Actually it is all pretty simple, this is big hierarchy feeling the danger and trying to protect themselves at all costs.

Research shows that big hierarchies (in medium to very big companies, states, etc) can behave a lot like complex living being. It can protect the integrity, resist any changes, fight for survival and for grow.

It also explains why largest modern monopolies joined the fight, as they have similar huge hierarchies and they also feel the imminent danger and want to survive and still be intact.

It it also why all of them so much defend the "COVID not originated in lab" theory. As if this will become common knowledge it become big danger for them also, because virus research is also big very closed and tight packed international hierarchy that do not want any control and do not want to be held accountable for any crimes they do. Google, Apple and Amazon also don't want to be held accountable and their managers want to live and not hang on the trees.

Pinky phrases and declarations come just from experience. Hierarchy looks back on that people liked while they had thriving hierarchies around. And makes things up, of course they will never keep promises, they only look at this like some for of marketing campaign.