Speaking of the early 40s; not well known: German citizens protested openly and vociferously against the government's euthanasia program (started late 1939) - crowds would gather outside hospitals when the "murder wagon" was expected (to take patients to killing centers) - things would get ugly. The result was the government backing off some on the program, announcing its cessation but continuing with much tighter secrecy. Maybe remember that next time when your state government starts advertising the arrival of a slew of new ventilators!