I realize the media sensationalizes a lot of this but from the outside it doesn't look good. I know the US is seen as not doing enough but I prefer that over the authoritarian responses.
We certainly have our issues but for now we still hold people's personal freedoms at a high level. I live in a somewhat rural area but I haven't had to wear a mask in most places for about a month, I've been vaccinated for over a month and I've been out enjoying beers etc. like normal for the last several weeks.