Something being popular is no guarantee at all that it is a good idea. The US just left Afghanistan this year, for example. Anyone claiming that 20 year debacle was a mistake going in to it was not in for a pleasant time - but they were right. The Patriot Act is much more long-lived than Bin Laden.

The worst time to do this is hastily and when people are feeling scared; these are some serious bridges being crossed. The systems being set up to deal with people who aren't scared of the coronavirus are going to be permanent and are a very decisive step in reshaping Western culture using the model trailed in China.