I know it’s comforting to think that, but it’s really not the reason they were locking it up. The guy who lives next door to me got ivermectin from his vet (ostensibly for his dog) in case he got Covid. People were absolutely taking horse / dog medicine. Talk to any doctor in more rural areas (I have a few in my immediate family), tons of people were literally eating horse medicine and the reason Tractor Supply put it behind the counter was because people were taking it for human use.

Not really.

Because people were eating ivermectin. Like the other poster says, I know it feels nice to be able to say "this was already happening", but it just wasn't. Not in as many places and covering as many businesses.

Veterinarians generally needed proof of livestock (seeing the animal) but also were just as prone to give you the meds based on your description and assessment as a farmer. Not anymore. You could walk into any farm store and walk out with antibiotics and/or wormer. Not anymore.

And it's because people were eating it. Right, wrong, or indifferent, that's the reason.