Well, the first death wasn’t until Jan 9, then 2nd death Jan 15. I don’t think they realized it was a problem til then. Will probably repeat the same scenario in many other countries.
I don’t think the mortality rate is as high as the panic-mongers are saying. The internet-enhanced MSM hypes everything these days.
In the densely populated areas of the NE US, every snowstorm is made to sound like the end of the world. It’s all to get eyeballs. Media outlets who don’t join the hype-fest risk being ignored.