I think "flattening the curve" is often misunderstood, because on diagrams it looks like both scenarios will lead to similar number of infected people. But in r

I think "flattening the curve" is often misunderstood, because on diagrams it looks like both scenarios will lead to similar number of infected people. But in reality, the flatter curve can actually lead to significantly less people infected overall, because exponential growth is difficult to control if the disease is everywhere. So it is even possible, it seems to me, that the countries that flatten the curve more vigorously will actually deal with the problem faster. But, as other people noted, we will see.