former British Health Minister, Matt Hancock, and an aide, Mr. Case.
They are talking about the possibility of the London Mayor Sadiq Khan resisting a possible lockdown for London.
The Department of Health adviser suggests: "Rather than doing too much forward signalling, we can roll pitch with the new strain."
Mr Hancock says: "We frighten the pants of everyone with the new strain."
The adviser responds: "Yep, that's what will get proper behaviour change."
The minister then asks: "When do we deploy the new variant." - Hancock announced the new strain the following day after his little exchange.
In a separate WhatsApp conversation from January 2021, when lockdown measures were in place, Mr Hancock is seen discussing possible changes with Mr Case.
Mr Case warns against making small changes to the rules as looking "ridiculous". He talks about "ramping up messaging" adding the "fear/guilt factor" was "vital".
Boris Johnson spoke of the need to get "absolutely militant" on social distancing in Covid hotspots, saying there had been a "general collapse" in rule following.
In another WhatsApp conversation with Mr Case from July 2020, wrote: "We need to tell people that if they want to save the economy and protect the NHS then they need to follow the rules.
"And we may need to tighten the rules. You can now have six people from different households indoors. Do people really understand that and are they observing it?" he asked.
The this little exchange came one month after the prime minister, Boris Johnson, broke the rules himself. - BBC