My opinion is very cynical and also may very well be seen as un-empathetic...

Unfortunately, I've come to learn that the best way to get a human collective to do anything is by reaction. Humans are a reactionary species, not a proactive one. This means that events must occur to them... horrid events, to elicit a reaction to the event. Essentially, coming back to the pandemic, people will have to experience the consequences of following the medical orders of the government before they realize that something must be done. If that consequence must be having many people, including children, becoming victims, in some shape or form, to the pandemic... then so be it. We have done everything in our power to save those from the pandemic, so don't beat yourself up if you couldn't save anyone in specific... even if you made a mistake yourself. I prefer to live by the following quote.

"You can ignore reality, but you cannot ignore the consequences of ignoring reality." ~ Ayn Rand

After you have done your due diligence in helping, and it has failed... then let Darwin do the work.