Tokyo and the coronavirus

I think this is when we begin the ominous duuuh-nu, duuh-nu, du-nu, du-nu, du-nu theme from Jaws. The graph shows the sudden spike in confirmed cases within the largest city on the planet. Still relatively small, but what is worrying is that many of the cases cannot be traced to a specific person or cluster as the source of the infection. Based on what is happening in New York, this would suggest that the virus is already quite widespread in the city and that we are going to see an exponential rise in cases over the coming days.
And yet, the main story on yesterday evening's seven o'clock NHK news was about the cancellation of the Olympics. That's sport's news, in fact it is now 'old news'. There are much more pressing and important matters to be concerned with.
In a news conference last night, the governor of Tokyo, Koike Yuriko, called for the citizens of the city to remain indoors over this coming weekend and to work from home as much as possible. What was interesting that this was a 'request' rather an 'order' or even a 'directive'. It was phrased in elaborate 尊敬語, (sonkeigo), the honorific form of the language used when you trying to convey your apologies at how much of an imposition your request is. It is the sort of language Japanese politicians typically use when they are announcing unpopular measures or policies.
Unfortunately, this gives the impression that the crisis is still a political rather than health crisis. The implication is that the people of Tokyo have a choice; that they can ignore this request, venture out on Saturday and Sunday and at worst be thought of as selfish individuals.
What was needed (and will probably happen as the situation escalates) our medical experts, particularly epidemiologists, to explain clearly and calmly (and without using 尊敬語), what is happening, what needs to be done, and what the consequences are if expert advice is ignored.