Fear and negative emotions are infectious.
Yes, there might be people who intentionally spread fear, yet for most people, who are asleep, they are easily affected by the karmic currents that are precipitating them towards the abyss.
Humanity is ripe for spirituality, since its knowledge of evil is extreme and intense. Yet sadly, even at the edge of the cliff, many chose to go down...
For thirty years I sought God. But when I looked carefully I found that in reality God was the seeker and I the sought. -Bayazid al-Bastami