>although the US government isn't actually telling us to... yet? But that's the alternative those who who think the UK's plan is madness are suggesting, right? Asking everyone to withdraw from society for months?

It doesn't take that much to contain something like this. In no particular order:

(1) Temperature checks outside all major gathering places. Shops, subways, offices, etc. If you're running a fever you don't get in.

(2) Hand sanitizer at the entrance/exit of all major gathering places. Clean your hands before you go in and clean them when you come out. Don't clean them you don't get in.

(3) Wear masks everywhere in major gathering places. No mask, no entry.

(4) Widespread testing and contact tracing for those who have tested positive.

I agree that the West in general is handling this as dumb as possible. Shutting everything down is pointless if you don't use the respite to enact public health measures.