"Public hysteria" refers to a situation where a large group of people become extremely fearful or excited about something and their emotions can overpower their ability to think logically or rationally. Full definition
It's easily oxidized, highly unstable for cooking, usually rancid on the shelf, and, thanks to government farm subsidies and public hysteria over animal fat, it's in absolutely everything nowadays. (marksdailyapple.com)
It is lamentable that American psychiatry has abrogated its professional role and allowed public hysteria to define the transgender phenomenon. (firstthings.com)
In Australia, public hysteria concerning Pell is already extreme. (firstthings.com)