CoronaVirus

ZCanadian

The disease not, but the severity of the contagion yes.

Exhibit 1, Singapore.
2/3 the population of NYC in half the area, and in the shadow of China (lots of travel, trade, and expat community). Total of 879 cases, 1/4 of which are recovered, with only 3 deaths. First case was January 23.

Taiwan, as well (although politics prevent its status being reported independently from those of of mainland China since WHO amalgamated all Chinese data earlier this month) had its first case by January 21 and only 50 cases / 1 death by March 15.

Neither state is in lockdown. In fact, it has been business as usual for most citizens.

Compare to the New York experience. The lives saved came at the cost of a temporary loss of liberty, for sure. But not that much, because their governments reacted very quickly to the Chinese reports. There are temperature tests everywhere, incoming flights were screened from early January, those with the virus are under house arrest with GPS phone tracking and follow-up by police. The military was tasked with procuring or producing medical PPE. The travel and health care databases were merged and that shared with doctors and pharmacists who were asked to monitor and report suspected cases based on treatment or medication purchases (yes, the ACLU is apoplectic about now). But you can still go to a restaurant or a movie, or get your hair cut.

The point is, these lost freedoms (and more) are probably coming America's way. As you said, the state of emergency need only be declared. I suspect that the loved ones of most of the current and future victims probably aren't touting the "live free or die" mantra today. :-(