[failwhaleshark]

"The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few." - Spock

China controlled it by locking-down quickly.

The US let it spread by voluntaryism and conspiracy theories creating a Tragedy of the Commons. As of writing, only 50% of the US population is fully-vaccinated. The other 50% are why force is needed. You can't leave species survival to a popularity contest or freedumb of choice.