In 1918 is that people were still shell shocked by 15 million casualties because of the largest war in recorded history at the time. Massive armies were still in the process of demilitarization, pacifying an already demoralized populace in which submission and civil liberties were not a concern.

Societal upheaval is more than possible in a time of worldwide financial turmoil and food shortages: where world leaders are viewed as the cause of the issues of the common man. Having those same leaders stepping up to reassure the populace of their safety in a global pandemic will be met with outright distrust.

This is a very inflammatory accusation.
Can you show anything documented about leaders of a faith group that makes up 1% of the area beating a multibillion dollar operation into submission over something Microsoft is doing on their own property? I find this to be highly unlikely.

Remember that "a friend of a friend told me" statements about religion are never true. Ask Jews about Kristallnacht and Protocols of the Elders of Zion.