[set fair (OP)]

Are there any sugested reasons? They're about the same size with the same population.

[Petrochemicals]

New York state versus Newyork city?

[evan_au]

The high population density and crowded public transport no doubt contributed to the severity of the outbreaks in London and New York.

The UK government accepted that the virus was real, and did a lockdown. There is a public health system (the NHS), and there was strong public support for health workers in the frontline. The impact was undeniable after the Prime Minister came down with COVID-19.

The US government (especially the President) denied that the virus was real, and gagged the CDC which was collecting and reporting on COVID-19. There is not a public health system, so a lot of spread is "under the radar". Dealing with the virus was left to local government bodies (eg the Mayor of New York). The impact of the virus continued to be denied, even after the President came down with COVID-19.

A Tale of Two Cities...
- For a real contrast, look at Tokyo...

[alancalverd]

All UK citizens know that politicians are idiots, so mostly do what the sensible Queen does.

Half the US population worship a lying cowardly idiot because they don't have a Queen.

[evan_au]

because they don't have a Queen.

The US seems to be in love with Royalty (including the Hollywood kind).
- There is a campaign to elect Meghan Markle as President... 
- The First Man would have some experience as a prince...
- It would be like the old tradition of forming international alliances by marrying off junior royalty into other countries.
- This could work on multiple levels!

See: https://www.meghanforpresident.com/

[mikahawkins]

The difference is mostly because of the way the government handled it and also because of people's action in NY. They should have acted in a much more sensible manner.

[alancalverd]

Problem is that Prince Harry was persuaded to give up royalty because his wife didn't like public exposure. I think the USA has had enough of bankrupt failures at the helm, though unlike the present incumbent, Harry did have an honorable military career and a short period of doing Good Things for people other than himself.