it's a combination of the following factors:Also, why do you think that is? Are medical professionals not communicating this adequately? Are federal, state, and local officials not communicating this idea? Or do you think it's more a function of uncertainty?
poor educational system in America
the concept of "fake news"
politicians using the virus for messaging
inability of most Americans to "do their homework" and learn about the threat
and most critically the botched messaging from the Federal government
when the "oh sh!t" moment hits; it'll be too late.