[ericdykstra]

Many companies implemented work-from-home policies very quickly, almost all public events (sports, standardized tests) were canceled, schools and sports gyms closed, and some companies that didn't go to remote work had employees stagger commute times so trains would be less crowded. This all started, iirc, while the number of cases was still in the tens (not counting the cruise ship).

It is also more accepted to wear face masks, as many people have pollen allergies so it's quite normal, and there is less direct physical contact between people overall.

I remember reading that the number of flu cases was about half that of a normal flu season because of the precautions everyone was taking, which points to a high percentage of people doing their part to help prevent the spread.

[chadlavi]

This is the big difference: people doing their part to help instead of, say, panic-hoarding or obstreperously insisting on going on as if nothing were happening.