There is a lot riding on maintaining the pandemic paradigm. If it is not maintained it won't just be a return to the way things were before. Trust in the medical profession will plummet. Trust in government, politicians, and bureaucrats will be at the lowest point in US history. Trust in MSM and those who supported censorship will forever be changed. There will be mass resignations, suicides, criminal charges, and people sent to prisons. The powers that be have no choice but to double down. There isn't an exit ramp for them. Cornered rats can be very dangerous.