Hamlet's Soliloquy: Tis now the very witching time of night
Tis now the very witching time of night,
When churchyards yawn and hell itself breathes out
Contagion to this world: now could I drink hot blood,
And do such bitter business as the day
http://www.shakespeare-online.com/plays/hamlet/soliloquies/witchingtime.html
The term “The Witching Hour” was coined in 1560 by Pope Pius IV. A trend in witch-hunting had begun as people were unable to understand why diseases were so rife and decided to blame the practice of witchcraft.
https://listverse.com/2019/12/15/10-fascinating-facts-about-the-devils-hour-3am/
There are similarities between The Witch Trials and COVID.
There is an invisible threat
Societal internal decay exists
Eliminate the threat
Can not doubt the narrative and still be a good citizen
Occurred globally
Normal rules of legal engagement were suspended
The invisible crime
Politicians and judicial systems profited
As the trials and executions continued, colonists began to doubt that so many people could actually be guilty of this crime. They feared many innocent people were being executed. Local clergymen began speaking out against the witch hunt and tried to persuade officials to stop the trials.
https://historyofmassachusetts.org/the-salem-witch-trials/
One could rid themselves of a foe.
Fear paralyzes reason.