Dear @cryptographic
I hope you won't get upset because I disagree with you. I will try to be as polite and mature with my comment.
Personally, I've been amazed and shocked to witness how most people in europe and US are not treating this threat seriously.
The problem is that their premise is based on only half the data, which is to say that if you recognized that the rise in ‘cases’ is directly related to the increased number of tests being conducted, then the increase wouldn’t be so worrying after all, would it.
According to you, the reason why there is more positive cases is because there is more tests happening. Which is true.
However, the reason why there is more tests happening is -> because there is more people who do need that test. It's simple as that.
Tests are not cheap. Please, try yourself to go through this process. You will quickly realize, that hardly anyone out there will pay for it just to test himself/herself.
Those who are tested - those are people who are willing to spent money because they have real reason to do so.
I've been living 11 years in various Asian countries and I can see how those countries populations comply with their goverments and most of them dealt with this issue in proper manner. In europe and US -> we (people) are to blame for amount of deaths and all suffering.
Personally (and also via steemit/hive) I know several people who went through it. Some of my friends lost their family members. Most of those who got tested positive described "going through" as a very painful and stresful experience.
To wrap it up:
Misinformation surrounding us is only increasing. And regardless how much of what we're being told is true or lie -> it is our life (our health and perhaps our families heath too) which we shall protect. Better be safe than sorry.
Yours, Piotr