What's interesting is Central European countries did take actions that opposed the global elite in the past decade or so. The authenticity of these actions is debatable, but the actions certainly took place - hindering the QWERTY agenda in Poland, and the border fence against mass migration in Hungary are just two examples. However, the birdemic has changed all of that.
Just to be clear, Central European countries have not escaped the totalitarian coup. Contrary to many opinions on the so-called right, these countries have been subjugated in the same manner nearly all countries around the world have been subjugated. The initial and continuing response to the birdemic proves this beyond a shadow of a doubt. Here in Hungary, Orbán has always been very vocal about the globalist forces behind mass migration and other aspects of the leftist agenda; oddly enough, he hasn't uttered a peep about the possible forces behind the birdemic. No fiery accusations against Soros et. al. No criticism of the UN or the WHO. Nothing. Orbán has simply framed the birdemic as - as you state - a deadly plague that he must protect the great Hungarian nation from.
Countries like Poland and Hungary may claim to march to the beat of a different drum, but this is essentially hogwash. And how could it not be? Central Europe is deeply assimilated into the system. Here in Hungary, the bulk of employment, nay the bulk of the entire economy is completely dependent on international corporations. In addition to that, no Central European country dares turn its back on EU funding, and nearly all quietly support the existence of the EU as an entity.
Orbán is a master politician and has been on the scene here since the collapse of communism. When he first came to power, he was an extremely pro-Western, liberal politician, but the liberalism Hungary encountered after the fall of the Iron Curtain left a bad taste in the mouths of most Hungarians. By 2010, Hungarians were in a position where they welcomed the improvement in living standards, but rejected the agenda that came with it. Orbán seized on these conservative undercurrents when he returned to power in 2010 and has used them to keep himself in power ever since.
But the birdemic has revealed that Orbán's brand of populism is hollow at the core. He has quietly surrendered to the birdemic coup, which is why Central Europe has basically lost its appeal as well.