Here's my theory. The US has little appetite for draconian methods of enforcing compliance, and Americans, in general, have little tolerance for being told what to do. I'd say much more than most countries, we feel that they can be the judge of what behavior and actions are acceptable. We are in the midst of a surge bigger than our initial surge, but we don't have nearly the restrictions in California. My daughter and I, alone on a soccer field, were being told by the police that we had to leave (March or April). Now, there are scrimmages galore on the same field - no enforcement of any type of restrictions other than the threat of pulling permits for organized soccer for getting too close to each other. The death rate is down, and people are seeing more and more the consequences on the economy and on mental health. These consequences on the economy and mental health will only grow this winter. I'd say the US and state governments have one more shot at some type of significant shut down this winter. Even that won't come close to the initial shut down. After that, people will be done. Many already are. By February, more people will be looking for any sign to move on. We have already seen this happen on this board. The pressure on politicians, elected and otherwise, will grow. They'll simply disband whatever task force they created and claim victory. Politicians have a short memory when it serves them well.
