Coercive strategies of UK Government
During the coronavirus crisis, governments across the world have provided information to the public that many have believed. However, while some have acquiesced, others have questioned the evidence of the efficacy of imposing restrictions such as mask wearing and lockdowns. In the UK, the obedience of some citizens is likely to be a result of the covert psychological strategies that were suggested by the Scientific Pandemic Influenza group on Behaviour (SPI-B). SPI-B produced a document on 22 March 2020 in preparation for a SAGE meeting the next day. This question was addressed: “What are the options for increasing adherence to the social distancing measures?” The suggestions given are disturbing and extremely aggressive with recommendations that fear levels are increased in order to make people comply. “The perceived level of threat needs to be increased among those who are complacent, using hard-hitting emotional messaging.” They also recommend that media is used “to increase