America is doing terribly due to its federal (country-wide) government being run by billionaires who do not give a shit about anything except their short-term (and long term, but a bit less) personal profits. Even the worst kinds of people can follow simple directions provided there's proper effort in explanation and distributing some needed supplies. After the first set of directions with social distancing + masks, there has been no plan at all.
Doesn't help that what should be our leaders downplayed the issue initially, until they couldn't any longer. Not to mention have a very easily found history of being chronic liars for anyone that may not be aware of it at this time. Plus, re-allocating money that should have been for the country's people (in multiple areas) into their own bank accounts over the years.
At state level and smaller, several are also run by those same kinds of greedy uncaring idiotic asses. But not all, maybe not even most (I hope); I know in some terrible states that various cities/areas were still closed when the state supposedly re-opened. My city in particular has people being smart about it (thankfully), and our local government has given more clear cut dates and directions of what will happen going forward.
Greed + an already broken economy + bad leadership = people who don't know what to do, and can't always afford actual essentials.
There's a lot to say about the ignorant/less educated citizens in the country, along with certain areas' local cultures, but that's another thing.
Considering all the issues as a whole, America is doing better than I personally expected. But objectively, it's not doing so well in handling anything. The problems that were already in place did no favors in dealing with coronavirus.