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 USSC held a webinar event featuring CEO Professor Simon Jackman in conversation with non-resident fellow Dr Lesley Russell.

Dr Lesley Russell
Adjunct Associate Professor, Menzies Centre for Health Policy at the University of Sydney
Dr Lesley Russell was previously a non-resident fellow at the United States Studies Centre. She is an Adjunct Associate Professor at the Menzies Centre for Health Policy at the University of Sydney.

Professor Simon Jackman
Professor Simon Jackman was Chief Executive Officer of the United States Studies Centre from April 2016 to May 2022. Between 1996 and 2016, he was a Professor of Political Science and Statistics at Stanford University. Jackman's teaching and research centres on public opinion, election campaigns, political participation, and electoral systems with special emphasis on American and Australian politics.