Debating the medical risks and potential loss of life the virus can cause does not seem to be the most effective way to persuade people to use masks and social distance.
Perhaps a more effective way to encourage that, is to highlight the risk of a DOH imposed community-wide quarantine if statistics rise substantially (like in white plains), and the impact on learning/tefila-b'tzibur/yom-tov/economic-impact/mental well being etc.
In any event, to judge the folks (taking this lightly) favorably:
(1) there is enough misinformation and changes to scientific opinion (and continued medical and statistical uncertainty, including whether the strain has gotten more mild) to confuse even well meaning folks and even a minority of experts.
(2) There is a view that society has borne enough inconvenience to protect the vulnerable, and at this point the vulnerable need to be the ones exercising extra care and let the young and healthy members of society return to normalcy so that the economy/schools/life resumes. (This includes the view that think herd immunity, is already far along, and the best way through this).
(3) The way this has become a political (republican vs. democrat) issue has those identifying with republican party, forced to choose between the views of their allies (who they trust) or the opposition (who they vigorously distrust as conspiring liars). The viciousness of partisan politics and the high-level-of-distrust undermines the arguments/evidence supporting the opposition on any individual issue.
(4) Mask discomfort, the inconveniences of SD, the emotional/psychological distress of being in quarantine earlier this year, the harsh economic impact on many, and the weakening of religious practice to those who feel passionate about that (as we all should), sway the risk/benefits toward the return-to-normalcy route.
(5) There are large swaths of people in our community who have anti-bodies have no concerns about their personal health (or spreading it to others -though I'm not sure there is 100% agreement on this).
I'm optimistic the unified and influential communications and guidance from the Moetzes will enhance unity and more consistent practice on such issues.