This is human. Most take situations seriously when the maximum damage is almost already done.
We're chatting apes, not much more.
Einstein said that mankind is able to use a few % of their brain capacity, but i say he was way too optimistic.
(edited my mediocre english to better english, which is still worse than usual today)
another thing is willful blindness. Even when its right in their face people can chose not so see what's right there. Especially if it affects their reality.
Or their comfort zone.