I watched a documentary about that comparison not too long ago. The pattern of denial by governments back then was shockingly similar to the one the authoritarian leaning countries are doing today. As I recall they didn't want anyone staying home from work because it may slow the economy and affect the war effort. It backfired as eventually nobody believed them when they said it was safe and started avoiding going in anyway. They lied to people to prop up the economy but it eventually backfired. Luckily for them the war ended in Nov of 1918.... hmmm....kinda spooky eh? 102 years later and here we go again.