[Snorlax94]

Yes, I get we are different culturally than Germany, but even given that, if the U.S. had a national plan and all elected governments took the virus seriously from the beginning, I fully believe our citizens would have largely bought in and followed directions. We’d have our epidemic under control too. Maybe the scale of our COVID-19 Epidemic and the damage it causes becomes for the U.S. what WWII was for Germany in terms of never wanting to experience such a catastrophe again, and changing to make sure we don’t.

Agreed. Well said.

+1.
I don't buy the nonsense that there is a "unique" component to American "culture" that makes us unable to wear masks and work together for the common good. So only Brazil, Russia and Americans  are free-thinking individuals and Australians, Germans, Koreans, Taiwanese, New Zealanders, Canadians and Icelanders are somehow robots, failures as entrepreneurs and artists, and incapable of making unique contributions to civilization?

Where in de Tocqueville's Democracy in America did he observe that Americans were uniquely incapable of listening to scientific facts or adapting to a crisis situation to do what is necessary to survive?

What do all soldiers do? They adapt to survive. Does this mean only American soldiers wouldn't wear gas masks in a chemical war because they are so independent and free-thinking and because it would make them look weak?

It is nonsense to say American culture means we cannot change what clothing we wear on our faces. Americans have changed its attire and accessories many times in its history and they managed this without losing our identity or culture.

[Snorlax94]

Yes, I get we are different culturally than Germany, but even given that, if the U.S. had a national plan and all elected governments took the virus seriously from the beginning, I fully believe our citizens would have largely bought in and followed directions. We’d have our epidemic under control too. Maybe the scale of our COVID-19 Epidemic and the damage it causes becomes for the U.S. what WWII was for Germany in terms of never wanting to experience such a catastrophe again, and changing to make sure we don’t.

Agreed. Well said.

+1.
I don't buy the nonsense that there is a "unique" component to American "culture" that makes us unable to wear masks and work together for the common good. So only Brazil, Russia and Americans  are free-thinking individuals and Australians, Germans, Koreans, Taiwanese, New Zealanders, Canadians and Icelanders are somehow robots, failures as entrepreneurs and artists, and incapable of making unique contributions to civilization?

Where in de Tocqueville's Democracy in America did he observe that Americans were uniquely incapable of listening to scientific facts or adapting to a crisis situation to do what is necessary to survive?

What do all soldiers do? They adapt to survive. Does this mean only American soldiers wouldn't wear gas masks in a chemical war because they are so independent and free-thinking and because it would make them look weak?

It is nonsense to say American culture means we cannot change what clothing we wear on our faces. Americans have changed its attire and accessories many times in its history and they managed this without losing our identity or culture.