There was. Time when quarantines and restrictions could have worked. They clearly reduced the spread and kept hospitals from collapsing. That was a real possibility in some places and a real probability in others (without mitigation).

But ... in order for quarantines and restrictions to work the population has to make it their mission. You need a mass effort and EVERYONE has to be involved and willingly comply. We didn't have that. Australia and New Zealand did. That's why they're getting hit so bad now. This is their first cull for all intents and purposes.

So, not only does the population have to comply for as long as it takes, you have to close your borders in a global society --completely-- so that more virus doesn't come in and create new paths of disease. Again, for as long as it takes.

It's not possible. If one nation does not have the resources to handle the situation, any effort by other nations will simply be to stall or delay the spread.

There's a lesson here for a lot of people if they will listen enough to hear and learn it. You cannot protect just yourself at the expense of your neighbor. You cannot ignore the needs of your brothers and sisters on the other side of the globe. You can't half ass it and expect someone else to pick up the slack and take the hits. If you do, the when future climate disasters hit,and they will, you will fail.

Our efforts to beat Covid failed for those reasons. Now there's nothing left but learn to live with it and keep yourself and your family as healthy as you can. Take whatever precautions you can that don't severely disrupt your life. Resolve to do better next time. That's all there is.