Being worried that people choose to channel their energy into actions that undoubtedly make their situation worse rather than have a chance of finding a solution is not the same. Or I guess it depends on how you decide to view things as being "literally the same".

Worry is not an action to making something better.

People will take actions when the threat is against their livelihood, health and homes, particularly when there is no action being taken on their behalf. Their risk assessment may be different than yours.

They don't really have another choice do they.

Maybe this is a silly question, but why can't they just eat cake?

If you’re genuinely wondering; it’s because cake is not a nutritionally complete food and will also not cure cancer.

I'm pretty sure it's in the cancer-curing section of the new food pyramid

>...is literally the same as asking why they can't just eat cake.

You are unequivocally wrong. You probably mean 'similar' instead of 'literally the same'.