Surely the right response to that isn't to always be more worked up.

I think he means plan for the worst, hope for the best.

From what I can tell, the governor in my state (CA) took an appropriate level of actions at roughly the right time (after realizing that the federal government declined to be useful). We appear to be passing through the first big wave of deaths, and cautiously reopening slowly. It's unclear what additional actions would have changed things (in terms of reducing total # of deaths, or any suffering while sick).

Sure, but by getting yourself worked up you're not improving that situation any.