I would rather we keep the death toll low and take these measures than overwhelm our healthcare system and likely destroy our country. Reason being is people would get desperate and violent in order to get care or give others they care about care if they need it, which given the contagion it would go over worse. After that Martial law would be imposed and people would resist due to lack of trust in the government. It is certain more would die if we just didn't care. No matter how you look at it, we're in trouble economy-wise, and this route is the best we can take without killing tens of thousands or more.
I get the nation falling apart might be a bit extreme, but Americans are already in a panic, and get enough out of order and a situation like that could happen.