I hate to see people dying due to their stupidity but this is nothing new in epidemics. For over a hundred years, the primary obstacle in ending an epidemic has not been the bacteria or virus that causes the disease but the public who refuse to take preventive measures or treatments. The major reasons for this are:
Lack of access, real or perceived
Not being seen as a threat
Fear of Side effects of vaccines or treatment
Lack of trust in the preventive measure or treatments
Lack of trust in institutions such as goverment agencies and private companies
A variety of conspiracy theories
The most educational countries general attain compliance between 60% and 80% of population usually within a few years. However the least educated countries which are typically in Africa and South America, this level of compliance can take many years and in some cases are never reached. Taking literary license of the biblical verse; "You will always have the stupid with you"
I think we just have to get used to the fact that there is a geography of idiocy. Pretty much the Confederacy and parts of the Rocky Mountain region will forever be eaten up with the dumbass be it in taking a vaccine, valuing education, wanting a better life for their kids, learning from history.... And, not surprisingly, the geography of idiocy is pretty much the geography of poverty as well.