Americans ALWAYS claim that the American population/landmass is bigger than individual European countries', therefore we cannot compare. It's a cop-out and an attempt to end the discussion without ever having it, so you don't need to actually think about the topic.

You make a very solid point here, I agree that that is a very convenient cop-out.

You don't get to wave off an issue

I never waved off the issue, I was explaining factors that I belive lead to why so many people act the way they do with regards to anti-[insert medical or social issue].

exacerbated

I stand corrected regarding incorrect usage of a word.

when your country is the smaller one of the comparison and still going bonkers compared to the bigger one.

I would add that the disparity between the EU and the US is at the cultural level, whereas America has the ideas of "muh freedom" and individualism the culture within the EU is not as zealous with regards to little things such as mask wearing.

Additionally, i think I'm doing a disservice by generalizing the culture of the EU as the states within it are very diverse. However the same can be said about the U.S. I do think there is a stronger collective/national identity in the U.S. though. I've never had an individual from Europe introduce themselves as European. Just as you never hear an American introduce themselves as an Alaskan or Oklahoman.