The US population is over 4X France's. So, 4500 cases in France is approximately the same as 18000 cases here. So, your point stands, but I assume you see how per capita numbers weaken it.

But, more to the point, I find it odd that both you and at least one other poster seem to think that my OP was in some way defending the poor US response to COVID. It wasn't.

Why did you make that assumption?