His point is that social distancing is at least as much a political measure as a public health one, realized so easily because it has been pushed for by powerful forces. Some are straightforward vested interests. Mr. Agamben notes (without naming him) that the former Vodafone chief executive Vittorio Colao, an evangelist for the digitized economy, was put in charge of Italy’s initial transition out of lockdown. Social distancing, Mr. Agamben believes, has also provided Italy’s politicians with a way of hindering spontaneous political organization and stifling the robust intellectual dissent that universities foster.

Ding Ding Ding. The masks and impetus to stop all social activity is going to be permanent. Make sure the people can never ever unite against the state.

UPDATE: The latest insanity is that you need to avert your eyes around other people as this will magically stop the 'rona. This shit couldn't be more transparent if they tried.