That's a feature not a bug IMO. I'd like individual counties and states control their fate, not federal gov since enforcement and containment is extremely localized. Federal gov can help with shortage of beds, food supplies and vaccine development which they did through Operation Warpspeed. It is befitting for Fed and illfitted to local counties.

Here in Bay Area, there was much stricter control. Counties choose their fate, their path and their citizens want to trade off lockdowns vs. COVID rates. It's their call and I respect that kind of governance.

At the extreme - I would absolutely abhor China style lockdowns in the USA.

Did the USA fared well with COVID response? Not at all. Federal gov could have done a lot better to provide guidance (not enforcement) to states and counties.