I think China's and HK's experience with SARS made a big difference in the response. The US has no such experience in living memory, so there is no collective

I think China's and HK's experience with SARS made a big difference in the response. The US has no such experience in living memory, so there is no collective gut understanding that epidemics are best dealt with decisively and kept small. Once China's national government took the response seriously, the instantaneous and speedy construction of hospitals was really impressive. We see a little bit of that here in Seattle, with quarantine sites/hotels being prepared, but nothing on the scale which may be required.