A common trope found in movies and TV shows has a protagonist desperately trying (but failing) to convince authorities of the seriousness of impending danger.
The hero becomes increasingly frustrated by their inaction while watching the threat (whether from aliens, shadowy subversive organizations or supervolcanoes) grow.
It’s been hard to avoid the feeling that real life is following a similar pattern this month as a second wave of COVID-19 infections fights for newspaper headline space with business reopenings and lifting of restrictions across the country.