I think a lot of the hysteria is because the goalposts have been moved again.
First, it was "two weeks to slow the spread" and the goal was to stop hospitals from being overrun
Then, it was "Zero COVID deaths" which is impossible
Now it's "Zero COVID cases"--the goal is total eradication, like smallpox. Each new case gets the same level of media hysteria that a death did six months ago. Every time Omicron is detected in a city or county it's headline news: "OMICRON COMES TO SMITH COUNTY!" "2 CASES OF OMICRON IN RACOON CITY" "132 CASES OF OMICRON STATEWIDE!"
By ramping up the hysteria and making even a case as sobering and tragic as a death, this will continue to pave the way for public outcry for 100% vaccination of all men, women, and children above 6 months old. It will make mandatory vaccinations supported by the majority.