I guess the GB didn’t think it would be such a big thing and only those already with beards would then be able to reach out as they are so desperate for brothers.
But the way things are going many more brothers have stopped shaving than the GB thought.
it reminds me of the Northern Ireland troubles in the 1970s, where the English undercover wanted to blend in and grew beards. After a while they realised the IRA all started shaving and it was easy to tell undercover agents as they all had beards