This was a major tactical error: lying, censoring and attempting to force compliance ("semi-fascism") via mandates led to the opposite effect, resistance and conspiracy theory propagation. This was one of the points made by the article I posted yesterday.
IMO, an alternative approach of transparency and honesty could have led to better outcomes because people would trust the information and make an informed choice. Being a father of two teenagers, I've learned that authoritarian tactics often only trigger the rebellious aspects of human nature. But if you lay out the positives and negatives and offer a choice, people will usually make the right choice.
Also, BTW, calling people plague rats probably didn't help either.
Link: https://dailycaller.com/2023/02/07/anthony-fauci-natural-immunity-coronavirus-covid-vaccines/