Yeah exactly. I think it’s interesting to compare and contrast the two countries that have done best with this: China and New Zealand. China is high control and high trust (mostly) and well controlled border , New Zealand is like mid to low control but very high trust, and it has a perfectly defined and controlled border.
US is (broadly) low control, low trust, net importer with large land borders and neighboring countries by sea, so it’s a much harder problem even if you had consistent messaging and planning from the top.
my business partners in china report day to day life is basically mask free, and when there is a reported outbreak there is massive testing and contact tracing.
Youtubers in china show that same story in street footage; so on balance yes, I think it’s generally accurate.
US is (broadly) low control, low trust, net importer with large land borders and neighboring countries by sea, so it’s a much harder problem even if you had consistent messaging and planning from the top.