[chii]

The density of cities in australia and NZ are somewhat similar to european cities. The sparseness of Aus and NS are because their population is concentrated in cities, and there are large land masses.

If the US or UK wants to, they can certainly make the same sort of lockdown. There are costs to it, but the leadership being incompetent at actually leading, is a bigger roadblock over the cost.

[eloff]

The US could never do it because the federal government does not have that authority. They have lacked leadership, but they were also uniquely positioned for a world of hurt going into this.

The UK is doing about as well as similarly populous countries nearby. Which is to say, not well at all.