Confucianist consensus-based society v Western Individualism

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Just to debunk some myths: it's solidarity in crisis. We spontanously self-organize when something big is going on.
After the crisis is over, the solidarity is over as well and we go back to endlessly fighting each other.

I think trade unions are one of many possible forms of self-organisation to achieve a collective goal.
From what I understand, they were quite actively fought against during Reagan presidency, possibly in other times, too.

If so, it's hardly surprising that the UK (home of the Thatcherite revolution, an extra-toxic form of individualism) is faring so poorly. Our unions have been in retreat for 40 years.

Half the problem is how our politicians relate to the public. They're used to treating us as useful idiots. Standard interaction is to make up something to get us outraged about, to kid us into voting for their profit and against our own interests. They're scared of telling us unpalatable truths and giving us necessary orders. More scared than they needed to be, in this case- many employers were taking action before the government did, and most people agreed with that action.

The government's "don't scare the babies" approach to social distancing has been an utter disaster. The rules are so vague no two people agree what they are. All through March, the Prime Minister kept watering down the message with reassuring little ad-libs: "Over-65s should isolate at home, but I'm sure it's fine to have your grandkids visit. They should stay 2 meters away, but I'm sure it's fine if you kiss them." If you treat the public like spoiled, dim-witted children, don't be surprised if they act like it.