It is interesting that this sentiment keeps popping up regarding the US handling of the situation. The US was fast and early to react, especially compared to the US handling of the swine flu... and people seem to just completely ignore that fact or throw it out the window completely.

Fast and early compared to whom? We knew it was coming and it seems like we’re still making preparations and only started after we unloaded a ship of sick passengers without proper planning.

What was the fast and early part?

Also the quality of the response matters

China closed Wuhan, but the US still allowed flights without monitoring

And there are still not enough test kits to go around