This is true ... and free adult citizens join in with the insanity by going along with it because they're afraid ... they're afraid of the flu and they're afraid to stand up to tyrannical politicians and unelected bureaucrats.
Erich Fromm wrote a book titled Escape from Freedom, where he explained from a psychological perspective how entire populations tend to avoid the risks that come with true freedom, and embrace leaders who “take care” of them. This weakness runs deep in human nature, unfortunately.