COVID-19 is overwhelming some locations more than others. The United States and Australia are both free and open democratic countries with leading scientists but their experience with COVID-19 has been exceedingly different. Why are there currently so many more cases per capita in the United States than Australia? Is Australia likely to eventually follow the path of the United States? How do the powers of the US federal government to mitigate the spread of the virus differ from the powers of the Australian government? To discuss these issues, the United States Studies Centre held a webinar event featuring CEO Professor Simon Jackman in conversation with non-resident fellow and health policy expert Dr Lesley Russell.